Seven of Mzansi’s finest young producers are competing for top honours in the Western Cape Young Farmer of the Year competition hosted by Agri Western Cape.
The candidates recently had the opportunity to make presentations to a team of adjudicators. They shared their management philosophy and technical skills with the panel. The panel consisted of experts in various fields who will be visiting each candidate on their farm from 29 May to 1 June.
The top three candidates and winner will be announced during a gala evening to be held in Paarl on Wednesday, 14 June.
Who is in the running?
Ricard Myburgh farms apples and pears near Vyeboom in the Overberg district. Myburgh’s vision for the future is to be one of the top fruit farmers in the country. He believes good timing is critical and that a farmer must know his farm well. He is input driven and wants to use more technology in his operations in order to be able to farm sustainably.
Christi van den Heever is from the Rietfontein farm in the Koue Bokkeveld where they produce apples, pears, cherries, grapes and cattle. Van den Heever strives to remain profitable and to be competitive; to produce marketable fruit of the right quality optimally and sustainably; and to continuously improve and adapt the business.
Johan Swart farms in the Overberg district near Riviersonderend with small grains (barley, wheat, oats and canola) and wool. The most important lesson that Swart has learned is to be adaptable and innovative during difficult times. His vision for the future is to expand his farming operations and develop them optimally. He also wants to empower his labour force continuously.
‘Good business sense’
Eben Schellink runs a mixed farming operation at Driefontein near Malmesbury and farms mainly with wheat, canola and merinos. Schellink believes that a young farmer must have good business sense and understand the sustainability of their business, and also have the necessary perseverance to work as best they can to ensure maximum output.
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Pieter Janse Gildenhuys owns a mixed farming operation in the Heidelberg district consisting of small grain, wheat, barley, canola and lucerne pastures, as well as a merino herd. He believes that South African farmers are among the best in the world and that a good farmer is driven yet humble, someone who is able to plan well, adapt and still hang onto their hopes and beliefs in difficult times.
Johannes Erasmus farms in the Robertson area with wine grapes, citrus, peaches and vegetables. He believes in perseverance, hard work, innovation and good planning. Erasmus strives to operate a business of which his forebears would have been proud and wants to develop the farm in such a way that various commodities complement one another.
SA farmers are ‘diehards’
Wimpie van Niekerk farms mainly with crops, as well as dairy cattle, sheep, apples and pears in the Caledon area. He believes there is always something new to learn and will not hesitate to approach experts in the industry to broaden his knowledge. Van Niekerk believes that producers in South Africa are diehards who are constantly making plans in order to prosper.
MZANSI YOUNG FARMERS INDABA: Click here to reserve your seat
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