Leading Feedmaster manufacturing in Namibia
With a passion for farming engraved in his DNA, Jaco Labuschagne, the general manager of Feedmaster, shares some details on his life as a business manager and a farmer.
Jeanette Diergaardt
With 23 years of work experience at Feedmaster, Jaco Labuschagne, the general manager at the leading livestock feed manufacturing company and a farmer in the Gobabis district, not only has a wide range of knowledge in his area of expertise but also a love for farming to complement his work.
Growing up, farming played a big role in Labuschagne’s life. Dating back to three generations of farming, his life and family history is nothing short of being a glimpse into the past. Labuschagne shared the story of his family’s farming tradition that started in Angola in the 1800s and eventually moved to Namibia for the love of their language and people, making the Cattle Country their ultimate home.
“There was a number of ‘Angolan farmers’ that came to Namibia with the permission of the previous South African regime in South West Africa. The farmers got permission to buy land in certain regions; some were located at Kamanjab, Outjo, Grootfontein, Gobabis and farther south at Aranos,” shares Labuschagne.
Growing up, Labuschagne fondly recalls attending cattle auctions with his father, who was extensively involved in the farming community of Namibia. He remembers a time when modern vehicles did not exist, and riding on a horse to drive animals into the closest town to the train station for transport to South Africa was the only way. Labuschagne further paints a picture of a life engrossed in animals, nature and farming.
“My love for farming was likely transferred to me genetically but I think growing up in the farming industry played a big role in my life,” says Labuschagne.
Studies and career
Continuing his love for farming and pursuing it professionally, a young Labuschagne obtained his agricultural degree in animal science in 1988. He furthered his studies and obtained an honours degree in animal food studies at the University of Stellenbosch. In 1990, Labuschagne started his career as a researcher in large-stock farming at the ministry of agriculture in Namibia.
In 1994 he became a technical animal feeding specialist at Omruvoere in Omaruru. Continuing in his career, he then was employed as a technical adviser in trading at Agra in 1996.
In August 1998, Feedmaster became his home. Before being promoted to general manager of Feedmaster, Labuschagne worked as a technical feeding specialist, where he later broadened his scope and held the positions of marketing manager and commercial manager. In the last two departments he received extensive training.
Setting strategic goals for the company and making sure they are met is an important part of Labuschagne’s work. Working with his management team to keep the business profitable summarises his daily tasks.
“You have to have a passion for farming, and you have to manage the sources well,” says Labuschagne, outlining the different natural resources that makes up farming. He further underlined that awareness of the impact a company has on the natural environment is of utmost importance too. “There is no one-dimensional approach to a successful farmer; you have to have a wide range of knowledge to be successful in farming,” says Labuschagne.
When Labuschagne is not farming or working at the office, he enjoys playing golf, spending time with his family, angling at the coast in summer and hunting in winter.
Being successful
“To reach success is not a one-dimensional approach. It requires belief in yourself, good and healthy habits. Focus on your end goal, be eager to learn, live a balanced life, have a well-planned diary and the determination to reach your goals. On the path to success there will be disappointments, tears as well as sleepless nights. Be the one that constantly works to achieve your goals that will lead you to success,” Labuschagne advises.
Five facts
1. I extremely love my wife and daughters.
2. I enjoy travelling and finding out what the farming practices are outside of Namibia.
3. I enjoy working with people to reach their full potential.
4. I am not a good loser and I set extremely high goals for myself.]
5. My wife says I snore.
With 23 years of work experience at Feedmaster, Jaco Labuschagne, the general manager at the leading livestock feed manufacturing company and a farmer in the Gobabis district, not only has a wide range of knowledge in his area of expertise but also a love for farming to complement his work.
Growing up, farming played a big role in Labuschagne’s life. Dating back to three generations of farming, his life and family history is nothing short of being a glimpse into the past. Labuschagne shared the story of his family’s farming tradition that started in Angola in the 1800s and eventually moved to Namibia for the love of their language and people, making the Cattle Country their ultimate home.
“There was a number of ‘Angolan farmers’ that came to Namibia with the permission of the previous South African regime in South West Africa. The farmers got permission to buy land in certain regions; some were located at Kamanjab, Outjo, Grootfontein, Gobabis and farther south at Aranos,” shares Labuschagne.
Growing up, Labuschagne fondly recalls attending cattle auctions with his father, who was extensively involved in the farming community of Namibia. He remembers a time when modern vehicles did not exist, and riding on a horse to drive animals into the closest town to the train station for transport to South Africa was the only way. Labuschagne further paints a picture of a life engrossed in animals, nature and farming.
“My love for farming was likely transferred to me genetically but I think growing up in the farming industry played a big role in my life,” says Labuschagne.
Studies and career
Continuing his love for farming and pursuing it professionally, a young Labuschagne obtained his agricultural degree in animal science in 1988. He furthered his studies and obtained an honours degree in animal food studies at the University of Stellenbosch. In 1990, Labuschagne started his career as a researcher in large-stock farming at the ministry of agriculture in Namibia.
In 1994 he became a technical animal feeding specialist at Omruvoere in Omaruru. Continuing in his career, he then was employed as a technical adviser in trading at Agra in 1996.
In August 1998, Feedmaster became his home. Before being promoted to general manager of Feedmaster, Labuschagne worked as a technical feeding specialist, where he later broadened his scope and held the positions of marketing manager and commercial manager. In the last two departments he received extensive training.
Setting strategic goals for the company and making sure they are met is an important part of Labuschagne’s work. Working with his management team to keep the business profitable summarises his daily tasks.
“You have to have a passion for farming, and you have to manage the sources well,” says Labuschagne, outlining the different natural resources that makes up farming. He further underlined that awareness of the impact a company has on the natural environment is of utmost importance too. “There is no one-dimensional approach to a successful farmer; you have to have a wide range of knowledge to be successful in farming,” says Labuschagne.
When Labuschagne is not farming or working at the office, he enjoys playing golf, spending time with his family, angling at the coast in summer and hunting in winter.
Being successful
“To reach success is not a one-dimensional approach. It requires belief in yourself, good and healthy habits. Focus on your end goal, be eager to learn, live a balanced life, have a well-planned diary and the determination to reach your goals. On the path to success there will be disappointments, tears as well as sleepless nights. Be the one that constantly works to achieve your goals that will lead you to success,” Labuschagne advises.
Five facts
1. I extremely love my wife and daughters.
2. I enjoy travelling and finding out what the farming practices are outside of Namibia.
3. I enjoy working with people to reach their full potential.
4. I am not a good loser and I set extremely high goals for myself.]
5. My wife says I snore.
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