PRODUCER FOCUS
The Burg between the Burgs
A Myburgh farming between Petrusburg en Edenburg
His surname may be Myburgh, but for Senwes producer Johan Myburgh, everything in
life is not about him, but rather about the people around him.
By Aubrey Kruger
Senwes Scenario Editor
J
ohan's farming operations come
with conditions and with his strong
principles and trust in God, his
feet remain well-anchored in agri-
culture. Johan and his wife Monica have
been farming since 1970 and they will
be celebrating their 50th year of farming
this year, which is a milestone similar to
Senwes' 110-year celebrations.
On this farm, Kingsheath, Johan is
supported by Deodé Wilson, who focuses
on the cattle and crop farming and who
has been working on the farm for the past
11 years, and newcomer Rohan Coetzee,
who has been here for three years and
who deals with the irrigation and potato
branch, as well as labourers for many
years, Boy and Nanzi. “I am blessed with
good people helping me.” His point of
departure is to surround himself with peo-
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SENWES SCENARIO | WINTER 2019
ple with his way of thinking. He believes
in staff who are self-reliant: “I am not there
to think for them. They are very proud of
their work and they are positive young
people with vision”, he said.
Although he is hesitant, he still buys
land and the latest 640 hectare acqui-
sition was done as recently as January
2019.
They had a difficult beginning, accord-
ing to Johan and Monica, and are very
grateful for what they have achieved thus
far. Johan mentions that he would not
change the few years during which he
could farm with his father, for anything.
That was when he learned the basic prin-
ciples of farming. Their farming operations
and their marriage are almost the same
age - they celebrated their 50th anniver-
sary last year.
This Senwes producer confirms
that he is a customer of Senwes
by loudly announcing his
membership number. Senwes Equipment
is high on his list of priorities, which is evi-
dent when you count all the pieces of John
Deere equipment on his farm, and even-
tually lose count. He bought a brand new
John Deere 8345 RT in December 2018,
which is the latest addition to his fleet.
Even the oldest tractor on the farm still runs
well - a 1982 John Deere 3140 which cost
him R12 500 at the time. His first tractor
was a 3130 and he mentions that he has
never sold a John Deere for less than what
he purchased it. "Nothing compares with
John Deere and I don't even look at any-
thing else.”
We drove around Kingsheath in a
Toyota bakkie. “Only three things move
around on this farm - a John Deere, Toyota
and Bonsmaras.” The Bonsmara-stud
consists of 70 bulls and 300 cows. Deodé
tells us that they will be pre-