PRODUCER FOCUS
There are about 600 Beefmaster Bonsmaras on the farm.
"Farming in my blood, I just didn't have the chance before. So many
people today are just looking for a chance to farm and learn farming
practices."
house is situated between Standerton
and Volksrust, approximately 30km from
Standerton and 55km from Volksrust.
He said that in the beginning he used to
do everything alone - ploughing, planting,
servicing tractors, etcetera. He jokingly
referred to his overdraft - “FNB took a
chance on me.” He had nothing - no trac-
tors, planters, no land and cattle. He had
a farming background, however, as his
father Johann farmed in Groblersdal with
tobacco, seed maize and peas.
He describes himself as follows: “Farming
is in my blood - I just did not have the
opportunity to farm earlier. So many peo-
ple just need a chance to farm and to
learn about farming.” This is why he helps
his staff to develop. This farmer reached a
point where he plants 1 300 hectares and
plants yellow maize (50%) and soybeans
and sugar beans (25% each). He also has
merinos and a herd of 600 Beefmaster
Bonsmaras, which means that, in order to
Senwes Grainlink regional grain
marketing consultant Neil Kemp and
producer Edzard Biermann.
expand, he will have to buy more land. his fields.
His aim is to expand his herd to 1 000.
His advice to farmers in the area is to
bear in mind that for every 1 000 hect-
ares of land, you have to plant 600 hect-
ares and use 40% for grazing in order
to establish successful mixed farming
operations. The fields pay your premium.
“People say land is cheap at present. But
where is that cheap land? Please show
me." Another option for him is to expand
his farming operations towards Vrede,
Memel and Ermelo. He bought his farm from another producer
and was really nervous when he wrote the
cheque for the farm. However, he is glad
that he took the chance. “It was a huge
gamble to start farming.”
SUCCESS, COURAGE AND DETERMI-
NATION
His success can partially be ascribed to
the fact that he applies he basic princi-
ples of farming - it is the crux. He believes
in lime and increased the pH-levels of his
soil from 4.3 to 5.4. Different to other pro-
ducers, he also applies lime to the land
rented by him and he harvests up to 10 to
11 tons of maize per hectare on some of
CHALLENGES
He has 11 settlements on his farms, which
would be a challenge for most producers.
“I take ownership of my farm.” He admits
that it can be problematic as far as veld
fires, theft, etcetera are concerned, but he
has day and night security plans in place.
Theft rears its ugly head on a regular
basis, but he tries to address the problem
by means of electric fences, cameras and
fire hydrants.
He decided to move his business to
Senwes during the season, to benefit
from the transport differential - the bank
balance and service will make the dif-
ference. He acted on the words of Neil
SENWES SCENARIO | AUTUMN 2019
34
33