For Senwes client and Grain SA Grain Producer it is all about adding value

And that’s why we chose Senwes. Senwes offers the best value, whether it’s in the grain area or mechanisation area. Value is not just about money, it’s about communication, people, passion, effective business principles and passion.

 

AC, who was awarded the title of Grain SA’s Farmer of the Year at a black-tie event on Friday, 13 October at the Theatre on the Track in Kyalami, ascribes his success to “being at the right time at the right place.” He represents the seventh generation to work the land on the farm Warmhoek near Bultfontein, since his ancestors began subsistence farming in 1841. “As far as I understand it, we were Senwes clients from the very beginning, and over the years Senwes has proven to be the better option,” says AC.

 

 

AC says that while he enjoys what he calls the “show culture” it’s not in his nature to enter competitions as such. “I accepted the nomination from Grain SA to participate in the competition because I think they are doing a good job for agriculture as a brand as well as the image of the farmer. There is a lot of good energy at Grain SA and I agree with their approach.”

 

At present AC produces upwards of 40 000 tons of maize and he says the farm evolved into crop production, “but my grandpa and dad were sheep and cattle farmers respectively. Maize has been good to us, from a value point of view, the returns have been well worth the effort.”

 

“I like the quote by business guru Warren Buffet, who said: find your passion and you’ll never work a day in your life. I knew since I was a kid that I wanted to plant and grow things,” says AC. “I went to the USA to learn to planting maize. But the ground and climate are very different, so in terms of farming practices there are big differences. The main thing I took away from that experience was that it taught me about people and different cultures and economies and world markets and how they operate.”

 

“Labour management is a priority for me, the right people, who are managed the right way in the right position, can unlock tremendous potential. You have to create a win-win environment, a culture where there’s a place for everyone and everyone wins.”