Is die Afrikanerbees Uitgedien? Die Groot Skuif van Sentiment na Wins (Nampo Alfa 2025) – Met Bob Cronje BESKRYWING: Is die oudste beesras in Suid-Afrika vasgevang in die verlede, of is dit die geheime wapen vir die toekoms van kommersiële vleisproduksie? In hierdie episode, opgeneem by Nampo Alfa 2025, gesels ons met Bob Cronje, ’n toegewyde Afrikaner-stoetteler van Theunissen. Ons pak ’n kontroversiële maar noodsaaklike waarheid: Sentimentaliteit maak winsgewendheid dood. Vir meer as ’n eeu is die Afrikaner-ras gedefinieer deur geskiedenis—die Groot Trek, die pragtige horings en die estetiese skoonheid van die dier. Maar in ’n moderne mark wat gedryf word deur "rande en sente", betaal skoonheid nie die rekeninge nie. Bob Cronje neem ons agter die skerms van die radikale herposisionering van die Afrikanerbeestelersgenootskap. Hy verduidelik hoe ’n klein groepie van minder as 20 produsente wegbeweeg van tradisie na prestasie om die ras te red. Ons ontleed die praktiese meganika van kruisteling, die kritieke rol van basterkrag (heterose), en waarom die bedryf nie langer vir die regering kan wag om die Bek-en-klouseer-krisis (BEK) op te los nie. As jy ’n jong boer, ’n stoetteler, of betrokke is in die rooivleiswaardeketting, is hierdie gesprek ’n meestersklas in hoe om aan te pas by markrealiteite sonder om jou erfenis te verloor. IN HIERDIE EPISODE BESPREEK ONS: 1. DIE SENTIMENT-VALSTRIK: WINS BO PRESTIGE Vir dekades het telers vasgehou aan eienskappe wat mooi gelyk het, maar nie presteer het nie. Bob Cronje verduidelik die moeilike besluit om "oor te begin" na 113 jaar. Ons bespreek waarom die genootskap wegbeweeg van estetiese obsessies (soos om horings te hou ter wille van tradisie) om suiwer op produksiedata te fokus. Jy sal leer waarom ’n kleiner, rats genootskap eintlik ’n voordeel is, omdat dit vinniger strategiese skuiwe toelaat as groter, lomp organisasies. 2. DIE WETENSKAP VAN OORLEWING: BASTERKRAG & KRUISTELING Die Afrikaner is nie net ’n relikwie nie; dit is die genetiese fondasie van Suid-Afrika se suksesvolste rasse, insluitend die Bonsmara en Hugenoot. Bob breek die strategie af om Afrikaner-genetika te gebruik vir kruisteling om "basterkrag" te ontsluit. * Praktiese Insig: Hoe die inbring van Afrikaner-genetika kalfprobleme in ’n enkele generasie kan regstel. * Die Vennootskapsmodel: Waarom die Afrikanergenootskap aktief samewerking soek met die Sussex-, Angus- en Charolais-genootskappe in plaas daarvan om hulle as kompetisie te sien. 3. DIE "STRAATBEES"-KRISIS & BIOSEKURITEIT Ons spreek die olifant in die vertrek aan: Bek-en-klouseer (BEK). Bob Cronje argumenteer dat BEK "hier is om te bly" weens die onbeheerde beweging van kommunale "straatbeeste". Ons ontleed waarom die huidige beheermaatreëls misluk en waarom 100% naspeurbaarheid die enigste pad terug na uitvoermarkte is. * Die Tegnologie-gaping: Waarom kommersiële boere ID-skanderingstegnologie moet aangryp om beeste onmiddellik aan eienaars te koppel—nie net vir siektebeheer nie, maar om veediefstal te bekamp. 4. LEIERSKAP-VAKUUM: WAAROM BOERE MOET LEI ’n Harde realiteitstoets vir die bedryf: Die regering het ander prioriteite. Bob verduidelik waarom dit ’n besigheidsrisiko is om vir staatsingryping te wag. Die dryfkrag vir verbetering, skoon status en marktoegang moet vanuit die privaatsektor kom—die boere, die genootskappe en liggame soos die RPO (Rooivleisprodusente-organisasie). SLEUTEL-WEGBREEKPUNTE VIR BOERE: * Maak Klaar met Sentiment: As ’n eienskap nie bydra tot die winslyn nie (soos horings), raak ontslae daarvan. Sentimentaliteit is ’n las in 2025. * Klein is Vinnig: Moenie die krag van ’n klein, belynde groep onderskat nie. Die Afrikanergenootskap se grootte stel hulle in staat om vinniger as groter groepe te beweeg. * Vennootskappe, Nie Kompetisie Nie: Die toekoms van stoetteling lê in samewerking tussen genootskappe. Jou "mededinger" mag dalk jou beste genetiese vennoot wees. * Naspeurbaarheid is Ononderhandelbaar: As jy nie merk en naspeur nie, is jy deel van die biosekuriteitsprobleem.

PJ Budler's Journey and Global Livestock Insights

PJ Budler, a fifth-generation cattle farmer from Tarestat, Northeastern Cape, South Africa, developed an early and enduring obsession with livestock, which he believes is crucial for making a difference in any field. After high school, he gained international experience working on a cattle farm in Scotland, observing different beef industry approaches. His career path saw him scale his cattle operations by partnering with property developer Lou Favvat, learning to think economically and managing diverse breeds across varied climates and cattle cultures in South Africa, Maitius, and Nuivarango. This experience taught him that a one-size-fits-all management program is ineffective, and approaches must be customized to each region, leading to a humbling but educational process.

Recognizing a lack of connection among global cattle industries, Budler founded an international livestock initiative, basing it in Texas due to its geographical accessibility and significant industry presence catering to both tropical and temperate breeds.

Global Livestock Industry Observations: Budler notes that livestock producers worldwide share key similarities: they are independent thinkers, obsessed with their work, and generally prioritize product quality over immediate profit. However, vast differences exist in climate, environment, politics, and "cattle cultures" – such as preferences for cattle color (e.g., red in South Africa, black in America) or size. He stresses the importance of listening and understanding local context before offering advice, citing examples from the Seychelles, where manure was a primary source of income, and Cameroon, where traditional methods of disease management were highly instructive.

Regional and Country-Specific Insights:

South Africa's Unique Position: Budler highlights several advantages for South African livestock producers:

Regarding breeds in South Africa, Bonsmara and Beefmaster are numerically dominant, with Brahman-influenced breeds thriving in tropical, insect-prone, humid areas. Angus is growing in more temperate regions, and terminal breeds like Charolais and Limousin are used for feedlot cattle. Budler appreciates the diversity of breeds, seeing them as "laboratories" for finding solutions.

Importance of Exports: Budler strongly advocates for livestock exports as they provide an outlet that prevents large retail stores and feedlots from price-fixing, thereby uplifting the entire domestic industry. He identifies the Middle East and North Africa as massive premium markets for beef, lamb, and goat meat due to their inability to produce locally and their meat-eating culture. Furthermore, selling genetics into sub-Saharan Africa is crucial, as the breeds and breeders are already adapted to African diseases and conditions, offering a "massive uplift of premium on the genetics" by focusing on the "backyard". South American markets also present good opportunities for elite genetics.

Current Engagements: Budler recently judged the Limousin National Show in Bloemfontein, describing the female show as genuinely "one of the best in the world" alongside Argentina. He is currently traveling to Uruguay to judge at the World Angus Forum.

The Old Mutual Inter-Breed Championships, also known as the "World Cup of Shows in South Africa," is an annual competition that identifies the best cattle in South Africa. It is considered the "champions of champions" event, holding a very high status and serving as a platform to honor the genetics and hard work of South African farmers.

