TLU SA’s Young Farmers Conference 2026
On 13 March 2026, a new generation of South African farmers gathered at Gecko Ridge in Mooiplaats, Pretoria, for one of the agricultural calendar’s most energising events of the year. TLU SA’s annual Young Farmers Conference brought together emerging producers, industry role players, and agricultural supporters under the banner of a boldly forward-looking theme: Boer 2.0: The New Generation Farmer.
From the early morning, the atmosphere was one of purposeful enthusiasm. Delegates arrived to coffee, tea, and refreshments while a mini agricultural expo hummed with activity alongside the main hall. Exhibitor stands showcased the latest technologies, products, and services relevant to modern farming, offering young producers the opportunity to engage directly with industry partners, exchange ideas, and forge the kind of professional connections that can define a career. It was an informal but invaluable start to what would become a richly layered day of learning and inspiration.
Called to make a difference
The conference was officially opened by Clemens Senekal, chairman of TLU SA’s Young Farmer Committee, followed by an opening scripture reading and prayer led by Reverend Leon Lubbe, a reminder that for many South African farming families, the land and faith remain deeply intertwined.
It was Reverend Lubbe who set the tone for the morning with a simple but striking illustration. Using the image of a pen, he drew attention to how people routinely use a pen for everything it was never designed for, scratching open a parcel, pressing a button, until the moment it is actually needed for writing, it may no longer function. His message was clear and quietly powerful: just as a pen has a singular, defining purpose, so too does every young farmer carry a calling, a vocation to make a genuine difference within agriculture.
Senekal then took to the podium to address a theme central to TLU SA’s mission: the importance of organised agricultural structures. He argued that young farmers must understand their place within the broader industry, and that collective structures are not bureaucratic formalities but vital mechanisms that amplify farmers’ voices and foster the kind of collaboration that sustains the sector through difficult periods. For the next generation to thrive, he suggested, they must engage with and invest in these structures, not stand apart from them.
The conference also received a message from Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, who was unable to attend in person. In his absence, Senekal read his message aloud to delegates, a gesture that nonetheless underscored the growing recognition among government’s senior leadership of the vital role young farmers play in securing South Africa’s agricultural future.
Adding considerable weight to the morning’s proceedings was an address by invited guest Dr Pieter Groenewald, Minister of Correctional Services. While his attendance was anticipated, his speech proved to be a standout moment of the day. Speaking directly to the young farmers in the room, Groenewald addressed key issues facing South African agriculture and urged the next generation to hold firm, emphasising that perseverance in the face of adversity is not just a personal virtue, but a national necessity. For many in attendance, having a sitting cabinet minister engage so candidly with young farmers was itself a powerful statement of recognition.
Growth, competition, and legal realities
A highlight of the morning session was a video address by Tiaan Barkhuizen, TLU SA’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2025. Barkhuizen spoke candidly about the Young Farmer competition, reframing it not merely as a contest, but as a platform for genuine personal and professional growth. Participation, he noted, opens doors to expanded networks, exposure to diverse farming operations, and meaningful leadership development, experiences that prove invaluable for young producers seeking to establish themselves in an increasingly competitive industry.
The programme also ventured into territory that is too often overlooked at agricultural gatherings: the law. Advocate Charles Lloyd delivered a practical and accessible presentation on the legal realities facing South African farmers today, covering topics ranging from contracts to personal and professional responsibilities. His core message was unambiguous, legal knowledge is not merely for lawyers. For a farmer navigating land transactions, employment relationships, and supplier agreements, understanding one’s legal position is as essential as understanding one’s soil.
Technology: The farmer of tomorrow works smarter
The afternoon sessions turned decisively towards the future. A drone demonstration by Highveld Drones had been planned to showcase the growing role of unmanned aerial vehicles in precision agriculture, from crop monitoring and spraying to surveying large tracts of land with remarkable efficiency. Unfortunately, adverse weather conditions on the day prevented the demonstration from taking place. Nevertheless, the message was not lost on delegates: technology is no longer optional in modern farming. It is becoming fundamental.
Kabous van Schalkwyk, business development manager at Manitou, expanded on this theme with a presentation centred on the partnership between farmer and machine. His vision of the farmer of tomorrow was not one who simply works harder, but one who works considerably smarter, leveraging modern equipment and emerging technologies to maximise productivity, reduce waste, and build more resilient farming enterprises.
Entrepreneurship and the art of starting from scratch
After the tea break, the focus shifted to one of the most pressing challenges facing young South Africans who wish to farm: how does one begin with limited resources and no inherited land?
TLU SA Young Farmer finalist Willem van der Merwe took to the stage to share his and fellow finalist François du Toit’s experiences of building farming enterprises from the ground up. Speaking on behalf of both, his account was candid, practical, and deeply encouraging for delegates who may be navigating precisely the same terrain.
Shaun Welmans, from Agri Skills Transfer, reinforced this thread with a strong argument for the centrality of training and skills development. In an agricultural sector that is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by climate variability, shifting markets, and technological disruption, continuous learning is no longer a luxury. It is a survival strategy.
A legacy worth building
The conference drew to a close with a meditation on legacy and calling, themes that speak directly to the heart of South African agricultural life. Delegates were reminded that a farm is not merely a business. It is a living inheritance, built across generations, shaped by decisions made today and handed forward to those who come next.
The message that lingered long after the final session was one of quiet confidence. The challenges facing South African agriculture are real and considerable: land policy uncertainty, rising input costs, infrastructure pressures, and the ever-present threat of drought. Yet gathered at Gecko Ridge on that March morning was compelling evidence that the next generation is not merely aware of these challenges, they are actively preparing to meet them.
TLU SA’s Young Farmers Conference 2026 made one thing abundantly clear: the future of South African agriculture is in capable, committed, and forward-thinking hands.
