2012 Farmer of the Year
The 2012 National Sheep Farmer from Bredasdorp (Ruens district) and the Eastern Free State 2012 National Cattle Farmer of the Year receiving their awards at the recent 2012 National Cattle & Sheep Farmer of the Year function.
From left: Messrs Wolf Edmayr, managing director of BKB, Jan-Paul Kempen (Sheep Farmer of the Year) and his wife Linden from Amerika Farm in the Bredasdorp district, Messrs Philip Strydom, managing director of Voermol Feeds, Linde du Plessis (Cattle Farmerof the Year) from Blomhoek Farm in Fouriesburg district, Jan van Zyl, Head of Agriculture, Information and Marketing of FNB, Koos du Plessis (Cattle Farmer of the Year) and Hugo Lochner, Editor of Landbouweekblad. Kempen farms on about 5 800 hectares with more than 8 000 Dohne-Merino and Du Plessis on about 6400 hectares including a Brahman stud and cross-bred commercial cattle. Photo: Johan Norval
2011 Farmer of the Year:
South Africa’s top Beef Cattle and Sheep Farmers for 2011 were honoured at the annual gala awards event held recently in Bloemfontein. From left are Messrs Charl and Sarel Saunderson (National Sheep Farmer of the Year), Wolf Edmayr (Managing Director: BKB), Dr. Jasper Coetzee (Technical Director: Voermol), Jan de Jong (Agricultural Manager: FNB), Gerrit van Zyl (National Beef Cattle Farmer of the Year) and Hugo Lochner (Editor: Landbouweekblad). Photo: Courtesy of Johan Norval, Landbouweekblad.
Voermol’s winners from NC and Free State
Johan Norval, Landbouweekblad
A father and son team from the arid Northern Cape and a part-time Free State farmer were recognized as Voermol’s National Sheep Farmer and Beef Cattle Farmer for 2011, respectively.
The honour was bestowed on Messrs Sarel and Charl Saunderson of Nooitgedacht Dorper Stud in the Kenhardt district and Gerrit van Zyl, a Bonsmara stud farmer of Staussfontein in the Dewetsdorp district. The winners each received prizes to the value of R25 000 from BKB and First National Bank.
Van Zyl was primarily recognized for the implementation of his veld management system whereby he is in the position to improve the carrying capacity of his land by 30% above the norm of the area. He follows a strict reproduction programme with a relatively short breeding season for his heifers. He also developed a unique global profit index to measure efficiency in beef cattle production.
The Saundersons boast a weaning percentage of 142.7 which is proof of their effective reproduction management system in an area with a low annual average rainfall of 132 mm. Sound veld grazing management practice is applied to improve the veld’s carrying capacity. The herd’s fertility, adaptability and mothering abilities are some of the identified selection goals that they follow.
Farmers’ Day Presentations: 2010 Cattle Farmer of the Year
Farmers’ Day Presentations: 2010 Sheep Farmer of the Year
Farmers’ Day Presentations: 2009 Cattle Farmer of the Year
Farmers’ Day Presentations: 2009 Sheep Farmer of the Year
Courtesy of Landbouweekblad, Photographs : Johan Norval
The National Sheep Farmer of the Year, Mr. Andries Pienaar (middle) and his son, Jacques (second from the right). Also shown are, Mr. Niel Lubbe, BKB, Ms. Engela Pienaar, Ms. Nora Pienaar and Hugo Lochner, Landbouweekblad.
The Newborn family of Matatiele were the winners of the Cattle Farmer of the Year prize. From left is Mr. Philip Strydom, managing director of Voermol, Mr. Brett Newborn, his wife, Jenny with their daughter, Kayla, Ms. Bonita Newborn and her husband, Mark, and Mr. Jan van Zyl of FNB.
The National Sheep Farmer of the Year Finalists were Mr. Johan van As (left) and his brother, Dirkie, of Swellendam and Mr. Dolf Bam (second from the right) and his brother, Thys, of Amersfoort. Also shown are, from left, Prof. Hennie Snyman of the University of the Free State, Ms. Marese van As, Mr. Harry Prinsloo, NWGA, and Mr. Hendrik van Pletzen of Voermol.
The National Cattle Farmer of the Year finalists were, Mr. Gert Campher (left) and his wife, martie (second from the left) from van Reenen, and Mr. Tony Matchett (right) and his wife, Jeanne (third from the right), of Benson Farming, Lions River. Also shown are, from left, Mr. Koos van der Ryst, RPO, Mr. Kobus Goosen, BKB and Charl van Rooyen of Landbouweekblad.