Young farmer finalists positive about agriculture in SA

A Grain, pig and sheep farmer competes for the title of Free State Agriculture’s Young Farmer of the Year this year.

Le Roux Erasmus (29 years) from Hoopstad, Hennie Venter (29 years) from Theunissen and Jaco Burger (34 years) from Wepener are the finalists in the competition that is already being presented by Free State Agriculture for the 26th time.

The finalists were already visited on 21 and 22 February by FSA’s judging panel, led by the convener and Head of the Department of Agriculture at CUT, prof. Pieter Fourie, visiting their farms to determine the winner. “It is wonderful to experience how positive the participants are about the future of agriculture in South Africa! It creates hope.” says Fourie.

According to Prof Fourie, the sections on which participants are judged include future vision, budget and finances, production, marketing, maintenance, personnel management and community involvement. “It is really not the size of the farm that determines a winner, but the precision, balance and management performance of the young farmer.”

The winner will be announced on April 7 during a gala dinner in Bloemfontein.

The winner walks away with a FSA cash prize, as well as other exciting prizes from various sponsors, and will automatically participate in the Toyota Agri SA national Young Farmer of the Year competition later this year.

Douglas Osler of Fouriesburg was named the winner last year.