HARTEBEESTLOOP FARMER’S DAY AND AUCTION CELEBRATES TEN YEARS
Published: 29 May 2017

Agra, in collaboration with Hartebeestloop, hosted the 2017 Hartebeestloop farmer’s day and Bonsmara auction on the Farm Hartebeestloop outside Stampriet recently. The event, which enjoyed the best attendance since its inception ten years ago, aims at educating farmers on best agricultural practices, as well making the renowned Hartebeestloop genetics available through the auction.

Speaking during the information session, Nick Serfontein shared Sernick’s inspirational story under the title: “Farm to Plate”. Sernick is a diversified agricultural organisation in Kroonstad in South Africa. Their operations include the whole value chain, from farm to plate with a Bonsmara stud, their own animal feed production system, a feedlot, facilities for red meat production including an abattoir, de-boning and processing facilities as well as retail outlets. The group employs 400 people and has annual revenues of R1 billion. He motivated the farmers by saying: “Dream big, surround yourselves with good people with a passion for what they do and empower people”. 

Also speaking at the event, Gawie van Heerden, Marketing Director: Konsortium Merino explained the principles of consortium farming. This business is based on the principle that investors buy ewe units from Konsortium Operations (KO). A profit share farming agreement is entered into between the investor/farmer and KO. KO manages the farming for the benefit of both parties. This agreement is valid for a minimum of 3 years. At the termination of the period entered into, the investor/farmer can renew the contract, take the value of the ewe units in cash or take the value in stock to carry on his own farming.

Van Heerden highlighted challenges experienced, such as to grow ewe numbers to farm more effectively, bargain collectively and supply these quality products to the market in sustainable quantities. These are addressed through the principles of consortium farming where groundwork has already been done and structures are in place to make a success of this branded farming enterprise.

Pierre Vercueil advised farmers on how “backgrounding” can serve as ‘extensive feedlot’ to help prepare calves for finishing off faster in feedlots. Strategic reasons for backgrounding from a feedlot perspective are inter alia that it decreases the cattle stock uncertainty, stabilises stock flow; minimises the buying price by focusing on the times of good supply; shorter periods in the feedlot to reach the final mass; increasing the throughput; higher carcass mass and lower mortality and morbidity due to lower weaning shock.

Mecki Schneider, ‘mega farmer’ of Namibia highlighted the challenges faced by Namibian farmers and gave solutions to address the challenges of decreasing extensive livestock farming profitability. Some of the advice Mecki gave are having a positive attitude; taking stock to assess risks and identify the weakest links; plan carefully and have control in order to improve effectiveness and maximise efficiency. He also encouraged farmers to ensure that they understand all the facets of their farming enterprise, have a strategic plan, use technology and build up resilience in the good times to be prepared for the challenging times. “Attitude, talent and knowledge more than capital, are the critical factors to overcome challenging times”, he said.

Ryno van der Merwe, president of the Namibia Agricultural Union continued on the role that organised agriculture plays in assisting farmers to farm successfully despite challenges.

At the Hartebeestloop Bonsmara auction, a total of 33 Bonsmara bulls were sold for an average price of N$67 788 while the most expensive Bonsmara bull was auctioned off for N$ 210 000. Two Bonsmara cows were sold at the highest price of N$25 000, with a total of 12 cows achieving an average price of N$23 333; 14 cows with calves sold for N$17 000 average and 134 heifers were sold for N$12 295 average.