AGRI SA magazine 2015 07 by AGRISA

agri Vol 44 • No 3

JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY 2015

Highly Commended

FOKUS: Besproeiing, water & energie FOCUS: Irrigation, water & energy

www.bkb.co.za

Terugvoer van / Feedback from NAMPO

Tuiste van Landbou | Home of Agriculture

AGRICO Spilpunte & Lineêre Besproeiers

Spilpunte word in-huis gegalvaniseer; minimum 100mikron (1.8 keer “Cablesaver” beperk kabel diefstal. die ISO 146 standaard). Dit beteken “Windsaver” masjiene is stabiel en Die kabel loop binne-in die pyp en 80% langer lewensverwagting. vir 4 jaar gewaarborg teen omwaai. word nie maklik bygekom nie.

“Autoflush” spoel die spilpunt wanneer die pomp aankom.

AGRICO naatlose diens: Opmeet, Die AGRICO 3-been senter met sy ontwerp, vervaardiging, aflewering, wye voetspoor is besonder stewig. oprigting en naverkopediens.

agri Inhoud/Contents

107

O vir die lig van ‘n kers

or Eskom se debakel het elke sterfling nou al ‘n eier gelê. Oor die ontwrigting vir alles en almal en oor die skade aan die ekonomie is al genoeg gepraat. Wat kan ‘n mens nog sê? Interessant vir my, is wat mense antwoord as jy wil weet wat hulle tydens beurtkrag doen. Elektroniese vermaak soos jou gewilde sepie is natuurlik van die baan en daardie skootrekenaar se battery hou ook net só lank sonder dat dit weer gelaai moet word. ‘n Kragopwekker kan ook maar net soveel doen en is ‘n duur alternatief om die mensdom aan die gang te hou. Hier en daar sal die koker of die bakker onder dak erken dat dit lekker is dat die stoof vir ‘n slag tot rus gekom het. In die stede en dorpe doen restaurante en wegneemeetplekke goeie besigheid. En mense gesels weer met mekaar. So oor die wegneemete of die vleisie oor die kole, kyk mense mekaar weer in die oë. Praat dalk vir die eerste keer in ‘n lang tyd weer regtig met mekaar. In die lig van ‘n kers lyk die mensdom mos effens sagter.

Inhoud Contents 3 5 15

Redaksioneel Boekresensies/Book Reviews Stille waters

NUUS/NEWS 8 Standpunt/Viewpoint 10 Brokkies/Snippets 15 Agri SA praat met ANC oor gronduitsprake 17 Appointments proof of Agri SA’s believe in a bright future 19 Neem deel aan die landbou-opname 21 Nail-biting action has no place in agricultural policy-making 23 Agri SA obtains a legal opinion on the expropriation bill 25 Progress with the District Land Reform Committees 27 Agri SA and the Commission on the Restitution of Land Rights work towards a closer relationship 29 Communal Land Reform Indaba 30 PD-ALF Bill: Protection of agricultural land of crucial importance 33 The latest on AGOA 37 Getting to the root of ‘food shedding’ 41 Dieselterugbetaling onder oorweging 38 Come rain or shine: What will the

38 63 65 67 75

conditions and weather be like over the next few months? The situation in the provinces Draft insurance bill – the agricultural sector can benefit Boere span saam om grondhervorming te laat werk

Load shedding: Farmers urged to take extra precautions Geen boer sal sy grond verloor nie Zokwana Room van SA se jong boere gekroon

88 106 Graan SA tevrede met NAMPO ‘15 FOKUS/FOCUS 51 Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

GEREELD/REGULAR 89 Blokkiesraaisel 91 Agri Fauna 109 Wyn/Wine 111 Bewaring/ Conservation 117 Water 121 Uit ‘n ander hoek Voorblad geborg deur/ Cover sponsored by Valley Bladsye/Pages 52-54

agri

Highly Commended

Vol 44 • No 3

JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY 2015

Redaksioneel Editorial

FOKUS: Besproeiing, water & energie FOCUS: Irrigation, water & energy Terugvoer van / Feedback from NAMPO www.bkb.co.za

Tuiste van Landbou | Home of Agriculture

Q-6663- BKB Agrisa Banner_update Dec/Jan 2014.indd 1

2014/11/04 11:21 AM

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agri Agri (waarby ingelyf Die Boer/The Farmer), word vyf keer per jaar versprei aan lede van Agri SA en ander intekenare. Agri (under which Die Boer/The Farmer is incorporated) is distributed five times a year to Agri SA members and subscribers. Redaksionele komitee/ Editorial committee Hans vd Merwe, Johan Pienaar, Nic Opperman, Kobus Visser, Elize van der Westhuizen, Annelize Crosby, Derick van der Walt & Livhuwani Ngwekhulu, Thabi Nkosi, Theo Boshoff Personeel/Staff Uitvoerende redakteur/Executive editor: Derick van der Walt 082 770 5111 derick@greenpepper.biz Advertensiebestuurder/ Advertising manager Mabel Schmahl 082 563 4427 or (012) 997 3407/12 Mabel@agrisa.co.za Advertising executives Colleen Fraser 082 770 7577 colleen@mesconsultants.co.za Riaan Schmahl 074 170 6403 riaan@mesconsultants.co.za Kantooradministrateur en intekenare/ Office administrator and subscribers Thea Liebenberg Medewerkers/Contributors Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, Cassie du Plessis, Dr Gerhard Backeberg & Lehman Lindeque Uitleg/Layout Fréda van Wyk Uitgegee deur/Published by Direkteur: Agri SA Korporatiewe Skakeling/ Director: Agri SA Corporate Liaison Adres/Address Agri, Privaatsak/Private Bag X180, Centurion, 0046 Blok/Block A, Inkwazi Gebou/Building, Embankmentstraat/Street, Zwartkop, Uitbreiding/Extension 7 Tel: (012) 643 3400/ Faks/Fax: (012) 663 3178 E-pos/E-mail: derick@greenpepper.biz Reproduksie en drukwerk/ Reproduction and printing Business Print Centre: (012) 843 7600 Agri SA aanvaar geen verantwoordelikheid vir aansprake wat in advertensies gemaak word nie en die menings en aanbevelings van individue of enige ander liggaam of organisasie wat in artikels in Agri verskyn nie. Kopiereg word voorbehou en inhoud mag slegs met die toestemming van die direkteur: Korporatiewe Skakeling gereproduseer word./ Agri SA accepts no responsibility for claims made in advertisements or for opinions and recommendations expressed by individuals or any other body or organisation in articles published in Agri. Copyright is reserved and the content may only be reproduced with the consent of the Director: Corporate Services.

Indien u op Agri wil inteken, skakel/ If you wish to subscribe to Agri contact Thea Liebenberg Tel: (012) 643 3400 Faks/Fax: (012) 663 3178 www.agrisa.co.za Artikels in Agri is ook op aanvraag in ‘n alternatiewe taal beskikbaar/Articles in Agri are also available in an alternative language on request. Sirkulasie/Circulation

agri Boeke/Books

Boekresensies Book Reviews ‘n Boek verniet Agri gee ‘n eksemplaar weg van elk van die boeke wat op dié bladsy bespreek word. Stuur ‘n e-pos met jou naam, posadres en telefoonnommer na agricompetitions@gmail.com. Sê ook watter boek jy wil hê (slegs een boek per e-pos, asseblief). Komplot André Kruger (Human & Rousseau) Die Russiese intelligensiedienste beplan om Verwoerd te vermoor. Hulle kontak in SuidAfrika is Thomas Jacobs, ’n SuidAfrikaanse anargis, wat in die Spaanse Burgeroorlog geveg het. Ná die ontnugtering van die oorlog vestig Thomas hom naby Colesberg, ver van politieke knoeiery. Maar die politiek haal hom in. ’n Ou kameraad is na Colesberg op pad, waar hy sy eertydse vriend ’n laaste keer vir die saak wil werf. Navrae: nb@nb.co.za Guide to the Aloes of South Africa Ben-Erik van Wyk & Gideon F Smith (Briza Publications) Also available in Afrikaans as Gids tot die Aalwyne van Suid-Afrika Guide to the Aloes Guide to the of South Africa is a beautifully illustrated fullof South Africa colour guide that BEN-ERIK VAN WYK & GIDEON F. SMITH makes it easy for both the layperson and scientist to identify aloes in the field and in gardens. This updated and expanded third edition reflects the latest scientific findings and includes: • Detailed descriptions of all 155 South African species currently recognised by aloe experts, including information on the plant’s distinguishing features, flowering period, habitat and distribution, conservation status, the origin of its scientific and common names, as well as general notes on cultivation and traditional uses of the plant. • More than 400 colour photographs, showing

ALOES

habitat and growth form, as well as close-up photographs of flowers and leaves. • Distribution maps of all the species, as a further aid to identification. • An easy-to-use identification system, dividing the aloes into 12 groups based mainly on growth habit. • Introductory chapters focus on aloe-like plants; medicinal, cosmetic and tonic use of aloes; conservation, cultivation and propagation; gardening and landscaping with aloes; pests and diseases; and aloe hybrids and modern cultivars. • Index to scientific and common names, an illustrated glossary and a list of further reading. Enquiries: Tel: +27 (12) 329-3896, fax: +27 (12) 329-4525, e-mail: books@briza.co.za, website: www.briza.co.za The battle of Savate: 32 Battalion’s greatest operation Piet Nortje (Penguin Random House) On 21 May 1980, under the codename Operation Tiro-Tiro, 32 Battalion attacked and routed a Fapla brigade at Savate, a small town 75 kilometres inside Angola. Fifteen members of 32 Battalion were killed in the action and many more wounded. It was the highest South African casualty rate in a single skirmish since the start of the Border War. Overall, however, Savate was a significant victory for 32 Battalion. Fapla suffered heavy casualties and the invaders captured a great many vehicles, weapons, ammunition and other equipment. Despite the number of casualties, Operation Tiro-Tiro, or the Battle of Savate as it became known, was 32 Battalion’s biggest victory since its formation in March 1976. To this day a remembrance service and parade is held annually to commemorate the battle and to remember 32 Battalion’s victory and the price they paid. Enquiries: marketing@penguinrandomhouse. co.za >>> bladsy 7

Boekwenners April 2015: Medical plants of the world: Juan Fonternel, Zastron, Gids tot volhoubare produksie van weiding: Simon Streicher, Wierdapark, Wasted: Leana Scholtz, Kiepersol, The Greatest Springbok Teams: Joshua Cawood, Humansdorp, Wynie: My bloed is blou: Rietbron, MARA: Rista Nieuwoudt, Kakamas, Emma en die Creepy Komplot: Jan de Klerk, Victoria-Wes, Winning the unfair fight: Gerrit Swanepoel, Centurion. agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

agri Boeke/Books <<< bladsy 5 Die jaar toe Emma begin kook het Ilse de Korte (Tafelberg) Sjef Emma probeer om haar vurige humeur te beteuel, maar ná die bruiloffiasko met die hoender pastei in die Upingtonse somerhitte, verloor sy kop en gooi haar baas rakelings met ’n mes mis. Haar reputasie is aan skerwe. Gelukkig kry Emma die kans om oor te begin op Hermanus by die Chantilly-restaurant. Sy pak haar serpversameling en haar boheemse rompe en vat die pad. Net toe dinge op dreef kom, keer Chantilly se eienaar na die restaurant terug. Greg van Heerden mag dalk aantreklik wees met ’n sensuele stem, maar sy beneuktheid laat Emma se bloed kook. Dink jouself gelukkig Pieter van Jaarsveld (Lux Verbi) Met Dink jouself gelukkig wys die wêreld bekende spreker, Pieter van Jaarsveld, jou hoe jy jou lewe kan omkeer. Dié inspireren de boek: • ontbloot ondermynende mites oor geluk; • verduidelik dat vreugde vir alle mense beskore is; • wys hoe jy jou brein kan herbedraad; • inspireer jou tot ’n positiwe ingesteldheid; • bevat die nuutste navorsing en tegnieke. Jy kán floreer – hierdie praktiese gids plaas ’n lewe van geluk binne elkeen se bereik. Navrae: nb@nb.co.za Judaskus Rudi van Rensburg (Queillerie) Iemand se beendere lê op ’n stortings

terrein. Skielik moet kaptein Kassie Kasselman nuut dink oor moord sake van jare gelede, en die moorde kom vining opmekaar. Tussendeur die aantreklike nuwe buurvrou wat Kassie aan die swymel het en sy enorme posseël-meevaller weens nóg ’n sterfte, moet hy uitwerk waarom ’n geheimsinnige witboordjie-bende van binne uitgeroei word. Is dit alles dalk nié doodgewone bendeoorlog soos Kassie se kollegas glo nie? Wie kan die verraaier in hul midde wees – die een met die vlymskerp broodmes? Elke warm leidraad lewer ’n koue lyk op, en Kassie en Rooi kan nie voorbly nie. Navrae: nb@nb.co.za

Speurder Kwaaikofski 10: Monster, maan en mottegif Jürgen Banscherus, vertaal deur Kobus Geldenhuys (Human & Rousseau) Kwaaikofski is g’n amateur nie – hy verkies om agter die skerms te werk. Met sy nuutste ondersoek beland hy in die kollig op die verhoog! Drie akteurs met hoofrolle in die skool opvoering het onder vreemde omstandig hede bedank. En net die mees talentvolle speurder in die dorp sal nou die skoolfees kan red. Nog ‘n heerlike avontuur in hierdie gewilde reeks.

Die dag ná die rowers opgedaag het Johan Pienaar (Lux Verbi) Roof, kanker, dood, egskeiding is net enkele van die slegte dinge wat oor elkeen van ons se pad kom. Maar wat bly daarna oor? Hoe kyk jy die lewe in die oë wanneer jy nie wíl aangaan nie? Begin by vandag, sê Johan Pienaar. Dis wat jy vandag doen wat bepaal hoeveel sin en betekenis jou lewe gaan hê. En hoewel niemand werklik antwoorde op die lewe se moeilikste vrae het nie, daag die skrywer jou uit om steeds elke dag voluit te leef. Vergesel Johan Pienaar op ‘n reis van 30 dae en leer hoe om nie net te óórleef nie, maar weer opnuut te lééf. Navrae: nb@nb.co.za

Elton amper-famous April en juffrou Brom Carin Krahtz (Tafelberg) Elton April skryf ’n boek. In daardie boek vertel hy oor hul splinter nuwe Afrikaanse juffrou, juffrou Broom, oftewel juffrou Brom. Hy vertel ook hoe misverstande dikwels voorkom wanneer ’n mens nie al die feite voor jou het nie. En hoe daar dikwels pret en plesier opgesluit is in taalkunde. Probeer is immers die beste geweer. Die boek is dig verweef met oulike lesse en vindingryke metodes om basiese taalkunde oor te dra. Die tipe boek wat ’n hoogs entoesiastiese taalonderwyser graag sou wou skryf! Lesers in Gr 7-9 sal veral heerlik lees aan die 14-jarige Elton se wedervaringe. Navrae: nb@nb.co.za.

agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

agri Standpunt

Hans van der Merwe

Die mandaat wat kiesers vir die ANC-alliansie gegee het om te regeer, kan nie bevraagteken word nie. So-ook nie hulle reg om binne die perke van die grondwet beleid te maak en dit met wetgewing en programme tot uitvoer te bring nie.

Maak dialoog sin?

aarteenoor vra en het burgerlike samelewingsorganisasies soos Agri SA nie ‘n mandaat om te regeer nie, maar gebruik hul ondersteuningsbasis se kundigheid en bydraes tot die welstand en welvaart van die samelewing. Dit is om onder meer regeringsbeleid en dienslewering te beïnvloed. Goeie navorsing, stelselkennis, kommunikasie, ‘n etos wat geloofwaardigheid ondersteun, netwerkverhoudinge met ander organisasies wat by beleidvorming betrokke is, en ‘n bereidwilligheid om sy standpunt met toeligting in te dra waar en wanneer moontlik, is Agri SA se benadering om die volhoubaarheid van ‘n groeiende landboubedryf te verseker. Maar help dit om met die regering te praat? Is die regering se raadpleging nie net skyn nie, terwyl hy onverstoord voortgaan om die 1955-Vryheidsmanifes se ideale te implementeer soos uiteengesit in die ANC se “Strategy and Tactics”-dokument? Hierdie vrae is die laaste tyd telkens aan my gevra en kom uit verskillende oorde en dissiplines. Binne landbouverband is dit veral die aankondigings en bontpratery oor grondhervorming wat twyfel by baie skep oor die erns waarmee regeringsleiers na die insette van rolspelers in die bedryf luister en in ag neem. In wyer verband word hierdie sinisme aangehelp deur ‘n onverskilligheid oor korrupsie, asook nepotisme op die hoogste vlak. Die Gupta- en Nkandla-sages, afleggings en bevraagtekende vervangings van senior persone by sleutelstaatsinstellings, die wolk oor die 2010-Wêreldbeker“skenking” en die verontagsaming van ‘n hofbevel om Al-Bashir van Soedan in hegtenis te neem, is voorbeelde van ‘n regering wat hom klaarblyklik al hoe minder aan moraliteit en reg en geregtigheid steur. Terwyl van hierdie gebeure grootliks deur politici as plaaslike aangeleenthede “bestuur” en onder die mat ingevee word, laat dit toenemend ‘n merk op die persepsies van die internasionale gemeenskap oor Suid-Afrika as ‘n bestemming vir beleggings. Die swak bestuur van Eskom en die stygende elektrisiteitsprys plaas ‘n voortslepen de demper op ekonomiese groei en

agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

kredietgraderingsagentskappe word al hoe meer skepties daaromtrent. Die 2010-Wêreld beker-“skenking” en die Al-Bashir-aange leentheid gaan ook nie deur plaaslike maneuvrering ongedaan gemaak word nie. Dit raak Suid-Afrika se reputasie en geloofwaardigheid direk en die negatiewe gevolge daarvan gaan nog verreken moet word. En hierdie gebeure vind plaas te midde van ‘n lae ekonomiese groeikoers en ‘n kommerwekkende hoë werkloosheidsyfer.

