THE FARMING CO.

Practical.Reliable.Sustainable

The Farming Co is a family-owned and operated vertically integrated enterprise, specializing primarily in primary food production. Our expertise spans from the southern tip of Africa to regional Australia, endowing us with an extensive business and agricultural knowledge bank.

We hail from a lineage of pioneers who, in the 1800s, sought opportunities in Southern Africa. Family and business are deeply woven into the fabric of our heritage.

Commercial life for this family commenced in Southern Africa with a diversified portfolio of dairy, sheep, poultry and crop farming, however, extended to contract harvesting and transporting of food across borders into Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Congo.

Melanie was born with South African with Australian citizenship and it seemed a natural fit for a young growing family to pursue opportunities that arose in Australia and the decision was made to move the business expertise to Australia in 1994.

An agricultural contracting business was established, and within 12 years, it had grown its operations along the entire length of the eastern seaboard, spanning from Central Queensland to Southern Victoria. The enterprise emerged as a comprehensive agricultural service provider, offering a wide range of services encompassing row-crop and dry land farming. This included irrigation farm development utilizing laser buckets, as well as tasks such as planting, cultivating, cotton-picking, and harvesting.

In 2005, an enticing opportunity arose in the Central Wheatbelt of Western Australia, where we gradually acquired a substantial landholding which led to the Prinsloo family's relocation to Western Australia. Initially spanning 4,000 hectares, the property held the promise of expansion to 18,000 hectares within seven years.
In a region renowned for its marginal rainfall, we integrated a rotation program into our extensive cropping operations, incorporating 10,000 breeding merino ewes. Eventually, the accumulated land became a sought-after asset, leading to its sale.

Since 2012, we've pursued vertical integration by incorporating transport and civil & earthworks into our family business and in 2021, we further grew our operations by adding a large agricultural holding in the South-West District of Western Australia, spanning 13,200 hectares. This acquisition enhances our agricultural portfolio and solidifies our commitment to sustainable land management.

Now that our children have reached adulthood, the Family Vision is to broaden our business footprint. Through collaborative discussions, we have set our sights on intercontinental expansion. Portfolio diversification stands as a strategic imperative, empowering businesses to thrive amid the ever-changing landscape of a market marked by escalating demand and finite resources. Intercontinental expansion transcends mere growth beyond local markets; it symbolizes the establishment of a vast capacity not only for food production but also for vertical integration, capitalizing on our accumulated expertise.

At our core, we are a dynamic family business committed to broadening our capabilities and diversifying our operations, seeking profitable and sustainable ventures to propel us into the future.

Albrecht Prinsloo

Executive Management - Operations

Albrecht, fondly known as Al, is the key executioner within the family enterprise. His defining characteristic is his relentless pursuit and unmatched capacity to execute monumental dreams. It is his unwavering drive that laid the foundation for the inception of The Farming Co.

Melanie Prinsloo

Executive Management - Administration

Melanie serves as the technical mastermind behind the daily operations and the creative force igniting new visions within our diversifying enterprise. As the overseer of all aspects of business administration, Melanie dedicates herself to maximizing efficiency, reducing costs, and propelling growth within the company. Beyond her professional endeavors, Melanie possesses an incredible green thumb and harbors a deep compassion for all creatures, regardless of size.

Lorimer Prinsloo

Operational Manager

Lorimer, often referred to as Lori, excels in managing and executing daily business operations, playing a pivotal role in ensuring production targets are consistently met and maintained. With a knack for deep thinking and possessing a sharp wit, Lori emerges as a capable leader within our ranks. His strong discernment and unwavering determination make him the reliable backbone every business needs.

Charne Prinsloo

Administrative Assistant

Charne, the vibrant member of our family, effortlessly embodies her role as administration assistant. With a background in recruitment, she plays a crucial part in employee management within our enterprise. Adding a touch of sass to the team, Charne's love for animals and dedication to family infuses a unique energy into our work environment.

Nico Lubbe

Farm General Manager

Nico is a valuable asset to our team, bringing with him a wealth of general knowledge and extensive experience in running and maintaining operational agricultural enterprises. His profound passion for livestock translates into seizing opportunities and setting a gold standard for excellence in production. In his leisure time, Nico enjoys traveling, fishing, and working with his cattle, further fueling his dedication to our agricultural pursuits.

Johan van der Schyff

Operational Director Civil and Earthworks

Johan, our resident Geotechnical and Mining Engineer, boasts five years of experience in the corporate realm, having worked for Anglo American on underground long haul coal mining projects. His infectious optimism and innate ability to inspire bring out the best in everyone he encounters. Johan excels in leadership, idea execution, organizational skills, and big-picture thinking while adeptly managing daily expectations. As a recent addition to the Prinsloo family business, he now operates and manages Alpha Earthworks and Civil, contributing his expertise to our endeavors. Outside of work, Johan's adventurous spirit extends to the skies, as he embraces his passion for flying, relishing the freedom and thrill it offers alongside his pursuits of travel and deep-sea fishing.

CROPPING

The current farming operation spans 13,200 hectares in Southern Western Australia. Our cropping activities primarily focus on dryland winter plantings, including Canola, Wheat, Barley, and Oats. We maintain a sustainable cropping program through a strategic approach, incorporating a 25% fallow rotation, cereal and pulse cropping rotation, and minimizing soil disturbance to promote long-term soil health and productivity.

AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTING AND TRANSPORT

The Agricultural Contracting company, our initial Australian business venture, addressed a crucial need in the agricultural sector by offering a comprehensive one-stop service. We provided machinery and skilled labor to the farming community, sourcing workers from diverse regions including Canada, Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Fiji, and the Philippines. This global approach ensured access to a talented and diverse workforce, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our services. We've operated along the entire East Coast, providing an extensive array of irrigation and dryland services, including Lazer Levelling, Row Cropping, Broadacre Seeding, Cotton Picking, and Harvesting, among others. Additionally, on the West Coast, we seamlessly integrated Dryland Contract Harvesting and Seeding into our farming operations. Over time, our business has evolved, and while we still offer some contract farming services, we've diversified by incorporating a freight/transport component. This aspect of our operations involves transporting our own grain and fertilizer. Furthermore, we contractually cart grain, fertilizer, and lime sand, facilitating efficient logistics throughout Western Australia.

EARTHWORKS AND CIVIL

In 2015, we expanded our operations to include Civil and Earthworks services, initially focusing on smaller projects such as single-storey dwellings. However, within five years, Alpha Earth experienced significant growth, becoming a preferred supplier for numerous building companies. Our scope of work expanded to encompass a diverse range of projects, including fuel stations, retail stores, multi-storey dwellings (high rises), and large industrial premises. This rapid expansion speaks to our commitment to excellence and our ability to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

LIVESTOCK

As part of our commitment to farming sustainability and rotation, sheep currently serve as the primary focus of our livestock operations. However, we opportunistically farm cattle from time to time to diversify our offerings. Presently, we supply lamb and mutton to both international and domestic markets, ensuring our products meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability.