Steven Van Niekerk

• Company Overview: My Experience at Rudnik Farms in the 2024 Planting Season
• I had the pleasure of working with Rudnik Farms during the 2024 planting season
• As new farmers, they demonstrated great enthusiasm, and I felt that we collaborated exceptionally well as a team
• I am proud to say that I was able to share valuable insights and skills gained from my 8 years in the H2A program, which I believe will significantly benefit them in the future
• During the season, we successfully planted: Wheat, Soybeans, Sugar beets
• I played a pivotal role in the soybean planting process and was primarily responsible for crop spraying using a Case IH Patriot 50
• Additionally, I performed extensive ground tillage and soil compaction, ensuring the fields were well-prepared for planting
• I possess the necessary skills for general maintenance of equipment and take pride in keeping implements well cared for
• My Experience at Rudnik Farms in the 2024 Planting Season
• As I return to South Africa to launch my career, I am excited to focus on my relationships and life at home
• I believe that the experience I gained at Rudnik Farms has not only enhanced my expertise but also prepared me for future endeavors
• Ground Tillage
• Planting Soya Beans
• Rolling
• Spraying of Crops
• Mowing Ditches
• Restoring Old Equipment
• My main roll here was Spraying crops.

• Company Overview: My H2A Season of 2023
• In 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to work at Magnusson Farms, where I collaborated with dedicated and skilled farmers
• Together, we planted a vibrant variety of crops, including: Ryegrass, Durum wheat, Oats, Soybeans, Sunflowers, And much more!
• Throughout the season, we meticulously prepared the soil, planted the crops, and rolled some of them (like soybeans) to ensure optimal growth
• We applied crop protection methods and eventually harvested when the time was right
• I had the privilege of operating a wide range of farming equipment, drawing on my extensive experience with: John Deere 9600 and John Deere S780 combines, John Deere 8R and John Deere 9R tractors, John Deere 1775NT planter, MacDon Flex Draper headers
• With a strong understanding of true till cultivators, jokers, and other essential farming tools, I felt well-equipped to handle the diverse challenges that arose during the season
• My H2A Season of 2023
• I genuinely believe that the experience I have gained throughout my 8 years in the USA has not only enhanced my skills but also instilled in me a deep passion for farming

Farm Operations Overview Tasks Involved Equipment Used

Crop Management

• Spraying crops
• Cultivating
• High-speed discing
• Using a rotavator
  
• Harvesting crops:
• Spring wheat
• Winter wheat
• Canola
• Barley
  
• Working cattle
• Fixing fences
• Branding of calves
• Moving cattle across the fields
  
• Fixing bins
• Repairing equipment
• Repairing Cracks on Sprayer
• Repairing Filters and Nozzles on Pivots
• Respraying Equipments
• Building new tools to reduce struggles.

Transportation
Hauling grain to Great Falls (approximately 150 miles)

• 2 loads per day
  

Fire Control

• Fire fighting and control of pre-burn lines
  
• John Deere S980 Combine
• John Deere 45ft Header
• John Deere Self-Propelled Sprayer
• John Deere 9R 590 Tractor
• John Deere High-speed Disc
• Chase IH Rotavator

I started working for Bruntjen Farms in 2019 after my contract ended in North Dakota working for Ongstad Seed. Bruntjen Farms needed a grain cart driver to give them a hand, so I got the position and moved there. My role with them was as a farm hand, from working the fields to maintenance on the bin site and cutting down trees, etc. During planting season, I would be planting soybeans and cultivating the fields. After planting season was complete, I would return to South Africa for 30 days, then head back for harvest. During harvest, I would be running a grain cart or chisel plowing the corn fields, as well as running a Salford on the soybean fields. During the rainy days, we would be hauling grain from the bin site to ADM Grain Elevators in Decatur and working on some equipment in the workshop. We would also be cleaning bins and restoring the bin floors. I was a general farm hand, so we did a little bit of everything. you can look them up on Facebook.

• Kraal Building
• Moving Hay
• Working Cattle
• Chopping Silage
• Baling
• Mowing Oats, Wheat, Durum with Chase IH Swather
• Loading and Unloading Silage with Box Truck
• Building and Repairing Fence Lines
• Moving Cattle to and from New Fields
• Building Maintenance
• Building New Kraal with Sucker Rods and Support Posts
• Cleaning Kraals and Sheds with Bobcat
• Spreading Manure with a Pro Spreader on the Fields
• Irrigation Setup and Maintenance
• Operating Tractors and Farm Equipment
• Helped Planting Cover Crops
• Pest Control Management
• Watering Livestock
• Monitoring Livestock Health
• Participating in Farm Planning Meetings
• Maintaining Equipment

• I would work here when not in the USA.
• Feed Management
• Buying & Selling New Stock
• Identifying Weak or Sick Cattle
• Injecting Growth Boosters Behind the Ear
• Applying Medicine When Needed
• Maintenance on Kraal
• Loading and Unloading of New Stock
• Planting Crops: Soya Beans, Corn, Wheat, Oats
• Applying Chemicals: Roundup, Fungicide, Pesticide
• Monitoring Feed Quality
• Calculating Feed Rations
• Organizing Feed Storage
• Market Research
• Negotiation
• Record Keeping
• Health Assessments
• Quarantine Procedures
• Collaboration with Veterinarians
• Administering Growth Hormones
• Monitoring Growth Rates
• Medication Inventory
• Dosing and Administration
• Kraal Inspections
• Cleaning and Hygiene
• Fencing and Security
• Safe Handling Procedures
• Transport Documentation
• Soil Preparation
• Crop Rotation Planning
• Irrigation Management
• Chemical Safety Training
• Environmental Compliance
• Team Management
• Budget Management
• Emergency Response Planning