Key aspects of the championships include:

John and Tracy, who met at Vitz University and married four years later, began their farming journey in 1988 with their first farm on the Vaal Dam. Initially, they started with commercial cattle, crossing Brahman cattle with a Limousin bull, and achieving good results in slaughter ox competitions. This success led them to establish a Devlan Limousin stud, as their cross-bred cattle were being slaughtered, prompting them to move into breeding.

The Limousin breed is highlighted as an efficient breed for producing more meat, with 20% more beef on the carcass compared to the average. It boasts better average daily gains and feed conversions, resulting in tender beef for the consumer. This efficiency, combined with increased carcass yield (60% versus an average 50%), translates to 70% more quantity of beef overall.

Their farming operation has expanded to seven farms, totaling 1,340 hectares on a large peninsula with 20 km of waterfront. They cultivate maize in summer and cover crops in winter, utilizing electric fences and high-intensive strip grazing to enhance carrying capacity. They currently manage 700 animals, plus an additional 100 Droughtmaster heads.

John and Tracy participate in cattle shows and interbreed championships, such as the NO Alpha, to showcase their cattle, promote their breed, and compare their performance against other breeders. Winning these competitions, particularly the overall supreme champion of champions, brings significant prestige, honor, and public recognition to their stud.

The beef industry faces several challenges, including rising costs, dropping meat prices, and intense competition from the chicken industry, which has a significantly better feed conversion rate (1.38 kg feed per 1 kg chicken vs. 6 kg feed per 1 kg beef). Additionally, foot-and-mouth disease restricts beef exports, though there are exports to the Middle East. There's also a lack of focus on protein in national diet discussions, with emphasis often placed on grains.

To address these challenges and improve efficiency, John and Tracy propose several solutions:

They believe these changes, particularly focusing on genetics and a sensible confirmation score system, can make the beef industry more competitive against other protein industries by automatically producing more protein. They also highlight the need for greater attention to genetics in the beef industry, similar to the chicken industry, to improve feed efficiency. Their "keep it simple, stupid" recipe for success involves having well-adapted, functionally efficient, fertile cows that consistently produce excellent calves for show competitions.

This executive summary provides a snapshot of the discussion, focusing on BKB's role in the agricultural sector, their services, and key advice for successful livestock farming.

BKB's Core Business and Impact:

Key Initiatives and Programs:

Philosophy and Vision:

Practical Advice for Breeders:

Role of Agricultural Shows:

Old Mutual Wealth has committed to a significant three-year partnership with Alpha, an initiative aimed at supporting and developing the cattle farming community. This commitment, which began with Karel Fourie and a colleague personally investing their own funds to save the Alpha function due to a short timeline, underscores a deep belief in the value and potential of the sector.

Key aspects of this partnership and Old Mutual Wealth's vision include:

The overall vision is to uplift the farming community, especially cattle farmers, by providing financial expertise, support, and recognition, ultimately contributing to wealth creation and ensuring a robust legacy for future generations.

This summary draws on insights shared by the speaker, Tienie du Plessis, who speaks from his unique perspective as a shearer and farmer.

Key Themes and Insights:

    ◦ A team's effectiveness hinges on its leader, not its weakest link. Marcus Aurelius's quote highlights this: "I do not fear army of lions led by a sheep. I fear a army of sheep led by a lion".

    ◦ Good leadership addresses minor issues immediately, preventing them from escalating into major problems and frustrations. An example of poor leadership was a foreman who failed to stop shearers from "tapping" sheep out of frustration, allowing a bad habit to worsen. In contrast, a new foreman immediately corrected this behavior, demonstrating good leadership.

    ◦ Effective leaders lead by example, showing people "how" rather than just telling them "what" to do. An Australian classer demonstrated this by expertly shearing a difficult sheep, earning the shearers' respect and setting a clear standard. This contrasts with an arrogant New Zealand classer who lost credibility after making a mistake while trying to set a standard.

    ◦ Leadership is crucial in challenging times, as people look for guidance and hope.