Wat is dus die sin van gesprekvoering en onderhandeling? Boere het ‘n langtermynverbintenis tot hulle bedryf en kan nie toelaat dat korttermyn onsekerhede hulle besigheidstrategieë ontwrig nie. Daardie onsekerhede moet wel deeglik in ag geneem word en waar moontlik òf reggestel òf verreken word. Van dié regstellings kan slegs deur gesamentlike optrede bereik word, en dit is hier waar Agri SA en sy affiliasies bydraes te lewer het. Ondanks rede vir skeptisisme is dit Agri SA se ervaring dat daar met konstruktiewe insette en gesprekvoering wel resultate behaal word om landbou op ‘n groeipad te hou. ‘n Paar voorbeelde van onlangse suksesse met dialoog op beleidsvlak: • Minister Zokwana is bereid om met landbou-organisasies te praat en het by verskeie geleenthede positiewe standpunte gestel oor hoe landbou deur middel van die landboubeleid-aksieplan uitgebreide ondersteuning moet ontvang, ook in terme van ramp- en noodhulp; • Marktoegang vir landbou-uitvoer, na onder meer China, is verbeter en verskeie handelsooreenkomste wat hersien word, is op ‘n inklusiewe wyse heronderhandel; • Die parlementêre portefeuljekomitee oor landbou, bosbou en visserye het Agri SA uitgenooi om deel te neem aan sy strategiese sessie en ons insette is verwelkom; • Interaksie oor xenofobie het gelei tot goeie begrip en verhoudinge; • Die minister van finansies het onderneem om met geaffekteerdes, insluitend Agri SA, te konsulteer oor die voortsetting van die dieselkortingstelsel;

• Die landbou se spesiale behoeftes met elektrisiteitsvoorsiening is met die bestaande krisis sover moontlik geakkommodeer; • Agri SA word geraadpleeg met die “water allocation reform” en die nasionale waterstrategie-hersiening; • Goeie resultate is behaal met die nasionale konsultasie oor watertariewe; • Agri SA word geraadpleeg oor die sektorale vasstelling in terme van die Wet op Basiese Diensvoorwaardes, ook oor ‘n nasionale minimumloon; • Die maatskaplike opheffing van plaaswerkers word in ‘n “Vulnerable Workers’ Forum” met die staat en andere bespreek waar daar ook oor ‘n maatskaplike akkoord onderhandel word; • Reëlings oor die indiensname van buitelandse werkers is onderhandel; • Via die AgriSEB Handvesraad is onderhandelings oor sektorkodes voltooi en voorgelê vir ministeriële goedkeuring; • Minister Nkwinti het verlede jaar Agri SA se raamwerkvoorstelle oor grondhervorming verwelkom, en ongeag politieke uitsprake wat botsend hiermee is, gaan tegniese gesprekke met die staat hieromtrent voort, insluitend oor alternatiewe vir die 50/50relatieweregte-voorstel; • Die Onteieningswetsontwerp wat nou voor die parlement dien, is aansienlik gewysig om akkommoderend vir grondeienaars se belange te wees, teenoor dit wat aanvanklik op die tafel geplaas is; en • Agri SA se kommentaar op die Witskrif oor Polisiëring en insette oor ondersteunende aspekte van die landelike beveiligingstrategie is verwelkom. Om nie aan raadplegingsprosesse oor beleid en wetgewing deel te neem nie, impliseer dat die resultaat van besluitneming volledig aan politici toevertrou word. Dit is om te kapituleer. Die werklikheid is dat die burgerlike samelewing ‘n verantwoordelikheid het om hulle standpunt te bly stel en hulle moet gebruikmaak van regte wat in die Grondwet verskans is. Hulle moet gehoor word en sodoende help toesien dat die waardes wat vir ons almal se toekoms van belang is, die respek kry wat dit verdien.

agri Viewpoint The mandate that voters gave the ANC alliance to govern cannot be disputed, nor their right to make policy within the limits of the Constitution and to implement such policy through legislation and programmes. On the other hand, civil society organisations such as Agri SA do not ask for or have a mandate to govern, but use the expertise of their support base and their contribution to the welfare and prosperity of society to, among others, influence government policy and service delivery.

Does dialogue make sense?

gri SA’s approach to ensuring the sustainability of a growing agricultural industry includes good research, systems knowledge, communication, an ethos that supports credibility, networking relationships with other organisations involved in policymaking, and a willingness to introduce its viewpoint with elucidation where and when possible. But does it help to speak to government? Could their consultation be merely lipservice while they continue uninterrupted to implement the 1955 Freedom Charter as set out in the ANC’s “Strategy and Tactics” document? Lately I have been repeatedly confronted with these questions from various sides and disciplines. Within agricultural context, it is particularly the announcements and stray remarks around land reform that cause many to doubt the sincerity with which government leaders listen to and consider the inputs of role players in the industry. In wider context, this cynicism is exacerbated by an indifference to corruption, as well as nepotism at the highest level. The Gupta and Nkandla sages, retrenchments and questionable replacement of senior persons at key state institutions, the cloud hanging over the 2010 World Cup “donation” and disregarding a court order to arrest Al-Bashir of Sudan are examples of a government that seems to have an increasing disregard for morality, justice and the law. While some of these events are largely “managed” by politicians as local matters and swept under the carpet, they are to an increasing extent leaving their mark on the perceptions that the international community has about South Africa as investment destination. The poor management of Eskom and rising electricity prices place a damper on economic growth, while credit rating agencies are becoming increasingly sceptical in this regard. The 2010 World Cup “donation” and the Al-Bashir fiasco will also not be made undone by local manoeuvring – it has a direct effect on South

Africa’s reputation and credibility and the negative impact thereof will still have to be offset. These events are taking place amid a low economic growth rate and alarmingly high unemployment figure.

So, what sense is there in discussions and negotiations? Farmers have a long-term commitment to their industry and cannot allow shortterm uncertainties to disrupt their business strategies. These uncertainties must, however, be fully taken into account and, where possible, either addressed or set off. Some of these problems can only be addressed through collective action and this is where Agri SA and its affiliates can make a contribution. Although there is good reason to be sceptical, it is Agri SA’s experience that results can be achieved with constructive inputs and discussions to keep agriculture on a growth path. A few examples of recent successes with dialogue at policy level: • Minister Zokwana is prepared to speak to agricultural organisations and has on various occasions made positive statements to the effect that agriculture should receive extensive support in accordance with the agricultural policy action plan, also in terms of disaster and emergency relief; • Market access for agricultural exports to, among others, China, has been improved and various trade agreements that are under review were renegotiated in an inclusive manner; • The parliamentary portfolio committee for agriculture, forestry and fisheries had invited Agri SA to participate in its strategic session and the organisation’s inputs were welcomed; • Interaction regarding xenophobia resulted in a good understanding and cordial relationships; • The minister of finance undertook to consult with affected parties, including Agri SA, regarding the continuation of the diesel refund system; • Agriculture’s special needs in terms of

electricity supply were accommodated as far as possible during the current crisis; • Agri SA is consulted on water allocation reform and the review of the national water strategy; • Good results were achieved with national consultation on water tariffs; • Agri SA is consulted on the sectoral determination in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, as well as on the national minimum wage; • The social upliftment of farm workers is discussed with the government and others within a Vulnerable Workers’ Forum where negotiations focus on a social accord; • Arrangements for the employment of foreign workers were negotiated; • Via the AgriBEE charter council, negotiations on sector codes were finalised and the codes submitted for ministerial approval; • Last year minister Nkwinti welcomed Agri SA’s framework proposals on land reform and, despite contradicting political statements, technical discussions with the government in this regard continue, including alternatives to his 50/50 relative tights proposal; • The Expropriation Bill, which is now serving in parliament, was amended to accommodate landowners’ interests – a considerable improvement on the version originally tabled; and • Agri SA’s commentary on the White paper on Policing and inputs on supporting elements of the rural protection strategy were welcomed. Failure to participate in consultation processes around policy and legislation implies that the result of decision-making is entrusted entirely to politicians. This spells capitulation. The reality is that civil society has a responsibility to continue stating their views and should make use of the rights entrenched in the Constitution. They must be heard and so-doing help to ensure that the values that are important for our future receive the respect they deserve.

agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

Snippets Brokkies

agri Brokkies/Snippets

Top 10 fruit and wine singers announced The Top 10 finalists in Agri’s got Talent – a singing competition and life skills programme for agricultural workers in the fruit and wine industries – have recently been announced. The project is a joint venture between Hortgro and VinPro, representative organisations for these two industries. “Agri’s got Talent enables the fruit and wine industries to give recognition to the singing talent of their employees, and gives them the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills with which they can make a difference in their communities,” says Anton Rabe, executive director of Hortgro, which presents the project for the second consecutive year. A total of 75 video entries were received from throughout the Western Cape, from which the Top 10 was selected. The finalists will attend a weeklong workshop in Paarl at the end of July, which includes voice and stage training, as well as a life skills programme. The winner, who will be announced at a gala evening, will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to perform at agricultural events. The Top 10 finalists are: Monica Plaatjies: Morning Star, Grabouw Erien Smith: Graaff Fruit, Ceres Miena Stuurman: Lorraine Private Cellar, Rawsonville Charlene Theunissen: Fruitways, Molteno Rayline Booysen: Rhodes Food, Tulbagh Armando Baartman: Saratoga Fruit, Robertson Yolande Michaels: La Colline Packshed, Robertson Z Pudumo: Fruitways, Graymead Elsie Matika: Houtbaai Farm, McGregor Nolisa Gusana: contract worker at Vergelegen Wines, Somerset West. “VinPro is excited that the wine industry is involved in the Agri’s got Talent project for the first time this year. The partnership with Hortgro emphasises the fact that both these industries view the empowerment of their workers as a priority,” says Rico Basson, VinPro managing director. The gala evening will be held on 31 July 2015 at the Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West.

Keimoessuksesstorie met ander lande gedeel Die Suider-Afrikaanse Konfederasie van Landbou-unies (Sacau) se Regional Womens’ Conference het gedurende Mei in Mahe, Seychelles plaasgevind. Die Suid-Afrikaanse verteenwoordigers het ‘n plaaslike suksesstorie met afgevaardigdes gedeel. Suid-Afrika is deur Delene Möller, vrou van Agri SA se president, Johannes Möller, en Elize van der Westhuizen (senior bestuurder, arbeidsverhoudinge van Agri SA) wat die program oorhoofs bestuur, verteenwoordig. Hulle het vertel van die suksesvolle ondernemerskapkursus vir vroue wat in Keimoes in die NoordKaap aangebied is. Die projek word finansieel deur Agri SETA ondersteun. Op die foto, in die tweede ry, is Elize van der Westhuizen (links) en Delene Möller by die konferensie.

A full 25 for Briza Briza Publications, which produced many high quality agricultural related publications over the years, celebrated 25 years of business in April. Authors, suppliers, contributors, friends and personnel joined in the festivities at the Milk Plum Restaurant, in the Pretoria National Botanical Garden. At the celebrations Jacqui January from RSG Radio entertained the guests by interviewing three authors. These interviews, the special atmosphere of the venue, the tasty food and the cheerful guests, contributed to the success of this occasion – an event that will be remembered for years to come.

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Stephanus Smal (Briza member), Frits van Oudtshoorn (author of Guide to the Grasses of Southern Africa), Eben van Wyk (Briza member), Jacqui January (RSG), Christo Reitz (Briza member and manager) and Ben-Erik van Wyk (Briza member and author of several books).

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World Hunger Day - Monsanto

commitment to help feed the world

It is said that hunger kills more people than Aids, malaria and tuberculosis combined. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that about 805 million people of the 7,3 billion people in the world, or one in nine, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2012-2014. Most of the people suffering from hunger and poverty are living in Africa, South Asia and Latin America. Chronic, persistent hunger is not due merely to a lack of food, but also occurs when people lack the opportunity to earn enough income, or lack access to modern farming technologies to enable them to address environmental challenges in their specific area. World Hunger Day is about raising awareness of this situation. “Every day we are met with the challenges of feeding a growing world population. We will have to produce more food while using natural resources more efficiently if we want to continue providing food to all people across the globe. At Monsanto, we focus on and provide technologies, tools and information that empower the world’s farmers to find solutions to the challenge of feeding 9 billion people expected to inhabit the earth by 2050,” says Kobus Steenekamp, Monsanto South Africa business lead. “June 2013 marked the five-year anniversary of Monsanto’s commitment to sustainable agriculture in which we pledged to help farmers double yields in our core crops (maize, soya beans, canola and cotton) by 2030 while committing to produce each ton with one-third fewer resources (land, water and energy). Additionally, the company is committed to a goal to help farmers improve their quality of life, including 5 million people in resource-poor farm families by 2020. “Monsanto helps farmers to maximise yields and manage their risk through high quality seed and crop protection products to increase productivity to ensure the sustainability of the global agriculture system. We do this by combining a broad mix of agricultural solutions and technologies to provide farmers with the option to unlock yield potential on their fields. “Monsanto is committed to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish people across the globe. Globally, we produce seeds for fruits, vegetables and key crops such as maize, soybeans, and cotton that help farmers to realise higher yields while using water and other important resources more efficiently. We work to find sustainable solutions for soil health, help farmers use data to improve farming practices and conserve natural resources, and provide crop protection products to minimise damage from pests and disease. Through programmes and partnerships, we collaborate with farmers, researchers, nonprofit organisations, universities and others to help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges,” says Steenekamp.

NWK tree uit korporatiewe saaien veeboerdery Die NWK-landbougroep het besluit om sy direkte betrokkenheid by saaien veeboerdery deur die filiale NWK Boerdery en Kalahari Beef te staak, aangesien dié korporatiewe sakemodel nie daarin kon slaag om volhoubare resultate te behaal nie. Op aanbeveling van die Danie Marais direksies van NWK Boerdery en Kalahari Beef het die direksie van NWK Beperk besluit dat die saaien veeboerdery so gou moontlik gestaak word. Alternatiewe finansieringsopsies sal aan kwalifiserende gekontrakteerde saaiprodusente gebied word en kontrakte met die betrokke veeprodusente sal uitbestuur word op die beste moontlike wyse vir beide partye. “As ‘n landboubesigheid is NWK deeglik bewus van die volatiliteit van landbou en ongunstige klimaatstoestande en prysbestuur is dus aanvaarbare veranderlikes. Volgens NWK Boerdery se huidige korporatiewe boerderymodel is die aanspreeklikheid teenoor kontrakteur-produsente in ‘n ondergemiddelde jaar egter nie volhoubaar nie, aangesien die finansiële verliese wat oploop in sulke jare nie reggestel kan word gedurende die jare waarin gemiddelde en bogemiddelde opbrengste behaal word nie,“ sê Danie Marais, besturende direkteur.

New MD for John Deere Jason Brantley is the new managing director of John Deere (Pty) Ltd, leading all sales and marketing efforts in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). He replaces Len Brand who has left the company. Brantley will be responsible for growing John Deere’s business in Africa by working with the company’s network of dealers to jointly Jason Brantley provide customers with the best agricultural equipment and service solutions in the industry. He began his career with John Deere in 1993 as a marketing representative in the United States. His experiences continued across multiple geographies with roles of increasing responsibility, including territory manager, dealer development manager, branch parts and service sales manager, and in 2005 assumed the role of division sales manager.

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Hulle is die Muskadel-konings Die 13de Muskadel SA-toekennings, geborg deur Enartis SA, is tydens ‘n funksie op 21 Mei te Noop Restaurant, Paarl, toegeken. Uit vanjaar se 22 inskrywings is Wonderfontein White Muscadel 2012 en Orange River Cellars Red Muscadel 2013 uitgesonder en met die hoogste eer, ‘n Platinumtoekenning, beloon. Agter van links: Ian Sieg (Landzicht), Marli Brink (Boplaas), Hermias Vollgraaff (Montagu), Jaco Kockrell (Enartis SA), Henri Swiegers (Muskadel SA), Philip Viljoen (Bon Courage). Voor is van links: Philip Vercueil (De Wet), Rianco van Rooyen (Oranjerivierwynkelder), Stefan Bruwer (Wonderfontein), Tertius Jonck (De Wet). Foto: Julian Kruger Fotografie

Shiraz-wenners gekroon Soos dit met wynkompetisies gaan, het vanjaar se Shiraz SA Wine Challenge se uitslae die gereelde klompie staatmakers opgelewer, maar daar was ook ‘n hand vol lekker verrassings. Dit is maar die derde jaar dat hierdie kompetisie deur Shiraz SA aangebied word en dit is insiggewend dat daar ‘n paar produsente se name is wat sedert die ontstaan van die kompetisie elke jaar op die lys van finaliste verskyn. Wat die kompetisie aanloklik maak, is dat daar nie een wenner aangewys word nie, maar 12. “Suid-Afrikaanse Shiraz lewer ’n wye spektrum van style en dit sou dwaas wees om slegs een wyn uit te sonder as die beste wat hierdie edelvariëteit plaaslik verteenwoordig,” volgens die voorsitter van Shiraz SA, Edmund Terblanche. “Die verpakking en bemarking van ‘n 12-bottel kissie met wenwyne maak ook net soveel meer sin,” het Terblanche bygevoeg.

Voor: Amanda Harlow (Wildekrans), Charl du Toit (Driehoek), Donovan Ackermann (Strandveld), Floricious Beukes (Groot Constantia) Middel: Edmund Terblanche (Shiraz SA), Helienne van Zyl (Saronsberg), Anneke du Plessis (KWV), De Wet Hugo (KWV), Rudolph Christians (Rustenberg), Danelle Conradie (Van Loveren), Adele Dunbar (Fairview), Johan Conradie (Berthomieu). Agter: Pieter du Toit (Cederberg), Braam Gericke (Wildekrans), Niel Groenewald (Bellingham), Robert Joergense (La Vigne), Ossie Sauermann (La Vigne), Christiaan Coetzee (Uva Mira), Du Toit Hoffmann (Eagle’s Nest). Foto: A Gorman Photography agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA Africa) The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA Africa) forms part of the influential series of global events that promotes the future of sustainable agriculture. As the largest showcase of innovations for sustainable agriculture it connects key private and public sector decision-makers from across the agriculture spectrum with innovators to demonstrate how game-changing technologies can impact agriculture and ultimately help feed the world. GFIA Africa comprises a two-day conference and exhibition aimed at addressing challenges and developing strategies to implement real sustainable change in African agriculture. It brings together food producers, farmers, policy-makers, government authorities, investors, research and development experts, ministerial buyers, NGOs, research organisations, supply chain professionals, resellers, agents, innovators and other industry leaders. GFIA Africa is supported by the department of agriculture, the KZN Convention Bureau, Agra, CTA, Nepad, CAADP, ICRAF, FANRPAN, FARA, Sacau, Pafo and Nafu. For further information email info@gfiaafrica.com or visit www.gfiaafrica.com

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SA is a global conservation leader The world is losing its biodiversity at an alarming rate, but South Africa is at the forefront of helping to stem the devastating tide. According to the World Wildlife Foundation, the current species extinction rate is between 1 000 and 10 000 higher than the natural extinction rate, which equates to between 200 and 2 000 extinctions every year. That is the conservative estimate. The yearly extinction rate may be as high as between 10 000 and 100 000 species. “The numbers are not only shocking, they are unacceptable. A world devoid of natural diversity is a world bereft of its splendour. It is a barren world where once there was beauty. We have the knowledge to buck this sad trend and we have a responsibility to share it,” explains Professor Peet van der Merwe from the tourism programme at the school of business management at the North-West University’s (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus. Van der Merwe elucidates that the manner in which the private sector and government works together for the purpose of wildlife conservation makes South Africa the envy of the world. “When it comes to conservation, ecotourism or even counter-poaching techniques, we are global leaders. This can mainly be attributed to the superlative cooperation efforts between the private sector and government in ensuring the sanctity of our wildlife. An example thereof is the South African National Parks model, which is almost without peer compared to the rest of Africa. Countries such as the United States of America do not have as many practical fields concerning wildlife and the diversity of animal and plant species such as ours. They are not exposed to management models like ours, and therefore they come to us to learn.” In May, TREES (Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society) at the NWU collaborated with Ecolife to present its first short course on Wildlife Tourism and Conservation. “This is a unique collaboration between academia and industry that will contribute to the development of the wildlife industry. The focus of the course is to educate international and local students in wildlife conservation, wildlife tourism, conservation economics, animal science, as well as pre-veterinary and veterinary science,” says Van der Merwe. The first group of students, mainly from America, attended this course at the Potchefstroom Campus together with the tourism honours group of the NWU. The course was presented by leaders in the field of wildlife tourism and conservation.

