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Self-educated cattle farmer now tops the producers list

Self-educated cattle farmer now tops the producers list

It came as a pleasant surprise to a red meat producer team who was named by Meatco as one of their monthly Top 10 producers, earlier this year.

“Being a Monthly Top 10 producer is certainly a highlight,” cattle farmer Adolphine Mushimba told Jethro Kwenani of Meatco when she and her daughter, Ujama, received the accolade.

Discussing her operation in more detail, Adolphine said they strive to market only A0 and A1 grades from their land between Okahandja and Hochveld. The mother daughter team inherited the farm from Adolphine’s father but it was understocked at the time. Since 2014, despite prevailing and recurring droughts, the couple has actively grew their production herd.

Naming a lack of experience as the most important hurdle, she said farming has grown on her as she had to improve her knowledge, mostly by her own efforts. “Now I know a lot more about farm management, animal health and I am enjoying it. I am definitely a farmer who loves the farm,” she said.

From her own experience, Adophine advises any young or emerging farmer to approach farming as a long-term enterprise, stressing that farming is not an overnight success.

As her knowledge increased, so did her confidence. She had to learn about animal health, cattle management, meat grading, business management, marketing, and a host of other competencies all required to become a successful cattle farmer and red meat producer.

She readily acknowledged the role Meatco plays in her success, saying that she appreciates the cattle marketing company’s consistency, especially the fact that they are a guaranteed payer. “Yes, we all have issues with the price here and there but I certainly enjoy the fact that Meatco keeps with the times by adding new initiatives like the futures contract,” she said.


 

 

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