August 13, 2003
By Tshepiso Mogotsi
ON the edge of the dusty informal settlement of Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, is one of the greenest areas to be seen in the pale wintery sunlight - the Northern Farm belonging to Johannesburg Water.
Johannesburg Water, the City's water and sanitation provider, inherited the farm, which has belonged to the City for about 50 years, when Johannesburg reorganised its municipal structures in 2000.
Getting to the farm from the city centre is quite a trip, about 25km to the north, along William Nicol Drive past the Fourways Mall and across the Jukskei River. The farm is along a winding road that passes sheds, a small farm store and a school. Looking south from the farm, the large houses of Chartwell can be seen in the distance, and in the opposite direction the small structures in Diepsloot are visible.
The Northern Farm, or as it is officially known as, the Bovelder Northern Farm, is on the cutting edge of technology for the breeding of Bovelder cattle. It has been described as one of the most comprehensive scientific crossbreeding projects in the world. "We have one of the most advanced breeding system in the world," explains farm manager Roger Wood.
Started in 1965 by an expert team of animal scientists, including Wood, the farm now has over 2 000 breeding cows and employs 73 people. It covers 2 600 hectares and was declared a nature reserve in 1954.
The Bovelder is an animal that can thrive in any climatic region of the country. They were developed from cattle that were chosen to cope in a stressful environment with limited food and a short breeding season.
Two auctions are held each year. In March weaners, pregnant cows and some bulls are sold, and in September more than 50 bulls are auctioned. Breeding cattle are sold to farmers and to breeding groups such as the Highveld Study Group, the home of the Vrystaat Bovelder. Last year the farm had a turnover of about R3.2 million.
October sees the start of the breeding season, which only takes place once a year. "Heifers are mated from the age of 13 months for 50 days and the cows for 60 days - not more," says Wood. Research found that heifers who are mated at a relatively young age continue to breed regularly for the rest of their productive lives.
Selection procedures are stringent. Only 20 bulls, out of 1 000 born every year, are selected for the breeding programme. "Females that experience calving difficulties are removed from the breeding programme and bulls that are considered for use in the programme weigh on average less than 40kg at birth," Wood says.
For all its high tech systems, the farm is a peaceful place, with some 30 dams dotted about the landscape.
On the far side of the farm is a vast complex, the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works, where water is purified before being piped back to the Jukskei River to be recycled.
Although the emphasis on the farm is the breeding programme, irrigation systems that are in place mean that the farm is able to grow its own crops as well as the feed for the cattle.
Plans are also in the pipeline to expand the activities of the farm and ensure it remains central to the greening of the area. “We are looking at plans to allow bird watching, bicycling and horse rides,” says Wood.
“People, including school groups, who are interested in visiting the farm can do so, but must make an appointment,” Wood adds.
Roger Wood can be contacted on (011) 464 1510.
