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DSM
Sustainability at DSM - safeguarding our world and its people
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If we are to feed, sustainably and responsibly, 9.7 billion people who are expected to share our planet by 2050, it is now more imperative than ever for us to make conscious efforts to our current lifestyle to ensure that we leave behind a legacy for those to come. As the world’s population grows, demand for animal protein will continue to rise. Over time, the need for ever-increasing quantities of animal protein, which is already placing tremendous pressure on our planet’s finite natural resources, will lead to significant environmental strain and take our food systems well beyond the planet’s boundaries. The need to provide enough animal protein for a growing population, while reducing the environmental costs of farming, requires smart science and innovative solutions. At DSM, we are committed to creating an industry that meets the nutritional needs of the world’s rapidly growing population, while remaining within and respecting the critical planetary boundaries. Our mission is to lead a robust and achievable global transformation in sustainable animal protein production, and to accelerate solutions that will initiate and maintain a brighter future. Sustainability is our core value, and it underpins our Purpose Led, Performance Driven strategy. At DSM Animal Nutrition & Health, we are focusing our passion and expertise in 6 key areas to support the livestock value chain and address the challenges facing our planet: • Improving lifetime performance of farm animals • Reducing food loss and waste • Reducing emissions from livestock • Making efficient use of natural resources • Reducing our reliance on marine resources • Helping tackle antimicrobial resistance.
Premixes and Blending
DSM has a comprehensive global network of premix plants with close to 40 plants dedicated to the production of pet food and feed premixes. This network helps to ensure high levels of customer service and delivery, supported by the high levels of traceability, quality and food safety. Being close to our markets allows us to respond quickly to our changing customer demands.
DSM Animal Nutrition & Health South Africa
DSM South Africa is unique in animal nutrition and supplies premixes for a variety of crucial animal farming industries such as poultry, swine, ruminants, aquaculture and pets. We provide the highest quality ingredients and feed additives to produce excellent quality animal feed, while ensuring the health and welfare of animals that produce food for human consumption. We continuously strive to provide our customers with products and solutions that help them succeed in a dynamic and ever-changing market, enhancing both profit and environmental sustainability. The DSM South Africa site produces carefully customized premixes in a state of the art, fully automated production plant and serves the South African and Sub-Saharan African feed industries. This production site allows us to combine the expertise of a global business with the insight and logistics of a local one to meet our customers’ needs efficiently. Collaborating closely with our customers, we work to solve some of today’s biggest global challenges, helping to bring about a fairer and more prosperous society for all.
For further information, please contact: nadine.gibbens@dsm.com or Keshveer.singh@dsm.com Follow us on: Visit us at: dsm.com/anh
For more than 50 years, animal feed manufacturers have trusted DSM to provide customized and innovative solutions in animal nutrition and health. Our cutting-edge products and premixes are used to produce excellent, high-quality animal feeds, while ensuring increased production and productivity, improved welfare, reduced environmental impact and enhanced results.
START WITH THE BEST TO DELIVER THE BEST.
To find out more, please contact: Nadine Gibbens (Nadine.Gibbens@dsm.com) or Keshveer Singh (Keshveer.Singh@dsm.com) Follow us on: Visit us at: dsm.com/anh
Young farmer turned family farm around
BY: Fundiswa Nkwanyana
Gone are the days when farms were led by old men and women, now that we are in the 21st century they are led by young farmers like Lehlohonolo Phakoe (23). He is the mastermind behind Basotho Farming, a livestock and agricultural produce farm on 250 hectares of land in Bethlehem, Free State.
When he was growing up, farming was not part of his plan but when his mother told him she is struggling to manage the farm all by herself, he stepped in to help. “My eagerness to help my mother drove me into farming and once I got involved, I fell in love with it and never looked back” says Lehlohonolo. In 2017, he took over the family-owned farm and since his takeover, he has managed to increase profits and diversify income streams.
