CREIGHTON-based dairy farmer, Dale Hutton has been awarded the prestigious 2025 KZN Toyota Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year. Hutton’s contemporary, precise approach and responsible resource use impressed judges from the KZN Agricultural Union.
Hutton, 39, will go on to represent KwaZulu-Natal at the Toyota SA/Agri SA National Young Farmer of the Year Competition, where he will compete against the country’s top young farmers for one of South Africa’s most prestigious agricultural titles and stand the chance to drive away in a brand-new Toyota Hilux Single Cab.
“This competition continues to reveal the remarkable talent and vision of KZN’s young farmers, who are not only embracing innovation but also show an unwavering commitment to agriculture in South Africa. Their ability to adapt and invest in the future of farming is both inspiring and vital for the growth of our sector,” says Kwanalu CEO, Sandy la Marque.
A forward-thinking farmer with a passion for sustainability and optimisation, Hutton stood out for his modern, data-driven approach to farming. At the heart of his Kiwi-Cross breed dairy enterprise is a cutting-edge, satellite-based pasture management system, providing real-time insights into plant stress, grazing efficiency and water allocation.
Hutton’s commitment to responsible resource use extends to solar-powered energy systems and digital moisture probes, which together reduce the farm’s reliance on diesel, ensure energy efficiency and allow for targeted, cost-effective irrigation. All wastewater from the dairy is repurposed for use in dryland maize and kikuyu pastures, underscoring his goal to create an operation that actively improves soil health and conserves resources.
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” says Hutton, whose management philosophy is rooted in strategic planning, continuous optimisation and meaningful investment.
The Toyota/ Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year Competition is open to farmers under the age of 40, male or female, who are full members of their province’s agricultural unions. Contestants are evaluated on all aspects of their farming operations, including their management philosophies, innovative practices and long-term vision for their farms.
Despite the ongoing challenges facing the agricultural sector, Hutton remains firmly committed to the future of agriculture in the country. After working and living abroad for four years, he chose to return home to his family farm where he and his wife, Roxy are now raising their three children.
“I have travelled to 18 countries and have never found a place I would rather work and live in than South Africa,” says Hutton.
Hutton’s commitment to the industry extends well beyond the farm gate. A firm believer in the strength of organised agriculture, Hutton has served on the Ingwe Farmers’ Association Committee for five years, including two years as chairman and two years as vice chair, playing an active role in supporting and representing his community in the Creighton valley.
In addition to supplying milk to the local Creighton Valley Cheesery, he and his wife also own and run a small-batch artisanal ice cream business, the FatCow Creamery, using the milk from their herd.
“Young farmers like Dale embody the resilience, innovation and leadership that South African agriculture needs to secure its future. His ability to embrace technology while remaining firmly rooted in his community is what sets him apart,” says La Marque.
The KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union, Kwanalu, is a representative organisation voice of the rural and agricultural sectors in the province. Its viewpoints are based on submissions from its members, and it is committed to a sustainable and profitable future for Agriculture within KwaZulu-Natal and the greater South Africa.
