Table of contents for 27 May 2016 in Farmer's Weekly

The planet’s human population is growing at an alarmingly rapid pace, and nobody knows this better than farmers. Producers of food are constantly reminded that they need to increase production by 70% to cater for the 2,3 billion more people who will be living on Earth by 2050 (when the total population will reach 9,6 billion people), and their growing demand for animal protein. This rapidly expanding demand is one of the main motivations trumpeted for investing in agriculture, despite the challenges faced by the sector. However, what the sector rarely pauses to ask is this: while growing demand might be good for business, what does this inflated consumer base mean for the sustainability of our factories – our arable land? This is an uncomfortable discussion and one that elicits…

Young farming machinery enthusiast Tanya Immink sent us this photo of her three-year-old son, Tristan Immink-Oberholzer, an avid Farmer’s Weekly reader. The front cover (FW, 13 May) featuring a combine harvester caught his eye on the magazine rack in a store as he is fascinated with tractors, combine harvesters and big trucks. The family live in Vanderbijlpark, where Tristan’s father, Hannes Oberholzer, owns a smallholding on which are a few cows. He often takes Tristan on day-trips to farms in the area where he gets to ride on tractors and other farming machinery. Tristan’s love of farming machinery started when he was given a book with pictures of these. Seeing his interest, Tanya bought him John Deere DVDs explaining how they work. Tristan also has a number of John Deere…

International dairy prices have fallen as concerns about the global oversupply of milk and other dairy products continue to weigh on the sector. In the UK, a 9% increase in milk output had contributed to the recent slump in international milk prices. According to the UK’s minister of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), George Eustice, dairy output remained high, despite evidence that milk production in countries such as New Zealand had now started to decline. On 11 May, Eustace presented evidence to the House of Commons’ Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, which had been investigating the fall in farmgate prices. He said that while the number of UK dairy farmers had fallen 3% in 12 months, there had been no increased effort to dampen milk production.…

Black empowerment in agriculture is the right thing to do, according to Philip Retief, Van Loveren’s CEO. Despite the fact that Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) in agriculture was a complex affair, respect for the process and patience would lead to success, Retief said at the Nation in Conversation panel discussion at Nampo Harvest Day 2016 in Bothaville. “We did not get involved with empowerment because we were forced to, but because we wanted to,” he added. Van Loveren initiated a successful empowerment project with 116 of its farm workers 12 years ago. “It is vital that any empowerment initiative be based on sound business principles coupled with proper training and skills development and ongoing communication between all the parties involved,” he said. According to Grain SA’s 2015 New Era Commercial…

Zimbabwe’s growing Chinese population has been accused of involvement in the rise of wildlife poaching. According to a conservation watchdog, locals working for mainly Chinese nationals residing in Zimbabwe have adopted more secretive strategies in the hunting of endangered animals such as pythons and tortoises. “These are delicacies for [the Chinese], but Zimbabweans don’t eat them. For us, they’re an endangered species [that] must be protected,” Johnny Rodriguez, head of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, said. “The Chinese are capturing monkeys, porcupines, hyenas, lions and so on, [and] are doing it indiscriminately, killing others in the process.” Rodriguez said villagers had to be educated on environmental preservation, despite facing food shortages. The drought had destroyed crops and resulted in four million people needing food aid. “Government announced last week that…

Forestry SA (FSA) would focus its efforts in 2016 on a number of targets aimed at transforming, developing and growing South Africa’s commercial forestry sector, according to the organisation’s incoming chairperson for the year, Viv McMenamin, speaking at the FSA AGM for 2016. The first of these would be to maintain the momentum of the “very cooperative and important relationships” that existed between FSA, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Science and Technology. “We also need to continue to grow our alignment and our funding cooperation between the government and the forestry industry for our research priorities, particularly for forestry protection,” she said. According to FSA, government had spoken for years about providing funding for the development of small-scale…

