Plaasbesoeke • Lamhokkies • Genomic selection ... - SA Stamboek

FOREWORD VOORWOORD
by Dr Pierre van Rooyen deur dr Pierre van Rooyen
The fact that 2013 kicked off with the unfortunate events
relating to the labour disputes in the Western Cape, is of
grave concern. This demoralising game has already caused
great damage.
However, the start of the new year was also met with hope
and excitement following widespread rains. So, amidst all the
turmoil, there are still so many things to be thankful for and to
look forward to.
Do some introspection
As farmers we are the suppliers of safe and affordable food. We
are also the creators of jobs and suppliers of housing.
Amidst all of this we are also of course naturally duty-bound
to conduct continuous and responsible introspection. Am I
indeed treating my staff in a proper and dignified manner? Am
I sufficiently equipping myself so that I may be regarded as the
steward of the land that I farm on? Do I conduct myself in a
responsible manner when utilising the resources at my disposal?
Each of us must answer these questions
truthfully. But then those appointed to
govern us and our country, must start acting
responsibly by being accountable for their
deeds and actions.
Listening to everyone who made predictions
about 2013, one comes across contrasting
ideas varying between hope, concern,
warnings and good prospects. In the midst of
it all one must keep a cool head, plan and
take decisions. This is when you once again
realise that you have to trust and, in view
of your dependence on the Creator, do what
your hands are meant to do, and do it well.
Synergy at Stud Book
With regard to Stud Book, it is encouraging to look back and say
that things went quite well during the first year in which we
tackled the almost impossible, for the sake of sustainability and
credibility in the livestock industry.
It wasn’t easy, but after an intensive training session
involving all the technical advisors in the various regions,
animal scientists, geneticists and IT-staff during the first
working week of the year, we now find ourselves enveloped by
a spirit of optimism and zeal. The synergy that has developed
among colleagues with world-class skills and experience in
animal recording, has led to some innovative thoughts and plans
to empower our breeders to produce even more efficiently and
profitably.
May we experience a 2013 signified as the year in which sense,
reason and tolerance prevailed in our beautiful country. SB
"
Dat 2013 met die ongelukkige gebeure rakende
die arbeidsgeskil in die Wes-Kaap afgeskop het, is
kommerwekkend. Hierdie demoraliserende spel het
reeds onberekende skade aangerig.
Die begin van die jaar dui egter ook op hoop en opwinding
na wydverspreide goeie reëns. Te midde van alles is daar nog
soveel om voor dankbaar te wees en na uit te sien.
Doen introspeksie
As boere is ons die verskaffers van veilige en bekostigbare
voedsel. Ons is ook werkskeppers en behuisingsverskaffers.
Midde dit alles moet ons ook natuurlik voortdurend op
verantwoordelike wyse introspeksie doen. Hanteer ek inderdaad
my personeel op ’n betaamlike, menswaardige wyse? Rus
ek myself voldoende toe om as rentmeester van die grond
waarop ek boer, geag te kan word? Gaan ek op ’n verantwoordelike
wyse met die hulpbronne tot my beskikking om? Dit
moet ons elkeen eerlik vir onsself uitmaak. Maar dan moet ook
hulle wat oor ons aangestel is en dié wat
die land regeer, verantwoordelikheid aan die
dag lê om vir hul dade en optrede aanspreeklikheid
te aanvaar.
Luister ’n mens na almal wat aan die begin
van die jaar voorspellings waag oor wat in
2013 gaan gebeur, kry jy uiteenlopende
gedagtes wat wissel tussen hoop, kommer,
vermanings en mooi vooruitsigte. Gedagtig
aan dit alles, moet jy kan kop hou, beplan en
besluite neem. Dit is wanneer jy weer besef
dat jy moet vertrou en, in afhanklikheid van
jou Skepper, doen wat jou hand vind om te
doen – so goed as moontlik.
Sinergie by Stamboek
Wat Stamboek betref, is dit bemoedigend om terug te kyk en te
kan sê dat die eerste jaar waarin ons, ter wille van volhoubaarheid
en geloofwaardigheid in die veebedryf, die bykans onmoontlike
aangepak het, goed afgeloop het.
Dit was nie maklik nie, maar na afloop van ’n intensiewe opleidingsessie
vir al ons tegniese adviseurs in die streke, veekundiges,
genetici en IT-personeel tydens die eerste werksweek hierdie
jaar, heers daar ’n aansteeklike gees van optimisme en ywer.
Die sinergie wat ontwikkel het tussen kollegas met wêreldklas
kundigheid en ervaring in diere-aantekening, het gelei tot innoverende
denke en planne om ons telers te bemagtig om nog
meer doeltreffend en winsgewend te produseer.
Mag ons ervaar dat 2013 gekenteken sal word as dié jaar
waarin sin, rede en verdraagsaamheid in ons mooi land geseëvier
het. SB
Issue 33 ▪ January 2013 1