Mark your calendar for one of the most anticipated events on the Overberg Agri calendar – Herkouersdag 2025! Taking place on 14 August at the Roodebloem Experimental Farm outside Caledon, this annual gathering brings together producers, technical experts, and agri partners for a day dedicated to practical knowledge, shared experiences, and ruminant production success.
Whether you’re focused on sheep, cattle, or both – this is your opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired.
A Powerful Line-Up of Topics and Speakers
The day begins with registration from 07:30, followed by a formal opening. From there, the programme delivers a strong blend of scientific insight and on-farm wisdom.
Highlights include:
- Dr Shaun Morris on the realities of foot-and-mouth disease in “Voorkom die Vlam”
- Jacobus Le Roux reflecting on decades in breeding in “What I’ve Learned from a Life in Animal Breeding”
- Fanie Dippenaar explaining how Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certification shapes the reputation of your wool clip
Refreshments will be served during the morning break, with time to explore the exhibitor stands.
Hands-On Learning and Honest Conversations
After the break, attendees can enjoy live demonstrations, including post-mortem insights and safe livestock handling practices.
One of the day’s key sessions is the panel discussion on mating methods, where seasoned farmers and experts – Dirk Hanekom, Phillip Morkel, Cobus Uys, John Morris, and Pieter-Hendrik du Toit – share personal experiences, common challenges, and successful approaches.
This is followed by Lood Visser, presenting “Lam slim, lam winsgewend”, a session focused on profitable lambing systems and production planning.
A light lunch and open networking around the exhibitor stalls offer the perfect opportunity to explore innovations, engage with suppliers, and connect with fellow producers.
Afternoon Insights Tailored to the Region
The afternoon offers more practical knowledge to take home and implement:
- Dr Coeleen Boje shares field-based veterinary management tips
- Dr Josef Van Wyngaard discusses localised research at Roodebloem and its impact on the region
- GP van Rheede van Oudtshoorn rounds off the speaker line-up with “The Big Difference Between a Quiet Farmer and a Smart Farmer” – a thought-provoking take on communication in agriculture
A Day That Ends Around the Fire
The formal programme wraps up at 15:45, but the conversations continue into the evening with a spitbraai and social gathering from 17:00.
Herkouersdag is more than an event – it’s a celebration of community, a commitment to smarter farming, and a platform for growth.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best, ask the big questions, and expand your network. We look forward to welcoming you at Roodebloem!
