Focusing on sustainability and profitability is particularly important in the South African farming environment. At the core of profitability lies cost-effectiveness and using tractors and implements that underscores that business philosophy is important according to JD van Niekerk, a farmer from the Caledon area in the Western Cape.

JD van Niekerk farms on the farm Lemoenskop about 4 km outside Caledon on the R406 in the Overberg district in the Western Cape. Lemoenskop is a mixed farming operation where sheep and cattle are supporting the grain division that includes wheat, barley and canola.

As part of the mixed farming operation, they also make silage and plant lucerne for baling and after harvesting the sheep and cattle are put on to the fields to utilise the crop residues. “Grazing animals help to incorporate organic matter into the soil, improving its structure and fertility. This is particularly beneficial after harvest,” Van Niekerk explains.

Van Niekerk’s farming philosophy is to farm in a sustainable manner with profitability in mind. “We put a great deal of effort in trying to produce at the lowest cost possible. To do this, we need to be diligent in our management of all farming and business aspects.”

Fitting in with this philosophy, he follows minimum cultivation practices but goes in with a deep cultivation from time to time. “In this way we reduce soil disturbance most of the time, which helps maintain soil structure, moisture, and organic matter. Every, eight years, however, we do a deep cultivation to break up compacted layers and improve root penetration and water infiltration.”

In addition, all activities on the farm are based on precision farming principles.

Over the past 25 years the business has established a strong relationship with the McCormick dealership in Caledon. According to Van Niekerk, the long relationship can be attributed to the excellent after-sales service offered by the dealership.

“The dealership offers really excellent after-sales service, even after hours if we are faced with an unforeseen problem. In addition, parts are readily available.”

Van Niekerk feels that McCormick tractors also offer good value for money. Other aspects that counts in the favour of the tractors, are the low maintenance cost as well as the excellent fuel consumption. Because the transmission provides continuous power across variable speed ranges it ultimately reduces fuel consumption in the tractors.

“With the current high diesel price, equipment that offers economic fuel consumption is a real benefit as this makes a difference to the bottom line.”

The bigger tractor, the McCormick X8, is used during planting and for the deeper cultivation of fields, while the smaller X7-models are used for chemical and fertiliser applications. The older X7 models as well as the McCormick CX 105 are used for general farm activities, and some are equipped with front end loaders.

“I believe McCormick tractors are competing with other tractors on equal footing with regard to technology, ease of use, comfort and safety.  In addition, with the current diesel prices, the excellent fuel consumption makes a huge difference to the bottom line. The price of these tractors are also competitive. I will definitely recommend McCormick tractors as well as the Caledon dealership to fellow farmers,” Van Niekerk concludes.

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