“Now I understand why licks are important for cattle”, a farm worker stated, who participated in one of the practical farming courses presented by CCF in co-operation with Agra.  113 Farm workers and farmers were provided with the unique opportunity to gain additional farming knowledge and skills during 2006/7, which contributed to improving their productivity and that of the agricultural operations they are working within.  Agra in partnership with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) presented practical farming courses in 2006 and 2007 tailored at the specific needs of farm workers. This concept was now developed further to benefit a wider community.
As a result of the great success and hands-on practical approach of those courses, Agra presented a one-day public lecture on Thursday, 9 August 2007 at the Agra/Standard Bank Ring for emerging farmers, weekend farmers and farmers who are interested in learning the basic principles of practical farming. The public lecture was officially opened by the Honourable Nangolo Mbumba, Minister of Education.  Honourable Mbumba also referred to the partnership between Agra and the CCF, highlighting the link between conservation and economic goals.  “While farming may be considered mainly an economic activity, if applied properly, conservation plays an important role in managing our resources to achieve conservation as well as economic goals” Minister Mbumba said in his opening remarks.
Agra’s CEO, Peter Kazmaier said that “since Agra’s inception more than 27 years ago, Agra has always been a trusted partner of the local farming community.  From Agra’s side we would like to assure you that we will continue to remain a partner as long as we have a role to play, a contribution to make and as long as we can offer a realistic business service to the farming community.
“Like any other industry, farming methods and best practices change continuously. What was applicable today might no longer be appropriate tomorrow. This year we may have ample rainfall and sufficient fodder to feed our animals, whereas tomorrow we might be faced by a drought. Our challenge is to ensure that that we make the best use of our resources, maximize the output from all our efforts, but at the same time ensure that we act responsibly towards the conservation and future sustainability of our natural resources”, says Kazmaier.
“This means that we need to understand agricultural economical cycles and be prepared to operate within these cycles with a view of achieving long term sustainability rather than short term profit maximization.  What this means is that responsible and productive farming requires thorough planning, the acquisition of skills and experience, a lot of confidence and above all patience. Farming is unfortunately not a” get rich quick industry”.  At the same time we need to also conserve our land to ensure we can continue farming productively the following year. That often means putting something back, and not using everything at once. We also want to make sure that our livestock obtain the best possible prices at auctions, that our agronomic output improves and that our farming effort is profitable. “
More than 100 farmers attended the event. In addition, a group of Polytech students joined the lectures and practical demonstrations during the afternoon. The lectures were informative, and ample time for interaction, and asking of specific questions was available.
Practical demonstrations and exhibitions by Agra, the CCF and Voermeester on topics such as livestock auctions, livestock husbandry and management, livestock production, managing predators and supplementation of cattle formed part of the public lecture.

 “From grass to money” Pieter Hugo, senior manager of Agra’s livestock division, explaining the process of running a farming business from the livestock side. Ensuring good farming practises contributes towards developing a good business. Amongst others he elaborated on the needs to develop a marketing- and business plan for effective and profitable farming and explained how the system of auctions to buy and sell animals functions.