The water levels of most of South Africa’s dams in mid-May were only marginally different from the levels of December last year. Only the Western Cape showed a drastic decrease in dam levels, as the rainy season was yet to start in that part of the country. The Department of Water and Sanitation’s dam level report showed that average mid-May dam levels were: the Eastern Cape 72,2%, the Free State 53,5%, KwaZulu-Natal 50,9%, Limpopo 60,4%, Mpumalanga 63,2%, the Northern Cape 67,2%, North West 65,9%, and the Western Cape 30,7%. Farmer’s Weekly reported in December 2015 that the equivalent dam levels were: the Eastern Cape 76,8%, the Free State 63%, KwaZulu-Natal 56%, Limpopo 68,1%, Mpumalanga 66,2%, the Northern Cape 69,2%, North West 49%, and the Western Cape 64,5%. At the end…

Welcome to the first of a monthly column dedicated to the South African macadamia nut sector. Not only has the sector grown into the number one supplier in the world, but it continues to expand rapidly as growers respond to an increase in global demand. REVISED FORECAST The Southern African Macadamia Growers’ Association (SAMAC) recently completed a round of data collection with updated crop forecasts from all handlers of macadamia nuts. The updated forecast for the 2016 season is approximately 39 000t NIS (nut-in-shell, measured at 1,5% kernel moisture content). This is 15% lower than the 2015 crop of 46 000t NIS, and down on the initial 2016 forecast of 43 000t. South African handlers have revised their forecasts, and all indications are that the drought has affected the industry…

A research project into using fly maggots to reduce organic waste and then processing these maggots into a protein that can be fed to livestock and farmed fish, has proven that this can reduce reliance on more expensive and unsustainable protein sources such as soya meal and fish meal. According to Nina Parry, a Masters student in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria (UP), fly maggots have been found to successfully convert and reduce waste products such as manure, sewage, abattoir waste, and kitchen or restaurant waste into a usable protein. When the maggots stop feeding, they can be collected, sterilised and dried out to produce a type of protein feed suitable for pigs, chickens, crustaceans and carnivorous farmed fish, Parry said in a statement…

FARMERS SOON FIND THAT THE MARKET IS VERY LIMITED Dr Koos Coetzee is an agricultural economist at the MPO. All opinions expressed are his own and do not reflect MPO policy. Email him at farmersweekly@caxton.co.za. Subject line: Global Farming. The breeding of scarce and trophy game, with its scarily high prices, has come in for criticism amid predictions that the bubble will soon burst. Whether this will indeed happen is uncertain. However, there are danger signals that prospective investors in game or any other type of project should heed. These are usually present whenever any enterprise seems too good to be true. SIGNAL 1: OVER-OPTIMISTIC ESTIMATES OF RETURNS One game sales catalogue claims it is possible to get a 40% return by investing in 10 black impala ewes and a…

‘IT BECOMES CHAOS IF YOU DON’T HAVE A RELIABLE SYSTEM’ Many farmers have tried intensive year-round lambing and given up after a year or so due to the extra work needed at specific times during the breeding programme. Now Dr Karin and Manie Wessels of the Mamre Dormer Stud in the Vrede district have developed a simple but highly effective system for the numerous tasks that farmers have to perform in such an enterprise. Karin started the project as a hobby in 2010 and spent two years struggling on her own. She realised why so many other farmers had said that intensive sheep farming was unsustainable. She was at the point of giving up when husband Manie, a project manager, stepped in and helped her implement a proper sheep management…

Sesisonke Farming is not focused only on conservation agriculture and turning a profit; it is also concerned with the social welfare of its employees, explains James Leslie. “Our vision was to set up an agriculture company based on the principles of the new South Africa, and to create a home for all. We have Zulu-, Sotho-, English- and Afrikaans-speaking people on our farm, and we wanted a name that would encompass this diversity. That’s where our name comes from: sesisonke means togetherness,” he says. Sesisonke has been in operation since 2005, producing beans, mealies, potatoes, wheat and soya. Many people in South Africa are poor and hungry, surviving on social grants, and James points out that their products are directed at people in these lower-income groups. In particular, the farm…

