Measurement And Management: A Winning Combination

Conscientious management, and the effective use of technology, enabled the Western Cape’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2017, Johann Nel, to increase his dairy herd by 30%, and more than triple his sheep flock. He was also able to add Boer goats to his operation. All this was achieved within five-and-a-half years, and without buying or renting additional land. By Jeandré du Preez.

- Jeandre du Preez

It’s hard to believe that Johann Nel, the Western Cape’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2017, began his farming career as a farmworker.

“My father, Christoff Nel, bought Hoëkraal Estate in 2008,” says Johann. “I initially worked as a farmhand, tending the calves. While working my way through the ranks, I gained valuable knowledge.”

When Christoff passed away in 2009, a manager was appointed to run the farm until 2011, when Johann took the reins. Since then, Johann, who is originally from Middelburg in Mpumalanga, has transformed Hoëkraal Estate farm, which is situated just outside Suurbraak, a small settlement near Swellendam in the Overberg. Johann farms Jersey cows, Boer goats and sheep, and also runs a small crop operation.

INCREASED DAIRY PRODUCTION

Dairy is Hoëkraal’s primary operation, and generates 80% of its turnover. Before Johann took over, the operation milked 800 Jersey cows, but this number has since increased to 1 100. The cows are milked twice a day in a 60-point rotary parlour, and produce about 17 000l/day.

“We can milk up to 20 000â„“ a day, but the current drought has reduced production,” says Johann.

About 70% of his dairy herd is run on irrigated pastures, planted to kikuyu grasss oversown with annual ryegrass. A clovergrass mixture is established on higher potential soil.

Farming is all about measuring and conscientious management, says Johann. “We are continuously trying to quantify [dairy] production, because if you don’t measure, you can’t manage it.”

Johann uses Fourth Quadrant, a performance analysis and management software service, to formulate his grazing and contingency plans.