PRODUCER FOCUS
Brahmans
the love of Willie Jacobs’ life
We are living in a very fast era where things can change in an instant and a mind-shift if
often necessary in order to face the future. This is the case with Willie Jacobs, owner and
stud breeder of Jacobs Brahmans, who performed exceptionally well over the past three
years at the Hinterland National Interbreed Championships.
By Aubrey Kruger
Senwes Scenario Editor
H
owever, it has not been as
easy as 1, 2, 3. Willie's story
started in 2012 as commercial
producer. The drought in 2016
required a new way of thinking in order to
be able to flourish in this hard agricultural
environment. It made him decide to try
his hand at stud breeding. According to
Hinterland's Phillip Lee, Animal Solutions
Manager, Willie is one of very few stud
breeders, apart from John Devenport,
who entered a finalist at all the Hinterland
National Interbreed Championships over
the past three years.
In 2016 he was a finalist with the
Brahman cow Sugar, or VDM143, in 2017
he was a finalist again with Sugar and
in 2018 the Brahman bull named Magic
(AJS17675) and Saartjie (GPCK16737)
were national finalists.
What makes Willie even more unique is
that he has a white and a red stud. Willie's
philosophy is simple, but effective - he
wants to breed one of the best herds. And
Willie is well on his way to do just that with
his finalists.
The 41-year old, who was born and
bred in Klerksdorp, has agriculture
in his veins. His grandfather, Willem
Jacobs, farmed with commercial cattle
at Klipfontein, between Klerksdorp and
Wolmaransstad in the Northwest. This
humble breeder is very pleased with the
Hinterland Interbreed Competition, where
competitors don't really compete against
22
one another, but they all compete in their
own right.
He highlights a few reasons for his
success: “Good genetics play a role and
proper preparation has to be done. And
then your handler can make or break
the whole thing. In this case it is Barend
van Staden, the 2018 Hinterland National
Handler of the Year @ALFA. An article on
Barend is also included in this edition.
Willie places his confidence 100% in
Barend and, even though he is still not an
experienced handler, Barend is a gem,
SENWES SCENARIO | MIND-SHIFT 2019
who was discovered. They function very
well as a team, which is another reason
for their success. He refers to Barend as
his headboy when it comes to showing
their animals.
Willie is already moving from
commercial farmer to stud breeder and
he is adamant to expand on a continuous
basis. He is also planning to get involved
with production auctions and to supply
good commercial and female animals to
the market.
Keep up the good work Willie Jacobs!
Willie Jacobs and his Brahman Bull
Magic who is making a name for
himself and Willie in this industry