Held virtually on 27 November and organised by the Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) National Beef Recording and Improvement Scheme (NBRIS), the awards recognise long-standing commercial farmers, as well as emerging producers under the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo Scheme (KyD), which aims to promote the adoption of modern performance recording, breeding practices, and sustainable beef production among smallholder farmers.
Forty-seven years of sponsorship
Among the key award categories is the ARC National Best Elite Cow Awards sponsored by Farmer’s Weekly.
The award recognises the top-performing cow in each breed (21 in total) based solely on exceptional, verified reproduction and growth data, including calving efficiency, maternal ability, weaning performance, and breeding values, with both commercial and registered cows eligible under strict performance recording criteria.
Farmer’s Weekly General Manager Gary Wium said, “As one of the proud sponsors of the ARC National Beef Performers Awards, Farmer’s Weekly is honoured to once again stand alongside South Africa’s remarkable livestock farming community.
“We are even prouder of the farmers whose relentless pursuit of excellence continues to set new benchmarks for the industry. Their ongoing commitment to genetic progress, performance recording, and responsible stewardship is something truly inspiring; a standard the entire agriculture sector can aspire to.”
He added that the Best Elite Cow category is especially significant because it is based entirely on measurable performance statistics.
“With only one cow per breed being recognised across 21 breeds, it is one of the most competitive and sought-after titles in the awards programme, and it is an honour for us to be associated with a category of such high merit and rigour.
“Having supported these awards for 47 consecutive years, Farmer’s Weekly remains deeply committed to the core objective that underpins the ARC National Beef Performers Awards, which is the improvement of livestock through the meaningful transfer of knowledge, research, and technology.
“We congratulate all the finalists and winners. Their dedication to improvement is a testament to the strength and resilience of South Africa’s livestock industry, and we are privileged to play a role in recognising their achievements,” Wium said.
KyD Farmer of the Year celebrates record-keeping success
Tumiso Motlhabane clinched the 2025 ARC National Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo Farmer of the Year award. He operates Farm Benadeplaats, near Mahikeng in North West.
This award recognises emerging producers participating in the KyD scheme who show promise in herd management and performance, supporting transformation and the inclusion of small-scale producers in the commercial beef industry.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Motlhabane said it was an honour to be considered for such a prestigious award.
“I am still young and I am still learning. As they say, you are not a farmer until you’ve experienced droughts, fires, and disease. But I have been at this for about four years, and for the past two years, I have been keeping pristine records in order to achieve this win,” he said.
According to Motlhabane, keeping monthly records for the past two years allowed him to learn more about his herd.
“The monthly tracking made it so that I was able to detect issues early on and take steps to improve and rectify where needed. It has been a valuable learning experience, and the only way to go from here is up.”
He added that his 70-strong herd is growing well, and he hopes to add to it and reach 80 to 100 head in the near future.
Mentor award honours industry champions
Jan van Zyl of Kroon Vee Brahmans and Duncan Serapelwane of Moalosi Bonsmaras were joint recipients of the 2025 ARC National Mentor of the Year award, which honours breeders and producers who support the industry by mentoring new and emerging farmers, highlighting the value of knowledge transfer and community building.
Serapelwane, who is based in Morokweng, North West, said the award cements his belief that it is important to pay the knowledge one has forward.
“I’ve been mentored throughout my own journey, and because others poured their knowledge into me, I believe it’s my responsibility to pass that on. Mentorship is generational; what I’ve learnt shouldn’t end with me.
“The teacher in me never died. Sharing knowledge is close to my heart, because if I don’t pass on the lessons and experiences I’ve gathered over the years, they will go with me to the grave. That’s why I spend so much time teaching at farmers’ days, information sessions, on radio and podcasts, and through one-on-one mentoring.”
He added that he currently mentors about 36 farmers in Kuruman, Northern Cape, split into three groups that he visits twice a month.
“I insist on teaching in the kraal, not in town. Farming must be learnt practically. When you show someone a cow’s structure, a jawline, a leg formation in real life, they never forget. Theory alone fades quickly.
“After 1994, many people said, ‘We are farmers now’, but knowledge didn’t automatically follow. It’s good to provide people with livestock, but training must come first. Owning cattle isn’t about attending auctions every weekend. You need to know how to manage and understand the animal,” he explained.
His message to emerging farmers is simple: farming is a slow business, but it’s a sure business.
“People eat every day, which means farmers are needed every day, whether you grow crops, keep cattle, or milk cows. You will succeed if you’re patient. And, most importantly, get a mentor. Good education isn’t free, and mentorship is part of that investment,” he concluded.
Excellence in beef improvement
This year’s awards introduced the Resilience Award, which honours producers who have overcome significant adversity. The inaugural accolade went to Nguni farmer Cecilia Nthabaleng, who, despite losing her parents and brother to COVID-19 in 2020, courageously took over the family farm and has since built a thriving operation.
Other accolades presented included the 2025 ARC National KyD Province of the Year Award. The platinum award went to KwaZulu-Natal, the gold to the Eastern Cape, and the silver to Mpumalanga.
The 2025 ARC National Beef Cattle Improvement Herd of the Year award was won by Christo Rothmann of the Bushman’s Mountain Tuli Stud in Venterstad, Eastern Cape.
