By Lebogang Mashala
Before meeting her husband Samuel, Maneo Lipali planned a career in the financial sector. However, after being introduced to farming by her husband midway through her studies at Goldfields TVET College in Welkom, Maneo’s aspirations changed. Today, Maneo and Samuel run Lipadi Farming Enterprises, a mixed farming operation that includes more than 120 Bonsmara cattle, more than 100 Merino sheep, 80 hectares of grain, and layer hens.
Maneo, 30, met Samuel, 38, when she visited her home during the school holiday in Marquard, near Senekal. Maneo grew up on Sparta, a farm in the Marquard region that became the dwelling Sparta Marquard. She later moved to the nearby Moemaneng village, where she began dating Samuel. She recalls how she visited Samuel’s father’s store to purchase some items during the holidays. After several months of courting, she gave him a chance.
Before they met, Maneo admits she knew nothing about farming. Her introduction to agriculture came after she and Samuel married in 2013 and she moved to the Gilboa farm in Marquard. It was acquired by Maneo’s father-in-law, Daniel Lipali, through the government’s land-reform initiative, the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy. Maneo was unsure what her role would be on the farm, but her husband was supportive throughout the transition and helped her to get involved with farmers’ study groups.
Maneo’s passion for farming was sparked after attending workshops and information days where she was inspired by female farmers such as Maria Tswayi and Tracy Marobobo, as well as veteran farmer Ojay Masiu. Their encouragement motivated Maneo to pursue her dream. This led her to join the Sernick study group in 2018 and eventually to participate in the Sernick emerging farmer development programme.
Today, Gilboa farm consists of 666 hectares, of which 217 are arable and 406 are used for grazing. “Our cattle carrying capacity is 110. However, we have planted about 120ha of pasture to accommodate a few more cattle.”
“We cultivate maize, sunflowers and soya beans on rotation on 80ha of arable land. Just over 120ha is planted with teff and oats.”
Maneo has dedicated her life to farming since 2018, starting as a Sernick tier-1 farmer and quickly rising through the ranks. In 2020, she was selected for the tier-3 programme and received 35 cows and a bull, as well as infrastructure improvements. “We were able to build proper kraals and handling facilities, as well as restore borehole pumps, dams and reticulation systems. Fencing also helped us divide the farm into camps,” she explains.
Maneo tackles every challenge that comes her way with enthusiasm and creativity. She is a valued member of Lipali Farming Enterprises and has achieved high rankings in the Sernick programme. Her skills and dedication have earned her the position of director at Temong, a black economic empowerment partner of the Sernick group. Despite being a tier-3 farmer for only a short time, her talents have made her an essential member and an inspiration to other young women who want to pursue careers in farming.
Maneo is a representative of Temong’s black emerging farmers trust. Temong’s primary goal is to uplift under-resourced farmers and their communities and roll out the Sernick development programmes and other value-chain projects throughout the country and the continent.
When Maneo and Samuel received the 35 cows from Sernick, they had about 80 mixed-breed cattle. “After learning so much about the Bonsmara breed and falling in love with it, we decided to change the whole herd to Bonsmara cattle. As a result, we started selling some of the cows and replacing them with Bonsmaras,” she says. After a few years, they have transformed the herd, which consists of 120 cows and six bulls.
From December to March and July to August, the bulls run with the cows. Pregnancy tests are conducted in April for the first breeding season and at the end of August for the second season.
“If a cow doesn’t conceive during the first season, it is moved to the second group. If it still doesn’t become pregnant during the second season, it is culled,” she says. Before joining the Sernick programme, their conception and calving rates were less than 70%, but now they are over 90%.
Maneo says they chose the Bonsmara because of its exceptional traits. “Our training with Bonsmaras has given us good results, and we don’t see ourselves working with other breeds,” she says. “They calve easily, are fertile and have good mothering abilities.”
She says when building a herd to function efficiently, it’s crucial to prioritise adaptability.
“Animals that are well adapted can survive, produce and reproduce successfully. Adaptability and fertility are closely linked, as unadaptable animals may struggle to reproduce in a new environment. As a cattle producer, it’s imperative to ensure that every female animal in your herd produces a calf each year,” she says.
The cattle receive a winter lick (Sernick Winter Lick 40) continuously. Among other things, it provides degradable protein that gives the rumen sufficient nitrogen to handle low-digestible fibre during dry winter grazing. “It also contains phosphorus, trace minerals and vitamins.”
Calving usually begins in October. While the nutritional value of the grazing slowly improves, she says it isn’t nearly enough to meet the additional nutritional needs of lactating cows. “Consequently, we must provide cows with production licks (Sernick Production Lick 20) and summer licks to supplement their energy, protein and minerals. “We provide winter licks until it has rained sufficiently,” she says.
Maneo says the grass improves after good rains and meet most of the cattle’s protein needs. SA’s phosphorus-deficient pastures mean a summer lick is needed to meet the nutritional needs of lactating cows. According to Maneo, phosphorus and calcium are essential for energy utilisation and bone formation.
“It is important to recognise that the milk production of the cow is the biggest determinant of weaning weight, which can be managed through strategic supplementation,” she says. “Phosphate supplementation has also been proven to significantly increase cow fertility in areas where natural pastures are deficient in phosphate.”
Weaning begins between six and seven months. Heifers are introduced to bulls strictly at 24 months of age. “We don’t want to take any chances and rather wait until the heifers are ready,” she says.
Maneo says before the rains they vaccinate their cattle against Rift Valley Fever, lumpy skin disease and other Clostridial diseases such as black disease, blackleg, tetanus and botulism. She dips only when necessary.
“We do not dip systematically; we scout for ticks and dip as needed.”
Maneo says they would like to expand their business one day. Because they also produce wool and grain, acquiring a bigger farm will help increase their production of these commodities. “Growing our flock will boost our income and cash flow by producing more wool. By increasing our grain production, we will increase our profitability and build a business that will last for generations to come,” she says.