SU receives new Equalizer minimum till plot planter Research on grain cultivation at Stellenbosch University will in future be made much simpler, thanks to the donation of a new South African designed Equalizer minimum till plot planter. The donation was made to the Department of Agronomy by the Theebo Tech company in Cape Town. The department is involved in research on a variety of cereal crops cultivated in the Western Cape winter rainfall areas, including wheat, oats, lupine, barley and canola. Grain is sowed on a number of farms in the region for research purposes. With the department’s outdated equipment most soil had to be tilled up to three times before this could be done.

Attending the handing over ceremony were (from left) Prof Danie Brink, acting dean of Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of AgriSciences, Gideon Schreuder, managing director of Theebo Tech, and Prof Nick Kotze, chair of the SU Department of Agronomy. Photo: Engela Duvenage agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

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Stille waters Alwetend Gestel ’n mens se lewe kon met ’n immergroen doolhof vergelyk word. Met jou geboorte stap jy by die een kant van die doolhof in en jou doelwit op aarde is om uiteindelik die prag-waterval in die middel van die doolhof te bereik. Hierdie waterval simboliseer ons ewige tuiste in die hemel. Sou dit nie baie makliker gewees het om ons pad deur hierdie groen, welige lanings na die waterval te vind as ons ’n kompas om ons nek, ’n kaart in ons sak en ’n tweerigtingradio aan ons sy gedra het nie?

God het reeds hierdie drie elemente vir ons gegee. Wanneer ons tot bekering kom, word die Heilige Gees ons innerlike kompas. Die Woord van God word die kaart wat ons in elke situasie lei en die tweerigtingradio aan ons sy simboliseer

die feit dat ons daagliks met God in die vorm van ’n dialoog kan kommunikeer. God is ALWETEND. In Psalm 33:13 lees ons: “Die Here kyk uit die hemel en sien al die mense. Van die plek waar Hy as koning sit, sien Hy almal wat onder op die aarde woon.” Van sy troon af kyk God op die doolhof af. Hy sien waar jy vandag stap en weet watter gevare vir jou lê en wag. In Jesaja 31:21 lees ons: “Wanneer jy die regte koers verlaat, sal jy agter jou ’n stem hoor sê: ‘Hier is die pad, loop hierlangs.’ ” Raadpleeg jy Hom oor jou roete en luister jy wanneer Hy met jou praat?

Agri SA praat met ANC oor gronduitsprake Agri SA het vroeër vanjaar tydens ‘n gesprek met die sekretaris-generaal van die ANC, Gwede Mantashe, weer kommer geopper oor onwerkbare grondhervormingvoorstelle van die regering. Agri SA het gevra dat die staat eerder vrywillige skemas moet ondersteun wat teen ‘n veel laer koste goeie resultate kan oplewer.

“

inister Nkwinti het verlede jaar Agri SA se raamwerkvoorstelle, wat op ‘n ondersteunde markbenadering berus, verwelkom. Ons werk sedertdien op tegniese vlak ten nouste saam met ‘n regeringstaakspan wat moet raad gee oor hoe die voorstelle in die Nasionale Ontwikkelingsplan oor landelike ontwikke

ling en grondhervorming prakties toegepas behoort te word. “Die aankondigings oor beperkings op grondbesit en die 50/50-plaasverdeling voorstelle rym nie hiermee nie. Dit is verwarrend en ondermyn vertroue,” het Dan Kriek, wat Agri SA by die geleentheid verteenwoordig het, gesê. Hy het beklemtoon dat kommersiële landbou gereed is om groot bydraes tot

grondhervorming te maak, indien dit op ‘n vennootskapsbasis met die staat geskied. “Dit moet ondersteun word deur ‘n finansierings meganisme wat risiko’s kan verlaag en bekostigbaarheid Dan Kriek verbeter,” het Kriek gesê. Mantashe het Agri SA se benadering om gereeld en konstruktief met die regering oor landbou beleid te praat, verwelkom en dit as voorbeeld aan ander groeperinge in die burgerlike samelewing voorgehou. Hoewel konsensus, volgens Mantashe, nie altyd bereikbaar is nie, behoort dialoog resultate op te lewer wat deelnemers gerus behoort te stel. Hy het versoek dat die gesprek oor grondbeleid met minister Nkwinti voortgesit moet word. Hy glo dat die minister bereid is om na beredeneerde standpunte te luister.

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Appointments proof of Agri SA’s believe in a bright future “Agri SA is at the forefront of policy developments which pave the way for the future of the sector. Our new appointments bear testimony to our conviction that agriculture has a bright future, but that it also requires from us to constructively engage with others and contribute towards solutions that are required to fulfil our expectations.” So said Johannes Möller, president of Agri SA, when he announced new appointments.

mri van Zyl will take office on 1 July as executive director in the place of Hans van der Merwe who is retiring. Van Zyl holds a BA degree in Law (University of Stellenbosch, 1994), a LLB (University of the Free State, 2000) and a MBA (University of Pretoria, 2004). He is an admitted attorney who moved to Deloitte Consulting in 2000. Van Zyl is presently a senior associate at Deloitte as head of Deloitte Africa Agribusiness Unit (DAAU) and Business Development for Deloitte Consulting in Africa. He was the lead director in a multitude of agricultural consulting projects. He is widely considered as a strategic expert in agroinvestments, business process re-engineering and turn-around management, food security and poverty alleviation. Christo van der Rheede was appointed deputy executive director of Agri SA, responsible for the developmental and social aspects which are relevant to the transformation of agriculture. Van der Rheede holds a higher diploma in education (Western Cape College of Education, 1986), a BA degree (University of the Western Cape, 1991), an Hons. B in public administration (University of Stellenbosch, 2003) and a masters degree in public administration (University of Stellenbosch, 2004). He is presently the CEO of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI). Van der Rheede is highly experienced in operating membership organisations and has a wide network of national and international economic role players. He was actively involved in the development and implementation of programmes aimed at transforming institutions. Recently, his key focus was to inspire the leadership of business chambers and to find local solutions for local problems. Considering similar challenges in agriculture, these attributes will be of great value to Agri SA, also to make best use of the synergies between agriculture and related business organisations.

From left: Johannes Möller, Omri van Zyl, Thabi Nkosi, Christo van der Rheede and Hans van der Merwe

Van der Rheede will take office on 1 August 2015. Johan Pienaar will continue to serve in the capacity of deputy executive director responsible for the commercial and economic cluster of activities of Agri SA. His expert knowledge on macroeconomic issues, trade, industrial policy and administered prices is widely known and highly appreciated. His institutional knowledge will continue to be of great value to Agri SA and his colleagues at executive level. Thabi Nkosi joined Agri SA as senior economist on 1 May 2015 to fill the vacancy left by Dawie Maree. She is a qualified agricultural economist (top BSc Agricultural Economics student at the University of Pretoria, 2007) and is currently completing her MSc (Agric) at the same university with the topic of dissertation: “The relationship between public spending patterns and job creation in the South African agricultural sector”. During her time at the university,

Nkosi also worked as a member of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) and served as an intern at Agbiz. She subsequently spent time at Santam Agriculture as a business consultant and as the national market manager at the South African Sugar Association (Sasa). From 2010, Nkosi has worked for the office of the Auditor-General’s performance auditing component, starting out as an economist and later promoted to senior manager in charge of research and development. At the media conference, which was held to announce the appointments, Möller said that the challenges faced by the agricultural sector were diverse, and in a global trade, financial and digital environment, high level skills are required to understand emerging challenges and even more so, to contribute towards solutions which will enhance the prospects of the sector and of those who work in it. “What is also evident, is that the so-called ‘soft issues, which are more than >>> bladsy 19

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Neem asseblief deel aan die landbou-opname Die jaarlikse landbou-opname versamel en verskaf statistieke oor die boerderybedryf regoor die land. Dié statistieke vorm die grondslag vir beplanning, die monitering, evaluasie, navorsing en besluitneming vir die privaat- en publieke instansies wat deel van die landbou vorm.

tatistieke Suid-Afrika doen ‘n beroep op boere om deel te neem aan die jaarlikse opname vir 2014 deur die vraelys te voltooi wat hulle ontvang het.

Versamelingmetode Die data word per e-pos, pos of persoonlike besoeke aan die deelnemende besighede regoor die land versamel. Tydraamwerk Die opname vind tans plaas. Voltooide vraelyste moet teen 31 Julie 2015 ingedien word. Deelname Besighede word ewekansig uit Statistieke Suid-Afrika se besigheidsregisterstelsel gekies om aan die opname deel te neem. Waarom is die opname belangrik? Die inligting word gebruik om kommersiële boerdery te ontleed en die bydrae van die landboubedryf tot die Bruto Binnelandse Produk (BBP) te meet. Individuele rolspelers in dié sektor gebruik die resultate ook om hulle relatief tot hulle onderskeie bedrywe te posisioneer. Die data word ook gebruik vir die evaluasie en samestelling van

<<< page 18 often complex challenges, have become of increasing importance to the wellbeing of the sector. These include issues such as training, social development, conditions of employment and transformation. “Transformation has many facets. Apart from the human resources side of it, it encompasses land reform, farmer development and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE). “Although Agri SA and its affiliates have done a lot of work in this regard to accelerate transformation, we have committed ourselves towards even higher standards and contributions, as mandated by this organisation’s 2014 congress. In our view, performance and delivery on labour and land reform matters are of equal importance to that of lowering the cost of doing business and improved profitability, if we want to sustain the sector’s growth and contributions.” According to Möller Agri SA has during the past two years assessed the changing circumstances, conditions and challenges for the sector and has embarked upon

die volgende: • voedselsekerheid; • ‘n groen ekonomie; en • omgewingstudies.

Vertroulikheid Die Wet op Statistieke (Wet 6 van 1999) beskerm alle inligting. Dit word as streng vertroulik gehanteer en mag nie aan enige ander persoon of organisasie verskaf word nie. ‘n Boete van R10 000 of tronkstraf van tot ses maande, of beide, kan ‘n Stats SA-beampte opgelê word wat skuldig bevind word aan ‘n oortreding van die wet. Watter inligting word deur die opname versamel? Die 2014-opname vir die tydperk 1 Julie 2013 tot 30 Junie 2014 moet voltooi word. Data sluit in: • inkomste gegenereer per sektor; • werkverskaffing; • besteding, insluitend aankope; • boekwaarde van bates; en • verliese.

• Die kommersiële landbousektor het ‘n totale inkomste van R182 980 miljoen in 2013 gegenereer. Dit reflekteer ‘n verhoging van 11,3% in vergelyking met 2012 (R164 363 miljoen). • Soos in 2012 is die grootste verkope in 2013 uit diere en diereprodukte (R87 291 miljoen) gegenereer, gevolg deur tuinbouprodukte (R37 693 miljoen), oesgewasse (R37 148 miljoen) en ander inkomste (R20 847 miljoen). • In 2013 het graangewasse die hoogste verhoging (18,5%) getoon in vergelyking met 2012, gevolg deur tuinbouprodukte met 17,4%. Diere en diereprodukte het die laagste verhoging getoon (5,4%).

Het jy geweet? • Die vraelys is in Engels en Afrikaans beskikbaar.

Vir vraelysnavrae, kontak asseblief: Sally Wheeler: Tel no (012) 310 4632, e-pos SallyWe@statssa.gov.za Masego Mekwa: Tel no (012) 336 0232, e-pos MasegoMe@statssa.gov.za Vir tegniese navrae, kontak asseblief: Tshepo Pekane: Tel no (012) 310 8191, e-pos TshepoP@statssa.gov.za Webwerf: www.statssa.gov.za.

a process to realign itself with these new realities: • We noted the need to improve our communication with various stakeholders, which is necessary to cultivate an environment, conducive for the policies we are pursuing. • We are working extremely hard in policy processes with other business organisations and those in agriculture to achieve high levels of consensus, which we deem as a precondition for success. • We make best use of professional advice to guide us on issues we want to deliberate with business and government. • We interact in regional and global fora where agricultural, trade, environmental and labour matters are deliberated. • We advise on best practice for farmers who want to apply sustainable approaches with regard to the social upliftment of workers and their families as well as on models for land reform. • We work closely with the security and safety structures of government to enhance rural safety and give support to rural communities who are contributing

time and effort for securing the safety of their families and farming enterprises. • Access to safe and affordable water and the protection of our natural resources as foundation of our livelihoods, poses continued challenges. • We spend much time and effort on the cost of doing business in agriculture as well as risk mitigation and disaster relief. “It speaks for itself that these challenges require a wide spectrum of skills and expertise if we want to monitor, evaluate and meaningfully contribute towards policies and services which will be conducive for a growing and flourishing sector. Agri SA has for a number of years already invested in expert human capital to deliver on these challenges. We, nevertheless, concluded that we should strengthen our capacity at executive level with the focus on commercial issues that affect the viability and profitability of the sector as well as the developmental and social aspects, which are relevant in the transformation debate. Agri SA’s General Council approved this new structure aimed at strengthening its executive capacity,” he said.

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Nail-biting action has no place in agricultural policy-making THABI NKOSI, SENIOR ECONOMIST: AGRI SA

What do the film Fast and Furious 7 and agricultural policy-making in South Africa have in common? As absurd as it may sound, the two are not as dissimilar as may initially seem. For starters, both are filled with nail-biting drama, both are packed with contradictions and jaw-dropping surprises that simply sneak up on you (the unexpected policy proposals recently set out by Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti on land ceilings come to mind) both the blockbuster and the mechanics of our policymaking in agriculture leave one in constant suspense; lastly much like the flick, policy-making processes in South African agriculture have no shortage of thrilling disappearing act stunts (what happened to the revised policies on disaster management?). While all these factors (drama, contradictions, surprises, suspense and vanishing acts) are essential ingredients of a successful Hollywood action movie, they are unfortunately toxic for effective policy-making or the creation of enabling environments.

s boring as it may sound, policymaking that enables affected sectors to contribute effectively to the achievement of national interests has good-old-fashioned stability and predictability at its core. There is no shortage of studies stemming both from political science and economics indicating the adverse relationship between policy instability/uncertainty and economic growth. Today’s economic climate is so fragile that even moderate amounts of policy uncertainty can greatly reduce investment and business confidence. In South Africa, few sectors can “boast” higher levels of policy instability and uncertainty than the agricultural sector. For more than two decades, ambiguity has reigned concerning all major factors of importance to the industry’s success. Policies related to critical matters such as land, labour and trade have not provided the necessary certainty to the sector. As to be expected, this uncertainty has had an unfavourable effect on agricultural net investment, output, incomes and jobcreation.

Interestingly, while the sector has continued on a policy-induced downward spiral, government has been setting ambitious targets for the sector in terms of its contribution to economic growth and job creation. The National Development Plan indicates that agriculture (which is the primary economic activity in rural areas) has the potential to create 1 million jobs by 2030. Numerous other statements have been made by government representatives on the important developmental role that should be played by the sector in years to come. Earlier this year, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies pronounced the state’s view that the revival of agriculture and the agro-processing value chain is key to radical economic transformation. At last, there appears to be a general recognition that agricultural growth can play an important role in economic development and that agriculture-led growth can have a strong impact on the reduction of rural poverty and hunger. Furthermore, there appears to be no question in the minds of our policy-makers that agriculture is one of the only sectors that is capable of absorbing large numbers of our predominantly unskilled labour force given our challenge with structural unemployment. The above recognition is encouraging and in my mind, the expectations from government in terms of the agricultural sector’s contribution to the prosperity of the South African economy are clear. What is not clear however; is the manner in which the

targets set are to be achieved in light of the highly negative correlation between policy uncertainty and industry growth. This is a conundrum that should surely be occupying the minds of our policy-makers. The drama, contradictions, surprises, suspense and vanishing acts that have become routine in agricultural policymaking are not creating the environment necessary for the sector to contribute effectively to the economy. As a result, these cannot be allowed to continue. Given our country’s enduring challenges with rural unemployment, household food insecurity and poverty; policy predictability and stability in agriculture should be regarded as non-negotiable. There should, at the same time, also be a realisation that there is no quick-fix to the problem of policy uncertainty. Given the complexity of the challenges in the agricultural sector, proper dialogue and a thorough consideration of the downstream effects are crucial. Simply making pronouncements on policies with the aim of providing certainty will not solve the problem as policies that stifle growth, no matter how certain, will surely have a dire effect. When it comes to policy-making in the agricultural sector, a delicate balancing of national priorities is needed. The challenges facing the sector are deep-rooted and farreaching. Because of this, there is no doubt that our policy-makers have their hands full. Perhaps, it is time that agriculture moved out of the periphery and into the centre of the national policy debate. Whatever the solution to our challenge of uncertainty, one thing is clear, nail-biting action should be left to the makers of Hollywood movies and definitely has no place in agricultural policy-making!

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Agri SA obtains legal opinion on the expropriation bill ANNELIZE CROSBY, AGRI SA ADVISOR ON LEGAL AND LAND AFFAIRS, PARLIAMENTARY LIAISON

The current Expropriation Act dates from 1975, it is pre-constitutional and government has expressed an intention to replace it ever since 1994.

n Expropriation Bill was tabled in parliament in 2008, but was eventually withdrawn from the parliamentary process because of concerns about its constitutionality. The main issue was the attempt to restrict access to the courts where disputes arose. The department of public works then embarked on a seven-year process to redraft the bill. A draft bill was published in 2013 for public comment. Extensive submissions were received from, amongst others, organised agriculture, the financial sector and the legal fraternity. The bill was revised as a consequence of the public comments and a revised version was tabled in Nedlac. Organised agriculture was presented on the business task team that engaged with the department of public works, organised labour and community in the Nedlac process. Once again, a number of changes to the bill were effected. The Nedlac report eventually reflected only a few areas of disagreement. Cabinet approved the bill in September 2014 and it was certified by the state law advisors in February 2015 and introduced in Parliament on 13 February 2015. Dr Anthea Jeffrey from the Institute of Race Relations raised certain concerns regarding the constitutionality of the current bill. Her comments were widely publicised. A number of opposition parties later also indicated that they had concerns regarding the constitutionality of the bill, and put forward arguments similar to those of Dr Jeffrey. Agri SA’s General Council decided to seek a legal opinion from a senior advocate on the bill. He was assisted by a junior advocate; they are both at the Johannesburg bar. Agri SA then made the opinion available to Dr Jeffrey and the political parties in question and after engaging with some of them, had a follow-up consultation with the advocates. The portfolio committee on public works has now allowed additional time for written comments. The new due date for comments is 6 July. The public hearings will now only take place on 28 and 29 July. Agri SA has already submitted comments, but will augment its comments following the latest consultation with its legal team, who suggested alternative

wording for one or two clauses.

