Farming for Tomorrow

In the second instalment of our series on alternative crop production methods, international hydroponics consultant, Prof Gert Venter, highlights common mistakes made by farmers.

Crop farmers often unknowingly lump all insects into the ‘destructive’ category. However, according to Dr Annemie Erasmus of the Agricultural Research Council’s Grain Crops Institute, many are beneficial to crop farmers.

In the first of a series on alternative crop production methods, international hydroponics consultant, Prof Gert Venter, explores hydroponics as a viable solution to global food security challenges, including water and energy constraints and a shortage of available agricultural land.

An ultrasound cleaning technology for drip irrigation systems, produced by SA inventor Leon Lingnau and marketed as Greendrum, was proven to be highly effective during recent trials by the Agricultural Research Council – Institute for Agricultural Engineering (ARC-IAE). Felix Reinders, programme manager at the ARC-IAE, spoke to Gerhard Uys.

Eco-Lyte is an environmentally-friendly disinfectant that eliminates pathogens. Gerhard Uys spoke to Rowan McDonald, chief technical officer at ECA Technologies Africa, about the new technology.

The fruit industry is devising a new rootstock evaluation system to improve its competitiveness.

To ensure agricultural sustainability in South Africa, it is crucial that more efficient irrigation systems be implemented. Agricultural resource manager, Felicity Mitchell, explains how this can be achieved.

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), a pest well known to South African farmers, recently surfaced in Australia, and SA scientists are assisting with the development of RWA-resistant cultivars.

The loss of Africa’s browsing antelope may threaten the future of savannas, a new study has found.

The new Afri apple varieties could potentially extend the local season by two months.

The intensive but highly productive practice of growing crops in greenhouse environments lends itself to significant pest and disease threats. Paddy de Vries of Intense Agri Hydro provides valuable insights on dealing effectively with these.

The latest crop monitoring technology developed in Israel could soon be available in South Africa. Wilma den Hartigh spoke to Daniel Koppel of Prospera about its applications.

The Northern Cape Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO NC) works proactively to improve the province’s livestock reproductive status, and has initiated a bull and ram testing project to combat sexually transmitted livestock diseases.

Insuring against weather volatility is the norm in countries such as the US, but is not common practice in South Africa. Hans Smit of BVG, a risk management company, says a new weather derivative product could help crop producers hedge against erratic weather.

A US company, Indigo Agriculture, has developed microbial-enhanced cotton seed that can thrive in hot conditions and boost production without genetic modification. Koot Louw, secretary of Cotton SA, tells Wilma den Hartigh how this could benefit the South African cotton industry.

Biofuels are an important sustainable alternative to fossil-based fuels. However, caution is needed to ensure that water-efficient feedstocks are selected in water-scarce South Africa, says hydrologist Richard Kunz of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The Botswana Predator Conservation Trust is working with researchers to determine whether livestock predation can be prevented simply by painting ‘eyes’ on cattle’s rumps.

Through its ‘Enough’ movement, Elanco Animal Health aims to prove how innovation can help farmers produce more food without using more resources.

The University of the Free State’s meat traceability platform will enable farmers to track the growth and measurements of their animals from birth to slaughter. Glenneis Kriel reports.

The long-term objective of breeding ostriches according to scientific principles has been given a boost, thanks to research by Dr Marna Smith.