Political stability needed before farmers can invest

Patrick and John Eustace from Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal received the 2018 Voermol Cattle Farmer of the Year Award. This father-and-son team run a commercial cattle business with Braford, Hereford and Brahman cattle.

John Eustace spoke to Sabrina Dean.

How did you experience 2018? It’s been a good season after the drought. The fact that we are a mixed farming operation, which means that if one enterprise is weak another can compensate, has also helped us survive the drought.

However, the fluctuating rand and political climate pose some challenges. The lack of border control for disease prevention, stock theft and the unavailability of vaccines are also challenges.

How do you feel about the future of farming in South Africa?

There is great opportunity for growth and development in farming in South Africa, and our free market is one of the best in which to grow. However, the trading environment can change quickly, and there is huge risk and high input costs that need to be carefully managed.

Commercial farming requires expertise and investment, and the uncertainty in our political climate is our greatest challenge.

We would like to invest further in order to grow and develop, but need political stability and encouragement before we do so.

Wha t advice can you give your fellow farmers? South African farmers have an international reputation for excellence. Don’t be scared to ask questions and to learn from each other. Farming communities are strengthened by the successes of others and it is our responsibility to develop our communities and support organised agriculture.

We also need to work together to empower new farmers and to share our knowledge.

• Email John Eustace at eustace.and.son@gmail.com.