Are you the next #CattleFarmeroftheMonth?
April 2019: Recognising the success of cattle farmers is key to encouraging growth in the beef industry.
This is the view of Roelie van Reenen, Supply Chain Executive at Beefmaster Group of Companies.
In line with this, the company has launched a new initiative called the Beefmaster #CattleFarmeroftheMonth, which aims to give kudos to all cattle farmers in South Africa, no matter the breed of cattle that they farm with, on social media.
“We believe that all cattle breeds have the potential to deliver exceptional beef products. We forge strong relationships with both established and emerging cattle farmers, regardless of breed, helping farmers boost the quality and sustainability of their herds by offering training, mentorship programmes and offtake agreements, amongst others,” says van Reenen. “By profiling a cattle farmer each month on our Facebook platform, we hope to create more opportunity and contribute to the development and upliftment of the beef industry,” says van Reenen.
Beefmaster Group of Companies has, as part of the initiative, partnered with Landbou Radio, which is a strong believer in sharing good news in the cattle industry.
“#CattleFarmeroftheMonth is a great, uplifting initiative that will go a far way in sharing the success stories in this industry,” says Gerda Le Roux, presenter at the station.
Since its inception in January 2019, the initiative has seen three very different individuals being chosen as #CattleFarmeroftheMonth, with each of them bearing a success story and challenges of their own.
Rising above stereotypes
Salomè Scholtz was selected as the first #CattleFarmeroftheMonth in January 2019. She is a registered Brahman breeder and farms north of Vryburg with this breed and Simmentaler cattle.
Scholtz’s desire to use her success to inspire others through voicing her story is what stood out above the rest: she wants to set an example for aspiring female farmers to follow their dreams.
“It is a great challenge to be a young woman working in an industry which is widely considered to be ‘a man’s world’. But don’t pay attention to stereotypes, work hard and believe in yourself,” says Scholtz.
Passion for cattle farming
“Farming isn’t just a business, it is a passion,” says Louwrens Viljoen, cattle farmer in Clocolan in the Free State, and Beefmaster’s February #CattleFarmeroftheMonth.
Viljoen has a great passion for the white beef breed and farms a commercial Charolais herd with only pure Charolais stud bulls as well as a Simbra herd that is used for pure stud bulls for crossbreeding for the weaner calf market.
To Viljoen, having a love and passion for the work you do is essential as a cattle farmer. With this message, he hopes to inspire others to pursue their passions as his father encouraged him.
An industry that supports each other
Growing up in the village of Ganyesa where he helped his family with various farming duties, Tumisang Masaseng has come a long way; he is now a cattle farmer near Vryburg and was selected as Beefmaster’s March #CattleFarmeroftheMonth.
In an interview on Landbou Radio, Masaseng called for young cattle farmers to work together and uplift each other, “I wish to see more young cattle farmers getting involved in this industry. I hope the recognition through #CattleFarmeroftheMonth will be an eye opener to other young farmers to develop a passion for cattle farming.”
To become the next @BeefmasterSA #CattleFarmeroftheMonth, you must be a cattle farmer anywhere in South Africa. You may nominate yourself or another cattle farmer by sending an image of yourself and more about your farm via Direct Message to the Beefmaster Group of Companies Facebook platform, @BeefmasterSA. Each month, Beefmaster will select a farmer to profile on Facebook.
“We invite all South African cattle farmers join the movement by participating in the #CattleFarmeroftheMonth initiative and to share their stories. We are proud to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work of cattle farmers everywhere,” concludes van Reenen.
About Beefmaster Group of Companies
Beefmaster PTY Ltd is a leading specialist producer of quality beef products to South Africa, the Middle- and FarEast, and beyond. We believe that all cattle breeds have the potential to deliver exceptional beef products. We forge strong relationships with both established and emerging farmers to access a variety of cattle, regardless of breed, helping farmers boost the quality and sustainability of their herds by offering training, mentorship programmes and offtake agreements, amongst others.
Our state-of-the-art technology and world-class facilities allow us to customise and “produce to order” for some of the biggest players in the food industry. Our exceptional team of highly-trained staff, operating in line with the highest possible safety standards, enables us to be a trusted supplier and partner. We commit resources to not only our staff but also local communities, with a view to sustainably and positively impact the environment in which we do business.
With a successful track record spanning more than three decades, Beefmaster is still the partner to trust for all things beef.