    ◦ Everyone is a leader, whether on their farm or within their family, and has a responsibility to be the best version of themselves.

    ◦ Farmers and shearers face significant challenges, including unpredictable product prices, widespread negativity, and uncertainty about the future. Shearing, like life's difficult periods, can be incredibly stressful.

    ◦ Farmers are price-takers, a reality that is unlikely to change.

    ◦ Shearing difficult sheep, like those from canola fields (which make them lively) or large ewes, presents physical and mental challenges, leading to frustration and difficult working conditions.

    ◦ A core principle is: "If you can't change the problem, change yourself".

    ◦ This involves consciously choosing one's environment: surrounding oneself with people who provide honest feedback and "call out" mistakes, rather than "yes-men".

    ◦ It also means managing what one consumes from media, radio, and social media, as algorithms tend to feed negativity ("Misery loves company"). Choosing positivity allows one to radiate it to others.

    ◦ Hope alone is not a strategy; it only comes into play after all humanly possible steps have been taken to ensure an outcome.

    ◦ Perseverance is key: "You can only fail if you quit" and "Do not stop fighting" are critical messages for overcoming adversity.

    ◦ Standing up for what is right, even if it means standing alone, is a mark of true leadership.

    ◦ The speaker emphasizes that God has chosen farmers to care for their land, wives, and children, seeing them as instruments for His purpose.

    ◦ Farmers are described as "the unstoppable force" needed by God to produce food for the nation.

    ◦ Simple acts of faith, like saying grace before meals, can have a profound impact, inspiring others to engage with their faith, as shown by the New Zealander who started reading the Bible after experiencing table prayers.

    ◦ A prayer concludes the address, asking for strength, soft hearts, and guidance to make good choices and fulfill their divine calling.

Here is an executive summary of the provided text:

The presentation, "Foundations of Economic Progress," emphasizes a realistic and forward-looking approach for farmers, focusing on self-reliance and adaptation amidst challenging national conditions.

Current Reality and Challenges:

Foundations for Progress and Opportunities:

    ◦ There is a definite and growing market for agricultural products.

    ◦ The global population is increasing, projected to reach 8.8 billion, with significant per capita income growth in regions like India and China.

    ◦ Sub-Saharan Africa is highlighted as a massive market opportunity, with its population expected to grow by 1.8 billion in the next decade. This region will increasingly import food, potentially up to 34% of its basic food needs, making it a crucial market for South African farmers.

    ◦ South African commercial farmers are resilient and strong, supplying both domestic and international markets with minimal state assistance. Over 50% of agricultural income comes from exports.

    ◦ Specific export growth has been seen in beef, white maize (to neighboring countries), and lamb (to Arab/North African countries).

    ◦ The Free State is the "food basket" of South Africa, producing 51% of the country's crop products and 43% of animal products, giving it a strong position to assert its needs.

Conclusion: Despite the challenging national environment, the potential for growth and success lies in understanding the "current reality" – that problems are local and solutions must also be local. Farmers need to focus on self-management, leveraging existing strengths, adapting to trends, and aggressively pursuing market opportunities, particularly in a growing Africa, rather than waiting for government intervention. Hope is necessary for a plan, but action must be taken locally.

This executive summary outlines the key points from the provided audio excerpts by Prof. Erwin Schwella, focusing on his views regarding the state of South Africa, the challenges faced, and proposed solutions, particularly for the agricultural sector.

Prof. Schwella begins by expressing his deep love for South Africa and its people, acknowledging the significant contribution of the audience to the country's welfare. He emphasizes the need for wisdom when facts and realities are our friends, stating that neither positivity nor negativity helps, but realities will guide us. He suggests a radical honesty about the country's leadership, likening both Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa to bullies, and declares his lifelong dislike for governments, recognizing only God and his spouse as legitimate authorities over him.