LOOK OUT FOR THE WHITE COCOONS ON THE LEAVES My interest in integrated pest management (IPM) was sparked many years ago when carrying out brassica trials. The trials were already complete at that stage, so I told my son to use the produce to feed his rabbits and guinea pigs – and to do it soon, as diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella) had gained a foothold on the land. Occupied with other things, I neglected to check up on the crop. When I did, I found the caterpillars had all but gone and a number of minute Cortesia wasps were ‘scanning’ the leaves. I also noticed small, brilliant-white cocoons on the leaves. These were very different to the longer, greenish cocoons of the diamondback. As I watched, I saw the larvae…

ALL DOGS, ESPECIALLY PUPPIES, NEED PLENTY OF PROTEIN IN THEIR DIETS Coprophagia – the eating of faeces – is common amongst dogs. But far from being ‘normal’ behaviour, it is an indication that all is not well with the animal. The only real exception is a suckling bitch, who typically eats her pups’ faeces and licks their genitals as a way of keeping them and their den clean. Another possible exception is small puppies. They are curious creatures and may play with and then start ingesting faeces they come upon, but they will usually grow out of the habit, especially if you gently discourage them. underfeeding your dog. These can cause mineral or vitamin deficiencies and encourage dogs, particularly growing puppies, to eat their own stools. Cheaper food brands formulated…

To make a truly simple oyster beef stir-fry for four, you will need: 800g beef fillet 6 spring onions 1 red sweet pepper Peanut or canola oil 25mm fresh root ginger 3 cloves garlic 20ml oyster sauce 20ml soy sauce 20ml Old Brown sherry Rice or noodles But first, let’s talk heat. The source is not electricity or any gas-fired camping equipment. Stir-frying has been described as high drama at high heat: the high heat comes from a low-pressure gas cylinder connected to a catering gas ring with two or even three concentric rings, all individually controllable. These are not expensive and last forever. What you get from this rig is a continuous blast of high heat like a Bessemer furnace (well, almost, a bit of food-writer hyperbole). On this…

Proper breathing is as important as eating healthy foods and exercising. It delivers maximum oxygen to vital tissues, while expelling carbon dioxide. Ben Greenfield provides tips on proper breathing in the Get-Fit Guy’s Guide to Achieving Your Perfect Body. Breathing faster or not inhaling deeply enough can increase the pH of your blood, making it more alkaline than it is supposed to be. This means less oxygen for your brain and muscles. One of the signs of incorrect breathing is an upward or forward movement of your chest as you breathe in; ideally, your rib cage should also expand markedly to the side as you take in a breath. NORMAL RATE Unless you have a sinus infection, you should not breathe through your mouth when you are not exercising, but…

In the previous issue, we discussed the power of social media as seen in the comments posted by Dohne Merino breeder Richard Armstrong on his Facebook page. “To all consumers of lamb, DON’T be fooled that the price is sky-high because of the drought, that is nonsense,” he writes. The producer’s price had dropped from R72/kg in February to R51/kg in late April. “[That’s] a whopping 29,1%. Question the retailer the next time you buy your chops. They are ripping YOU off badly.” REACTION Predictably, this caused a furore. Farmers have long complained about the low prices they receive and the retailers’ markup, while consumers are unhappy about rising food costs. It’s not surprising that Armstrong’s post has been shared more than 5 000 times. Some retailers, meanwhile, have been…

The Canon IXUS 180 has an 10x optical zoom lens which helps you keep your subject in the frame by automatically detecting the number of people and adjusting the zoom level to determine the optimal size. The IXUS 180 also features Intelligent Image Stabilizer technology, which constantly adapts to the scene to ensure the best images and movies, even when you are on the move. Equipped with the best of Canon’s imaging technology, the IXUS 180 packs a 20 megapixel sensor and advanced DIGIC 4+ processor for ultra-fast responses and superb image quality. Visit www.canon.co.za.…

By 11am on the first day of the 50th Nampo Harvest Day, approximately 40 aeroplanes and 10 helicopters had already landed at Nampo Park. The show welcomed 70 000 visitors in 2015 and even more were expected this year.…

“The current state of the drought in the country could trigger an above-normal fire season and has the potential risk to cause a disaster.” This was the warning issued by the department of agriculture in a recent press release announcing the launch of the National Veld and Forest Fire Working Group. Speaking at the launch in Pretoria, agriculture minister, Senzeni Zokwana, said that if this forecast proved accurate, it was likely to have “dire consequences [for] farmers and landowners in general”. No major fires had been reported so far in the fire season, according to Working on Fire spokesperson, Linton Rensburg. The season started at the beginning of May. In April, 36 fires had been recorded countrywide. In 2014, South Africa experienced its worst winter fire season in seven years,…

The Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) is currently considering public comments in response to Rhino Oil and Gas Exploration South Africa’s (ROGESA) application to explore about 1,5 million hectares of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands for fossil energy reserves. The Scoping Report, drafted by ROGESA’s independent environmental assessment practitioner, SLR Consulting, was submitted to PASA on 26 April 2016, giving the agency 43 days to make a decision on whether or not to allow ROGESA to continue with its application to explore the area for fossil energy reserves. “Should PASA accept the Scoping Report, the Environmental Impact Assessment phase of the process would then commence. SLR will have 107 days to compile an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The EIR will be made available [to the public] for a 30-day review period…

Honey bees are known not only for their honey, but for their role as pollinators of food crops. The European domesticated honey bee, Apis mellifera, which originated in East Asia, is the most studied of all bee species. From Europe, it was distributed to other continents. Despite a 45% global increase in hives, the total number of commercial hives has declined in many regions. Honey bees are susceptible to attacks by mites, bacteria, beetles, fungi, viruses, the larvae of wax moths and Bacillus, and are vulnerable to dysentery and paralysis. Of particular current concern is Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a phenomenon first seen in 1886, whereby a large majority of the worker bees disappear and leave only the queen bee, food and some nurse bees to care for the immature…

A PERIOD OF 180 DAYS IS ALLOWED FOR A REVIEW APPLICATION Advocate Peter O’Halloran is a tax specialist. Email him at farmersweekly@caxton.co.za. Subject line: Tax. What happens if an agreement for the sale of property is taxed in one year, but the sale is later cancelled and the property is returned, with loss of some of the assessed gain? Is capital gains tax (CGT) paid in the year when the deal was done, or is it recalculated? This was more or less the thrust of the questions posed before the Western Cape High Court in the matter of New Adventure Shelf 122 (Pty) Ltd v The Commissioner SARS (case number 7007/2015). A certain valuable property was sold in an agreement that provided for ownership to pass in the 2007 tax…

Contacts: Izak and Pieter van Heerden: 083 627 4133 | Nico Botha: 083 455 7599 | Loutjie Hanekom: 027 482 2173 Willem Engelbrecht: 082 610 4488 | Hannes Kotze: 082 927 1179 | Jan van Biljon: 082 781 5210…

Ask any market agent what the toughest aspect is about dealing with farmers, and the reply will probably be: “Criticising their products.” They joke that a farmer’s produce is always ‘export grade’ while still on the farm. It’s only when it reaches the market that it suddenly becomes a lower grade. There are market agents who have lost a farmer to another agency because they dared criticise that farmer’s produce. PRIDE VS EGO Farmers should be proud of their produce, but they should certainly not have overinflated egos that cannot accept constructive criticism. It is, after all, a market agent’s duty to provide feedback on the quality, packaging, grading and general presentation of the produce. Failing to do so is neglecting his or her responsibility towards the client. Equally, farmers…

The World Shipping Council recently released a report detailing the amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), as determined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). “As a condition of loading a packed container onto a ship for export, the container must have a verified gross weight that is certified and accurate. The shipper is responsible for the verification of the packed container’s weight. This requirement will become legally effective on July 1, 2016. After that date, it would be a violation of SOLAS to load a packed container onto a vessel if the vessel operator and marine terminal operator do not have a verified container weight,” the report states. • Definition of ‘shipper’ IMO defines ‘shipper’ as the legal entity or person named on the lading bill or…

ORGANIC FERTILISERS AND PADDOCK RESTING ADD TO THE QUALITY OF GRAZING With the current drought in Southern Africa and ever-rising feed costs, livestock farmers and horse owners are constantly searching for cost-effective yet healthy feed regimes. The good news for horse owners is that brood mares on good-quality veld do not need extra concentrates to keep their own or their foals’ weight and growth constant. A recent study in France put 16 mares in fields with good quality grass. Eight were fed a supplement – a concentrate of 60% energy – while the rest received nothing extra. In order to gauge their respective ability to fight off infection, researchers infected all 16 mares with roundworm. The horses were monitored for four months. The mares and foals were weighed regularly and…