Subject matter of the opinion Agri SA, in its brief to the advocates, requested that they express their opinion on the following aspects: Is the Expropriation Bill 2015 unconstitutional in any respect, but specifically in respect of the following: • By virtue of the fact that the bill provides that it can happen through administrative action, by way of a notice without the court having first mandated the expropriation? • By virtue of the fact that a property owner who disputes an expropriation or the compensation offered will have to incur costs by going to court to have the dispute determined? • By virtue of the way in which the public interest is defined in the bill? • By virtue of the fact that it is supposedly contrary to the common law which protects individuals against the unauthorized taking of their property? • By virtue of the fact that it is supposedly contrary to the protection afforded by section 26 of the Constitution? • By virtue of the fact that it contravenes section 34 or 25(2) (b) of the Constitution? The advocates answered all the above questions in the negative and advised that the bill, in their opinion, was not unconstitutional

in any respect. On the question whether expropriation through a notice without having first obtained a court order was unconstitutional, the advocates concluded that: The fact that the bill authorised expropriation by way of notice did not render clause 8 of the bill unconstitutional. Authorisation by way of a prior court order to expropriate is not a requirement for constitutional validity. Regarding the question as to whether the Constitution requires that the courts must rule on an expropriation before the state can expropriate, the advocates pointed out that section 34 of the Constitution guaranteed everyone the right to have any dispute that could be resolved by the application of law decided in a fair public hearing before a court or, where appropriate, another independent and impartial tribunal or forum. The bill does not attempt to limit that right in any way. After having examined the jurisprudence regarding the role of the courts in determining compensation, they concluded that, “Our view is that the provisions of the Expropriation Bill, which would require of an expropriated owner or holder of a right to incur costs to have a dispute on either the expropriation or the amount of compensation payable determined are reasonable and justifiable >>> page 29

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DEO GLORIA

Progress with the District Land Reform Committees

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THEO BOSHOFF, LEGAL OFFICER, AGRI SA

The National Development Plan identifies organised agriculture as a critical stakeholder in the rural space with a central role assigned to it in the decentralised system of land reform suggested through the District Land Committees (DLCs).

he department of rural development and land reform (DRDLR) is currently establishing DLCs throughout the country on an incremental basis. Agri SA’s provincial affiliates have been actively involved where these committees have been established, despite the fact that the terms of reference setting out the functions, composition and powers of the DLCs have not been finalised. While the department has proverbially put the cart before the horse with this process, participation is key and as such Agri SA has simultaneously coordinated inputs into the terms of reference through discussions with a national working group on DLCs. The initial draft of the terms of reference contained several areas of concern. The composition of the committee is heavily biased towards government with no weighted voting rights to ensure fair representation in decision making. In addition, where the committees have already been established, there appears to have been substantial competition between officials from the department and the local municipality as to whom the chairperson should be, as the document assigned the chairmanship to the department’s chief director.

Furthermore, it appeared as if a plethora of functions were assigned to the committees that were not originally envisaged in the National Development Plan. These functions included controversial duties such as setting upper and lower bands for landholdings, ensuring productivity on transferred farms and determining just and equitable values for farmland in the district. Agri SA submitted written comments to the department outlining the potential negative consequences that could arise if the above approach is followed. Although the working group is still in the process of deliberation, we have been informed of some positive developments as the terms of reference is being amended. For example, the document has been amended so as to provide for a more democratic approach in electing a chairperson. As it currently stands, the committee must nominate two members. The minister will appoint one. The merits of this approach are still being discussed, but at the very least it is less prescriptive than the previous proposals. We have also been informed of a more focused approach regarding the functions of the committee. Land values should not come into play as it has been clarified that the committees will not transact in their

own right but they will rather identify land and beneficiaries to recommend to the department, which in turn will negotiate with the land owner. While we still have not seen any final decisions as to the DLC’s functions, it appears as if a more focused approach will be followed. The exact nature of the functions, composition and powers of the DLC’s are not fully known at this point as the terms of reference is still the subject of ongoing deliberation. Be that as it may, the pronouncements made regarding the amendments have thus far been positive. Regarding the process of establishment, the department has publicly undertaken to review the process in districts where the establishment of the DLCs have been met with problems and hurdles. In addition, we were also informed that the Belgian government has seemingly undertaken to fund a training programme aimed at equipping the members of DLCs with the requisite skills required to perform their functions. While the success of this process will no doubt be dependent on the skilful execution of these commitments, pronouncements in this regard should be seen in a favourable light, albeit that the terms of reference must still be finalised.

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Agri SA and the Commission on the Restitution of Land Rights work towards a closer relationship THEO BOSHOFF, LEGAL OFFICER, AGRI SA

As part of the holistic framework for land reform adopted by its Congress in 2014, Agri SA formulated a number of proposals on how the organisation can assist the Commission on the Restitution of Land Rights to streamline the restitution process.

he aim is to achieve a successful and sustainable process that will result in meaningful and sustainable land restitution, while safeguarding the legitimate rights of land owners. In this regard, the South African Human Rights Commission’s report on land restitution, among other reports, were analysed to identify the areas where Agri SA and its affiliates could contribute to making the process a success. On 4 June 2015, Agri SA met with the Chief Land Claims Commissioner and staff from the Commission to discuss the various proposals. Agri SA was represented by Anwhar Madhanpall, Theo Boshoff and Annelize Crosby. In what proved to be a fruitful meeting, the Commission shared insights into some of the challenges it faces when investigating and validating claims. Likewise, Agri SA provided insight into some of the challenges that its members have faced when dealing with the Commission, and a focused discussion followed on how to best address these issues in a mutually beneficial manner. Agri SA sought clarity on a number of issues relating to the restitution process and the working of the Commission. Among other things, we were informed that the Commission does not preside over one, uniform claims register where all new and previously submitted claims are consolidated. While new technology has been implemented to capture the new claims, administrative issues regarding some of the old claims are still being worked on. Some claims have been settled, but are still in the register as the land has not been transferred yet. Regarding claims on claims and the effect of restitution on redistribution efforts, we were informed that the Commission endeavours to provide alternative state land or financial compensation where there is a conflict. Unfortunately however, the Commission cannot provide any blanket

guarantee that redistributed land will be exempted from restoration as it can merely attempt to persuade the claimants to opt for alternative state land or financial compensation, but the Commission cannot be prescriptive. Where similar conflicts have arisen in the past and the parties cannot reach an agreement, the Commission has had to refer the matter to the Land Claims Court. Limited funds and research capacity has hampered the Commission and will continue to do so as the budget for restitution has not seen a substantial year on year increase despite the reopening of the claims lodgement process. As a result, there are still several claims that were lodged prior to 1998 that have in fact been settled, but the land has not been acquired and transferred as the funds are simply not available. In order to make the best use of the limited resources available to the Commission, it recently adopted a more centralised approach with renewed emphasis on strategic planning. In this regard, the Commission has taken on board recommendations made by the SAHRC and the department of performance monitoring and evaluation (DPME) in its strategic plan for 2015 to 2020, which was also presented at the meeting. One of the key recommendations made by the DPME is for the Commission to move an arm’s length away from the department of rural development and land reform, and to focus on its primary mandate, which is the solicitation, investigation and verification of claims. The message was clearly conveyed that the Commission’s statutory mandate does not extend to post-settlement support. Unfortunately however, it is precisely this aspect which has led to the regression of agricultural land which has been transferred through the programme in the past, and it is perhaps here that Agri SA and its affiliates can play the greatest role. Through sheer desperation, the

Commission has attempted to fill the gap between land transfer and agricultural support in the past to the detriment of its budget and resource constraints. On the Commission’s own admission, it is not best suited to fill this gap as it does not possess the requisite technical skills and knowledge about farming to provide comprehensive post-settlement support. As a way forward, the Commission suggested that an integrated planning process be followed whereby the Commission involves Agri SA’s affiliations, even in the pre-settlement phase, so that business plans can be drafted by industry experts prior to the land being transferred. While Agri SA would not be involved in the legalistic pre-settlement phase, it could help to ensure that all the building blocks are in place so that the beneficiary can work towards becoming a successful, developing farmer the instance that the claim is settled. Perhaps above all else, the constructive and enthusiastic atmosphere in which this meeting took place, holds great promise for a closer working relationship between the Commission and Agri SA in the future. To take this matter forward, Agri SA undertook to formulate a proposal on how to formalise the relationship and carry on with the momentum generated at the meeting. It was clear from the meeting that there is definite scope for co-operation with regard to information sharing during the research phase, as well as in pre-settlement planning to ensure sustainable outcomes. The Commission was also very interested in the KwaZulu-Natal pilot project on sustainable restitution outcomes and undertook to follow the project closely.

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Communal Land Reform Indaba LIVHUWANE NGWEKULU, TRANSFORMATION MANAGER, AGRI SA

As part of the green paper process of the department of rural development and land reform, the communal land tenure working group was established some four years ago to develop a communal land-reform policy. Since then there has been some ons and offs as the department’s internal reorganisation has been moving the working group from one division to another.

hen all this had settled, the working group had a number of meetings and managed to come up with some recommendations based on the proposed wagon-wheel model. To take the process forward towards legislation, the department called a communal land-reform indaba to present the document to the broader stakeholders and solicit inputs, in a consultative process. The indaba was held in Kempton Park on 29 to 31 May 2015.

when we debate these policies.” Nkwinti urged members to consider not only the proposals, but also to bring their own ideas.

instruments of the Communal Land Tenure Policy (CLTP) 2. Communal land governance and institutional arrangements 3. Types, forms and bundles of rights in communal land. 4. Administration of communal land reform. The commissions came up with a number of proposals that mainly centred on governance, as was the main problem in communal areas as well as in development. For more detailed information see the commissions’ reports as loaded on Sharepoint.

Minister Nkwinti’s opening remarks and welcoming guests Minister Nkwinti thanked everyone present for “honouring our invitation”, as there were different groups of people, including traditional leaders. “We want you to assist us in developing a policy on communal land as a democratic society.” He further mentioned that he would like the gathering to also discuss “the exception to the 1913 cut-off date”, even if it was not necessarily on the day, as this would allow groups like the Khoi and the San to claim their land, as they had lost it prior to that date, including heritage sites and historical landmarks. “We need to look at our historical background

Overview by Thami Mdontswa Deputy Chief Land Claims Commissioner Thami Mdontswa explained how the proposed wagon wheel would function, with the outer boundaries being granted title deeds but the title being owned by the traditional authority, not individual households. The model allows for the land to be used by the community as an economic, social and residential tool. This communal land-reform policy also has some proposals based on the need to fight hunger at household levels in the country. It proposes that on commercial farms, families will be given one hectare on a one-hectare-per-household basis and a title deed for that hectare. On communal land, the same principle of one family one hectare would apply; however, no title deeds would be given to families. The indaba was then divided into four commissions to examine the proposals based on different themes. The commissions were: 1. Objectives, principles, approach and

Minister Nkwinti’s closing remarks In his closing remarks, Minister Nkwinti admitted that institutions of governance in communal areas were a problem as there was communal property assiciations (CPA’s) and also traditional councils on the same land together with other people. He said that as government, they were going to insure that the CPA’s and trustees of the trust received sufficient training on governance and administration, as that was seriously lacking and was overlooked when they were being formed. The working group will finalise the proposals and these will be distributed for comments.

<<< page 23 as contemplated by section 36 of the Constitution.” The advocates did, however, suggest a wording that would require the expropriating authority to bring an application to court in the event of a dispute over compensation. The advocates also examined the concept of “public interest” and its application in the bill. They found, amongst other things, that: “Post-Constitutional jurisprudence has not sought to define ‘public interest’. Although the term ‘public interest’ abounds, its meaning remains to be determined based upon the facts and circumstances of each case. Given that a broader interpretation of ‘public purpose’ and ‘public interest’ has been favoured in the post-Constitutional dispensation so as to ensure that land reform is not impeded, we are of the view that the definition of ‘public interest’ as contained in the Expropriation Bill does not offend the Constitution albeit that it goes further than the

definition in the Constitution.” In the opinion, the advocates examined whether the provisions of the bill were contrary to the common law. In this regard, they stated that expropriation was not a concept foreign to our common law. Decisions to expropriate, the manner of expropriation as well as the compensation payable have been subject to judicial review at common law. That position remains unchanged in terms of the provisions of the Expropriation Bill. In their view, the Expropriation Bill does not offend the common law. A further argument by Dr Jeffrey was that the bill was contrary to section 26 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right not to be arbitrarily evicted from one’s home. Advocates Loxton and Goedhart argue to the contrary, that there is a distinction between eviction and expropriation. Possession is not to be confused with ownership. Whilst there is a right enshrined in section 26 of

the Constitution not to be dispossessed of occupation (whether such occupation is lawful or unlawful) by way of eviction without a prior court order, there is no right not to be expropriated by way of a prior court order enshrined in section 25 of the Constitution … The provisions of the Expropriation Bill do not offend section 26 because no prior court order is required before the state may proceed with an expropriation. The inquiry related further to the fact that there was no requirement in the Expropriation Bill that the amount of compensation payable had to be determined (either by way of agreement or by way of court order) before the expropriation may be proceeded with and whether this rendered the bill unconstitutional. The advocates once again find that this is not the case as a prior determination either by way of court order or agreement before an expropriation may be proceeded with is not required by section 25(2)(b) of the Constitution.

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PD-ALF Bill: Protection of agricultural land of crucial importance

ANNELIZE CROSBY, ADVISOR LEGAL AND LAND AFFAIRS, PARLIAMENTARY LIAISON

Agri SA submitted detailed commentary to the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries on the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Framework (PD-ALF) Bill and policy after thorough consultation with its membership.

gri SA is of the opinion that the protection of agricultural land, especially high potential agricultural land, is of crucial importance. The organisation has been advocating this for decades. Many competing land uses, such as residential developments and mining, are making serious inroads into the availability of agricultural land for farming purposes. The protection of agricultural land is directly linked to the right to food, which is a universally protected human right. The right to food was proclaimed in 1948 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stating that everyone has the right to “a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food…” The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (1966) proclaims in Article 11 both a right to adequate food and to be free from hunger. At regional level the right to food is implicitly protected in the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights (1981). The recognition of the right to health in Article 16 can be interpreted as protecting the right to food. Article 60 stipulates that African governments should implement the right to food on international level, such as by accepting the ICESCR. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), the United Nations body overseeing the implementation of the ICESCR, confirms: “…the right to adequate food is indivisibly linked to the inherent dignity of the human person and is indispensable for the fulfilment of other human rights enshrined in the International Bill of Rights.” Section 27 of South Africa’s Constitution also provides for the right of access to sufficient food and water. Agri SA is therefore strongly in favour of the protection of agriculagri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

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tural land as proposed by this Bill. This kind of protection is, in our view, long overdue. Agri SA is concerned, however, that certain constitutio nal issues may delay the passing and implementation of this Bill. These include decisions regarding land use at local government level and the wide discretion given to the minister to approve or refuse applications for subdivision without clear guidelines. The wide discretion given to the minister to approve or refuse applications for subdivision without clear guidelines also raises questions. Agri SA is also concerned about the doctrine of public trust being introduced bit by bit into our statutory law. This is a concept that used to be foreign to South African law. It was first introduced in the National Water Act, followed by the National Environmental Management Act and the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act. The concept has been part of American jurisprudence for some time. In an article on the public trust doctrine entitled: “Unpacking the public trust doctrine: A journey into foreign territory”, Prof Elmarie van der Schyff writes: “The modern public trust doctrine is controversial and complex. It has been hailed as the ultimate environmental protection tool by many ecologists and environmentalists, yet others have criticised it. Some perceive the doctrine as ground-breaking, yet others feel it destroys the basic fabric of property law.” In our view, the protection of the agricultural resource does not require custodianship by the minister. The resource can be adequately protected through regulation, as was the case in the past. We do not need a foreign legal concept for protecting agricultural land in this country. Lastly, Agri SA is opposed to the broad expropriation powers granted to the minister by the Bill. At the discretion of the minister, agricultural land may be expropriated “at a lower price than would be paid for similar land in the same geographical area, which is used optimally for agricultural purposes” if the minister deems “the land not used for active agricultural production on a continuous basis over a period of at least three years; or used in a manner significantly below the land’s optimal production potential.” This affords very wide discretionary powers to the minister.

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WHAT IS AGOA? The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was passed as part of the United States’ (US) Trade and Development Act of 2000. It provides duty-free access to the US market for a substantial number of products exported from more than 40 eligible sub-Sahara African (SSA) countries, including South Africa. AGOA is aimed at promoting a free-market system, expanding US-African trade and investment, stimulating economic growth and assisting SSA’s integration into the global economy. AGOA covers over 7 000 products of which about 800 are agricultural. Agricultural products not eligible for market access under AGOA are sugar, groundnuts and certain alcoholic beverages. According to the US department of commerce, South Africa’s AGOA imports into the US market amounted to over R1,7 billion in 2014.

The latest on AGOA THABI NKOSI, SENIOR ECONOMIST, AGRI SA

On 14 May 2015, the United States Senate approved the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, which reauthorises the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This approval essentially brought us a step closer to the official extension of AGOA for an additional ten years upon its expiry on 30 September 2015. While the extension of AGOA is not yet a “done deal” as the legislation must still be presented to the House of Representatives for approval before being finalised, it can be said that as things stand, South Africa has been included as a beneficiary of AGOA.

hough this is good news for South Africa, a number of provisions in the Act mean that it will not be business as usual when it comes to AGOA over the next ten years. The most significant of these provisions are found in Section 105 of the Act and relate to the monitoring and review of country eligibility. Section 105 introduces three major changes to the current terms of AGOA:

• The US president will now have the authority to withdraw, suspend or limit duty-free treatment for certain items (on 60 days’ notice) if he determines that this would be effective in promoting compliance with AGOA eligibility requirements. In the current Act, the president may only terminate the programme in its entirety for a specific country with effect from 1 January of the

year following non-compliance. • Annual reviews of country compliance with eligibility requirements will now be conducted on beneficiary countries and interested parties in the US will be allowed to submit comments that will be taken into account during these annual reviews. Following these annual reviews, AGOA privileges may either be maintained, withdrawn, suspended or >>> page 35

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<<< page 33 limited. • The US may now, at any time, initiate an out-of-cycle review of whether a beneficiary country still meets the eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements state that countries should make continual progress towards establishing a market-based economy and eliminating barriers to US trade and investment, among other things. With respect to out-of-cycle reviews, South Africa is prominently mentioned in the legislation and will be the first country to undergo an out-of-cycle review within 30 days of enactment of the new AGOA legislation. The country is first in line for out-of-cycle review due to a number of concerns that have been raised by the US over the years relating to what it regards to be serious barriers to trade and investment. These concerns include: - The requirement of majority local ownership of security companies as set out in the Private Security Amendment Bill of 2012; - South Africa’s poor track record in protecting copyright and trademark rights; - The imposition of anti-dumping duties on US poultry imports since 2001; and - Phytosanitary measures, particularly in relation to agricultural products. Given the concerns raised and the slow progress made in finding mutuallybeneficial solutions to the above points of disagreement, South Africa’s continued participation in AGOA after the first outof-cycle review is seriously under question. Even if South Africa were to be granted beneficiary status, it is uncertain whether the country will continue to enjoy the same set of preferences as it currently does or whether the duty-free treatment of certain items will be withdrawn, suspended or limited. In light of the uncertainty introduced, the new conditions specified in the Trade Preferences Extension Act are a cause for concern, particularly given the importance of the US market for a number of South African products. These new provisions will no doubt put

THE LATEST ON THE POULTRY MATTER The dispute between the United States and South Africa over anti-dumping duties imposed on US poultry exports that had been a major obstacle to the reauthorisation of AGOA for South Africa was finally resolved at a meeting between the South African Poultry Association and the US Poultry and Egg Export Council at the start of June 2015. At this meeting which took place on the margins of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ministerial council meeting in Paris, it was agreed that, in the first year, 65 000 tons of bone-in chicken portions from the US would be allowed into the South African market free of anti-dumping duty. This tonnage is to be revised annually, based on consumption and production growth.

pressure on the South African government to heed the US’ call for a move away from non-reciprocal concessions to reciprocal agreements between the two countries.

