From crops that can better withstand extreme weather to varieties that stay fresher for longer or require fewer inputs, plant breeding is undergoing a technological revolution. Advanced sensors, big data, and precision gene editing are giving breeders powerful new tools to develop the next generation of crops.

Whether strawberries are grown in a high-tech greenhouse or on raised beds in open fields, the production principles remain the same: create optimum growing conditions for the plant, and it will reward you with big, firm, flavourful fruit.

At an average of 2,5t/ha, South Africa’s soya bean yields lag behind those of major producers like the US, at 4t/ha, and Brazil, at 3,2t/ha, partly due to limited access to genetics. But record yields in this year’s Grain SA Grow for Gold National Yield Competition suggest significant room for further gains.

Effective use of the winter dormancy period lays the foundation for healthier orchards and vineyards and a smoother, more productive growing season.

Developing a new crop protection product typically takes more than a decade, by which time the target pest or disease may have evolved. Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping researchers identify promising compounds faster, optimise them, and focus field testing where it matters, shortening the journey from laboratory to farm.

Koos Blanckenberg told Octavia Avesca Spandiel that canola has become essential in improving soil health, controlling ryegrass and strengthening crop rotation systems as grain producers navigate rising costs and climate uncertainty.