Crimson Creek Cherry Farm spans across 404 hectares of undulating grassland, on the Steenkampsberg Plateau at an altitude of 2200m above sea level. The high median rainfall is 850 mm per year. At least 20 persistent natural springs originate from Crimson Creek’s hills - meandering into numerous creeks and streams. This ideal combination of resources creates an abundance of commercial possibilities, including livestock farming and access to arable land. Trout is found in dams and first water streams.
HOMESTEAD - The Scottish style homestead is built using natural stone sourced locally from the farm and is quaintly nestled in the hillside. The four dams overlooked by the house allow for spectacular sunsets from the stoep. Crystal spring water is supplied to the house directly from the source. Two sheds adjacent to the house are used for storage and cooling facilities. All buildings on the yard are secured using alarm systems and CCTV cameras.
CATTLE - To effectively manage current and future production, it is important to balance the management of both stock and pastures. The farms grazing is managed by a holistic, rotational, high-density system. This is accomplished through a “wagon wheel” division of camps, each converging to a center camp. The center camps allow access to a concrete dam, concentrated mineral supplements and an easily accessible area to confirm stock numbers. This makes the carrying capacity almost double than surrounding farms.
CHERRY - The location of the cherry orchard was determined after a three year research project considering annual chill units, wind, slope face direction, soil- and water quality. Once established – cherries take 4 years to come into production. Irrigation and fertilization are done via micro systems. There is currently a total of 7 hectares established. Each hectare consists of about 950 trees. The location of Crimson Creek Cherry Farm enables the harvest to come into production very early in the season in October and fill the international window period with little or no other sweet cherries available during that time. It is envisaged to increase the current 7 hectares by another 10 hectares currently enclosed by a solar powered electrical fence of 1.8 km. The existing 10 hectare cherry orchard together with another proposed 30 hectares of future orchard development (total 40 hectares) has been successfully subdivided (but not proclaimed) with consent valid till September 2024. There is also a servitude registered over the existing main dam (in need of attention to the lining) that will allow gravity feed. The sweet cherry orchard was scientifically planned, developed & managed by SA Cherries from 2004-2016. Soleil Citrus managed the orchard from 2017-2022 and we are currently engaged in negotiations for the future management & expansion of the orchard. This transaction could be zero rated for VAT if sold as a running concern. Read more...