What are the implications for South African agriculture? South African agricultural exporters, particularly those in the wine and citrus industries, have certainly benefitted from AGOA. In addition to these two industries, research conducted by the Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) showed that industries producing the following products also considered the United States to be an important market relative to the rest of the world: • Essential oils • Ice cream • Seed, fruit and spores for sowing • Vegetables, fruit, nuts, etc. preserved in vinegar

• Feathers, skins, other parts of birds, • Pepper (piper), crushed or ground Capsicum species • Sauce, condiments, mixed seasoning and mustard In their review of the benefits of AGOA for the South African agro-processing industry, TIPS also highlighted a number of factors that had hampered full exploitation of AGOA preferences by South African agroprocessors. Key among these factors were the perceived complexity of US market, the relative comparative advantage of South American producers, the length of time that it took to grant fresh fruit produce eligibility into the United States market and most importantly, the legislative uncertainty surrounding AGOA. Given the provisions of the Trade and Preferences Extension Act of 2015, the last factor (legislative uncertainty) is likely to pose an even greater challenge. Production expansions in many agroprocessing industries require substantial investments that can take up to 7-10 years to show profitability. Therefore, in the short to medium term, duty-free privileges are a crucial component of the cost-benefit calculation for agro-processors. With annual and out-of-cycle reviews that could lead to the sudden withdrawal or suspension of AGOA preferences, many agricultural exporters will find the risk associated with investing in operations based on a market access agreement that has no permanence too high.

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agri Nuus/News

Getting to the root of ‘food shedding’ THABI NKOSI, SENIOR ECONOMIST, AGRI SA

During a media conference held in May at Nampo Harvest Day in Bothaville, Jannie de Villiers, CEO of Grain SA, introduced what I considered to be an interesting concept: “food shedding”.

everaging fully on our national swear word (load shedding), the term was De Villiers’ tongue-in-cheek way of highlighting the impact of food shortages that many believe would ensue as a result of the agricultural policies currently on the table. When I first heard the term, I couldn’t help but let out a naughty chuckle at the mischief of his word play. “How dramatic!”, I thought. My mind drifted to a scenario where food would be in such short supply that we’d all wait with baited breath for timetables that would determine whether we’d get to share one mopani worm (Stage 4 food shedding) or have roast turkey (Stage 1 food shedding) for dinner. I imagined that we’d all closely monitor the stability of the “food grid”, waiting to stuff our faces at the first chance we get! As far-fetched as the above scenario is, it should prompt us to reflect on the state of our country’s food security situation because to millions of South Africans, “food shedding” is not just a term used to illustrate a point, the uncertainty that the term implies is a daily reality.

While access to food is a basic human right, Oxfam in their “Hidden Hunger” report released in 2014 estimated that one in four people in South Africa suffers from hunger. The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in their SA national health and nutrition examination survey of 2013 also indicated that more than half of our population did not have regular access to enough food. Adding their voices to the food security research chorus, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and DuPont recently released their global food security index for 2015. In contrast to the doom and gloom reported by Oxfam and the HSRC, the global food

security index paints a favourable picture of South Africa’s food security situation. In their publication, the EIU and DuPont rank South Africa’s food security status as the highest in Africa with a score of 64,5 out of 100 (South Africa ranked 41 out of a total 109 countries surveyed worldwide) and reports that South Africa’s food security ranking is second to only that of Brazil in the BRICS grouping of countries. The organisations, which measure food security according to affordability, availability, quality and safety, also reported a considerable improvement in South Africa’s food security index from 2014 to 2015. These somewhat divergent sets of statistics illustrate the complexity of South Africa’s hunger problem and highlight the contrasts between national food security and food security at the household level. Generally, food security has four interrelated elements: availability, access, utilisation and stability. Availability is largely concerned with food production and supply. Access covers economic and physical access to food. Utilisation is about how >>> page 39

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agri Nuus/News

Come rain or shine: What

will the conditions and weather be like over the next few months?

Kosie van Zyl of Agri SA looks at the climatic conditions countrywide. The information was supplied by an advisory dated May 2015 of the National Agro-meteorological Committee (NAC) of the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries and the South African Weather Services.

Seasonal outlook ainfall began late in some summer rainfall areas during the 2014/15 summer season. Very dry conditions with high temperatures were experienced during January/ February 2015, which affected crop production in some parts of the country. These conditions have affected rain-fed farmers more than those farming under irrigation. Crop yields are estimated to be low as compared to the previous year. Drought has been reported in KwaZulu-Natal throughout summer. While crops have been adversely affected and the veld has deteriorated up to date, livestock remains in reasonable to good condition. Rainfall in the winter rainfall areas appears to be delayed for the 2015 winter season and this may affect planting negatively particularly over the western regions. The water level of major dams is above 60% in most provinces. The latest report by the Famine Early Warning System Network indicates that most countries across the region experienced poor seasonal rainfall characterised by a late start of the season, prolonged dry spells from mid-January through April, poorly distributed rains, and flooding.

Regional cereal production is expected to decrease by approximately 12 and 22 percent from the five-year average and last year, respectively. Significant decreases are expected in the southern parts of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Madagascar, Lesotho and South Africa. Most rural households across the region are consuming cereals from this year’s harvest and will likely experience Minimal ([Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)] IPC Phase 1) food insecurity outcomes between April and June. However, in the southern parts of Zimbabwe, Madagascar, and Malawi rural households affected by the poor rainfall performance will experience Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes during this period. From July to September, areas including southern and central Malawi, Madagascar, southern parts of Zambia, and parts of Lesotho, will likely experience Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food security outcomes, while areas around the southern parts of Zimbabwe will be in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). The rest of the region will likely maintain Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes. Despite the estimated below-average maize harvests across the region, particularly in the region’s biggest cereal surplus

producing countries (South Africa and Zambia), regional cereal supplies are likely to remain stable from April to September due to significant carryover stock from last year in both South Africa and Zambia. Maize imports may be a consideration, if the need arises. The Seasonal Climate Watch released by the South African Weather Service on 22 May 2015 states that the forecasting system indicates above-normal rainfall conditions for most parts of the country, albeit relatively low probabilities, throughout mid and late winter. Moving towards early spring, there is still an indication of above-normal rainfall although the forecast is more uncertain. Above-normal temperatures are anticipated across the country through mid-winter towards early spring, with the exception of the mid-winter maximum temperatures that are forecasted to be below-normal. Farmers are encouraged to continually check updates i.e. seasonal forecasts and utilise seven day weather forecasts for short term-planning.

THE SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES Eastern Cape No report. Free State The mid-summer dry spell accompanied by high temperatures in January/February had a negative effect on production. Thunder showers occurred later, but were too late to save many cash crops. The veld has deteriorated as a result of dry conditions, while the condition of livestock has also deteriorated in some areas due to the dry veld. The veld fire season started earlier because of the dry conditions. The level of dams has decreased as compared to the previous year (93% in 2014; 82% in 2015). agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

Gauteng Most parts received above normal rainfall but near normal in the north. Maize farmers are preparing for harvesting. Some farmers are busy with land preparation for the planting of winter crops. Veld conditions are average to poor. Overall the condition of livestock is average to good. The level of dams has decreased to 95% in 2015 when compared to the 99% of 2014 during the same time. KwaZulu-Natal Very little rain has fallen from mid-April until the month end. Severe drought conditions continue in Zululand, uThungulu,

iLembe, uMzinyathi, uMkhanyakude and uThukela. Amajuba and eThekwini have also become severe drought-affected areas. Mgungundlovu and Harry Gwala districts are the only two that remain with a minor drought status. Rye grass pastures are generally growing well, while Kikuyu varies across the districts. Maize yields are expected to be average to poor. In uMkhanyakude harvesting of early season soya bean plantings has commenced and yields seem to be poor. The condition of livestock varies extremely across districts, ranging from fair to good in commercial areas. >>> page 39

<<< page 38 In traditional areas, the range is from fairly good condition to very poor. The veld has seeded and turned yellow-brown in most districts. Ground cover is still sparse, but in the areas which received good rains grass has grown and some bulk was established. The level of dams has decreased as compared to the previous year (70% in 2014; 87% in 2015).

Limpopo Near normal to above normal rainfall was recorded. General grazing conditions are poor in communal areas but fair in commercial areas. The condition of livestock is deteriorating, especially in communal areas. The average level of

agri Nuus/News dams is at 86% in 2015 as compared to 91% in 2014.

Mpumalanga Harvesting of winter wheat under irrigation in the highveld continues. Harvesting of potatoes and maize is also in progress, while soya and sugar beans under dry-land are in fair condition. Planted vegetables are in good condition in the middle-veld, while the veld and livestock are in fair condition in the entire province. The level of dams has decreased compared to the previous year (87% in 2015; 96% in 2014). Northern Cape Generally, below normal rainfall was received. Patches received above normal rainfall. Most parts experience below-normal vegetation activity. Overall, veld conditions are average to poor. In general the condition of livestock is, however, still good. The planting season has commenced in the grain-producing areas of the winter

rainfall region. Vegetables are in good condition. Water supply is still sufficient. The level of dams has decreased as compared to the previous year during the same time (77% in 2015 and 84% in 2014).

North West The province received below normal rainfall but above normal in the south-east. Dry-land crops in some parts are still in poor condition. Vegetation activity is below normal in most parts. The veld and livestock conditions are fair to poor. There is a critical shortage of water for stock in some areas. The level of dams is lower compared to the previous year (66% in 2014; 81% in 2014). Western Cape The province generally received below normal rainfall with a patch that received above normal rainfall in the south-east. Temperatures were above normal. In the Overberg district fruit crops yielded smaller fruit, smaller harvest and questionable quality and planting of cereal crops was postponed due to dry conditions. The veld condition is reasonable to normal and livestock is being supplied with additional fodder. The level of dams is at 42% in 2015 which is lower than the 66% of 2014 during the same period.

<<< page 37 the body uses the various nutrients in food and stability is about being food secure at all times. To date, most of the dialogue on food security in South Africa has centred on the availability aspect with many pointing to imminent food shortages and their resultant impact on food security, particularly in relation to the poor. Indeed availability of food is a serious matter and those focussing on this aspect in the food security debate are not mistaken to do so. However, in discussing the importance of food availability on food security, one should be careful not to neglect other, equally important, elements of the food security equation. One such element, which has significant impact on household food security, is access to food. While it can be said that the availability of some commodities is precarious, at an aggregate national level, South Africa is actually deemed a food secure nation that produces enough food per capita or has the capacity to import food, in order to meet the basic nutritional requirements of its population. Millions of households, however, do not have the same level of security (as indicated in the aforementioned Oxfam and HSRC reports).

Looking at the deviation between the national and household situations, it would appear that South Africa’s food security problem is more about households’ ability to access (afford) the food that is available and less about the actual availability of food. Hence, would it not make sense that the food security debate in our country also start to focus on how we empower the poor to afford the food that is available? Easier said than done! Recognising access as the main barrier to food security throws a spanner in the works as the solution involves a multi-pronged, multistakeholder approach to stimulate both the supply side (to boost production and thus maintain our national food security status) and the demand side (to enhance household income).

Clearly, no one stakeholder can be expected to fulfil the requirements on both the supply and the demand sides and a long-overdue real partnership between the producers of food (farmers) and the economic policy-makers of our country (government) must exist. Given the opposing points of view held by the agricultural sector and government regarding key issues in recent months, some very awkward discussions will no doubt need to take place if full partnership is to be achieved for the greater good. In my view, each of these role-players are equally responsible for the alleviation of the complex problem of food insecurity in the country and for ensuring that no South African experiences the uncertainty related to “food-shedding”.

agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

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agri Nuus/News

Dieselterugbetaling onder oorweging JOHAN PIENAAR, ADJUNKDIREKTEUR, AGRI SA

Tydens die begrotingsrede van die minister van finansies op 25 Februarie vanjaar is daar gewag gemaak van die huidige terugbetalingstelsel vir diesel waarvoor verskeie sektore, waaronder mynbou en landbou, kwalifiseer.

aar is aangedui dat wysigings aan die bestaande stelsel noodsaaklik is en dat sodanige wysigings in hoofsaak gedurende 2016 geïmplementeer sal word. Volgens ondersteunende dokumentasie tot die betrokke begrotingsrede word daar beoog om die administrasie hiervan van die BTW-stelsel te ontkoppel. Die stelsel van administrasie wat sedert 2000 in werking is, voldoen klaarblyklik nie meer aan tegniese en wetlike vereistes nie. Sekere veranderings ten opsigte van terugbetaling aan die mynbousektor is reeds tydens die begrotingsrede aangekondig en die voortspruitende verminderde terugbetalings sal reeds op 1 April 2016 in werking tree. Die rede hiervoor is klaarblyklik dat die huidige vlak van terugbetaling oormatige gebruik van diesel aanmoedig. Dit is nie in hierdie stadium duidelik wat die bespreking en motivering ten opsigte van die landbou gaan wees nie. Al wat tans bekend is, is dat die Nasionale Tesourie en SARS alternatiewe sal oorweeg met die oog op meer aanvaarbare reëls en prosedures. Daar sal met belangegroepe

geraadpleeg word en Agri SA het na aanleiding van navrae die versekering gekry dat ons wel geken sal word in die oorweging van alternatiewe ná die afhandeling van tersaaklike interne ondersoeke deur instellings hierbo genoem. Intussen is dit steeds nodig dat boere noukeurig rekord hou van dieselgebruik soos deur die doeane- en aksynswet vereis word. Ondank verskeie gesprekke met SARS is daar nog nie ‘n pro formalogboek op die tafel nie. Dit neem egter nie die noodsaak vir volledige administrasie weg nie. Die dieselterugbetaling is van die min ondersteuningsmaatreëls wat die plaaslike landbousektor ontvang, maar dit is wesenlik in omvang. Besteding aan brandstof deur die sektor het in

2014 nagenoeg R9 miljard beloop en R10 miljard in 2013. Na raming gebruik die landbousektor tussen 800 miljoen en 1 000 miljoen liter diesel per jaar. Teen die huidige terugbetaling van R2,50 per liter op 80% van verbruik is dit duidelik dat die stelsel van terugbetaling ‘n wesenlike finansiële voordeel vir die sektor inhou. Die waarde van die terugbetaling beloop op grond van die voorafgaande gegewens waarskynlik tussen R1,5 en R2 miljard per jaar. Die energie-intensiteit van bedryfstakke in die sektor is uiteraard bepalend vir die waarde van die voordeel en dit sal van geval tot geval wissel. Die omvang hiervan vir die sektor as sodanig sal egter intense betrokkenheid van die georganiseerde landbou tydens die hersiening van die stelsel, wat tans in proses is, vereis. agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

agri

FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

SA barley farmers’ irrigation innovation Savings lower production costs and electricity use for increased financial returns The South African Breweries (SAB) has developed, in partnership with the University of the Free State (UFS), a world-first scientific alternative and effective method of barley irrigation used to lower the crop’s total water footprint and increase its sustainability.

he Precision Irrigation Programme, run as a pilot project in the Northern Cape barley irrigation area of Douglas, has yielded a 48% or 19,2 million hectoliter water saving in its first year of operation on the pilot farmers’ winter crop, covering 1 491 hectares of land. The programme has since been expanded over 12 822 hectares of land in the province. Around 100 small-scale and 180 commercial barley farmers in the Northern Cape region are now benefiting from precision irrigation and have reported positive financial returns as a result of more efficient water use during the growing season. Farmers have lower production costs and need less electricity to sustain the irrigation process. Precision irrigation is a water-scheduling computer programme based on scientific and biological principles and calculates the exact amount of water needed to produce high quality, optimum crop yields in different soil types. Extensive in-field and glasshouse research was conducted by Frikkie Lubbe, agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

SAB agriculturist, over a period of three years as part of his PHD with UFS, in order to come to the precise water quantity required for optimal irrigation of barley. “The programme effectively eliminates any excess water use during irrigation, thus reducing risk to the producer and ensuring optimum yield and quality of barley. This opens the opportunity to utilise savings to expand production and increase sustainability,” says Lubbe, who works closely with farmers to manage their water use through precision irrigation. Reducing the amount of water used in the supply chain is intrinsic to SAB’s strategic sustainable development focus and several innovative interventions have been implemented to achieve optimal results in this area for the benefit of the organisation and communities in which it operates. Precision irrigation is one of these interventions.