I received two requests from callers planning to build lettable units on their farms. This requires changing from agricultural to commercial zoning, a long and tedious process. But it may well be worth it, due to the growing number of requests for accommodation units to rent, as home loans are increasingly difficult to obtain. START SMALL The surest way to construct lettable units is to start off small, and as cash and tenants become available, expand accordingly. The sketch alongside shows a phase-built home. Phase 1 is the core of the home. Depicted is a high-pitched roof over the units, with extra roof space that can be converted into usable attic rooms. The high-pitched roof is not costly; the additional pitch, from the usual, say, 30° to 45°, will add…

‘SA SHOULD NOT IMPORT FOOD AS IT CAN PRODUCE ITS OWN’ Black farmers urgently need state assistance Is it just a farce that black industrialism has become a priority for the growth and transformation of our economy? Here we are as young, black, aspiring, hardworking South Africans with brilliant ideas that could steer the ship around to deeper seas, smooth sailing and the best weather to reach shores never discovered before, but the anchor is not being released! Millions of rand are being held back and ideas are being shattered as keyholders to the vault are not prepared to sail along as the destination is not along a familiar, previously explored route. How then will the dreams of seeing transformation take off if we all take routes that are only…

CONFERENCES & EXPOS 24 TO 25 MAY Inaugural Ukulinga Howard Davis Memorial Symposium, Ukulinga Research Farm, Pietermaritzburg. Phone Dr Gareth Lagerwall on 033 260 5177 or email lagerwall@ukzn.ac.za. 27 TO 29 MAY 23rd Annual Gauteng Outdoor Eco Adventure and Travel Expo, Waterfall Polo Estate, Midrand. Visit www.gauteng.outdoorexpo.co.za. 31 MAY TO 3 JUNE Hortgro Science Technical Symposium, Allée Bleue, Simondium. Visit www.hortgroscience.co.za/hortgro-sciencetechnical-symposium-2016. 1 TO 2 JUNE Agbiz Congress 2016, Lord Charles Hotel and Conference Centre, Somerset West, Cape Town. Email admin@agbiz.co.za or visit www.agbiz.co.za. 9 JUNE Potatoes SA Transformation Symposium, East London. Visit www.potatoes.co.za. 19 TO 23 JUNE International Food and Agribusiness Management Association’s 26th Annual World Conference, Denmark. Visit www.ifama.org. 21 TO 23 JUNE Agri Food Expo, Johannesburg. Email admin@exhibitionsafrica.com, or visit www.expoza.all.biz/ agri-food-expo. 21 TO 23 JUNE AVI Africa,…

The Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis), which causes severe damage to fruit, has spread to all provinces in South Africa except for the Free State and the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape, since it was first recorded in Limpopo in 2010. “The insects seem to have come over the border [from neighbouring African countries] along with trucks,” said Dr Pia Addison from the Conservation Ecology and Entomology Department of Stellenbosch University. “If somebody only brings a small bag of fruit with them, it poses a risk.” It used to be believed that provinces with non-tropical climates, such as the Western Cape, were relatively safe, said Addison. However, new research has revealed that the pests were highly adaptable and could thrive on deciduous fruit. “While the climate is not ideal for…

The WWF-SA has announced a number of changes to its Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) listings. The SASSI list, initiated in 2004, indicates the status of the species’ stock, and whether they are sustainably caught and well-managed. The updated assessment has green-listed kingklip caught by the demersal longline fishing sector. This is the first time since the list’s initiation that green-listed kingklip from South Africa will be available to consumers. Hake, carpenter, slinger, white mussel, and the Cape rock oyster were also moved to the green list. “These positive shifts prove that it is possible to improve depleted fisheries through committed stakeholders collaborating on the implementation of effective fisheries management,” said Pavs Pillay, the WWF-SASSI’s programme manager. Despite these improvements, the amendments also indicated some major sustainability concerns facing…

