history
Our journey started in 2019 when three farmers, as the original founding members of SA Alfalfa, joined forces to consolidate, grade and market our alfalfa crop of 7,000 tons to the local and export markets.
By 2021 the business expanded when we started to aggregate additional volumes by procuring alfalfa from producers in the region where we farm, as well as other regions in South Africa. Alfalfa volumes increased to 70,000 tons for the 2021/2022 season.
To accommodate the growth in the business, a new 60,000 sqm depot was built in Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
The depot hosts new offices, 10,500 sq m warehouses and under-roof storage, a new weighbridge, and an NLT-certified quality laboratory. We also set up a hammermill plant where we produce high-quality alfalfa meal.
In January 2023, we decided to rebrand from SA Alfalfa to Terradam. The name change was initiated by our growth strategy of diversifying the business into new services and product categories, leveraging our partnerships with producers and clients.
ABOUT THE NAME
TERRA
being the Latin word for Planet Earth / Soil
ADAM
referencing Adam Smith, often referred to as the father of modern economics.
Terra is incorporated into our name to symbolise our strong connection to the earth and our environment. Terra is Latin for Earth and it signifies our commitment to sustainable and responsible farming practices that respect and nurture the Earth. We believe in harnessing the power of the soil to grow healthy crops while ensuring the long-term health of our environment. Our use of Terra reflects our dedication to farming in harmony with nature and our commitment to provide quality, earth-friendly agricultural products.
Adam Smith was a Scottish economist, philosopher and author who is often regarded as one of the founding figures of modern economics. It is especially the "law of competition" and the principle of the "invisible hand" - in theory the market forces that guide supply and demand - that resonate with us.
We believe that incorporating principles taught by Adam Smith into our business strategy and decision-making will help our business to thrive in competitive markets, while contributing positively to our people and the broader community.
Combining TERRA and ADAM we proudly introduce TERRADAM.
We are a team with complementary experience and skills ranging from commercial farmers and inherent entrepreneurs to professional executives with years of business experience.
Our procurement, administrative and operational teams consist of individuals with the required market knowledge, expertise and passion, who focus on service excellence, quality assurance, customer service and relationship management.
We acknowledge the important role we play as a team and a business to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality products in the animal feed and food value chain, ensuring a sustainable future for food security.
MEET THE SHAREHOLDERS
Alfonso Visser
PRESIDENT
Alfonso was one of the founding members of SA Alfalfa in 2019. He is an established farmer, entrepreneur and businessman who holds an interest in several businesses. In addition to his role as commercial farmer growing pecan nuts, groundnuts, alfalfa, popcorn, maize and cotton, he is also the sole owner and president of SA Pecans and SA Peanuts. These two leading South African companies involved in the procurement, processing and marketing of pecan nuts and groundnuts each hold more than a 30% share in the South African market. He is also a director and shareholder of Vaalharts Cotton.
Alfonso strongly believes in always adding value to growers, especially those who plant in crop-rotation and irrigation areas in the Northern Cape, and to always strive to be globally competitive. His plans and commitment never stop, and his faith is the key to all he has achieved.
Alfonso Visser
PRESIDENT
Alfonso was one of the founding members of SA Alfalfa in 2019. He is an established farmer, entrepreneur and businessman who holds an interest in several businesses. In addition to his role as commercial farmer growing pecan nuts, groundnuts, alfalfa, popcorn, maize and cotton, he is also the sole owner and president of SA Pecans and SA Peanuts. These two leading South African companies involved in the procurement, processing and marketing of pecan nuts and groundnuts each hold more than a 30% share in the South African market. He is also a director and shareholder of Vaalharts Cotton.
Alfonso strongly believes in always adding value to growers, especially those who plant in crop-rotation and irrigation areas in the Northern Cape, and to always strive to be globally competitive. His plans and commitment never stop, and his faith is the key to all he has achieved.
Callie Wolhuter
DIRECTOR
Callie is a multi-generational farmer turned agriculture-focused entrepreneur. After obtaining an honours degree in Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State, he joined the family dairy farm with its herd of 3,500 cattle, which supplied approximately 30% of Botswana's milk at the time.
In 2018, due to regulatory changes affecting the export of milk from South Africa to Botswana, Callie strategically shifted the focus of the family business from dairy to other commodities such as alfalfa, pecan nuts, wheat, barley, maize and cotton. That was the first step towards transitioning the business to grower and exporter of dry agricultural products. In 2019 Callie joined forces with Alfonso Visser and Charl van der Merwe to form SA Alfalfa. Callie is also a shareholder in Vaalharts Cotton.
Callie Wolhuter
DIRECTOR
Callie is a multi-generational farmer turned agriculture-focused entrepreneur. After obtaining an honours degree in Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State, he joined the family dairy farm with its herd of 3,500 cattle, which supplied approximately 30% of Botswana's milk at the time.
In 2018, due to regulatory changes affecting the export of milk from South Africa to Botswana, Callie strategically shifted the focus of the family business from dairy to other commodities such as alfalfa, pecan nuts, wheat, barley, maize and cotton. That was the first step towards transitioning the business to grower and exporter of dry agricultural products. In 2019 Callie joined forces with Alfonso Visser and Charl van der Merwe to form SA Alfalfa. Callie is also a shareholder in Vaalharts Cotton.
Charl Van Der Merwe
DIRECTOR
Charl started his career as an artisan with a diploma from the SAIW Institute.
In 2010 he went to Australia, constructing feedlots for big Australian agriculture groups. This was his first step into the agricultural landscape. Upon his return to South Africa in 2011, Charl started his own company, Vaalharts Feed and Grain, trading in various agricultural commodities and setting up a hammermill plant producing alfalfa meal and other animal feeds. He built a good network with farmers and clients throughout South Africa.
Through this business, he joined forces with Alfonso and Callie in 2019 to create SA Alfalfa. The hammermill operation allowed them to process all grades of alfalfa and to distribute the alfalfa meal within the local market, creating a competitive advantage for the business. Charl is also a farmer and focuses on alfalfa, wheat, pecan nuts and other crop-rotation products.
Charl Van Der Merwe
DIRECTOR
Charl started his career as an artisan with a diploma from the SAIW Institute.
In 2010 he went to Australia, constructing feedlots for big Australian agriculture groups. This was his first step into the agricultural landscape. Upon his return to South Africa in 2011, Charl started his own company, Vaalharts Feed and Grain, trading in various agricultural commodities and setting up a hammermill plant producing alfalfa meal and other animal feeds. He built a good network with farmers and clients throughout South Africa.
Through this business, he joined forces with Alfonso and Callie in 2019 to create SA Alfalfa. The hammermill operation allowed them to process all grades of alfalfa and to distribute the alfalfa meal within the local market, creating a competitive advantage for the business. Charl is also a farmer and focuses on alfalfa, wheat, pecan nuts and other crop-rotation products.
OUR CORE PRINCIPALS
Consistency
We are consistent in the way we conduct ourselves and the way we do business.
Accountability
We take full accountability for our actions, decisions and behaviour.
Integrity
We undertake to keep our word, honour commitments, meet deadlines, and refuse to participate in dishonest activities or business dealings.
Quality
We are fully committed to the delivery of high-quality products and services.
Agility
We prepare our business through entrepreneurial innovation to renew itself, adapt, change, and succeed in a rapidly changing and turbulent environment.
Reliability
We commit to being a reliable business partner and strive for consistent and excellent execution.