How to breed superior Brahmans

Careful selection and maintaining an international network is key to the success of the Serfontein Brahman Stud. Jan and Carla Serfontein spoke to Nichelle Steyn.

- By Nichelle Steyn

Power, performance and profit – that is what the Serfontein family believes the Brahman represents on the veld.

At 81 years old, Jan Serfontein is still the captain of the Serfbred Brahman Stud, while his children run the Serfontein Group and their other farming businesses. The Serfontein Group is located just outside Potchefstroom, North West.

All three of Jan's children, Carla, Jan Jr and Petrie, head various sections of the businesses. Jan Jr and Petrie lead the Serfontein poultry business, while sister Carla de Kock works alongside her father in the stud and makes sure that everything runs smoothly. The business is centred on productivity and family.

"From a young age, I urged my children to work on the farm. Today they know the business inside out," Jan says. In his world, the word 'retirement' does not exist, and he is still just as hands-on as he was when his children were growing up.

FAMILY VALUES

Most of his children live nearby, and his house is regularly filled with the laughter of his seven grandchildren.

"At Serfbred we don't work, we live what we love," says Carla.

She shares her father's values: hard work, passion and a dedication to agriculture, particularly the upliftment of the Brahman breed. She says that she experienced firsthand her father's dedication to the genetic progress of the Brahman.

"His passion for these animals took us around the world. Our trips to the US, Houston in particular, helped us to be on par with international breeding standards." While Jan loves to share stories of their travels, he also stresses the importance of gathering knowledge about the breed. A stud farmer must be prepared to learn, he says.

"We have one of the oldest Brahman studs in the country. My goal from the beginning was to build something that will last," says Jan.