Power in unity

For this year’s editor’s picks, Janine Ryan focuses on the power of community and partnerships as she looks back at various stories published in Farmer’s Weekly during 2022.

- Janine Ryan

The past year has been a challenging one, but one thing that has stood out over these 12 months as I look through all of the Farmer’s Weekly issues published this year, is a sense of community. Of course, as always, we’ve published many articles about production and business processes, and these are as important now as they’ve ever been. But for the editor’s overview, I’ve decided that this year we should focus on the many positives.

One thing we can take away from 2022 is that communities seem stronger, and despite difficult times, many people are still concerned with helping each other navigate the pitfalls of farming.

Finding inspiration on a cattle farm in Badplaas

One of the most inspiring articles this year for me was one I had the opportunity to write myself. The article focuses on Jessica Phathela, stud manager for the Ntaba Nyoni Cattle farm in Badplaas, Mpumalanga (see FW, 4 March). And while not strictly about community, her story is nevertheless fascinating. Phathela is an exceptional young woman who, despite her youth, is highly knowledgeable about cattle production. One of the most unique aspects of her story is that she oversees five breeds on the farm, namely Bonsmara, Nguni, Ankole, Boran and Wagyu, each with its own individual management challenges. Despite her education and willingness, she has also had to prove herself in a mostly male-dominated industry.

“To make it as a female farmer, you have to be willing to get your hands dirty and do much more than is expected of men. Once you are able to jump in and you aren’t standing on the sidelines, you’ll be taken seriously,” she said.