“Not only does the water saving demonstrate our commitment to sustainability, but it also has a major effect on saving electricity, reducing the carbon footprint for barley production, reducing input cost to grow barley and improve the profitability of barley production for the producer,” says Gawie Kotze, SAB agricultural services manager responsible for irrigation. A study done in collaboration with SAB, WWF and GIZ, found that more than 80% of water required in the beer making process is used in the production of raw materials, namely barley, hops and maize. Barley, which is malted, constitutes 70% of all raw materials used in the making of beer. Plans to expand precision irrigation in South Africa are in process and the number of farmers and land reached will increase this year. The innovation has already received recognition from independent irrigation scheduling companies and cooperatives that have adopted it in their operations. Outside South Africa’s borders, interest in precision irrigation has been expressed by Zambian barley growers. As a result, SAB plans to expand the programme nationally and globally. “The beauty of the programme is that it can be adapted to most irrigation areas making it possible to take the water saving tool into Africa and the world,” says Lubbe.

agri

FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

Water conservation and water scarcity NIC OPPERMAN, AGRI SA DIRECTOR: NATURAL RESOURCES

The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI), the global food value chain initiative for sustainable agriculture, wrote in a technical briefing on drip irrigation, water conservation and water security that out of the anthropogenic freshwater withdrawals from surface water and groundwater bodies, 70% go into agriculture. If one only considers the “consumptive water use” (deducting from withdrawals the “returned flows”, e.g. in hydro-power generation), the agricultural sector accounts for 85% of global freshwater consumption. Therefore, agriculture is often criticised as a wasteful water user, especially in water-scarce areas.

rip irrigation is widely recognised as the most efficient irrigation technique and often portrayed as the best solution to increase agricultural production while reducing the demand for water. However, the terminology used for irrigation water accounting is often flawed, failing to distinguish properly between evaporation, transpiration and potentially reusable return flows. When taking these flows into account properly, it becomes clear that the magnitude of saving water through advanced irrigation technologies is much more limited than popularly believed. Once reasonable levels of agricultural practice are in place, increases in agricultural yield are linearly correlated to the water consumption. Consequently, even though advanced irrigation technologies like drip irrigation allow using water more efficiently, savings rarely occur in the magnitude suggested in the popular debate. It is furthermore highly important to assess the impacts on other

water uses in the basin, including the ecosystem, when introducing powerful irrigation techniques, such as drip irrigation, as cutting all flows other than the ones to the irrigated crops may cut the water flows that were previously available for use at some other point in the basin. The SAI Water Conservation technical briefing discusses the different irrigation systems and the use of drip irrigation respectively, encouraging the adoption of surface and subsurface drip irrigation due to its higher water efficiency and crop productivity compared to other irrigation systems. Based on these findings the technical briefing firstly brings clarity into the widespread confusion in terminology around water accounting and evapotranspiration. Secondly, it examines how water availability increases crop production and discusses several possible interventions to optimise biomass water productivity. Thirdly, it compares the individual rational of a farmer who invests into a new irrigation technique with the possible impacts this will have on the other water users in the catchment. Finally, it concludes that drip irrigation remains without any doubt the most efficient irrigation technique and most powerful solution towards improving water productivity and ensuring food security, but due to the popular confusion in water accounting terminology, reports on efficiency gains have to be examined

carefully. It is thus important to always carefully assess what potential impacts the introduction of drip irrigation and planned increase of local crop production have on the overall water availability at watershed scale and the water flows left to other water users in the basin. According to Dr Gerhard Backeberg of the Water Research Commission (WRC) this “new water balance approach” is supported by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). The WRC commissioned a research project, which was published in 2010 (Report No TT 465/10) on “Standards and guidelines for improved efficiency of irrigation water use from dam-wall release to root-zone application”. This report provides in detail practical information on application of the water balance framework in South Africa, with emphasis on the consumptive, beneficial use of water for irrigation. Technical guidelines with costing procedures for surface and sub-surface drip irrigation are also available (WRC Report Numbers TT 524/12, TT 525/12 and TT 526/12). The South African Irrigation Institute (Sabi) embarked on a WRC project to promote the new concept to stakeholders in the irrigation sector. Irrigators can therefore be confident that irrigation research in South Africa is indeed internationally competitive. The SAI technical briefing can be searched on Agri SA’s web-page, www. agrisa.co.za (Natural resources). The WRC reports are available on the WRC’s webpage, www.wrc.org.za (Knowledge hub).

agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

agri

FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

Lindsay stel nuwe innoverende produkte en tegnologie bekend vir meer doeltreffende besproeiing Lindsay Afrika het ‘n reeks toonaangewende produkte tydens die 2015 Nampo Oesdag bekend gestel wat sorg vir ongekende doeltreffende besproeiing. Die reeks sluit in: • Zimmatic® Lindsay NFTrax luglose wielmontering. • FieldNET® Pivot Control, ‘n unieke oplossing om meeste spilpunt-handels merke op te gradeer deur middel van ‘n eenvoudige ná-installering by die spilpunt. Die NFTrax-luglose wielmontering, een van die nuutste innoverende produkte van Lindsay, het reeds internasionale erkenning ontvang, insluitende die 2015 Sima “Innovation Award “ in Parys.

Die NFTrax kan uiteraard nie pap word nie en wielspore word tot ‘n minimum beperk. Dit bespaar tyd, onderhoudskoste en is minder arbeidsintensief. Dit beloof moeitelose werkverrigting dwarsdeur die seisoen. FieldNET Pivot Control is die nuutste produk uit die Lindsay-stal en is eers vanaf April 2015 beskikbaar. Hiermee kan meeste spilpunt-handelsmerke opgegradeer word na ten volle afstandbeheerde besproeiing met kontrolering- en moniteringsfunksies.

Anders as meeste ander afstandbeheerde besproeiingsprodukte, word Pivot Control op die spilpunt geïnstalleer om saam met die GPS aan die einde van die spilpunt, te sorg vir meer presiese en buigsame werkverrigting. Die boer kan nou sy spilpunt in die land vanaf die kontrolepaneel of oor ‘n afstand met FieldNET beheer. In beide gevalle sal die sisteem outomaties hernu, wat die kans op operateursfoute baie verminder. Boere kan nou vanaf hul slimfone, tablette en rekenaars hul spilpunte en ander toerusting soos pompe en spuite beheer, en terselftertyd sensors vir druk, vloei, grondvog, reënval en temperatuur monitor. Boere wat dit op die proef gestel het, sê die stelsel werk maklik en is verbruikers

vriendelik. Die feit dat jy dit aan enige sisteem kan koppel, is veral ‘n pluspunt. Jy kan ‘n 30 jaar oue spilpunt heeltemal met die produk moderniseer, sê hulle. Die maatskappy bly voortdurend in gesprek met verbruikers om te verseker dat produkontwikkeling daarop gerig bly om boerderypraktyke makliker en meer doeltreffend te maak. Lindsay streef daarna om produkte en tegnologie te ontwikkel wat waarde toevoeg, risiko verminder en elke groeiseisoen maksimaal benut. Vir meer inligting, besoek gerus die webwerf www.zimmatic.com. Lindsay vervaardig en bemark besproeiingstelsels wat hoofsaaklik in die landbou gebruik word om gewasproduksie te verbeter terwyl dit water, energie en arbeid bespaar.

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agri

FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

Waarom is dit belangrik om besproeiing te skeduleer? Navorsing het getoon dat met die regte gebruik van multivlakvogmeettoerusting watergebruik verlaag en opbrengste verhoog kan word. Oor- en onderbesproeiing kan albei negatief op die gewas inwerk. Daar word dikwels in die praktyk onwetend op dié gebied oortree. Om te meet is om te weet!

eur middel van besproeiing skedulering word die produsent in staat gestel om noukeurig te monitor wat die gewas se waterbehoefte is en hoe om daarvolgens te besproei. In die meeste gevalle kan oorbesproeiing, wat loging van kunsmis, vertraagde groei, oppervlakerosie en afloopwater tot gevolg het, voorkom word. Dié faktore dra by tot water- en elektrisiteitsvermorsing. Onderbesproeiing kan vroegtydig opgespoor word alvorens die gewas verwelkpunt bereik. Gewasse verkeer onder stres lank voordat dit fisies op die plant waargeneem kan word. Dit beteken dat daar reeds opbrengsverlies is.

Wat is besproeiingskedulering? Dit is wanneer daar van meetinstrumente om die grondvog te bepaal, gebruik gemaak word. Hierdie meetinstrumente verskil van fabrikaat tot fabrikaat en wissel van enkelpuntmetings (gewoonlik met neutronvogmeters), wat weekliks geneem word, tot kontinue en kontinuemultivlakmeting.

Enkelpuntmetings word geneem op vaste punte in die land waar buise geïnstalleer is. Die meetinstrument word dan in die buis laat sak, waarna ‘n enkele lesing op ‘n vasgestelde diepte geneem word. Multivlak-kontinue meting geskied deur middel van die fisiese installering van die meetinstrument in die grond en het die vermoë om gelyktydige lesings op verskillende dieptes te neem. Dit kan byvoorbeeld een lesing elke uur wees. Die voordeel hiervan is dat grondvog en plantbeskikbare water deur die hele grondprofiel op ‘n deurlopende grondslag gemonitor kan word. Waterbeweging deur die grond kan waargeneem word en daar kan dus bepaal word of daar oor- of onderbesproei word. Dus: droog die grond van onder (dit is onderbesproeiing). Is die onderste sensor te nat? (Oorbesproeiing).

Data-ontleding Data kan op ‘n wye reeks maniere van kontinue meetinstrumente bekom word.

Die volgende is voorbeelde: - Direkte opkoppeling met ‘n rekenaar vir die aflaai van data na sagteware. - Via radioseine na ‘n sentrale dataontvangssentrum op die perseel vir die aflaai na ‘n rekenaar. - Internetgebasseer waar data deur middel van selfoontegnologie direk na ‘n internetbediener toe gestuur word en vandaar aanlyn afgelaai word na ‘n sagteware-ontvanger vir die analisering van data. Besproeiingskedulering is uiteraard ‘n wetenskap en moet verkieslik in samewerking met ‘n skeduleringskundige geskied. Dit verseker dat die data wat deur grafieke oor ‘n periode voorgestel word, korrek geïnterpreteer word. Die nodige aanbevelings kan dan daarvolgens toegepas word. Senter 360 sal jou graag help om dié tegnologie onder die knie te kry. Kontak ons gerus by tel no (018) 469 1331 en vra vir De Klerk Knoetze.

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FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

Get Smart Tank quality Aquadam’s corrugated steel tanks are easily transportable on a one-ton bakkie and are exceptionally easy to erect, either as a DIY installation or by one of our experienced installation teams. Manufactured from high grade galvanised corrugated steel using ultra modern rollforming techniques and lined with the only certified portable water liner. Aquadam’s galvanised coated tanks are guaranteed watertight and highly corrosion-resistant. All nuts, bolts and washers are treated with high quality galvanising.

he mild steel substrate is continuous ly hot dipped in an almost pure zinc formulation. Zinc has inherent sacrificial properties and corrodes first before the mild steel corrode. Galvanising offers almost twice the service life of the steel substrate. These versatile and cost-effective water tanks are available in a wide variety of sizes to suit every need. The high tensile strength of the wall materials allows the colour coated tank to be supplied in a range of different heights while retaining firmness of shape. Featuring outstanding protection against UV radiation and dirt, the tanks can easily be covered with a domed steel roof or a tarpaulin cover.

These tanks do not require a concrete floor for installation, but merely a level surface or for larger tanks a concrete ring beam filled with a sand base.

Advantages • Thanks to its corrugated shell and hot dip galvanising technology, the Smart Tank is very durable under both indoor and outdoor conditions • Using the latest in geomembrane technology, we make sure that the liquid stored inside is not contaminated • Having a modular design, the Smart Tank can be shipped anywhere in the world and erected on site very easily • The Smart Tank can be produced in

optional powder coated colours that can blend into the environment • The Smart Tank is designed to withstand thunderstorms and earthquakes. For more information www.aquadam.co.za 086 100 1010.

jou kosbare water of graan HOË GEHALTE sinkdamme • Stoor in enige van ons damme. Damme word ingeneurs ontwerp, en graandamme nou beskikbaar! • vervaardig en opgerig. staalplate en • Gegalvaniseerde maasdraad word gebruik. voering word vervaardig • PVC volgens Australiese standaard. ook voerings vir • Vervaardig bestaande tanks en damme wat

•

KWALITEIT PRODUKTE VIR DIE BOER Pryse beskikbaar op ons webtuiste

lek. Damme is DIY en kan ook gestoor of verskuif word.

AUGERS AND STORAGE

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FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

Irrigational needs from A-Z We at Kleinplaas Pype serve a wide variety of clients, from the farmer in the Northern Cape with the need for kilometres of pipe, up to the old lady who needs irrigation for her daffodils.

e specialise in the manufacturing of LDPE and HDPE pipes direct from the factory to the public. We also cover the A-Z of your irrigational needs. From Hunter products, Sime Canon & Versa sprinklers, lambing pens, water tanks, micro irrigation, centrifugal and submersible pumps, PVC pipes (from 50 -100 mm) Compression, LDPE and PVC fittings. We strive to be different from other suppliers with friendly and swift service from our team at Kleinplaas Pype. Our main goal is to fulfil the client’s needs to the best of our abilities and we strive to better our service daily. Kleinplaas Pype’s vision is the best service and products, reasonable prices with whole-hearted service and client satisfaction.

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FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

AGRICO: Stabiele voorsiener van besproeiingstoerusting Met meer as 100 jaar se diens aan die landbou, is AGRICO vandag een van die mees ervare voorsieners van alle soorte besproeiingstoerusting.

ie firma voorsien sedert die vroeë 1900’s pype, pompe en enjins vir boerdery, sportvelde en tuine. Tegniese advies is ‘n deel van die diens, wat naatloos deurloop van opmeting na beplanning tot die suksesvolle installasie van die stelsel. AGRICO poog altyd om ‘n balans te handhaaf tussen eie vervaardiging, invoer en plaaslike aankope. Die firma het fabrieke in Bellville, Lichtenburg en Nigel. Ons vervaardig onder meer: • Aluminium- en staalpasstukke • Anjet F50- en F75-skyffilters • Anjet-mikrospuite • Bauer-tipe goukoppelpype • Flomax-voetkleppe 100 tot 500mm • Gal- elektriese kleppe • Hidrantkleppe • Liniêre besproeiers • Perrot-goukoppelpype • Polipype • Pomptoestelle • PVC-pype • Rame vir pompe en motore • Spilpunte Ons reeks toerusting vir toepassings in landbou, nywerheid, gholfbane en tuine word aangevul deur ingevoerde kwaliteitprodukte, insluitende: • DAB-pompe • NaanDanJain-mikrospuite • Irritrol- elektriese kleppe • Irritrol-rekenaars • Irritrolspuite • Nelson-drukreguleerders • Nelson-spuite vir spilpunte • Dorot-beheerkleppe • Shakti-dompelpompe

Om die reeks te voltooi, word ‘n menigte plaaslike firmas ondersteun deur die verspreiding van: • KSB-pompe • Elektriese motore en kabels

• Elektriese skakeltuig • Staalpype • Netafim-drupbesproeiing • Franklin-dompelmotore AGRICO se ontwerpe is tegnies konserwatief. Dit behels onder meer: • Die gebruik van relatief groot pypdiameters om wrywing te verminder en energiekoste te bespaar. • Elektromotore wat nie oorlaai word nie, selfs al word met ‘n oop uitlaat gepomp. • Afmetings van suig- en stootpype word vir lae watervloeisnelhede ontwerp. • Ons galvaniseer self spilpunte met ‘n 100 mikron-sinklaag in plaas van die gebruiklike 65 mikron vir ‘n langer lewensduur. Stelsels wat volgens konserwatiewe beginsels ontwerp is, het ‘n hoër aanvanklike koste, maar die totale koste oor die lewensduur is baie laer weens: • Die besparing in elektrisiteit • Laer herstelkoste • Minder staantyd • Verhoogde herverkoopwaarde.

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FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

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FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

Valley se spilpunte bly staatmakers Valley Irrigation se spilpunte is ‘n bekende gesig regoor Suid-Afrika. Wat maak die spilpunte so gewild? Ons het by twee produsente gaan kers opsteek.

essel Kamfer boer naby Van Reenen in die Bergville/Ladysmithdistrik. Die plaas het ‘n veekomponent, sowel as soja, mielies en hawer wat hoofsaaklik vir kuilvoer in die winter aangeplant word. Hierdie gewasse word geroteer en is onder besproeiing. Kamfer sê hy het vier jaar gelede begin besproei en het op aanbeveling vier Valley-spilpunte op die proef gestel. “Ek is baie gelukkig. Die spilpunte bring hulle kant en die diens was uitstekend sover dit oprigting betref. Valley se nasorgdiens is ook klopdisselboom. Die Valleyverteenwoordigers bring regtig hulle kant,” sê hy.

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Die spilpunte is ook verbruikersvriendelik, dus maklik om te gebruik, sê Kamfer. Kamfer sê die Eskom-kragonderbrekings bly maar ‘n probleem en hulle probeer maar so min as moontlik besproei. “Uiteindelik is dit steeds goedkoper om Eskom-krag te gebruik. Kragopwekkers bly ‘n duur storie en as ‘n kragopwekker in die nag sonder diesel gaan staan, is daar probleme,” sê hy. Fourie Scheepers is ‘n bekende boer in die Fouriesburg-distrik. Die boerdery bestaan uit mielies, koring, droëbone, lusern, aangeplante weiding, ‘n bees- en ‘n skaapkompenent en ‘n appelboord. Hy gebruik reeds vir sowat 12 jaar Valley se spilpunte en hy sê hy is baie gelukkig met hulle werkverrigting. “Die spilpunte is betroubaar en gee nie

probleme nie. Daar gaan ook selde iets met hulle fout, hoewel Vally se agent op Bethlehem altyd beskikbaar is as ‘n mens iets nodig het. Die spilpunte is voorts maklik om in stand te hou,” sê hy. Soos vir ander besproeiingsboere is Eskom se elektrisiteitsonderbrekings ook vir Fourie ‘n kopseer, hoewel die Fouriesburgarea nog nie te erg deurgeloop het nie, sê hy. “Dit was egter in Februarie toe dit droog was, ‘n krisis. Dis onmoontlik en duur om by elke punt op die plaas waar elektrisiteit benodig word ‘n kragopwekker te hê.” Hy meen dat elektrisiteitsvoorsiening wel in die toekoms tydens droër maande ‘n groot probleem kan word. Fourie ondersoek alternatiewe. Hy is nog onseker of die duur sonkragopsie die regte oplossing is.

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FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

Staalboer verskaf staalpaneeldamme en tenkstaanders van hoë gehalte Staalboer het ontstaan na aanleiding van ‘n behoefte aan hoëkwaliteit strukture wat maklik vervoerbaar is en deur boere en hulle arbeiders self opgerig kan word. Hy het ook nie spesialisgereedskap of -toerusting nodig nie. Dit stel ons in staat om ons produkte teen bekostigbare pryse regoor Afrika en oorsee te lewer.

taalboer is ‘n familiebesigheid en bestaan reeds sedert 2000. Die besigheid het gegroei van ‘n beskeie begin toe ons ses damme in ons eerste jaar van die hand gesit het. Nou verkoop ons meer as 500 damme en staanders per jaar. Al die damme kan bedek word met ‘n 95%-skadunet wat spesiaal vir dié doel ontwerp is. Sekere

grootte damme kan voorsien word van ‘n gegalvaniseerde staalkoepeldak. Ons damme word deur verskeie bedrywe gebruik. Dis sluit in landbou, die vloeibare-kunsmisbedryf, visboerdery, die mynbedryf, die konstruksiebedryf, asook vir huishoudelike gebruik soos swemdamme en om reënwater op te vang. Die damme benodig nie ‘n betonvloer nie en kan dus maklik van een plek na ‘n ander verskuif word. Die hoër damme benodig ‘n ringfondasie. Al ons produkte is ontwerp volgens ISOstandaarde en het ‘n verwagte lewensduur van meer as 25 jaar. Ons materiaal word plaaslik vervaardig en dit voldoen aan SABS-standaarde. ‘n Ingenieursertifikaat is vir al ons produkte beskikbaar. Ons tenkstaanders word hoofsaaklik van hoekyster vervaardig. Daar is geen

lipkanaal of pype nie. Die staalplatvorm voldoen aan die meeste tenkvervaardigers se spesifikasies. Die platvorm van beide die grondlaag en galvaniseerde staanders is gegalvaniseerd. Die staanders is ontwerp vir maklike oprigting. Skarniere aan twee kolomme skakel die nodigheid van hysapparate en stellasies uit. Besoek gerus ons webwerf: www.staalboer.co.za.

