Farmer’s Weekly – 30 August 2019

ARCNATIONAL BEEF CATTLE IMPROVEMENT

HERD OF THE YEAR AWARD

Sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Theobjective of this highly sought-after and fiercely contested award is to acknowledge

breederswho have achieved outstanding results through the use of performance-recording

andrelated technologies to improve the genetic potential of their herds. They also have to

demonstrate superior management skills in terms of breeding and herd management.

Breedersof all beef cattle breeds in Southern Africa may enter for this award, regardless of the

serviceprovider that a particular breeder uses. Finalists compete for the national title.

Numerous criteria are considered when adjudicating this category, including the reproduction level of

theherd;the overall participation and implementation of performance-testing as a tool for improvement;

cowefficiency (including post-weaning performance); the completeness of performance records; the size

ofthecowherd, which must consist of at least 50 cows; calving performance; genetic progress; and the

application of modern, scientific breeding techniques. The role and reputation of the participating breeder

is alsoconsidered, as well as his/her role in the industry, especially in terms of providing leadership and

guidanceto other farmers and stakeholders. The winner of this category receives an all-expenses-paid

triptotheannual conference of the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) in the US, amongst other prizes.

TheARCNational Beef Cattle Improvement Herd of the Year finalists

arelistedin Table 5. Congratulations to all the finalists!

Table5: Finalists of the ARC National Beef Cattle Improvement Herd of the Year Award

Breed Owner Herd name Town Cell no. Email

Boran Zippo Lamprecht Bloodline Boran Dewetsdorp 082 396 9071 [email protected]

Simmentaler Boekenhout Trust

(Johan Styger)

BTB Simmentaler Hartbeesfontein 082 460 8443 [email protected]

SAAngus(black)

& Wagyu

L’Ormarins

(Stefan Terblanche)

Fredericksburg

Angus/Wagyu Stoet

Franschhoek 082 610 5397 [email protected]

Brahman Louis Meyer Loriza Brahmane Zeerust 082 925 3829 [email protected]

Afrikaner Ergon Boerdery(Pieter & Elbie de Kock,

& Ben Foulds)

Pronk Afrikaners Thabazimbi 082 809 7496 [email protected]

Limousin Xourel Beleggings

(Derick le Roux)

Xourel Limousins Coligny 079 602 5376 [email protected]

ARC NATIONAL BEEF CATTLE IMPROVEMENT HERD OF THE YEAR AWARD

28 farmer’sweekly 30 august 2019