The politics of food is about who produces it, with which resources and in terms of which policies, according to Mpumelelo Mkhabela, former editor of the Sowetan. Mkhabela was speaking at the Nation in Conversation panel discussions held at the Nampo Harvest Day near Bothaville. Mkhabela said that ‘belly’ politics dominated South Africa’s political dialogue, and politicians were often accused of lining their own pockets at the expense of the poor and taxpayers. Political risk analyst, Prof Mzukisi Qobo, said during the discussion that politics and food were related issues. “Food is one of the most crucial resources. In South Africa, there’s a tension about who owns and controls the supply chain.” Prince Mashela, a political analyst, said that the politics of food were no different to standard politics in…

Agri SA has expressed concern over the Expropriation Bill as approved by the Select Committee on Economic and Business Development (SCEBD) on 10 May. According to a statement by Agri SA, the bill’s original definition of expropriation, which Agri SA had lobbied extensively to have removed, had been left unchanged by the SCEBD. “The definition limits compensable takings of property to instances where the state has acquired the property. The Constitution contains no such limitation,” said Ernest Pringle, chairperson of Agri SA’s Agricultural Development Committee. The Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002 (MPRDA) replaced the Minerals Act of 1991, imposing new regulations on mining rights. Agri SA, which had rights to coal ceded to it by Sebenza (Pty) Ltd, held a far stronger claim under the 1991 Act…

Opposition to lion hunting provided a comfortable point of entry for similar objections to the rest of the trophy hunting industry, as it had become a highly emotive issue, Prof Pieter Potgieter, SA Predator Association chairperson, said at a recent buffalo breeders’ workshop at Allemanskraaldam. “Lion hunting is the tip of the iceberg. Bullets from opponents to the industry will be coming your way and the time has come for buffalo breeders to organise themselves accordingly,” Potgieter said. The South African lion hunting industry had put a number of norms and standards in place for breeding and hunting to establish itself as a respected and sustainable industry. The buffalo breeding and hunting industry would be well-advised to do likewise, he said. “The lion industry had, among others, started with a…

La Motte Wine Estate in Franschhoek recently showcased some of its latest vintages at Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient boutique hotel near Pretoria. Speaking at the event, Hein Koegelenberg, CEO of La Motte Wine Estate, said that South African wine producers had worked hard to establish their brands in the international wine market. According to Koegelenberg, the growth of social media in South Africa and around the world was changing the way in which wine brands approached marketing. There was now a greater focus on creating memorable wine experiences. “In the wine industry, we’ve had to increasingly become aware of how people experience our wines. People forget the wine and remember the experience, and this is a focus for us now,” he said. Two of the wines that received particular…

New research has shown that not all orange juice available at South African retail outlets is equally healthy. It depends on the region from which the oranges originate, additives, the variety, and whether the juice was freshly squeezed or made from a concentrate. This is according to Dr Cindy Hunlun, who undertook the first study of its kind in South Africa on the chemical composition and nutritional value of locally produced orange juice. She received a doctorate in Food Science on this subject from Stellenbosch University in March. According to a statement released by the university, Hunlun worked in the juice manufacturing industry for five years before being appointed lecturer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). She then started work on her doctoral thesis, titled “Characterising the flavonoid…

HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS SHOULD BE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR APPLICATION Nicol du Toit is a mechanical engineer and energy manager based in Johannesburg. Email him at farmersweekly@caxton.co.za. Subject line: Energy. The hot water cylinder (geyser) is often fingered as the largest consumer of energy in a home. The Eskom website claims that it is responsible for as much as 60% of monthly consumption. However, there is a readily available alternative to the hot water cylinder: the heat pump. A heat pump works on the principle of reverse cycle heating. Think of an air conditioner as a device that removes heat from a room, and rejects this heat outside. A heat pump does exactly the opposite: it removes heat from the outside and rejects it into the water. And because the…

