Nufarmer November / December 2017 NUF NOV.DEC 17 | Page 5
Nufarmer Africa
animals which were almost ready to sell. Within three
years he managed to pay off the loan and increased his
stock to thirty animals.
“In farming it is not wise to earn an income from one
product only. It is good to diverse in order to survive in
low times. With breeding you only receive an income
on production sales. Every month there are expenses to
be paid. He therefore also keeps goats and makes bales
of hay.
In 2014 things changed for the better when Sanele
met an ARC offi cer, Mr Zamini. Because of stock theft,
Sanele’s father sold his farm in the Freestate.
They moved their stock to Dundee and lost 22 head
because of Red water – an expensive learning process.
Although they injected as much as they could, they did
not realize the strain of Red water disease diff ers from
the Freestate to KZN.
Although his father tried everything, he eventually
listened to Sanele to obtain advice from a vet.
Up till that time they had an Angus herd which is
suitable for the Freestate but did not realize it is not
suitable for Dundee with its warmer climate. They then
started to change the animals for Brahman cattle over
the course of three years.
These gave excellent calves. Sanele had Brahman
cattle while his father had Brangus (they used a
Brahman bull on Angus cows) and it was clear that
Sanele’s stock grew faster than his father’s.
His father consented to the fact that they need to
agree on what type of cattle is best for the Dundee
farm.
Their predominant stock now consists of white
Brahman cattle and through his persistence and
diligent herd management, Sanele Mbhele received
the ‘ARC Farmer of the Year’ award.
“The ARC-API plays a major role in my life with
their correct advice, always ready to assist when I
have a query and just being there for me,” Sanele
concluded.
RMRD SA SCHEME for scientists
The Red Meat Research and Development (RMRD) hosted their SA Awards Scheme for Scientists on 24 October 2017 at the ARC-AP Irene Campus, Meat Science.
There are three categories of evaluation for the RMRD SA research awards scheme.
T
he Young research award is made to a young researcher up to age 35 who
has performed research work funded by RMRD SA. The research work
performed must be of high quality and make an exceptional contribution
to the fi eld. Ms MC Mokolobate from ARC-AP received this award. The best
research project of the year award went to Ms H Vermeulen.
This award is made to an established researcher/research team who has
performed research work funded by RMRD SA. The research must be of high
quality and the researcher’s work must make an exceptional contribution. The
outstanding contribution to research award went to Prof Michiel Scholtz from
ARC-AP. This award is made to a researcher who has made an outstanding
contribution to research during a specifi c time period.
The fourth award went to a veteran/retired researcher, Dr Gareth Bath who
has made an outstanding contribution to the industry over a long period of
time. All the research projects funded from Cattle and Small Stock Trust- and
Levy Funds and Pork Trust- and Levy funds are eligible for nomination. Only
projects for which fi nal reports and popular articles were submitted are
considered in categories A and B.
All research projects completed in 2014 and 2015 were considered in
categories A and B for the awards. With the exception of a veteran researcher
it should be taken into consideration that a time lag exits between research
outputs and industry recognition. Prof GF Bathe received this award.
The procedures for nominations and the election of the winners were as
follows: The subject working groups were requested to nominate candidates
for discussion at the February and September 2016 Planning Committee
meetings. It was not compulsory that each subject working group nominate a
candidate.
The short list was then sent to the executive committees of the Planning
Committees for recommendation. The Executive of the Project committee
made the fi nal decision.
RMRD SA AWARDS winners; Ms H
Vermeulen, Prof GF Bath, Ms MC
Mokolobate and Prof Michiel Scholtz.
THE FESTIVE SEASON
IS FAMILY TIME!
Monsanto wishes you and your loved
ones a festive season filled with love,
laughter and togetherness.
May each day bring you joy and may
the new year bring new opportunities
and enthusiasm to make the most of
each day. Times may change but our
passion for agriculture never will.
Christmas ... a time to count
our blessings.
Clients are welcome to contact our client services on
011 790-8200 or [email protected]
Monsanto Technology LLC. Monsanto South Africa (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 69933, Bryanston, 2021.
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