Field Crops

The Ernst family of Allesbeste Boerdery is renowned for its pioneering work in the avocado industry. Through innovative methods, improved genetics and research, the aim is to increase the fruit’s yield per hectare in line with that of other fruit sectors. Alita van der Walt reports.

There has long been a misconception that good quality wine can only be produced from vineyards with low yields. Glenneis Kriel speaks to three farmers from Robertson who have been able to almost double production volumes without this having a negative impact on wine quality.

DJ van der Linde, the 2016 Free State Young Farmer of the Year, maintains that an optimistic attitude can make the difference between success and failure in farming. The young grain producer from Vierfontein spoke to Annelie Coleman.

Undercover farming techniques have recently expanded to include so-called vertical farming, which requires an even smaller footprint and uses water and fertiliser even more efficiently.

The Gerber family’s Forest Ferns business in Tsitsikamma started with just one product, says Johan Gerber. Today it harvests 35 products on 150 000ha located between Port Elizabeth and George, much of it for export.

Langkloof Roses is home to thousands of rose bushes, and its gorgeous cut flowers are well-known at retail outlets in the Western Cape. Jacoba Samuels, who has had nearly two decades of experience on the farm, manages the entire production process. She spoke to Jay Ferreira.

Agricultural economist and part-time farmer, Dr Philip Theunissen, provides a detailed efficiency and cost comparison between conventional tillage and no-till maize crops.

No-till may be a sustainable and cost-effective crop production system, but it comes with challenges of its own. Guy Thibaud, veteran soil scientist with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, explains how to deal with these.

Husband-and-wife team, Miki and Cathy Clark, knew nothing about farming when they began their small-scale herb production operation on 1,2ha of land five years ago. Now they produce over 2t a week for outlets in Cape Town, five times a week.

Francois and Danie Drotskie run a mixed farming operation comprising vegetables, cattle and game. Surprisingly, their butternut crop is amongst their most valued enterprises. Gerhard Uys visited them.

David Leslie and his son James use vermiculture to keep their potato, bean, maize and soya crops healthy – and it’s paying off. Gerhard Uys visited them on their Free State farm to learn more.

Fifteen years ago, Jacky Goliath and Elton Jefthas planted 1 000 fynbos plants in Elton’s back garden, establishing De Fynne Nursery. Today, operating on 22ha, De Fynne is a renowned supplier of indigenous potted plants.

The international farming community must contend with numerous pest and disease threats to their crops, as the pressure of an increasing global population mounts. According to Schalk van der Merwe, technical manager for the SA subsidiary of ADAMA Agricultural Solutions, integrated pest management is the only sustainable solution to this problem.

Paul Cluver, managing director of Paul Cluver Wines, and his sister, Karin, the production manager, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about new technologies used to improve fruit and wine production efficiency, thereby reducing input and other related cost.

The ARC-Grain Crops Institute’s recently published 2015 National Irrigation Wheat Cultivar Evaluation trial results suggest a considerable number of cultivars produced profitable yields, despite high temperatures.

Wine estate Simonsig pioneered Méthode Cap Classique – a traditional style of producing sparkling wines – in South Africa. The method has since been adopted by a number of estates. Winemaker Johan Malan spoke to Jeandré du Preez about Simonsig’s heritage.

Five Mpumalanga apple farmers have pooled their resources to establish their own packhouse, but each producer is independently responsible for producing a quality product in the orchard. Producers Jan Grey and Ryk Pretorius spoke to Gerhard Uys about the advantages of this operating model.

Izak de Beer may be one of only a few farmers in Olifantsriver in the Western Cape who is making a profit out of wine grapes. Creative use of mechanisation is one of the reasons for his success. Glenneis Kriel spoke to him about his production methods

Drought in the northern Eastern Cape played havoc with this season’s raspberry crop of the Berrynice Berry Company. Fortunately, a small land of strawberries planted as a trial provided a good harvest and inspired the company to continue the crop commercially. Grant Hollins met with Mandy Aukamp in Molteno to learn more about their experience.

Arrested Ear Syndrome, which causes partial or complete failure of the maize ear, has recently begun to appear in local maize crops. Grant Pringle, agronomist from Pannar Seeds, details possible causes, effects and treatment.