MG Jacobsz Farming, based at Oppermanskraal Farm in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal, is a well-established agricultural enterprise known for its commercial cattle breeding and diverse crop farming operations.
Gielie Jacobsz, a 5th-generation farmer, operates in the Bergville, Harrismith, and Van Reenen districts under the company name MG Jacobsz Farming. Gielie says, “I am very, very privileged to have two of my sons, Thomas and Rob, farming with me. As it has come down the generations, we can trace this farm back to 1896, and that is when everything actually started.”
Thomas, Gielie’s son, explains: “During our bean picking season, we experienced a problem lifting the dry beans and putting them in windrows. At first, we did it by hand, but when the hectares increased, we could not keep up anymore. ValtraC demonstrated their Pickett windrower to us, and we immediately saw it as the solution.
“The windrower needs a tractor that can drive backward to use it efficiently. A lot of people do the operation by constantly looking backwards over their shoulder, but ValtraC has stepped in with their Valtra TwinTrac tractor.”
Thomas enjoys the advanced technology
offered by Valtra tractors.
Valtra is the only manufacturer to offer reverse drive as a factory-fitted option on tractors, where the whole seat moves 180 degrees around, along with the armrest, to reveal a hidden steering wheel that the operator can use to move the tractor left and right.
Gielie adds: “It is such a funny story. Our next-door neighbour one day flew over our farm with his helicopter. Afterward, I received a phone call because he couldn’t believe we were working while facing the other way. Not realizing that the tractor has a steering wheel in the reverse position, he asked, ‘Don’t you get a crick in your neck?’”
Versatile Valtra Tractors
Valtra tractors are renowned for their versatility, making them ideal for the diverse needs of MG Jacobsz Farming. Whether it’s plowing, planting, or harvesting, these tractors can handle a wide range of agricultural activities with ease. The ability to switch between different implements quickly and efficiently allows the farm to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.
Thomas says, “Looking more into Valtra and what we could do with the rest of our fleet, we ended up getting some Valtra BH series tractors as well – simple, open station, robust, they’ve got power, and they can do all the small jobs too. With that, we decided to investigate a tractor for planting as well. For a planting tractor, we wanted the full Valtra T235 Versu.”
Thomas cannot stop talking about this tractor and its features, such as the sequence unlocks that can be programmed into the tractor: “As you come to the end of the field, it lowers its engine revolutions, it drops two gears, it starts to pick up the implement, and it starts to turn in the most efficient way possible. After the turn, the tractor will lower the implement, it will kick in 4×4, and off it goes again.
The Jacobsz family: Thomas with his father Gielie, and brother, Rob.
“The tractor consists of Smart Turn and Auto U pilot functions, which means that the tractor senses that you are approaching the headland and then initiates the preprogrammed sequence to control all tractor functions and turn without any driver intervention. Above it all, the setup of the program is super easy on the Smart Touch screen.”
Bray Hyland from ValtraC South Africa, representing the brand in the KwaZulu-Natal region, says, “The flagship tractor here on the farm is definitely the T235 Versu, operating with all the unlocked features on the specific kit, giving quite a substantial range of automated features on the tractor.
“With Valtra’s sequencing function, you can program it to perform all your functions automatically. It works out the easiest and quickest way to turn around at the headland, which increases your efficiency, reduces your idle time, saves fuel, and increases your operating time.”
The Valtra front loader plays an
important role at MG Jacobsz
Farming.
Cost of Ownership with Valtra
One of the standout features of Valtra tractors is their low cost of ownership. The tractors are designed with durability and reliability in mind, reducing the need for frequent repairs and maintenance. Additionally, Valtra’s smart farming technology helps optimize fuel consumption and reduce input costs, translating to significant savings over time.
Rob, Gielie’s other son, says, “In our farming operation, we need versatile tractors. I think a lot of South African farmers have been pushed to be and farm more versatile. Diversity is important in the industry now, as margins in farming are so low. Every single implement, vehicle, and trailer—from a wheelbarrow to the biggest tractor—gets costed. At the end of the financial year, we determine which vehicles or equipment are costing us too much and which are costing us the least.
“Since moving our fleet over to mainly Valtra tractors and going to a more European style of farming, we have seen our cost of ownership dropping quite dramatically. Just because the tractors are a lot more versatile, the actual hours of work have increased.”
Gielie says, “To measure is to know. At MG Jacobsz Farming, everything is calculated, calibrated, argued, and debated to achieve success at the end.”
Long-Term Savings
Investing in Valtra tractors has proven to be a cost-effective decision for MG Jacobsz Farming. The advanced technology integrated into these tractors, such as precision farming tools and automated systems, ensures efficient use of resources. This not only boosts yields but also reduces waste and operational costs. In the long run, the savings on fuel, maintenance, and inputs contribute to a healthier bottom line for the farm.
“We are using only Valtra tractors on the farm now, from the Valtra front loaders to the Valtra tractors mowing and baling—we even use our Valtras to cart the bales around. We ended up making 500 more bales per year than before, and we ended up saving about 4,000 litres of diesel,” Thomas states.
The Valtra tractor used
in the feedlot to feed
the cattle.
Rob adds, “The price of Valtra tractors is very competitive. Compared to a lot of the competitors, Valtra tractors are less expensive. Looking at your running costs, they are very fuel-efficient and can be set according to the specific application you are doing. This makes them very efficient over the long term, as the tractor is not running unnecessarily at 100% capacity when it is not needed. With all its technological advancements and versatility, the tractor puts on a lot of hours, but the ratio of expenditure to hours becomes lower. So, you can have one tractor instead of two, or three tractors instead of five.”
Gielie concludes, “The way that I see it is that the legacy I’m leaving behind in the family business is just going to grow from strength to strength. Technology is going to play a much bigger role day by day, year by year, season by season, and I think the product we are using is growing with that technology. With the backup we get from Valtra, I’m absolutely sure that it will be possible.”
By choosing Valtra tractors, MG Jacobsz Farming has positioned itself at the forefront of modern agriculture, reaping the benefits of versatility, cost efficiency, and long-term savings.
For more information on Valtra’s versatile tractors, visit their website on www.valtrac.co.za.