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FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

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FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

Waterflux a unique meter for the irrigation industry Krohne’s electromagnetic water meter for applications in the water and wastewater industry is the only magnetic flowmeter with a Rilsan® lined sensor tube.

erived from a series of complex outlet piping requirements, the Waterflux chemical operations, Rilsan® can be installed in very narrow wells and is one of the few polymers chambers. As a magnetic inductive meter produced from “green” raw it is highly accurate and stable, while material, castor beans. Rilsan® also featuring a lower pressure drop than PA resins have earned preferred status in comparable mechanical water meters. For the most demanding applications, largely large diameters, the Waterflux 3070 has a due to its excellent combination of thermal, significant price advantage compared to the physical, chemical and mechanical lifetime cost of mechanical meters, which properties, resulting in an outstanding cost often require filters and rectifiers as well as performance ratio. significantly more maintenance and cleaning. The Krohne Waterflux is a “green” No straight length needed battery powered water meter that utilises a The Waterflux is flow profile independent. renewable resource in its construction i.e. Valves, pumps and bend pipes can create Rilsan, and is used for standard applications distorted flow profiles. In the case of meters in the water and wastewater industries. (mechanical of electromagnetic), where it It is suitable for custody transfer, high is advised to fulfil straight sections or install accuracy, even for very low flow rates. straighteners, Waterflux is not affected by The flow sensor is non-wearing and distorted flow profiles. Installation can be maintenance-free thanks to the Rilsan®-lined installed in narrow measurement chambers. measuring tube, without moving measuring The product’s long life cycle is due to inserts. There is no need for repairs, therefore its unique sensor design and its very low ® reducing the operating cost. The Rilsan power components, resulting in power liner of the flow sensor is also highly resistant consumption, which is to pressure or about 5 000 times less vacuum conditions, Rilsan® PA resins have than a comparable linecorrosion and powered, conventional earned preferred status aging. electromagnetic flow The new in the most demanding meter. Waterflux 3070 For use at remote applications, largely offers the user water sources or wells, several unique due to its excellent or irrigation networks, benefits. Its combination of thermal, the Waterflux is available 15-year battery with a remote data life makes it physical, chemical transmission capability. ideally suited and mechanical A data logger and GSM to applications transmitter module is properties, resulting where no power available for the Waterflux is available. With in an outstanding cost 3070. The data logger no inlet and stores all data, including performance ratio. peak flow and low flow during the night. This information may be transmitted over a GSM network to a server that the user can access on the internet. The Waterflux 3070 can also indicate status or diagnostic conditions, such as battery life or less than full-pipe conditions. An additional benefit to irrigation farmers is that they can rely on the accurate performance of the Waterflux 3070 to be

billed fairly for the water they abstract from the river or dam. They can be assured that they are not paying excessively for this water as the meter is ten times more accurate than a conventional water meter. This also helps with water management. Pumping costs are also reduced as the meter uses less energy to move the water in a closed system. Depending on the requirements, Waterflux can be fitted with a special converter. This modularity is also reflected in the names of the devices. In other words, the device name is made up of the name of the sensor, as well as the name of the converter. Combined with the battery-powered IFC 070 converter, Waterflux can be perfectly used as a water meter for measuring stations where connection to a power supply is either not available or not possible. The IFC 300 converter can also be used with the Waterflux and it has proven itself in a wide range of applications, even those not related to drinking water measurement. Thanks to its extensive diagnostic functions, Waterflux 3300 is the first choice, especially for critical applications. Lastly, where cost effectiveness is a priority it can be combined with the IFC100, which is suited to applications which demand economic measuring technology solutions at a high technological level. Enquiries: salesza@krohne.com, tel no(011) 314 1391.

www.za.krohne.com

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FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

Drought tolerant maize now available The new Drought tolerant maize trait, MON 87460 has been approved by the executive council of the GMO Act for conditional release in South Africa. This trait will be sold under the brand name, DroughtGard®.

he approval for general release is a significant step in bringing this valuable technology to all farmers in South Africa,” said Kobus Steenekamp, managing director for Monsanto in South Africa. “The approval provides access to another tool that can help farmers to sustainably manage their risk on farm. This will now allow Monsanto to proceed to the next stage of more extensive testing with DroughtGard® under commercial circumstances, and to stack it with other existing traits. The next few seasons will provide an important opportunity to do extensive testing and demonstrations to help farmers learn how this can become part Agri Journal 210 x 138* 4/11/14 2:58 PM Page 1 of their farming system and help minimise the risk of drought.”

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Composite

The DroughtGard® trait is designed to help the maize plant use less water when drought stress occurs, creating the opportunity to conserve soil moisture and C M Y CM MY help minimise yield loss under drought

conditions. Drought or water stress is one of the major factors that can impact on yields in South Africa. There are no simple solutions to ensure crop survival and yield in CMY K a drought. >>> page 59

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<<< page 58

“It takes a systems based approach using all the tools available to help minimise drought damage. Farmers must think about a system that incorporates best agronomic practices together with using the best-adapted varieties suited for their farm. The new drought trait alone cannot guarantee success, but farmers can use it as another tool in their systems-based approach to help give their maize crop the best chance to survive and thrive in dry climates prone to drought. “It is anticipated, if progress stays on track, that farmers in South Africa will be able to buy and plant hybrids combining the new drought tolerant trait with existing insect-protection and weed control traits, within a few years pending final regulatory approvals for the stacked hybrids,” according to Steenekamp. “The application for general release of the MON 87460 trait was made by Monsanto, but Monsanto would also like to acknowledge the contribution of its public sector partners, particularly the Agricultural Research Council, in testing the performance of MON87460 under the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (Wema) project. The Wema project is a humanitarian project led by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation that aims to develop and deploy improved maize hybrids to benefit smallholder farmers in South Africa and other partner countries. “Initial results from our regulatory trials are encouraging and we believe that DroughtGard hybrids will in future become an important tool for farmers to help mitigate yield loss caused by drought stress. This trait is the latest example of DEKALB bringing leading innovations to farmers,” according to Steenekamp.

FOKUS • FOCUS Besproeiing, water & energie/Irrigation, water & energy

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Highly Commended

JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY 2015

Vol 44 • No 3

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FOKUS: Besproeiing, water & energie FOCUS: Irrigation, water & energy Terugvoer van / Feedback from NAMPO www.bkb.co.za

FENCE DROPPERS

966 part 1

Agri nou ook ‘n elektroniese blaaiboek Die redaksionele span van die Agri, is hard besig om die Junie/ Julie 2015-uitgawe te finaliseer. Dié uitgawe, met ‘n fokus op besproeiing, water en energie, sal vroeg in Julie aan boerelede gepos word.

966 part 2

Tuiste van Landbou | Home of Agriculture

m die reikwydte van die tydskrif te vergroot, is die April/Mei 2015-uitgawe van die Agri as ‘n blaaiboek op Agri SA se webblad beskikbaar. Die blaaiboek kan ook deur lesers afgelaai word. In die toekoms sal verdere uitgawes ook op die webblad beskikbaar wees. Die Agri is Agri SA se tweemaandelikse tydskrif. Die tydskrif verskaf agtergrondinligting oor beleid, wetgewing en programme wat vir landbouers van belang is. Dit verskaf ook raad, voorligting en nuus oor aktuele gebeure aan meer as 27 000 boere wat deur die onderskeie affiliasies lede van Agri SA is en dié lede sal steeds die tydskrif per pos ontvang. Voorts word die tydskrif ook wyer versprei om meningsvormers en besluitnemers in te sluit. Die verspreidingslys word gereeld met behulp van Agri SA se affiliasies opgedateer om seker te maak dat adresbesonderhede korrek is. Gebruik dié skakel om die blaaiboek te lees en af te laai: http://www.agrisa.co.za/Mags/201504/#p=1. Q-6663- BKB Agrisa Banner_update Dec/Jan 2014.indd 1

2014/11/04 11:21 AM

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agri Promosie/Promotional

How to choose meters for staff accommodation So far in our series on prepaid electricity meters we have covered vending options, standards of prepayment meters, cost and pricing considerations. In this article, the types of prepayment meters and how to choose the correct meter for your environment are placed in the spotlight.

repaid meters are generally selected according to the electrical installation, as well as according to risk and usability. The following questions need to be answered when choosing a prepaid meter: 1. Is the supply single phase or 3-phase? 2. Does the unit or dwelling have a distribution board or not? 3. Is the meter at any risk of being tampered with? The list below will answer the main questions, as well as address some other important factors.

Single phase integrated meter This meter is installed alongside a distribution board, inside the premises. This meter is easy to be tampered with and occasionally is at risk of damage as it is exposed to residents and visitors to the premises. The meter is common due to its cost and ease of installation. This meter is recommended for any premises where the risk of tampering and wear and tear is very low. Single-phase split meter The single-phase split meter is designed to be installed in a metering room or a metering box. The keypad is plugged into a wall socket or plug in the premises. This leaves the meter protected and away from harm while the keypad is used to recharge electricity and monitor its usage. The configuration of a split meter assists greatly in reducing the risk of tampering; provided that the meter is well secured. The meter keypad is available in PLC or wired models. Single-phase meter with trip switch This specialised meter has a trip switch that eliminates the need for a distribution board. The meter is installed on the premises. The

trip switch protects the resident by disconnecting the power if there is an electrical short. However, this meter is limited to a maximum load of 25 amps. For this reason it can only be installed in environments such as a room. Due to its ability to function without a distribution board it is the most popular meter for installation in hostels, rooms and similar environments where a mixed circuit, combining lights and plugs on a single circuit are required. The installation of the meter itself is simple, but it can get costly if there is a need for rewiring meter lights and plug circuits per room.

Three-phase meter The three-phase meter, as its name suggests, is only suitable for dwellings with a three-phase distribution board. The three-phase meter has two variations: integrated and split. This meter is larger in size than a singlephase meter and can typically support up to 100 Amps per phase. The split variation of the three-phase meter has a keypad, which is very helpful in three-phase situations,

where the meter is located too far from the resident to top up electricity, therefore a keypad is necessary. It is easy to choose a three-phase meter, as it will only be suitable for three-phase supply. The split configuration can be purchased both in PLC or wired keypad.

Water meters Prepaid water meters have become very popular. However, due to plumbing infrastructure the water meter has two types of mounting. In some premises the main supply pipes run on the wall while in other circumstances the pipes run in the ground. For this reason the water meter can be purchased in one of two variations: wall mounted or a yard mounted kit. As standards in piping are not as strict as in electrical installations, one would need to check how the piping was installed to ensure that a water meter can be installed. In future articles we will discuss the challenges faced with water meter installations and how to overcome them.

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agri Nuus/News

Cash flow solutions from the orchard to the market.

Now let’s talk AgriBusiness. Our AgriBusiness teams are not only bankers, but agricultural experts in this dynamic sector. We’ll give you access to working capital, and the flexibility you need to operate your business. This is the reason why more businesses partner with Standard Bank than any other bank in South Africa. For more information, visit www.standardbank.co.za

Authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP15) The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (Reg. No. 1962/000738/06) Moving Forward is a trademark of The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited SBSA 176807-4/14

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Moving Forward

agri Nuus/News

Draft insurance bill – the agricultural sector can benefit KOSIE VAN ZYL, AGRI SA

The National Treasury (NT) and the Financial Services Board (FSB) published the draft Insurance Bill as approved by Cabinet for public comment.

insurance group supervision, enhancing he bill seeks to replace and reinsurance arrangements and alignment with consolidate substantial parts of the international standards. Long-term Insurance Act, 1998 and It is against this backdrop that the the Short-term Insurance Act, 1998. proposed legislation can be supported. It will The objective of the bill is essential cater for agricultural insurance in a manner to financial inclusion, as it allows low-income that is workable for the agricultural sector by households’ access to a variety of good-value way of providing in the definition of premium, formal financial products appropriate to their the option of partially or fully subsidised needs. payments of any consideration, and it will Greater financial inclusion has positive also cater for more insurable products as set effects on economic growth and reduction out in the description of agriculture as a nonof income inequalities. Financial stability at life insurance. household level is essential to growth and The following description has been prosperity for individuals, companies and proposed in the bill: “Insurance will cover communities. Without the protection against damage or loss to crop, agricultural unexpected loss provided by insurance, equipment and other even those households agricultural activities and businesses that have “The objective of the due to theft, fire, established some financial bill is essential to explosion, natural forces security may find themselves including storm, hail or in poverty. This is called financial inclusion, as frost, nuclear energy “enhancing access to it allows low-income and land subsidence.” insurance”. households’ access In Agri SA’s Other objectives, to a variety of goodpreliminary comments namely enhancing financial soundness, will cover the value formal financial to the NT it was stated that it seemed new solvency assessment products appropriate that the description and management to their needs.” might not fit in with regime, the framework for

all the requirements needed for multi-peril insurance, a matter that has been advocated for a very long time. Agri SA undertook to conduct further research on this matter and consult with stakeholders in the insurance industry, and the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (Daff) within the process of making final comments to the NT. As an overall comment, Agri SA can support the legislation as a solution to obtain subsidised premiums under certain conditions and a more inclusive description of agricultural insurance, with certain reservations. However, it differs from the original policy framework the stakeholders had in mind, namely to have a multi-peril agricultural insurance dispensation in place, backed by alone-standing legislation, managed by an entity comprising of all the stakeholders in the insurance industry, alongside the farming community, with the financial banking of the government. This mind-set has been on the table since 2002, starting with a study that was conducted jointly by the government, the insurance industry and farmers, with the support of the USA/SA Bi-National Commission (USA/SA BNC) .The commission recommended that South Africa needed to develop a legislative framework for crop insurance based on the USA model and that agricultural insurance could easily fit into the Strategic Plan for South African Agriculture. It was, however, being realised that in South Africa, unlike in the USA, we have apart from large-scale commercial producers, also a large number of farmers who don’t have that level of sophistication. Also, that agricultural insurance is in some quarters rather being seen as an end product that has very close ties with other programs, viz Agricultural Development Finance and Disaster Risk Management, including related schemes >>> page 65

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Boere span saam om grondhervorming te laat werk Joernaliste van Landbouskrywers SA het die Bosveldgroep op Letsitele in Limpopo besoek om meer van die groep se suksesresep te wete te kom. Die Bosveldgroep was in 2014 Landbouskrywers SA se nasionale boer van die Jaar.

ie Bosveldgroep is die grootste sitrusprodusent in die land. Hulle plant sitrus op 3 600 ha en voer jaarliks 5,5 miljoen kartonne vrugte na 50 lande uit. Daarbenewens produseer die groep 1 750 ton piesangs, 300 ton avokadopere, 550 ton lietsjies, 2 000 ton mango’s en 60 000 ton suikerriet. Die onderneming is ’n reuse-familiesaak onder leiding en voorsitterskap van Milaan Thalwitzer en sy drie skoonseuns: Piet Smit,

besturende direkteur, Cornel van der Merwe en Marius Neethling. Ses voormalige Boere van die Jaar, bekend as die Pro Agri-groep, het ook die besoek meegemaak. Charl Senekal van Pongola, wat in 2003 Boer van die Jaar was, het oor boere en Piet Smit, besturende direkteur van die Bosveldgroep, by ’n besending van 1 miljoen kartonne pomelo’s op pad na Japan. (Foto: Hans Lombard)

Die Pro Agri-groep, vorige nasionale boere van die jaar, het tydens ’n besoek aan die Bosveldgroep deelgeneem aan ’n gesprek oor grondhervorming. Van links is: Gerhard Diedericks, hoof van Santam Landbou, nasionale borg van Landbouskrywers SA, Gerrit van der Merwe, nasionale boer van die jaar 2010, Milaan Thalwitzer, Bosveldgroep, nasionale boer 2014, Charl Senekal, nasionale boer 2003, Magda du Toit, kommunikasiebestuurder, Monsanto, nasionale voorsitter van Landbouskrywers SA, BP Greyling, nasionale boer 2011, Rossouw Cillie, nasionale boer 2013, Louis de Kock, nasionale boer 2006, Hennie Retief, nasionale boer 2012 en Carl Fourie, Santamverteenwoordiger, Tzaneen. (Foto: Hans Lombard)

grondhervorming gesels. Is daar ’n manier waarop boere saam met die owerheid betrokke kan raak om grondhervorming te laat werk?, wou Senekal weet. Hy het gesê dat daar in verskillende dele van die land boere-organisasies en individuele boere is wat reeds ver gevorder het met praktiese voorstelle oor grondhervorming. “Die probleem is dat die regering nie uit een mond praat nie. Politici weerspreek mekaar en daar is geen duidelike doelwitte nie.” Milaan Thalwitzer het genoem dat sy boerdery reeds betrokke is by ’n loodsprojek saam met die Nasionale Beplanningskommissie. Die projek behels ’n grondhervormingsmodel, soos voorgestel in die Nasionale Ontwikkelingsplan.

Through the envisaged Agricultural Risks Insurance Legislation and the envisaged agreement between the government, the insurance industry and agriculture sector, it would be possible for farmers to counter the effects of these disasters. Involvement of private insurance companies that will manage the scheme and collect the premiums was essential. Since 2002, two reports have been drafted. The first report was published in 2008, viz “The potential role of crop insurance in the South African agricultural sector within the context of the South African disaster risk management and new agricultural finance strategy on behalf of the South African Insurance Association (Saia)”. Saia made the following proposals: • A separate act for agricultural crop

insurance • The formation of an entity jointly managed by the government and private sector, to fulfil the obligations under the act • Provision of state subsidy on the premiums. These proposals were not accepted by the National Treasury due to their notion that the Disaster Management Act, 2002 could efficiently deal with related matters, and secondly the unknown nature of budgetary implications. In 2014, the second report was drafted by Daff, the recommendations not having been made public yet. However, it was understood that government intervention through subsidies on premiums and stop losses to be carried by the government were recommended.

<<< page 63 and plans. Agricultural insurance is also mandated by the White Paper on Disaster Management and the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002), where it states the government’s position in dealing with disaster risk management. It emanates from section 25 of the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002) wherein state organs must prepare disaster risk management plans and programmes as well as through the Micro Agricultural Financial Institutions of South Africa (Mafisa) programme. As it is the role of Daff to assist farmers’ efforts in coping with risks and reducing the likelihood of risk, the department fully participated in the search for an agricultural insurance dispensation as a mitigation tool.

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Load shedding: Farmers urged to take extra precautions As the reality of load shedding hits South Africa, farmers are bracing themselves for the impact this is likely to have on their production schedules and revenue.

gricultural producers are urged to take extra precautions in the months ahead to manage their risk and protect them against losses resulting from load shedding, says Gerhard Diedericks, head of Santam Agriculture. “Load shedding is already having a serious impact on farming operations that rely on continuous or even periodical electricity production, but sometimes, even short disruptions to electricity supply can cause problems,” he says. The agricultural sectors most affected include: • Dairy farms – these are in the main highly mechanised, with electricity required for most of the production process, including milking machines and milk cooling. Milking is usually scheduled for early morning and late afternoon, times that coincide with load shedding periods. • Fruit and vegetable farms – these often rely on temperature-regulated cold stores, especially when produce is destined for export markets. • Crop farms – farms that rely on irrigation are severely impacted by load shedding. Again, irrigation is usually scheduled for the cooler times of the day to lessen the chances of evaporation, which also tend to be peak electricity usage times. • Poultry farms – with winter around the corner, ‘brooding’ or heating of especially young chicks in broiler houses at certain parts of the day needs to be finely balanced.

