“My father taught me that hard work will take you far, and that in order to succeed you must put the farm first.”
Last Thursday 33-year-old Tongaat farmer, Anthony Goble, proved the worth of this advice by receiving the provincial title of KZN Young Farmer of the Year at a ceremony attended by KwaZulu-Natal’s Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) members, fellow farmers and agricultural-industry leaders from across the province.
The young man is a fifth generation farmer who has substantially grown the farming footprint passed down to him from his father Neil to an impressive 1050 ha. Aside from the 280ha sugarcane family farm, Evelyn Park Farm, Goble runs another five separate farms including 430ha of land under cane and another 340ha that he leases from land reform beneficiaries.
Goble was one of the competition’s three finalists who underwent a rigorous farm inspection as the judges searched for a farmer whose practices others could model.
He believes what has set him up for success is his implementation of best management practices, time and effort spent improving the farm’s soil, crop diversification, and a strong management team.
While many farmers have been devastated by the current drought Goble has to some extent been shielded by the foundations he had put in place.
“Our yields are down 36% thanks to the drought but it could be far worse. Some farms are down by more than 70%,” said Goble.
A few years ago he implemented green harvesting (trashing), which covers the soil in a layer of cane trash and helps the soil to retain moisture.
“This and the quality of our soil has enabled my sugarcane to withstand the harshest effects of the drought.”
His diversification to bananas (12ha) and macadamias (5ha) has enabled him to improve his cash flow, as the crops are harvested at different times of the year and provide more work year round for his harvesters.
“The price of sugar is not strong in the world market so it is essential to not be fully reliant upon sugarcane, even though it remains my primary crop.”
With diversification, often comes a complication of different structures and systems. The judges were impressed with Goble’s efficiency and daily hands-on control over all farm activities, while simultaneously empowering his management team to do their jobs. The farm employs 166 staff with five managers, whom he meets with every morning at 4am.
Goble believes that by mentoring them closely he has been able to build a strong staff hierarchy that works.
Goble’s empathy with his staff, mostly migrant workers from the Transkei, is evident. He recently began providing the harvesters with a cooked meal after their day in the fields.
“The men are far from home and without their wives to care and cook for them after a full day’s hard labour and they often neglect to look after themselves.”
Goble has also proved himself a leader among his peers. He is the chairman of the Gledhow Farmer’s Association and the director of the Gledhow Sugar Company. He is also vice-chairman of the Upper Tongaat Security Committee and is the founding member of the Upper Tongaat Study Group.
Supported by his wife Tanya and his mother Katheryn in the admin side of the business, Goble said there is great strength in running a family business.
“We are stronger together,” he said.
He will go on to compete for the national 2015 Young Farmer of the Year title, against the winners from all nine provinces, in a bid to secure the much sought after title, as well as a brand new Toyota Hilux single cab. The winner of the 2015 Young Farmer of the Year will be announced on October 22, at the Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year event to be held in Johannesburg.
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