Every farm has its own challenges, but there are certain golden rules that have been passed down through the generations. One of these is the well-known “matchbox rule”: a farmer who goes to shake his matchbox at the cattle stations every day is a farmer who knows what is happening in his herd. This simple picture carries a deeper truth: successful farming is built on observation and involvement at ground level.
But what happens when technology helps you shake that matchbox in a smarter way? This is exactly the experience of Marco Grobler of JGS Agri in the Ermelo area. Together with his father, uncle, and cousin, Marco farms maize, soybeans, kidney beans, Drakensberger cattle, and wool Merino sheep. At NAMPO, this family farm first heard about HerdTrack, and with the support of the older generation, they decided to implement the system from June this year.
One of the main reasons for this step was a very practical challenge: incorrect livestock counts being reported by workers. Counting was unreliable and time-consuming. “We realised that we needed a system that could give us accurate information faster than the process of sending a worker to the cattle stations every day,” Marco explains.
The natural question arises: doesn’t HerdTrack turn you into a typical ‘bakkie farmer’ who just drives around pushing buttons? Marco jokes that HerdTrack actually keeps him out of his bakkie, because he no longer has to drive kilometres just to count animals. On a more serious note, he emphasises that HerdTrack doesn’t distance him from his farm but rather equips him to be more hands-on. “You get the right information quicker, so you can decide where your feet and your eyes are really needed.”
This is where the matchbox rule takes on new meaning. The original story goes that a farmer once shared the golden rule with his neighbour: to take a matchbox and shake it at every cattle station each day. The neighbour did this faithfully and soon reported that his farming operation had improved, even though he didn’t understand why. The answer was simple: he was present every day and knew what was going on. HerdTrack doesn’t replace that presence, but it gives you the ability to shake the proverbial matchbox digitally. In this way, you can quickly see where everything is running smoothly and spend your time wisely in the places where something is out of order.
For Marco, the greatest benefit of HerdTrack lies exactly here: accurate information, instantly available. “In the mornings I can immediately get the data I need. Farming is often crisis management, but with HerdTrack I can already see early on what is going to need my attention and plan my day accordingly.”
The system works simply for JGS Agri: cattle grazing on crop residues move through a gate on the way to the water trough, where the HerdTrack scanner is placed. Each animal’s movement is captured, and the results appear instantly on the system. Instead of wondering whether the numbers are correct, or wasting hours doing checks, Marco has a complete picture of his herd within minutes.
Another big advantage, according to him, is the saving on labour. On farms with few workers, where cattle stations can’t easily be checked daily, it makes a tangible difference. The system is also user-friendly and robust enough for farm conditions. With all the necessary hardware included, Marco says it is easy to set up, and sustainable to use.
Marco’s advice to farmers still wondering if HerdTrack is worth the investment: “It’s a system that gives you accurate information at your fingertips. You remain involved at ground level, but now you’re better equipped to use your time and energy in the right places. Moreover, HerdTrack helps to keep record of important data, such as your animals’ health and more.”
When the matchbox rule and modern technology work hand in hand, a farmer gets the best of both worlds: the wisdom of tradition and the power of data. HerdTrack doesn’t help you farm less – it helps you farm smarter.
~ Compiled by René van der Vyver