Why agriculture? What drew your attention to agriculture?
I was born on a farm and enjoyed the arithmetic of agriculture especially finances.
How did you prepare for a career in agriculture? (training)
Left school at 16. Got a job on a farm.
I went to an agricultural college and five years later to University. Had a job on a huge farm in Johannesburg while studying and received Agric Honours, MSc and PhD.
Above: Alastair Paterson
When we first had contact you were working at Stockowners. People driving past on the N3 would have seen the building. What was Stockowners?
The company was actually developed in the 1930s to provide marketing services for Natal. I was offered a job here, was Head of the Production Division, supplying advice to 7,000 farmer members of Stockowners.
After Stockowners you spent years consulting on cattle production in the other countries to the north of here. What were the highlights of that time?
After 20 years at Stockowners. I learnt to provide agricultural advice with financial advice. I got to most of the members through 22 Beef study groups in Natal and a further 6 in the Free State and Eastern Cape. When I left Stockowners I consulted mainly in the Middle East, North Africa and Madagascar. I worked for 20 years as a private consultant.
The highlights of the 20 years were meeting many Animal Scientists from around the world. I visited 90 countries seeking and giving advice.
You would have noticed South Africa from the outside during those years. What would you say is the best news/the brightest light regarding agriculture in this country?
The brightest news about SA is that the country has been surprisingly stable and the commercial farmers have been able to continue providing food and jobs to many. Even though many farmers were sadly attacked on their farms.
You’ve retired now. What advice would you give to the younger generation?
The best advice I have for the youth is to follow any dream you may have. While you work, study as much as possible about your job so you become irreplaceable. Do not become an academic but learn all the practicalities of your job. Enjoy family life and do not forget them as you charge ahead with your ambitions.
Feature photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/4-cows-behind-black-metal-rails-162801/