The farm’s main source of income is from buying cattle when it’s still young and selling it for a good price at auctions and slaughterhouses when it’s older and mature. “I also sell the wool I get from the sheep, the maize and soybeans we grow, and I also sell charcoal and wood” says Lehlohonolo. Relying on one income stream in farming is huge risk because working capital to keep the farm
Basotho Farming Owner
running in between harvests and breeding is essential.
Even though he is blessed to be working under his mother’s guidance and support, it was not easy. “When we started, we didn’t have our own equipment and we had to outsource a contractor to work our land for us; this was expensive” says Lehlohonolo. He adds that when someone else works on your land and delivers your produce to clients, it’s difficult to keep track of the costs.
The business saved money and purchased equipment. They now use the equipment to work on their own land and other farmers are paying them to work on their land for them.
“We have over 100 sheep and 120 cows on the farm. I don’t mind waking up to them and working with the soil” he says. With all his responsibilities, he still likes to be hands on and work side by side with his staff. The farm continues to create employment for locals and he is giving back by mentoring farmers who are inspired by his bold moves.
Using technology to curb cattle theft also led to the growth of the farm. It’s a terrible loss when cattle are stolen. “To avoid theft, all my cattle have trackers and I get an alert on my phone when they move away from their designated range” says Lehlohonolo. Meticulous planning and having tight security is vital in running a farm of this magnitude.
Land redistribution is still a tentative issue in South Africa and the way forward is still unclear. Lehlohonolo is one of the few lucky young farmers who work on family-owned land that is debt free. “I’m grateful that my mother paid off the land she purchased because I didn’t have to worry about paying for it” he says. The future looks bright for Basotho Farming because the business is financially stable with promising growth prospects.
Pig farming is a passion led business
By Fundiswa Nkwanyana
Most South Africans are pork lovers, they enjoy pork chops and bacon. They are spoilt for choice because pig farms like Legae La Tlhago are producing A grade quality meat.
Obakeng Segooa is one of five founders of a pig farm in Winterveld, north of Pretoria that was established in 2015. “Our main source of income is from breeding pigs; we slaughter 12 to 17 pigs every week” says Obakeng. The farm also buys calves every four months to breed and later slaughter. Meat slaughtered on the farm caters to the increasing demand of good quality pork sold at shisa nyamas and butcheries.
All small business owners must start somewhere and for Obakeng and his team; they started off by selling only 12 pig carcasses a month and now they sell an average of 50 carcasses a month. “We are pleased about our growth. We even process our own meat and sell it as burgers, ribs, mince, boerewors and sausages” says Obakeng. The distribution reach for their meat continues to grow as more customers are becoming regular buyers. Good referrals from the businesses they work with also helps to grow their distribution reach.
Nurturing piglets to matured and healthy pigs is a time consuming and sometimes stressful task. “We have to make sure we feed them a wellbalanced diet, provide a hygienic environment for them to live in and pay a vet” says Obakeng. The team at Legae La Tlhago prioritises disease and infection control and they mix their own feed to make sure their pigs get the right nutrition.
“You can’t be successful in this business, if you don’t genuinely love pigs” says Obakeng. He and his team spend long hours feeding and cleaning up after their pigs because when their pigs are happy and well take care of, they produce good quality pork.
The farm’s growth protectory is impressive; they have grown from a small-scale farm to a fully-fledged medium sized farm that creates employment and contributes to the local economy. “Our meat is in high demand and we have plans to expand into owning an abattoir and a meat packaging plant” says Obakeng.
Pig farmers face challenges that threaten their entire operation and for the owners of Legae La Tlhago, their biggest challenges were the listeriosis outbreak in 2018 and COVID19 lockdown restrictions. “During the outbreak we had to sell at a lower price because demand was limited. Lockdown forced shisa nyamas to close and we could not sell our meat” says Obakeng. These challenges negatively affected their business, but their passion helped them pull through.
Even though there is a lot of hype around imported meats, buying from local farmers and supporting small businesses is important for the economy and improving food security. Pig farming is more than just selling meat, it’s a business that puts food on the table in many ways.
