THE WINNERS OF THE 2020 ARC NATIONAL MASTER DAIRYMAN AWARDS

Oct 21, 2020

ARC National Master Dairyman of the Year 2020: Breyton Milford (Agri-Expo Operations Manager), Johannes Loubser (PE Loubser, Durbanville, Western Cape) and Dr Jakkie du Toit (Research Team Manager of the ARC Milk Recording and Improvement Scheme). Photo: Agri-Expo

This year’s Agricultural Research Council (ARC) annual National Master Dairyman Awards ceremony was presented on Wednesday 21 October 2020 as a virtual event by Agri-Expo, on behalf of the National Milk Recording and Improvement Scheme of the ARC. The prestigious competition celebrates South Africa’s top commercial and smallholder achievers in the industry and is recognised by key stakeholders as a highlight on the country’s agricultural calendar.

The awards ceremony was opened by Dr Shadrack Moephuli, ARC President and CEO. He stressed the importance of continued investment in research and development to ensure the most technologically advanced animal improvement tools for efficient selection and breeding in an era of increased agricultural risks. Dr Moephuli acknowledged the resilience and innovation of dairy farmers in the face of daily challenges such as diminished demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. “Drought forced farmers to look at alternative production systems and the breeding of drought resistance forage cultivars has become a priority,” Dr Moephuli said.

According to Dr Jakkie du Toit, Research Team Manager of the ARC Milk Recording and Improvement Scheme, the purpose of the Master Dairyman competition is to acknowledge the country’s most outstanding achievers in breeding genetically superior animals, using performance recording and performance testing as tools. Winners are awarded in various categories.

The winners of this year’s ARC National Master Dairyman Awards are:
• ARC National Master Dairyman of the Year 2020:
PE Loubser (Johannes Loubser), Durbanville, Western Cape
• ARC National Small Scale Dairyman of the Year 2020:
MJ Zim (the late Jan Zim), between Harrismith and Kestell, Free State
• ARC Special Award for innovative development by a Dairy Producer of the Year 2020:
Fort Hare Dairy Trust, Alice, Eastern Cape
• ARC National Herd with the Best Somatic Cell Count 2020:
E Zeeman (Etienne Zeeman), Swellendam, Western Cape with 155 000 cells/ml
• ARC National Herd with the Best Inter Calving Period 2020:
Tweekop Boerdery (Pieter Steenkamp and Dirk van Papendorp), Heidelberg, Western Cape with 376 days

ARC National Small Scale Dairyman of the Year 2020: Dr Andrew Magadlela (ARC Group Executive: Animal Sciences), the late Jan Zim and Nompe Ida Zim (MJ Zim, Kestell, Free State), and Prof Norman Maiwashe (ARC General Manager: Animal Production) at the 2019 awards function. Photo: Landbouweekblad

Dr Andrew Magadlela, ARC Group Executive: Animal Sciences, in his vote of thanks, acknowledged all the strategic partners of the event, including Mr Mooketsa Ramasodi, Deputy Director General (DDG): Agricultural Production, Health and Food Safety and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), Nova Feeds, Meadow Feeds, Afgri Feeds, Allflex, Warwick Estate, OK Foods, Darling Creamery and Vredenheim Wines.

The ARC’s National Milk Recording and Improvement Scheme plays a critical role in the dairy industry through the provision of genetic improvement services, accredited by the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR). The objective of the scheme is to enhance the sustainability and profitability of production, ultimately contributing to food security, job creation and human capital development. For more information, contact Dr Jakkie du Toit at dtoitj@arc.agric.za or 021 809 3515.

ARC National Herd with the Best Inter Calving Period 2020: Pieter Steenkamp, Dirk van Papendorp and Arno Steenkamp (Tweekop Boerdery, Heidelberg, Western Cape). Photo: Landbouweekblad

ARC National Herd with the Best Somatic Cell Count 2020: Dr Andrew Magadlela (ARC Group Executive: Animal Sciences), Etienne Zeeman (E Zeeman, Swellendam, Western Cape) and Joel Mamabolo (Director: Animal Production, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development) at the 2019 awards function. Photo: Landbouweekblad

ARC Special Award for innovative development by a Dairy Producer of the Year 2020: Mmaphuti Setati (Deputy Director: Animal Improvement, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development), Jeanet Rikhotso (Fort Hare Dairy Trust, Alice, Eastern Cape) and Riaan van der Walt (Meadow Feeds) at the 2019 awards function. Photo: Landbouweekblad

The finalists in the various categories were:
• ARC Regional Finalists for Small Scale Dairyman of the Year 2020
Loyiso Consultants Projects, Kokstad, KwaZulu Natal
MJ Zim, Kestell, Free State
• ARC Regional Finalists for Master Dairyman of the Year 2020
JK Basson Familie Trust, Darling, Western Cape
Rhodes Food Group, Simondium, Western Cape
PE Loubser, Durbanville, Western Cape
Sieberhagen & Son, Cradock, Eastern Cape
Robertson Broers, Karatara, Western Cape
Foundation Jersey Farm, Weenen, KwaZulu Natal
JF Theron, Barrydale, Western Cape
J & H Sieberhagen, Cradock, Eastern Cape
JJ Nel Familie Trust, Ladismith, Western Cape
HJ Rall, Barrydale, Western Cape
RB Redelinghuys Jnr, Heidelberg, Gauteng
Keyser Boerdery, Heidelberg, Western Cape
Fredskraal Holsteins, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
E Zeeman, Swellendam, Western Cape
Tweekop Boerdery, Heidelberg, Western Cape
Drie Susters, Durbanville, Western Cape
Fort Hare Dairy Trust, Alice, Eastern Cape