The South African dairy sector is preparing to take center stage as Jersey SA, in collaboration with the World Jersey Cattle Bureau, welcomes international delegates for the highly anticipated World Jersey Tour from 4 to 12 September 2026. This elite global gathering promises an exceptional blend of world-class dairy genetics, technical scientific conferences, and renowned South African hospitality. Traveling across the spectacular Western Cape and Garden Route regions, the tour will showcase the strength and adaptability of the country’s local Jersey herds.
A Culinary and Agricultural Kickoff
The itinerary begins on Friday, 4 September 2026, with a visit to the acclaimed Dalewood Jersey Herd in Simondium. Originally operated as a strawberry farm by the Visser family for over sixty years, the estate has been masterfully transformed by Rob and Petrina Visser into a pasture-fed, model dairy operation. Renowned for its estate-made, artisanal cheeses, Dalewood’s focus on soil-to-plate quality will provide delegates with an authentic taste of local terroir, complete with cheese and wine tastings.
Following leisure days exploring the historic culinary valleys of Franschhoek, Monday’s travel heads to Greyton for an intensive herd evaluation at the esteemed John Walker farm.
Genetics, Conferences, and Regional Showcases
On Tuesday, 8 September, the tour shifts its focus to Arabella Hotel in Kleinmond for the official World Jersey Cattle Bureau technical conferences. This platform will allow breeders, geneticists, and agricultural researchers to exchange critical data on feed efficiency, milk solids, and breed sustainability.
Later that afternoon, delegates will travel to the herd visit at Kluitjieskraal. Active members of Jersey SA since 2009, the Schoonwinkel family has dedicated nearly two decades to constructing one of South Africa’s leading breeding operations. Visitors will evaluate elite production cows and high-performance genetics, including standout bulls like Kluitjieskraal Starlight, distributed nationwide via Absolute Genetics SA.
Wednesday, 9 September, couples a morning evaluation at Pierre Human’s stud in Protem with an afternoon spent at the premier NAMPO Cape agricultural exhibition in Bredasdorp, integrating international visitors directly into the heart of Western Cape agricultural business.
Deep into the Garden Route and Onward to Zambia
The latter half of the itinerary guides delegates along the Garden Route. On Friday, 11 September, the tour conducts dual farm evaluations at Hoopvol Jerseys in Heidelberg and Oakdale Jerseys in Riversdale. The final day of evaluations, Saturday, 12 September, features stops at Avondrood and Schoeman & Louw, concluding with a coastal farewell in Mossel Bay.
For delegates seeking to extend their African agricultural journey, the African Jersey Forum will host an official post-tour in Zambia from 13 to 20 September. Based in Lusaka for the technical conference and developmental milk-depot farm visits from the 13th to the 16th, the trip moves to Livingstone from the 17th to the 20th for a technical exploration of Central African dairy expansion alongside a magnificent visit to Victoria Falls and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
To register or view the full logistics brochure, visit the official portal at worldjerseycattle.com.