Key Challenges Identified: Prof. Schwella highlights that South Africa faces serious problems, including issues with infrastructure (like roads), challenges in the value chain for finding vaccines, and the viability of agriculture due to reduced yields and threats to rural safety. He also points to a fundamental hostility within the government.

Proposed Solutions and Call to Action: To address these challenges, Prof. Schwella advocates for a multi-faceted approach centered on data, information, knowledge, and wisdom, utilizing new technology and business models. He proposes three core actions, with a fourth added by him:

He encourages thinking beyond conventional "thinking outside the box" and instead suggests "tearing away the box" to come up with entirely new solutions. Prof. Schwella calls for a substantive debate about transformation, arguing it should be driven by the values of the South African Constitution (Article 195), emphasizing effectiveness and ethical conduct, rather than the "corrupt exploitation" of the National Democratic Revolution's ideology.

Concrete Handling Proposals for the Agricultural Sector: Prof. Schwella stresses that involvement is crucial, not just as individuals but collectively and through institutions. He outlines specific strategies for growth and overcoming scarcity, which should involve distributing growth and prosperity, not scarcity. His recommendations include:

Prof. Schwella concludes by sharing several "wisdom sayings," including that what hurts you is not what you don't know, but what you think you know. He also emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge as the foundation of wisdom and the necessity of never running out of options.

This executive summary provides an overview of key points from the address by Elzabe Rockman, the LUR van Landbou (MEC for Agriculture) in the Free State, delivered at the Free State Agriculture Congress.

Context and Collaboration:

Key Legislative Developments:

    ◦ The Conservation and Development of Agricultural Land Act: Aims to ensure agricultural land supports long-term food production, contributing to economic growth. It applies to all agricultural land, outlining principles for its management, evaluation, and classification, and provides for the declaration of protected agricultural land.

    ◦ The Expropriation Act (replacing the 1975 act): This act provides for just and equitable compensation in line with Section 25(3) of the Constitution and guides the factors considered for compensation. It enables the government to acquire property for public purpose and public interest. Section 12(3) specifically allows for expropriation without compensation in circumstances where land is not productively utilized. The Minister of Agriculture has clarified that the act does not permit arbitrary land seizure and requires fair compensation for legitimate expropriations.

Agricultural Sector Performance and Dominance:

Export Diversification and Opportunities:

Public-Private Partnerships and Projects:

Addressing Challenges:

    ◦ The Kroonstad provincial veterinary laboratory achieved SAN accreditation for Brucellosis testing after 10 years. Two positive Brucellosis cases have been confirmed, with active monitoring and vaccination efforts underway.

    ◦ Following a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) meeting, key commitments include fast-tracking FMD disease zones, scaling up vaccine production (including a local multistrain vaccine and a high-security facility by 2026), reinforcing biosecurity, and encouraging private sector co-investment in a national vaccine bank.

    ◦ The department has engaged extensively with approximately 1400 young farmers and visited various farmer groups across all five districts, including those affected by veld fires, cold, and the Jagersfontein mine disaster.

    ◦ Positive examples include the "Backyard Garden Warriors" – a passionate youth group with no land who successfully grow and sell produce.

    ◦ However, the MEC highlighted challenges with some emerging farmer projects, such as a group in Lindley/Jerald Lindley who received virgin soil but expected immediate provision of a tractor, underscoring the need for a realistic understanding of the hard work involved in farming.

    ◦ Two projects (goat and chicken) in Frankfort/Tweeling failed due to incorrect beneficiary identification, highlighting the need to better select beneficiaries to prevent projects from becoming mere "poverty alleviation" without sustainable farming outcomes.

    ◦ Issues with poor coordination between different levels of government were noted, such as boreholes being covered by new roads due to housing projects.

    ◦ A deeply concerning land restitution project in Gou Hello was detailed, where a young woman received land with no basic services and struggles to make a living from a few chickens, underscoring that current support does not fulfill the spirit of "land restitution".

Addressing Corruption and Call for Integrity:

Vision for the Future: