Five readers can win double tickets to the Landbouweekblad Livestock Academy on 16 October. The competition closes tomorrow, so get your entries in!
Landbouweekblad, African Farming’s sister publication, is hosting a Livestock Academy on 16 October at Nampo Park in Bothaville, Free State. The event will bring farmers and experts together to find practical solutions to challenges in the livestock sector.
In the face of challenges such as foot-and-mouth disease, fluctuating prices, shifting markets and reduced profit margins, some livestock farmers will continue to adapt and find success. Crises can set you back, but they also show you how to succeed.
How to win tickets
To attend the Landbouweekblad Livestock Academy, send your name, address and contact details to kompetisies@landbou.com for a chance to win double tickets. Use “Livestock Academy” in the subject line. Winners will have to pay their own travel and accommodation costs. Winners will be selected by lucky draw and contacted by email on Tuesday 7 October. Terms and conditions apply.
Speakers and Programme
This will not be just another seminar where you go home with notes and nothing changes. The event will give farmers practical knowledge and tips, plus the chance to have their questions answered by experts. The programme will cover both the bigger picture and the day-to-day realities of livestock farming. And there will be interpreter services in English available.
The day will combine theory and practice. In the morning, participants might listen to a BFAP analysis on international meat prices. Later, they might stand alongside an experienced livestock farmer and stockman next to an animal to learn how a functional, efficient animal can generate more income.
The programme will span a wide range of topics, with experts who are committed to building a stronger livestock sector.
Gerhard van der Burgh, senior agricultural economist at BFAP and Free State cattle farmer, will explain how markets work and where risks and opportunities lie. His combination of research and practical experience will provide invaluable insights for farmers having to make strategic decisions.
Hannelet Jordaan, an animal scientist and livestock data analyst at BKB, will show how data-driven decision-making can make a farm smarter and more profitable. When every kilogram of feed counts, digital tools can mean the difference between loss and profit.
Dr Dave Midgley, CEO of RuVASA, will offer a realistic but hopeful view of the animal health crisis. He will share practical strategies to protect herds against diseases, even when biosecurity is under pressure.
Charl Saunderson will remind participants that farming not just about profit and loss. His talk on family and marital dynamics will highlight that sustainable farming also requires healthy people.
Hendri Truter, group CEO at Deli-Co, one of the country’s largest meat processors, will focus on the meat value chain and explain how producers can unlock greater value from their products.
Zak van Zyl will bring the perspective of a younger generation, showing how young ewe clubs not only drive genetic improvement but also build networks where knowledge and cooperation grow.
Karel Fourie, senior financial adviser for Old Mutual, will provide a financial perspective through which farmers can test their decisions. To him, sustainability is more than a slogan – it is a calculated strategy.
The late Prof Jan Bonsma will be honoured in a special way when one of his lost speeches will be brought back to life through artificial intelligence.
Production systems will also be under the spotlight. Well-known Eastern Cape livestock farmer Claude Cloete will explain why an ox-and-wether system works for him, and Jaco Liebenberg, senior section manager at Beefmaster Group, will advise weaner calf producers on how to add value and secure better prices.
For many farmers, the kraal sessions will be the highlight. Pikkie Uys‘s style is direct and simple. His popular talks are often described as a three-year university animal science course packed into one hour. With decades of experience breeding highly efficient animals in the harsh conditions of Wakkerstroom, he will share invaluable insights into what farmers should look for when selecting profitable animals.
The Livestock Academy will not only provide knowledge but also foster connection. Participants will have the opportunity to meet other farmers, exchange experiences and forge new friendships. Farming can often be a lonely pursuit. Such a day brings people together and reminds us that the sector is stronger when there is cooperation.
Tickets cost R750 and are available via Quicket.
In addition to the talks, there will be exhibitions and a lunch. A ticket also includes entry to the Nampo ALFA Livestock, Hunting and Outdoor Expo.
Download the programme here.
