We believe in traditional values
Huntersvlei Farming: A Legacy of Sustainable, Integrated Agriculture
By continuously adopting innovative and eco-conscious farming techniques, we are shaping a future where agriculture remains productive, responsible, and resilient.
The Family Business
At Huntersvlei, our story is built on the principle of vertical integration, ensuring every step of the journey – from farm to table – is handled with care, precision, and integrity. By overseeing every aspect of our operations, from raising cattle to processing and delivering premium meat, we maintain the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
This commitment to integration enables us to guarantee traceability, ensuring you know exactly where your food originates. It’s not just about raising exceptional Sussex cattle or producing award-winning crops; it’s about ensuring that every bite reflects our dedication to ethical farming and responsible practices.
By combining heritage, innovation, and a passion for excellence, Huntersvlei connects the fields where it all begins to the tables where families gather. Experience the difference that generations of expertise and care make.
Join us in celebrating the journey from our farm to your table.
From Farm to Table
At Huntersvlei, our story is built on the principle of vertical integration, ensuring every step of the journey—from farm to table—is handled with care, precision, and integrity. By overseeing every aspect of our operations, from raising cattle to processing and delivering premium meat, we maintain the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
This commitment to integration allows us to guarantee traceability, so you know exactly where your food comes from. It’s not just about raising exceptional Sussex cattle or producing award-winning crops; it’s about ensuring that every bite reflects our dedication to ethical farming and responsible practices.
By combining heritage, innovation, and a passion for excellence, Huntersvlei connects the fields where it all begins to the tables where families gather. Experience the difference that generations of expertise and care make.
Join us in celebrating the journey from our farm to your table.
The Evans Family Legacy: A Story of Vision and Perseverance
The Early Days of John Ketley Evans (JK Evans)
The Evans family story begins with John Ketley Evans, fondly known as JK Evans, who managed the Greenfontein Coal Mine on behalf of its owner while also overseeing two farms, Kameelfontein and Karoo Kroon. These farms thrived under JK’s management, producing crops, fodder, and livestock. Known for his meticulous nature, JK ensured the land and animals were cared for with precision.
In 1903, JK took a leap of faith and purchased Huntersbult Farm, later renaming it Hunter’s Rise. It wasn’t an easy feat, but it marked the beginning of the Evans family’s deep connection to the land. As JK expanded the family’s holdings, he became a pioneer in farming innovation, introducing South Africa’s first tractors and threshing machines. He even helped struggling farmers by offering bonds at favorable rates, cementing his reputation as a community leader.
Little did he know, this early foundation would become a legacy of excellence passed down for generations.
1896 – 1915
A New Era Begins – The Huntersvlei Sussex Stud
After returning from World War II, Rhys Evans decided to carve his own path in agriculture. In 1945, Rhys founded the Huntersvlei Sussex Stud, a venture rooted in his passion for breeding superior cattle. With guidance from Dr. HJ Orford, a family friend and expert, Rhys crossed Afrikaner cows with Sussex bulls to create a hardy, adaptable breed perfectly suited for South African conditions.
Rhys’s dedication to quality wasn’t just about producing good cattle—it was about building a sustainable future. He focused on breeding Sussex cattle that were not only structurally sound but also had strong maternal instincts and the ability to thrive in all climates. Over the years, this dedication turned the Huntersvlei Sussex herd into one of the most respected in South Africa, a reputation that continues to this day.
1945 –
Rhys Evans Becomes South Africa’s First Farmer of the Year
By the 1960s, Rhys Evans was a household name in South African farming. His hard work, innovation, and commitment to excellence earned him the title of South Africa’s First Farmer of the Year in 1961.
Sharing the award with KWV Chairman Mr. du Toit, Rhys was recognized for his revolutionary practices, including sustainable farming and community development. His farms were more than just operations—they were model farms, setting standards for others in the industry. Rhys took care of his workers, providing housing and education long before these became common practices.
This award wasn’t just a personal achievement; it highlighted the impact of the Evans family on agriculture in South Africa. Rhys’s son Anthony would later follow in his footsteps, becoming Farmer of the Year in 1982, creating a legacy of innovation that spanned generations.
1961 –
Turning Challenges into Success
While farming is always unpredictable, the Evans family embraced every challenge with determination and ingenuity. One of Rhys Evans’s greatest achievements was the reclamation of Sandfontein, a piece of land long neglected by overgrazing. With grit and a vision for the future, Rhys transformed this barren land into a thriving maize farm, leveling dunes, planting grass, and controlling erosion.
During this period, the Huntersvlei Sussex herd gained recognition across the country, winning prestigious awards like the Rand Show Gold Cup in 1965. This marked the first win by a Sussex bull at the show—a testament to Rhys’s dedication to breeding excellence.
The family didn’t stop innovating. By the 1980s, they introduced hybrid maize and advanced fertilization methods, boosting yields and turning their farms into some of the most productive in South Africa. The Evans family proved that with the right approach, challenges could become opportunities.
1970s – 1980s
A Legacy that Lives On
From JK Evans’s early ventures to Rhys Evans’s groundbreaking innovations, the Evans family has left an indelible mark on South African agriculture. Over the decades, the family’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and community has remained unwavering.
The Huntersvlei Sussex Stud, now over 75 years old, stands as a symbol of their dedication, producing cattle that continue to set the standard for the industry. Meanwhile, the family’s contributions to maize farming and land rehabilitation have transformed farming practices across the country.
For the Evans family, farming isn’t just a business—it’s a way of life, driven by the belief that hard work and vision can shape a better future for all.
Today
Sussex is our business
For over 75 years, Huntersvlei Cattle has been a leader in premium beef production, driven by a commitment to integrity, trust, and sustainable farming. As part of the family-run Rhys Evans Group, a company with over a century of agricultural excellence, Huntersvlei has never wavered in its dedication to breeding and raising superior cattle. We proudly produce pasture-raised, nutrient-rich beef that reflects our values of quality, sustainability, and responsible farming.
