The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) once again presented its National Beef Performers Awards on 23 November 2022. This was the 44th instalment of the awards, the aim of which is to showcase the best of the best in seven categories, all relating to beef cattle performance and beef cattle producers. Each of the seven categories is sponsored by various agricultural companies and role-players, and serve to honour those who have excelled in their breeding and production practices, as well as the mentoring of fellow producers.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has been a key stakeholder in these awards since its inception and fulfilled that role once more this year. As of 2022, Plaas Media is the main sponsor of the awards.

The seven categories with their respective winners and finalists were announced during a virtual awards ceremony broadcast from 18:00 onwards on 23 November. The finalists and winners are:

ARC National Best Elite Cow Awards

Sponsored by Farmer’s Weekly, with 22 cows receiving top honours in this category:

  • Afrikaner – Pierre-André Cronje’s MC 11 0035
  • Afrisim – Hentie Jansen van Rensburg’s JVR 08 0058
  • Angus (black) – Nico Steyn’s WK 12 0107
  • Angus (red) – Andrew Masterson’s ACM 12 0010
  • Ankole – Paul de Wet’s DT 07 0025
  • Beef Shorthorn – Neil Dry’s NMS 11 0017
  • Bonsmara – Hannes van den Berg’s V 10 0249
  • Boran – Brandon and Duana Brooks’ BAR 12 0147
  • Braford – Heelbo Boerdery’s BB 11 001
  • Braunvieh – André & Annemarie Reitsma’s N 12 0029
  • Charolais – Johannes Markram’s ESS 13 0013
  • Dexter – JL Botha, Mariëtte Heath, and Tom Heath’s TM 12 0001
  • Drakensberger – Carel Nel’s CL 09 0069
  • Limousin – AJ du Toit’s LR 05 0007
  • Nguni – Frik Geyser’s AVM 06 0368
  • Pinzyl – Fanie Potgieter’s PZ 11 0193
  • Romagnola – Dail van Rensburg’s DT 10 0102
  • Santa Gertrudis – Desmond Robertson’s SS 13 0009
  • Simmentaler – Boswald Simmentalers and Reitzdale Simmentalers’s JS 10 0015
  • South Devon – Gielie van Zyl’s BG 11 0027
  • Sussex – Kiewiet van Jaarsveld’s JVJ 13 0020
  • Tuli – Albie Rautenbach’s R 11 0015

ARC National Platinum Bull Awards

The seven bulls awarded the title this year, in this category sponsored by GMP Basic, are:

  • Pierre-André Cronje’s Afrikaner (MC 20 0666)
  • Daan Viljoen’s Bonsmara (EHE 20 0188)
  • Nick Serfontein’s Bonsmara (NFS 20 0063)
  • Gerrie Oelofse’s Boran (BG 20 0097)
  • Alphens Denga’s Boran (DE 20 0719)
  • Johan Fourie’s Limousin (YF 20 0001)
  • Desmond Robertson’s Santa Gertrudis (SS 20 0147)

ARC National KyD Province of the Year Award

This category, proudly sponsored by Molatek, saw the following provinces take silver, gold and platinum:

  • Silver – Eastern Cape
  • Gold – North-West
  • Platinum – KwaZulu-Natal

ARC National KyD Beef Farmer of the Year Award

Sponsored for the first time by Stockfarm (Plaas Media) the National Emerging Beef Farmer of the Year Award goes to Selina Hladebi of Bakwa-Hlabedi in Farming, in Gauteng. Selina farms with Bonsmara cattle.

Selina Hladebi Bakwa-Hlabedi in Farming.

ARC National Mentor of the Year Award

Sponsored by Molatek for several years now, 2022 saw not just one mentor, but two mentors taking the title. They are:

  • Mpho Munyai from the Magaliesburg region; and
  • Gert Brits from Delareyville.

ARC National Special Performance Test Class Awards

Sponsored for the first time by Plaas Media, this award saw a total of 13 bulls receiving accolades in this category in 2022:

  • Afrikaner – Jannie Visagie’s JEV 20 0151
  • Angus (black) – Stefan Terblanche’s FG 200782
  • Boran – Zippo Lamprecht’s ZIP 20 0041
  • Braford – Gert van der Merwe and Johan de Jager’s GM 20 0043
  • Brahman – Justin de Bruyn’s H2O 20 0013
  • Brangus – Myburgh and Tewie Wessel’s WW2 20 0031
  • Braunvieh – Erik de Klerk’s DEK 20 0053
  • Charolais – Dami Stemmett’s DS 20 0511
  • Hereford – Danie van Breda’s DVB 200047
  • Limousin – Johan Fourie’s YF 20 0090
  • Nguni – Hannes Eksteen’s EX 20 0251
  • Santa Gertrudis – Desmond Robertson’s SS 20 0146
  • Sussex – Erina and Carlé Cillié’s CC 20 0028

ARC National Beef Cattle Improvement Herd of the Year Award

The winner in this Plaas Media sponsored category, is Stefan Terblanche of the Fredericksburg Angus Stud. Here is the full list of finalists:

  • Johannes Botha of Bodeel Angus
  • Jan Dhooge of D’Hofstee Drakensberger Stud
  • Ben Raath of Donkerhoek Thuli Stud
  • Hannes Eksteen of Eksteen Nguni’s & Sanga’s
  • Stefan Terblanche of Fredericksburg Angus Stud
  • Danie van Breda of Ja-Niel Herefords
  • Gideon Botha of Kolskoot Borane
  • Pieter en Janneman Genis of PG’s Borans
  • Riaan Theron of RAT Brahmane
  • Desmond Robertson of Santarific Santas
  • Lucas Msiza of Sizalo Bonsmara

To watch the awards and see all the action, click on the following link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Y5xYe-oHQ

Source: Plaas Media