Free State Agriculture Young Farmer 2018 of the Year announced

The finalists in the Free State Agriculture Young Farmer of the Year 2018 competition are from left: Hendrik Theron, Wessel Hattingh, Nelius Ferreira (the winner) and Reece Dedwith. Photo: 3'kie's Photography

From the farm Grootdraai near Harrismith, Ferreira walks away with, among other things, an overseas trip thanks to Case IH/Northmec and will participate in the Toyota Agri SA National Young Farmer of the Year competition.

According to Prof Pieter Fourie, head of the Department of Agriculture at the Central University of Technology and coordinator of the judging panel, Ferreira did consistently well in all the departments judged. “Nelius was simply very strong, especially in the production department,” he said. “The absolute precision with which he managed his farm was incredible. He is a worthy winner.”

Boet Wilken, chairman of FSA's Young Farmer committee and a judge, said the judges could not give Ferreira any advice. "Everything Nelius does, he does the best," he said.

Ferreira, who has served on the management of the Eeram Farmers Association’s and is Chairman of the Red Meat Producers Organisation in the Free State, is positive despite all the challenges and proud to be a young farmer in the Free State. The Bonsmara farmer, who is responsible for the stud and commercial Bonsmara herds, apples and feedlot, has been farming for 15 years as part of a family business.