Tiaan Barkhuizen is TLU SA’s Young Farmer of the Year
This year’s winner of the prestigious title of TLU SA Jongboer van die Jaar (Young Farmer of the Year) was awarded to 33-year-old Tiaan Barkhuizen on 10 September during the TLU’s annual congress.
Thian Heyns was the runner-up, with partners Willem van der Merwe and Francois du Toit taking third place in the hotly contested competition.
Situated near Garies in the Northern Cape’s Namaqualand region, Barkhuizen operates a Dorper sheep stud and also farms commercially with Dorpers, Meatmaster sheep, and Boer goats – the world’s largest goat breed, which can exceed 130 kg and are renowned for their hardiness, quality, and high rate of reproduction.
Growing up near Malmesbury, it was always Barkhuizen’s dream to have his own farm, so when the opportunity came to purchase land in Garies, he seized it with both hands. However, farming in Namaqualand – internationally famous for the incredible spectacle of its wild flowers – is not without its challenges, most notably drought and limited rainfall.
In a video interview with GROOTplaas, Barkhuizen said that these are factors out of the farmer’ control – they can only be managed to the best of one’s ability. Dealing with them, in his case, means good land management and careful grazing practices. He tries to keep his flocks small and rotates them as frequently as he can, so as to give the pastures a chance to recover as quickly as possible.
The use of up-to-date artificial insemination technology allows for more accurate livestock management. With the rainy season in Namaqualand being so short, Barkhuizen emphasizes, it’s critical to ensure that lambs are born at the right time, when the pastures are green and the grazing is good. It’s best to treat every year as though it’s going to be a dry year and plan accordingly.
Establishing himself as a first-generation farmer (one who has not grown up in a farming family) has demanded tremendous sacrifices from Barkhuizen and his wife. The advice of older farmers who have already walked the path has been invaluable, especially when combined with modern technology. In this way, it’s possible to avoid making the same mistakes and find innovative solutions. In this regard, Barkhuizen plans to package and distribute lamb directly to customers, initially in the Western Cape and eventually other provinces.
At the award ceremony, the 2025 champion said it is his earnest wish that young farmers in South Africa will never give up hope, but that they will keep up the good fight, preventing farms from falling into disuse and so preserving them for future generations. Agriculture lies at the heart of every country, he believes, and hopes that more young people will return to farming in order to strengthen South Africa’s food security.
Barkhuizen’s prize included a year’s use of a brand-new BYD bakkie, courtesy of Hatfield Motor Group, as well as a cash prize R50 000, sponsored by Manitou. The cash prizes for second and third place were sponsored by Santam.
“It is a great privilege for me to stand together with such exceptional young farmers,” said Clemens Senekal, President of the Young Farmer Committee. “Our young farmers represent the future of agriculture in South Africa. These winners have shown us what it is possible to achieve through hard work, vision, and a love for the farm. They give rise to the hope that the next generation of farmers will not only sustain the industry but will develop it further.”
TLU general manager Bennie van Zyl concluded: “We end this year’s Congress on a high note. Thank you to everyone who took part in our Congress. Together we let agriculture thrive.”
Sources: TLU SA / GROOTplaas
