“Seven Things You Should Do To Keep On Farming”. This is the headline of an article by Gerrit Van Zyl in the “Landbouweekblad” of 15 May 2025.

In South Africa farming is an integral part of every man, woman and child. Not because of the food it provides, but because, deep inside of most of us, there is a deep seated desire to be a farmer. That is one of the reasons I was intrigued by this very positive article by Gerrit Van Zyl, a very successful farmer himself, who certainly can hold his own with the pen.

What does farming have to do with iFama and the readers of this newsletter?

Perhaps nothing. However, the seven points which are raised by Mr Van Zyl on how to keep on farming is certainly relevant to the readers of this newsletter. Not to keep on farming, but to keep your business going and growing.

In past newsletters we have spoken about the reason for you to be in business. Some of us are really good at what we do and for that reason we decided to start a business. Some of us find it hard to find work in our current economic climate and from that need to provide income has sprung a business. And some of us just find it hard to work for someone else.

Whatever the reason you find yourself in business, you definitely need to make it successful.

Let’s learn from someone who is clearly successful in what he does (with his permission). Here are the seven things you need to do to make your business successful and to keep it growing.

1

Successful farmers plan to make a realistic profit, work according to a budget and keep to it. That seems to be a no-brainer. And yet, how many of us actually do it? Some of us can hardly pay our monthly bills, let alone make a profit. Why should we plan to make a profit? Have a budget?

The funny thing is. Somehow, when you plan to make a profit, even if it’s R1000, you actually have a better chance of making that profit than when you didn’t plan. It’s as if something in your brain switches on and you work more and more to make that profit.

2

The biggest expense for a farmer is his land. Successful farmers increase the number of cattle on the same piece of land by managing it better, they make more profit.

Premises. The premises where you conduct your business. To move to a bigger premises, is quite costly. Instead of moving you could perhaps put some of your assets in storage. Although storage facilities are quite expensive it is less expensive than rental and you don’t have to enter into long contracts. Change the huge boardroom into a smaller meeting room and another office or workshop. You could possibly keep less stock and have your suppliers deliver daily. It depends on what business you’re in and the logistics thereof, but think thoroughly whether it is such a good idea to move to a larger space.

3

Successful farmers realised that in order to grow vertically they need to grow more grass as feed for the cattle.

Analyse the number of employees you have and how much work each one can do. Realistically. Assess what tools you need to make each one more productive. Make sure they are well trained to use these tools. Now, increase your business through marketing and sales without needing to increase staff. This way you increase your profit.

4

Successful farmers look carefully at input cost. You don’t have to be stingy, but don’t waste money.

Take a look at tools, for instance. If you buy too expensive tools your cash flow could take a big knock. However, if these tools last double or triple as long as the cheap ones, it is a sound business decision. If you buy too cheap, the workmanship can go down and you have to replace the tools too often. Find a balance and stick to it. Training your staff in the tools they use (albeit construction tools, IT equipment or accounting software) is key to them using it successfully and taking care of it.

5

For successful farmers profit per hectare is more important than production per animal.

The bigger picture is more important. Your profit as a whole is what you should be monitoring, not the nuts and bolts that go missing during a project. Once again, do not be careless but it is better to focus on the bigger picture than the pixels that make it up.

6

Successful farmers work hard at working with animals that can survive in the field rather than animals that need additional supplements all the time.

Look at what makes a profit in your business and what doesn’t. Products, services, people. However, always think smart. Let’s say you have a product that is more of a nuisance than anything else. It would be wise to think about the wider influence of that product.
For example, people who buy this product tend to interact more with your business and in so doing get to know your staff better, get to know your business better. In the long run, this product is what makes people think of your company.
When a friend asks them about the products you sell, they think of you first and recommend your business, because they know you so well.
Another example is people. We had someone working for us as an administrative assistant. She was terrible at it. Just before we finally had to let her go, we put her behind a sales desk. She was the best sales person we ever had.

7

Successful farmers make sure their biosecurity is in place and do not hold on back on spending on immunisation against the sicknesses that are in their area.

What’s important to the survival of your business? Not only survival but growth? If it is the right equipment, then make sure you have the right equipment. If it is the right people, then make sure you have the right people. If it is the right suppliers, make sure you have the right suppliers. Do not be afraid to spend money on the right things, because you will receive a return on investment.

In conclusion

Be smart, be creative. Consult someone who knows more than you do. Even if you have to pay them for their time. It will be worthwhile in the long run. Thanks to the internet, we think we know all things, but the truth is, we don’t. We only know what someone has posted somewhere. I love doing research and learning new things, but sometimes when I speak to an expert I am surprised at how little I really understand about their field. Experts have insight we don’t. That’s why they’re called experts.

Go ahead. Make business success.

Resources

Van Zyl, G. (2025) '7 dinge wat jou gaan laat voortboer,' Landbouweekblad, 15 May 2025, pp. 52–53.