Klipstapel Dairy in Heidelberg, Gauteng, is a family-run farm established by father and patriarch Billy Hall in 1982. In 1994, he closed down his mining transport business to dedicate his life to dairy farming. Since then, he and his family have worked tirelessly to make their farm a success.

William Hall, Billy’s son, actively manages the business with his two sisters: one is the financial director and the other manages the welfare of the calves. Together, the four of them run the business like a well-oiled machine!

Shaun Spence is the dairy manager, and he looks after the operations at the milking parlour. There are 1400 cattle, 700 of which are milking cows. Twelve milkers allow for a 24-hour miking cycle which produces 24,000 litres of milk daily. However, it is not only about milk production. The cows are looked after with care as healthy cows make everyone on the farm happy!

Houses for the Cows

Klipstapel Dairy has a roofed housing facility which ensures that the cows are protected from unpredictable weather conditions. It also keeps the cows’ core body temperature standard for optimal milk production. This is what allows for the business to run the milking parlour 24 hours a day.

Quality and Quantity

The Klipstapel Dairy is not only prided on the sheer amount of dairy produced annually, the owners have also gained acclaim for the quality of milk they produce. This is due to the meticulous running of the dairy and a passionate dedication to the wellbeing of the cows on the farm.

Tests are conducted to ensure that the health of the entire herd is monitored.  Regular testing means that they can rely on early detection of any health issues. An average butterfat percentage of 3.6% and a protein percentage of 3.2% must be maintained for optimal quality production. Their skill in maintaining these levels is impressive and admirable!

From Manure to Riches

The Halls haven’t gotten stuck in old ways that keep them from improving and developing their business. Billy Hall has dedicated years of research to ensure that his farm is not only profitable, but also sustainable.

Klipstapel Farm focusses specifically on the importance of manure and composting. The owners have developed and put in place an innovative system that collects the manure produced by the herd and converting it into a compost by-product

Not only has this move contributed to the overall sustainability of their farming practices, but it has also contributed an additional 30% income for the business. This is one of the reasons why their farm is so successful. It goes to show that sustainability is often the more profitable option in the long run.

Looking to the Future

The Hall brother and sisters are focused on looking to the future and it is important to them to make their father, the farm’s founder, proud. They are following in his footsteps of researching, developing, and working towards creating and implementing more effective, sustainable, and profitable farming practices.

Sunette van Tonder, the financial manager, says that some people only dream of being successful, but others wake up every morning to make it happen. She is very proud of her family and everything they have built over the years.

Klipstapel Dairy has been with Dairy Group since our inception, and we couldn’t be happier to have them as partners.  We look forward to seeing how they transform and contribute to the South African dairy industry.

Watch our Homegrown video, where we feature this industrious family.

Resources:

https://www.magzter.com/stories/Business/Farmers-Weekly/Attention-to-detail-drives-Gauteng-dairy-to-award-winning-success