From his farm Rivierkraal on the Orange River, Jaco van Niekerk plays a leading role in local research into cultivars and no-till practices, which include soya production – both with Argentinian cultivars and for the proposed Sasol project – and alternative crops such as paprika. Jaco earned a BSc Agric from the University of the Free State in 1985 and started sheep farming with his father and brother on Winterhoek farm in the Strydenburg area of the Northern Cape. In 1986 he bought the then 132ha farm with his father’s help. Today he farms on 1 139ha, including 440ha of irrigated crops, 3ha of pecan nuts and about 4ha under lucerne, planted between the centre pivots. O n sandy loam soils with a clay content of 10% to 12%, Jaco’s soya, maize and wheat respectively yielded 4,3t/ha, 14,9t/ha and 7,3t/ha this past season. He grazes his 130-strong commercial Bonsmara beef herd on the thick residue of his maize crop, while he also runs a flock of 600 Dorper ewes for fat-lamb production. Soil: a lifelong fascination Jaco’s interest in soil structure and the damage done by conventional tillage, inorganic fertilisers and harmful chemical applications was nurtured by his father and reinforced at university. S eeking alternatives, he went on a farmer’s tour to the US in 1995, where he first learnt about conservation agriculture (CA) principles like minimal soil disturbance through no-till or direct seeding, permanent soil cover, the use of crop residue and/or green manure cover crops, multi-cropping and crop rotation.
CA not only reduced costs, but enhanced soil structure, increased humus content, nurtured microbial life, prevented erosion and increased moisture absorption. Jaco realised South Africa needed CA to become globally competitive. Today, Jaco is reaping the benefits of no-till and crop rotation. Crop residue mulch captures rain and irrigation water, letting him use up to 30% less water, and cutting down on pumping costs. As Rivierkraal receives only 300mm rainfall per year, and with moisture retained due to no-till, weekly irrigation scheduling, done by GWK using a neutron moisture meter, is vital. The crop residue also forms a blanket that regulates temperatures and helps control weeds. Thanks to the build-up of humus, Jaco also needs less fertiliser, while microorganisms and earthworms flourish in the wetter soil. Ahead of his time When Jaco adopted no-till, it was rapidly increasing worldwide. In 2001/02 an estimated 72,1 million hectares were under no-till, South Africa accounting for only 300 000ha. Jaco blames this on a lack of knowledge, citing the dearth of information on CA available in South Africa. “Farm machinery and diesel were more expensive here than in the US, but financial savings weren’t what motivated me to go no-till,” says Jaco.
“I wanted to save and enhance my soils for myself and future generations. But local farm machinery companies weren’t importing no-till equipment. Alongside other input companies, they were actively discouraging no-till for fear it would hurt their sales. For example, I use only 6ℓ/ha of diesel to no-till plant, and only about 20ℓ/ha to plant, spray, combine and deliver the crop to my on-farm silos. In 2003 I managed to buy a Brazilian no-till Tatu planter for my maize and soya, and a no-till John Deere 1570 drill for my wheat. I’ve never looked back.” Jaco approaches his farming operations holistically. His soils have been analysed and balanced on a grid basis according to the Albrecht system, with soil samples initially being sent to the US, before GWK took over. He plants weed- and pest-resistant GM cultivars which need fewer chemical applications and when selecting cultivars, Jaco first considers trials he has conducted himself, then other trials conducted in the area. Jaco believes that by balancing his soils, using GM cultivars and adopting CA principles, he has had to spray less for fungal diseases.
He didn’t have to apply chemicals to his soya for the last three years, or to his wheat for the last two. He has also found that weed populations have declined, allowing him to spray less pre- and post- emergent glyphosate to control them. Sound financial approach Jaco believes the key to success is sound financial management. He prepares and monitors a monthly budget, so that any corrective action necessary can be dealt with immediately. He doesn’t, for instance, allow market prices to determine which crops he plants – with his own silos, he can sell his crops when the prices are right. He doesn’t believe in debt, and to avoid it, he doesn’t take out production loans, but rather buys and pays for his year’s seed and fertiliser at the end of February. Shared prosperity Jaco also provides for his workers and their dependants. He and his wife Marlene sent their domestic worker on a Smile training course so she could teach at a nursery school for workers’ children. Jaco provides school transport, sponsors fees, clothing and a soccer team and pays doctors’ bills. And, since they receive a bonus based on the season’s profits, Jaco’s workers have nothing to worry about. E-mail Jaco van Niekerk at [email protected]. |fw
