Pieter Taljaard
CEO, Grain SA pieter@grainsa.co.za
C Louis Leipoldt said that October was the most beautiful month – with clear days, green evenings and the blue sky above. You may be looking at various scenes of nature, a successful harvest, the coming and going of people you love, but what do you see? Do you still see the Hand that matters, that made everything? The progress in spite of? The precious time spent with family? Are you still looking deep enough to truly see?
To see the bigger picture, but still appreciate the finer details, is somewhat of an art – especially in the agriculture sector. The greater art is to be able to look past the noise and the clutter, especially when you decide on those expansions or want to take on new opportunities. The reality is the actual challenges; the stagflation monster applying the dreaded cost-price squeeze, the unfavourable and hostile political climate and then of course the uncontrollable climate risks.
These realities force us to gather our thoughts closer and to work together. Just like for a formidable tug-of-war team strength is important, yes, but pulling in time and in sync are the only way to prevent ‘landing on top of each other in the ditch’. Every day we have the choice to either make things work or to shoot holes in it, but our main goal should be to make an impact by being able to influence.
Fortunately, there are still the fun, challenging things that we have control over, like trying to be more effective with each new harvest, applying the new lessons and experience and continuing to innovate. I realised anew that there is still so much we can achieve when I heard the other day that ‘on average two thirds of applied nitrogen in row crops is not used by the crop itself’. We know for sure that the South African producer is actually performing above capacity under the circumstances – that is why I believe in my heart that there is a bright future for those who have acquired the ability to spot that.
After two long COVID winters, Grain SA was once again able to focus on the successes of its grain producers. On top of NAMPO and NAMPO Cape that successfully took place, the Day of Celebration could be held at NAMPO Park again. A true spectacle of the successes of the farmer development programme, the celebrations once again showed that the sun is big enough to shine on everyone! To see the progress, the gratitude and cooperation, is the rewarding aspect of the work that Grain SA and its partners do for the promotion of developing producers – for the country, for the bigger picture.
The Grow for Gold awards – just another opportunity to recognise success – are clear evidence of producers who rather focus on what they have than on what they don’t have. The strive for more – the optimal yield – is noticed and serves as an example for all the grain producers in our country. It is with great excitement that we look forward to the Grain Producer of the Year awards that will take place at the end of this beautiful month. We wish all the finalists the best of luck! We see what you put into your businesses; we see what you have accomplished. We look forward to get together once again as a big grain family to celebrate successes and share congratulations.
Looking back, I indeed see a full, but successful year. It was good: many new things were learned, many new people seen and met. Thank you for who you are: men of iron, the stalwarts who actually carry the country. Thank you for the way you receive us, the way you ask questions and are interested and sometimes with concern – but also with courage – help to set direction.
I look forward with gratitude and excitement to another blessed year for this beautiful country of ours. Look out, walk carefully, and enjoy the winter grain harvest. And make sure of your best effort for the new summer crop!
