Farming for Tomorrow

Drone technology, combined with satellite images and soil samples, provides macadamia farmers with more precise orchard health data than ever before. Gerhard Uys spoke to Martin Taljaard and Jaco Prinsloo about how they’re helping producers cut input costs and increase profits.

Groundwater resource conservation should be the most important aspect of any irrigation farming concern in South Africa, say geohydrology consultant JL van Vuuren and drilling contractor Marnus Nel. A lack of proper management of these resources poses a serious threat to the future of the irrigation industry.

Smart technology is a hot topic these days – and notably so in agriculture, where there are many uses, from drones and remote water monitoring, to soil analysis, animal tracking, irrigation control and more.

After a number of farmers near Middelburg in the Eastern Cape expressed concern about increasing termite activity, James Hagan, an MSc student in ecology, conducted a study on the effects of livestock grazing on termites.

The crucial link between soil health and optimal, sustainable crop yield is well established. Dr Neil Miles, a soil scientist with the South African Sugarcane Research Institute, explores this subject, focusing in particular on the upper surface of the soil.

Josef van Wyngaard, a doctoral student at the University of Pretoria, has found that South African dairy cattle emit less methane than initially thought, and there is room for significant reductions through strategic feeding.

A new product developed in France has been specifically formulated to support plant growth and development under dry conditions. Marketed in South Africa as Polyter, the innovation has shown promising results in local trials.

Production data is invaluable for enhancing farm management and improving profitability. However, collecting and analysing this information efficiently can be daunting. Western Cape farmer Wolfgang von Loeper explains why this need not be the case.

Worldwide, waste generation is fast overtaking landfill availability. Heidi Newton-King, sustainability and human resources director at Spier Wine Estate, recently shared how the estate has succeeded in reducing its proportion of landfill waste to total recycled waste to less than 2%.

Measuring soil moisture content and water extraction has an obvious advantage: more efficient water use. In addition, it creates an optimal environment in which plants can grow and utilise fertilisers more effectively. Dirk Mercker from DFM Technologies spoke to Gerhard Uys.

In the two decades since their introduction, commercially produced genetically modified (GM)crops have revolutionised global agriculture. Love them or hate them, they are here to stay. Dr Hennie Groenewald, executive manager of Biosafety South Africa, provides an overview of the past, present and future of GM crops.

SA’s fresh produce waste crisis can be addressed through smallholder co-operatives, says Dr Justy Range, business development manager, Freshmark Systems

Technology and education are improving the lives of even small-scale growers, says Dr Justy Range, business development manager, Freshmark Systems.

With the cost of feed continually rising, more and more SA beef producers have taken advantage of the growth tests offered by the Agricultural Research Council’s bull testing centres. ARC research technicians Johan Binedell and Leon de Lange explain how these tests can cut costs.

With 40% to 60% of all household energy-use spent on water heating, conventional geysers are unaffordable for many South Africans.

A website and visualised data make up the Virtual Irrigation Academy, which teaches farmers to develop effective irrigation infrastructure through soil monitoring. Siyanda Sishuba reports.

Reducing spray drift while ensuring effective leaf coverage is a challenge for crop farmers.

Biological pest control could speed up the farm-to-fork process and save the macadamia industry millions of rands, according to the initial results of an ongoing research project. The researchers have found that bats and birds can keep the crop’s most significant pests, stinkbugs, under control.

The latest herd management apps and associated technology can make a livestock farmer’s life considerably easier. Amongst other features, these digital marvels monitor cow health, reduce paperwork, provide accurate record-keeping, and even warn when a cow is about to calf. All this means more than just greater convenience; it ensures improved productivity and cow health.

At the 2017 SA Avocado Growers’ Association research symposium, University of Pretoria researcher, Mart-Mari Nieuwenhuizen, presented new findings on the best pollinisers for Hass avocados. She also explored the effectiveness of bees as pollinators. Alita van der Walt reports.