Jacques van der Westhuizen runs a 22 000ha hunting concession for Exxaro Resources on its Manketti Game Reserve in Limpopo. The concession, Jaquandi Safaris, attracts both international trophy hunters and local biltong hunters, and operates on the premise that hunting supports conservation. The mandate of the game reserve, which is near Lephalale, is to manage the land unimpacted by mining operations around the company’s Grootgeluk mine. This is achieved through the application of best land-use practices that are beneficial to the company. “At Manketti, best land-use practices means conservation,” says Marius Fuls, manager of the game reserve, who works hand-in-hand with Jacques to determine hunting quotas. • Securing the concession After an accommodation upgrade seven years ago, Manketti’s administrative authority realised that it needed to consider hunting as a source of…

On their 3 000ha farm between Warden and Harrismith in the Free State, David Leslie and his son James grow approximately 700ha potatoes, 600ha maize, 600ha speckled sugar beans and 600ha soya beans under the name Sesisonke. The entire operation is run under conservation agriculture practices, a move the Leslies made about eight years ago, after soil samples yielded puzzling results. “When we broke up virgin soil adjoining a land we had often used before, samples showed that the old soil had sufficient levels of all nutrients, whereas the new soil was deficient in everything,” David recalls. “Yet the crop planted in the new soil performed better than the crop in the old soil – despite the supposed deficiency. We didn’t know what was going on.” At roughly the same…

DO NOT FERTILISE RECENTLY PLANTED TREES TOO SOON A healthy avocado tree has a root system that can penetrate the soil to a depth of 1m. It is essential to determine in advance whether your soil is suitable for avocado production. To do this, it is necessary to take soil samples. Dig profile pits at least 1,5m deep in different places on your land. Even if the soil on the surface seems to be much the same everywhere, dig at least one profile pit per hectare. In hilly areas, dig the holes in different positions on the slope to get an indication of the drainage properties. (In a lower-lying area, you might have to dig furrows to prevent water from accumulating). Note the following in each profile pit: • Colour Only…

Fendt introduced the X Concept tractor at Agritechnica 2013, claiming to open up a new dimension of ultra-efficient solutions for agricultural work processes. Electrical power is transmitted to the implements by 700V DC supply via the powerbus. The powerbus also supplies power to internal tractor drives such as the electric fan and coolant pumps. Based on the Fendt 700 Vario series, the X Concept is powered by a 147kW AGCO Power four-cylinder diesel engine with an integrated high-performance alternator. The compact engine leaves plenty of room to place the components required for electrical technology, such as the alternator, the power electronics and the specialist heat exchanger. The alternator is positioned between engine and transmission. With high-voltage interfaces at the back and front of the tractor, a robust 130kW can be…

Many farmers, I’m certain, are capable of carrying out some maintenance or even simple repairs on their bakkies or cars, despite the fact that modern vehicles are more complicated than older ones. It’s risky, of course, doing this if the vehicle is still under warranty, but, if both the mileage and time-period have passed their limits, it’s worthwhile having a go. Just some of the basic tasks that can be performed include changing brake pads, maintaining the battery, swopping wheels and checking the condition of the tyres, and changing oil, air and petrol filters. Naturally, there are other tasks you may wish to tackle as you gain confidence. These days, carrying out maintenance essentials is generally easier than in the past. Servicing information and even detailed advice is available on…

WE NEED TO STAND ON THE PROMISES OF GOD In 1 Chronicles 22:19, we read: “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord.” David gave a mandate to his son Solomon to build the temple of the Lord because he, David, was not permitted to do so. He was a mighty warrior and God had decreed that no man with blood on his hands could build the temple. So that responsibility was left to Solomon. Many of us have inherited farms from our parents and…

DEATH OF AN OWL by Paul Torday with Piers Torday (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, R375) The late Paul Torday’s Salmon Fishing in Yemen was a smash hit in 2007. That wry take on human aspiration extends into this last novel, completed by his son. The book begins with Oxford academic and political advisor, Charles Fryerne, finding his carefully cultivated career and his marriage threatened when he observes a friend’s reckless cover-up after the latter kills an owl (an illegal act as it is a protected species). With media scrutiny closing in, the impulse to acknowledge the owl’s death takes on overtones of Hitchcock and tragic vengeance. A deceptively easy read built on a thoughtful, supernatural foundation. GARDEN ALOES by Gideon Smith & Estrela Figueiredo (Jacana, R295) The…