Celebrating the Success of the LRF’s 16th Annual Stockman School
We are thrilled to announce that the LRF’s 16th Annual Stockman School was a resounding success! This year’s theme, “To Be a Resilient Stockman,” resonated deeply with our community, drawing a record-breaking attendance of over 200 participants.
The event was packed with engaging lectures and practical demonstrations, providing invaluable insights and hands-on experience to all attendees. Day 1 kicked off with a discussion on political developments since the GNU’s formation, followed by an interactive panel discussion on resilient stockmanship. The day continued with a series of enlightening speeches from experts across various fields, covering topics such as global livestock challenges, the importance of the rumen, changing weather patterns, profitability, soil health, and the use of genomic technologies. Day 2 started with a wave of anticipation, featuring intriguing sessions on genetic evaluations, feeding strategies during drought, financial planning and insurance coverage. Practical demonstrations followed, where participants learned about hormone-free IVF at a microscopic level and then observed a real-life practical demonstration. Attendees also had the opportunity to choose from three out of six focused learning sessions, enabling them to tailor their experience to their interests. Day 3 concluded with sessions on utilizing BREEDPLAN effectively, the developments in meat science, profit-driven livestock production, and the future of farming, emphasising the challenges and opportunities farmers might face. These sessions provided valuable insights and wrapped up the event on a high note.
Congratulations to all the award winners at the Stockman School Gala! Special recognition goes to Prof. Este van Marle Koster for her outstanding Services to the Industry, Ebbie Fischer for being named LRF Veeplaas Stud Breeder of the Year, and Chief Justice MTR Mogoeng and his son, Mogae Mogoeng for achieving The most Progress made in the Last Decade award. We also celebrated the achievements of the Cow Group of the Year, Proven Bull of the Year, and those who received 4.5 and 5-star ratings for Completeness of Performance. Your dedication and hard work are truly inspiring, and we are proud to honour your contributions to the industry.
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, with special thanks to Plaasmedia. Their generous support made this event possible. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the national and international speakers, professors, and presenters who attended the School and shared their invaluable knowledge and expertise.
The LRF continues to be at the forefront of advancing our farmers, stud breeders, and the industry as a whole. We believe in the power of education, continuous improvement, and lifelong learning. We hope everyone had a fantastic time, networked and learned something new. We look forward to welcoming you back next year for another enriching experience!
– Article supplied by the Livestock Registering Federation (LRF), from the LRF October 2024 newsletter