Grain SA recently celebrated excellence in grain production at its annual gala awards evening, and two of the farmers featured in “Farming with nature”, a TV series produced by Food For Mzansi in partnership with SSK, won big on the night.
In a special award, Southern Cape farmer Jacobus Human received the Grain SA Inspiration Award (posthumous) on behalf of his father Jack Human for pioneering the concept of conservation agriculture, not only in the Western Cape but also throughout South Africa.
Jacobus’s father holds the esteemed title of the father of conservation agriculture who demonstrated visible effects in terms of soil and natural resource conservation but also had a substantial financial impact on the stability and success of farming in the region.
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Keeping conservation agriculture alive
Speaking to Food For Mzansi, Jacobus said the recognition is a huge honour.
“There’s a lot of gratefulness in my heart for what my dad did and paving the way for the rest that followed. One does not always realise the impact of what he did on farm level, but also the financial and economic impact it had on the entire region.”
When asked what he thought his father’s reaction would be, Jacobus said, “That is a tough question.”
“Dad never did it for recognition or awards. But I think it would have placed a huge smile on his face to see that all his hard work was not for nothing. He would have been pleased to see that more people adopted conservation farming strategies on such a big scale,” he said.
Grain SA also used the opportunity to honour Dr Reneé Prins for 20 years of contribution to the success of the barley and wheat industries of South Africa as the founder of Cengen.
Sustainable farming at its best
The 2023 Grain SA-Syngenta Grain Producer of the Year was awarded to Pieter de Jager from Albertinia in the Western Cape. De Jager was also featured on the TV series which aired on People°s Weather, DStv channel 180 and Openview channel 115 in September.
He joined the family farm in late 2003 after completing his MA studies in agricultural management. They bought the farm Wiehmansfontein near Albertinia, and still live there today.
“I am an example that success not only starts with each person but also because of a member organisation such as Grain SA as a mouthpiece, is non-negotiable to act on behalf of me as a producer where I as an individual, do not have an impact on the macroeconomic policy platforms, the political field, legislation, or the management of national resources,” De Jager said.
Sibling success
Initially, wool sheep, ostriches and chalk were the farming’s primary source of income, while beef cattle and small grain only made up a small part of the turnover.
Between the two De Jager brothers, the management of the livestock branches was divided as they lived around different farming units. Since 2010, Pieter began to focus more diligently on the grain branches with a view to better profitability. Today, about 80% of the farming is grain and 20% wool sheep and beef cattle.
They grow cash crops on dry land, of which wheat represents the largest plantings, followed by canola, radishes, and lupins. Pasture and planted pasture make up the sum of the farming operations. The livestock factor comprises a commercial wool sheep herd for slaughter lamb production and a smaller beef cattle herd for weanling calf production.
De Jager believes in the uniqueness of the agricultural sector because of good leadership and a positive attitude and says agriculture tends to create opportunities and act proactively.
The other category finalist was Andries Els from Bothaville in the Free State.
ALSO READ: Pieter pioneers precision agriculture for farming harmony
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