Van Niekerk is also amongst five eastern Free State farmers in the finals of the 25th Free State Agriculture (FSA) young farmer of the year awards. 

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Additionally, Van Niekerk is also the only female contender in the finals of the FSA Young Farmer of the Year Awards.

She shares that animals have always been a passion of hers as she grew up on a farm near Reitz, and officially started her cattle herd at the age of 17. She explains the reason she loves farming with the Sussex breed is because she loves “breeding an amazing stud bull, and also just seeing when I wean all my calves the amazing wean weights that I get. So that is just something great to me and it’s something that I really, really enjoy.”

When asked what some of the challenges are that she faces as a young cattle farmer, Van Niekerk stated that finances are one major challenge for not only her but other farmers and business owners too.

She shares that her passion for animals and farming has made her realise that if she wanted to reach her goals and dream of becoming a successful farmer, there are certain things that she needed to give up – such as hanging with friends on weekends. “If you want to make your dreams come true and achieve your goals, you’re definitely going to make certain sacrifices in life to achieve them. I was so privileged to have people in my life that helped me and mentored me and stood by me and is still standing by me [during] this journey,” she beamed.

With that being said, she will be featured on a new farming show called For the love of the land. The show, which will be debuting on People’s Weather - DStv channel 180 and Openview Channel 115 - on Monday, focuses on “saluting the unsung heroes of the South African agriculture sector.”

Van Niekerk describes the experience of being a part of the show as exciting and a great experience where she had the opportunity to hear other farmers’ stories and draw inspiration from their experiences.

According to a statement released, producers say this new agriculture show offers a raw, real, and cutting-edge agricultural perspective for the viewer – which they describe as a first for local television. Furthermore, For the love of the land is a ten-part series about the journeys of the country’s new era farmers, mostly black, who continue to farm against all odds.

“The show is hosted by award-winning presenter Ivor Price and Piet Potgieter, a KwaZulu-Natal-born farmer who trades a life of extensive cattle farming for one in front of the cameras.”

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