Cover for business interruption Diedericks says most recent insurance claims lodged by farmers for losses resulting directly from load shedding have been for business interruption following power surges. “Business interruption cover entails insurance for gross profits, gross revenue and the additional increase in the cost of working. In recent years, this type of cover has specifically been extended to include loss or damage as a result of power surges. Premiums depend on the level of dependency the farming operation has on power.”

Power surges occur when the electricity returns after an extended outage, sending an increased flow of current to a wall socket or electrical box. This has the potential to damage any equipment relying on electricity. “Santam has also since March 2013 extended its cover in terms of the ‘fire and buildings combined’ section to include R50 000 power surge cover, provided that surge arrestors are installed. Additional cover is available for amounts over R50 000,” he says.

Insurance cover for back-up generators Diedericks says since South Africa was last hit by ongoing, nationwide load shedding in 2008, many farmers have had back-up generators installed professionally. Solar panels are being used for items such as submersible pumps and household lighting. Many farmers are also using gas as an alternative where possible, for example for brooders on poultry farms. “In terms of insuring generators, Santam considers fixed generators as part of the structure of your buildings – they are therefore covered under the buildings section. A portable generator will be covered as part of the contents section of your policy. Cover is also available for the breakdown of your generator.” How to use a generator safely Diedericks offers the following tips for using a fixed generator as a power back-up on

your farm: • Make sure your generator is professionally installed by a registered service provider • Ensure the installation and use of your generator complies with relevant regulations, for the following reasons: - It exhausts carbon monoxide, which, if not properly ventilated, could be very dangerous - It generates electricity, which has to be properly wired and earthed and sealed - It is a mechanical device, which has moving parts and can become hot • Never store more than 20 liters of fuel within the building, and ensure proper ventilation • Purchase a named brand supported by a recognised dealer who can provide safety advice • Test the generator frequently • House external generators in an expanded mesh cage with a solid roof • Remember to have a fire extinguisher of at least 4,5 kg on site. “Load shedding is here to stay for the foreseeable future. We can’t change this, but thinking ahead will mean the difference between losing revenue and doing business as usual. Farmers are urged to make the necessary plans to prevent potential loss, revisit their insurance cover, and obtain advice from their brokers to take into account risk situations which may arise as a result of power cuts,” Diedericks concludes.

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Organiese sure: Natuurlike groei bevorderaars in kalwers Die hoofdoel as dit by kalfgrootmaak kom, is om voldoende skeletale groei en ontwikkeling te verseker, om vir vinnige rumenontwikkeling te sorg en om ‘n gesonder kalf groot te maak.

Kalwers en hul verteringstelsel et geboorte is die spysver teringstelsel van die kalf nog nie ten volle ontwikkel nie. Tydens die eerste twee weke ná geboorte is die kalf monogastries, met die abomasums (melkpens) as die enigste ontwikkelde maagkompartement wat by vertering betrokke is. Die rumen, (grootpens) van die pasgebore kalf, beskik nog nie oor mikroorganismes nie. Tydens die eerste twee weke kan slegs vloeibare voedingstowwe daarom doel treffend deur die kalf gebruik word. Die kalf is daarom heeltemal van melk as bron van voeding afhanklik. Met die verloop van tyd ontwikkel die rumen van die kalf as gevolg van die

inname van soliede voedingstowwe en water. Tydens die eerste paar maande van die kalf se lewe ondergaan die spysverteringstelsel groot veranderings. Dit is dus vanself sprekend dat die spysverteringstelsel maklik

gedurende hierdie tydperk oorwerk kan word. Volgens navorsing kan ongeveer 56% van alle voorspeenmortaliteite aan diaree toegeskryf word.

Gesondheid Diarree is algemeen in pasgebore kalwers. Die akute vorm van diarree word gekenmerk deur dehidrasie en dit kan ook lei tot vrektes van die jong kalwers. In die sub-akute vorm kan diarree vir ‘n paar dae lank aanhou. Die nagevolg is wanvoeding van die kalf. Verskeie inwendige patogene bakterieë word geassosieer met diarree by jong kalwers. Gesonde kalwers het ‘n laer lading van dié patogene. Diarree word gewoonlik deur meer as een patogeen veroorsaak. >>> bladsy 70

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agri Promosie/Promotional <<< bladsy 69 Die oorsaak van ‘n diarree-uitbraak is dus meervoudig en dit is ook afhanklik van die immuunstatus van die kalf. Die hoofoorsaak van diarree is bakterieë soos Escherichia Coli en Salmonella ssp., virusse soos die Rota- en Coronavirus en protozoiese infeksies. Pasgebore kalwers het veral die grootste kans om met E. coli vanuit die omgewing besmet te word. Swak higiëne, besoedelde water en oordraging vanaf ander kalwers is slegs sommige van die omgewingsfaktore in dié verband. Verskeie E. coli variëteite bestaan, maar ten minste twee tipes koloniseer die kalf se spysverteringskanaal en veroorsaak diarree. E. coli gee aanleiding tot waterige, geel diarree, vogverlies, aptydverlies en energiewanbalans. Buiten infeksies, speel voedingspatrone en voerformulering ook ‘n belangrike rol. Die kalf se groei word negatief beïnvloed deur swak geformuleerde melkvervangers en dit kan deur die volgende beïnvloed word: • Laegehalte-melkvervangers met hittegedenatureerde proteïene; • Melkvervangers met te hoë vlakke van soiaboon of visproteïene • Die insluiting van koolhidrate wat nie vanaf melk en melkvervangers afkomstig is nie. Die verkeerde voerformulering kan gevolglik aanleiding tot diarree gee. Dit moet nie met kalwers wat ad libitum melk ontvang verwar word nie waarvan die mis dan, meer waterig vertoon.

Behandeling van diarree Behandeling met antikiotika is noodsaaklik vir ernstige gevalle van diarree. Verlengde en hoëdosisbehandeling kan egter lei tot veranderinge in die ingewande wat met wanabsorpsie, diarree en verdere infeksies deur bakterieë geassosieer word. Tans word antibiotiese groeipromotors/ bevorderaars (AGP’s) grotendeels gebruik om die gesondheidstatus te handhaaf. As gevolg van verbruikersdruk oor gesondheids risiko’s, en die moontlikheid van die verdere ontwikkeling van weerstand

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biedende bakterieë, het verskeie lande begin wegbeweeg van die gebruik van AGP’s in diereproduksie. Hierdie verandering het teweeggebring dat dit noodsaaklik geword het om na alternatiewe vir AGP’s te kyk.

Organiese sure Kalwers kan melk, sowel as soliede voer, gevoer word wat met organiese sure verryk is. Organiese sure het ‘n bakteriostatiese en bakteriosidiese effek wanneer dit in die regte dosis toegedien word. Versuring kan potensieel ‘n belangrike rol speel in die onderhoud van die bakteriologiese gehalte van die melk wat aan die kalwers gevoer word. Die byvoeging van organiese sure in melk en melkvervangers, verlaag die pH, stop patogeenvermeerdering en vertraag bakteriese groei. Bakteriese inaktivering van bv. E. coli, Listeriamonocytogenes en Salmonella ssp., vind meestal by ‘n lae pH plaas, laer as 4,5. Dus is ‘n pH van tussen 4,0 en 4,5 gunstig vir melkversuring. Verder word organiese sure gereeld by verskeie veevoere gevoeg om verrotting te voorkom, asook om die voedingswaarde daarvan te bewaar. Verskeie organiese sure, asook hul soute, is bekend vir hulle invloed op gesondheid en prestasiebevorderings. Versuring van voer het die potensiaal om bakteriese aktiwiteit te verlaag. Dit gee weer aanleiding tot verbetering in voerhigiëne en ‘n verlaging in patogeeninname. Die verlaging in die bakteriese druk stabiliseer die flora in die spys verteringstelsel en bevorder groei en voeromset. Veranderings in die verteringsfisiologie as gevolg van die inname van melk en soliede voer, veroorsaak stres in die kalf,

wat tot diarree aanleiding kan gee.

Voordele van organiese sure Organiese sure het die vermoë om teen ongewenste mikro-organismes in die melk en voer te werk. Dit veroorsaak dat meer voedingstowwe beskikbaar vir absorpsie deur die dier is. Verder bevoordeel die verlaging in pH veral proteïenvertering en voedingstof opname. Verhoogde voedingstofbeskik baarheid verbeter groei en algehele prestasie. Daar is ook ‘n ekonomiese voordeel in die gebruik van organiese sure. In bul- en verskalwers lê die ekonomiese voordeel hoofsaaklik in die verlaagde voerkoste, verlaging in die koste van die behandeling van siektes en verhoogde groei. Hoër voerdoeltreffendheid lei tot hoër energiebeskikbaarheid in verskalwers, wat bekend is dat dit ‘n positeiwe impak op melkprestasie in eerste laktasie het.

Gevolgtrekking Tydens die grootmaakproses van ‘n kalf moet groei tydens die eerste vier maande van die kalf se lewe die prioriteit wees. Kolonisasie van patogeniese bakterie in die spysverteringskanaal beïnvloed groei nadelig. Die verlaging van bakteriese lading in die ingewande kan bewerkstellig word deur die verlaging van die pH in melk en voer, met ‘n gevolglike verlaging van die pH van die spysverteringskanaal. ‘n Produk wat bestaan uit verskillende organiese sure, moet voorkeur geniet. Die kombinasie van organiese sure en plantekstrak sal ‘n sinergistiese effek op die bevegting van patogeniese bakterie hê. Beter verteerbaarheid, gekombineer met beter gewigstoename en ‘n gesonder dier, wat minder behandeling teen siektes nodig het, sal die ekonomiese uitkoms positief beïnvloed.

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Gesonde mielies met sampioene Wanneer mielievaatweefsel ensiematies afgebreek word deur swamme en bakterieë (A – kontrole) kan die plant nie meer doeltreffend water en voeding opneem nie. Dit beteken koppe vorm kleiner pitte, pitte is los en die kop vul nie optimaal nie (A – kontrole).

n baie hoë infeksiesituasies val die mielies om. Dit maak meganiese oes onmoontlik. Wanneer mielies teen die einde van die seisoen afgedroog het, moet dit nie die strooitjievoorkoms (B) hê nie, want dit beteken vaatweefsel het in duie gestort. Dit moet ‘n soliede sponsvoorkoms (C) hê. Dagutat Science het ‘n unieke formulasie met eetbare sampioene ontwikkel, wat hierdie probleem aanspreek (A – Dagutat Science). Die sampioene maak soms hulle verskyning bo die grond soos in die mielieland (D). Die produkte kan as ‘n saadbehandeling of plantrytoediening aangewend word of deur die besproeiing toegedien word. Kontak Dagutat Science vir meer inligting.

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Geen boer sal sy grond verloor nie - Zokwana “Geen boer sal sy grond verloor as gevolg van grondhervorming nie,” het die minister van landbou, bosbou en visserye, Senzeni Zokwana, op die Misstofvereniging van Suider-Afrika (Fertasa) se jaarkongres in Kaapstad gesê.

y het die misstofbedryf geloof vir sy insette as die grootste en een van die belangrikste komponente om te verseker dat daar genoegsame bekostig bare voedsel vir ’n groeiende bevolking beskikbaar is. Die regering erken die nood saaklikheid van samewerking in voortgesette pogings om voedselsekerheid te verseker. “Om hierdie doel na te streef, nooi ek Fertasa om meer dikwels met my te skakel ten einde die uitdagings wat die bedryf in die

gesig te staar, Van links: Die minister van landbou, bosbou en visserye, Senzeni Zokwana, aandag te gee. Jaco Raath, direkteur van Industrial Commodities Holdings, visevoorsitter van Daar is reeds Fertasa, Adriaan de Lange, besturende direkteur van Omnia Kunsmis, voorsitter van Fertasa, en Adam Mostert, die uitvoerende hoof. (Foto: Hans Lombard) terreine, soos regulatoriese • Navorsing en ontwikkeling; en aangeleenthede, • Uitvoer van kunsmis na Afrika. waar die regering en die bedryf saamwerk “Daar is ’n behoefte aan ’n onderneming maar ek wens ons kan op meer terreine van almal van ons om saam te werk om saamwerk, soos: aangeleenthede van gemeenskaplike • Die bemagtiging van opkomende boere belange aandag te gee,” het die minister om hul bydra tot voedselsekerheid te beklemtoon. verseker;

Misstofbedryf is verbind tot nakoming van gedragskode Ten einde die misstofbedryf te vestig as ‘n erkende en voorkeur-instansie verbind tot die uitbou ing van die beeld van sy bedryf, het Fertasa (Misstofvereniging van Suider-Afrika) ‘n doel treffende raamwerk van self-regulering daargestel. Dit sluit die onderskrywing van ‘n gedragskode en nakoming van ‘n oudit in, asook daaropvolgende akkreditasie vir sy lede ingevolge internasionale standaarde, sê Adriaan de Lange, voorsitter van Fertasa en besturende direkteur van Omnia Kunsmis.

et die aanbieding van sy jaarverslag tydens die 55e Fertasa-kongres in Kaapstad, het hy gesê Afri Compliance is gekontrakteer om die nakoming van die gedragskode te implementeer. Nadat sulke nakoming bevestig is, word ‘n lidmaatskapsertifikaat toegeken. Die eerste sertifikaat is aan Tom Mason, uitvoerende hoof van Metson Manufacturing, oorhandig. Volgens De Lange is die doel met nakoming van die gedragskode juis die skep, handhaaf en monitor van ‘n etiese kultuur van nakoming, integriteit en vertroue binne die misstofbedryf. Die departement van landbou, bosbou

en visserye het ingestem tot Adriaan de Lange, besturende direkteur van Omnia Kunsmis en ‘n afsonderlike voorsitter van Fertasa, by die Foskor-afgevaardigdes. Links is Musa Kunsmiswet. Xulu, hoofbestuurder bemarking, Chris Masina, produksiebestuurder, Thandeka Khumalo, verkoopsbestuurder en Nonfumdu Mthembu, Regulering van verkoopskoördineerder. (Foto: Hans Lombard) die misstofbedryf is noodsaaklik vir die beskerming van die aangesien daar tans geen duidelike riglyne omgewing, en van verbruikers van voedsel hiervoor bestaan nie. De Lange het bygevoeg waar bemesting gebruik is, asook beskerming dat sowel lede as nie-lede bygestaan word van boere teen verdagte verskaffers. met produkregistrasie-aansoeke wat by die Voorgenome wysigings tot die regulasies Registrateur ingedien moet word ten einde vervat in Wet 36/1947 om die gebruik van vertragings te verminder. sink-as as ‘n kernbron in misstofprodukte te Lidmaatskap van die vereniging het beheer, is aan die Registrateur voorgelê. toegeneem van 28 verlede jaar tot ‘n Fertasa het ook riglyne opgestel vir huidige 42. die registrasie van Groep 3-misstowwe, agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

agri Promosie/Promotional

The relationship of trust between farmers and agents BY LIZEL PRETORIUS

For over 150 years South African farmers have entrusted market agents with their fresh produce. As there were rarely – if ever – any documented contracts between farmers and agents, one can only assume that the “utmost” trust which existed between these parties was the glue to this unique relationship.

lthough farmers use different marketing channels to sell their products, several favour the market agent option. These farmers understand the competitive benefit of the aggregated services agents render, such as – • Farmers maintain the power of ownership of their product, until it is sold;

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• By working together in a fiduciary relationship, market agents and farmers serve the industry in a synergistic way, as well as provide value to the consumer; • Market prices are based on supply and demand principles (not predetermined on an average market prices with a “markup”); • Products are sold in a transparent way;

• Market agents manage stakeholder relationships on behalf of the farmer; • Prudent financial administration; • Logistical coordination; • Providing industry intelligence for future decision making; • By using the services of market agents, there is an integration of the value channel from production to consumption with knowledge, information and insight as well as a strong focus on transaction costs, customer value, productivity and efficiency. Feeling left out? Visit the APAC website or contact them for a list of registered market agents available nationally.

agri Nuus/News

Afrika se voedsel-potensiaal

Adam Mostert, uitvoerende hoof van Fertasa, sê verskeie invloedryke bronne beweer dikwels dat Afrika oor die potensiaal beskik om nie net sy eie bevolking te voed nie, maar ook om surplusse vir uitvoer beskikbaar te hê.

ie vraag is egter – wat word gedoen om hierdie potensiaal te bereik? Die feit is dat mense nie van potensiaal kan lewe nie. Hulle leef van dit wat werklik geproduseer word. Die huidige produksie is onvoldoende, aangesien miljoene Afrikainwoners aan hongersnood en wanvoeding ly. “Afrika spandeer jaarliks VS$35 miljard aan voedselinvoer. Sonder verandering sal steeds meer mense van hongersnood vergaan. Ons kan nie sit en ginnegaap terwyl alles om ons in duie stort nie. “ Mostert het genoem dat hy onlangs die Afrika-Groenrewolusieforum bygewoon het wat die Kofi Annan-stigting in Addis Ababa aangebied het. Tydens dié forum is klem gelê op die volgende aspekte waaraan dringend aandag geskenk moet word ten einde Afrika te help om sy voedselpotensiaal te bereik: • Uitbreiding van die voedsel- en agribesigheidsektor in Afrika.

• Belegging in noodsaaklike, kritieke infrastruktuur. Regerings moet in landbou belê – nie omdat dit die “regte” ding is om te doen nie, maar omdat dit die “slim” ding is om te doen. • Beleid-implementering om eiendomsreg te verseker. Indien ons produktiwiteit wil verhoog en volhoubaarheid wil verbeter, moet ons eiendomsreg in Afrika verseker. • Verhoogde toegang tot finansiële dienste. • Die prioritiseer van oplossings vir klimaatkwelpunte.

Zambië Dr Guy Scott LP (Lusaka) en ‘n voormalige, waarnemende president van die Republiek van Zambië, het gesê die gebruik van minimum-grondbewerking kan tot verhoogde mielieopbrengste vir sowel kleinboere as kommersiële boere in Zambië lei. Daar is reeds heelwat navorsing en ontwikkeling gedoen om verliese wat deur laat aanplantings, onakkurate saadplasing, uitermatige onkruidgroei, onnoukeurige

Kleinboere is nie die antwoord nie Onafhanklike landbou-ekonoom Fanie Brink het beklemtoon dat voedselproduksie deur kleinboere nooit die antwoord op voedseltekorte en die uitwissing van armoede in Afrika kan wees nie. In baie gevalle sukkel hulle self om ‘n bestaan te maak. Hulle was nooit in die verlede die antwoord nie; en sal dit ook nie in die toekoms wees nie.

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een boer ter wêreld, ongeag die grootte van sy plaas, kan tot voedselsekerheid bydra indien hy voedsel nie winsgewend en volhoubaar kan produseer nie. Die tyd het nou aangebreek dat almal wat by die daarstelling van voedselsekerheid vir Afrika betrokke is, hierdie realiteit erken en aanvaar.” Na beraming is daar in Afrika 870 miljoen mense wat aan wanvoeding ly. Wat skokkend is, is dat 60% van hulle bestaansboere is. Wat Suid-Afrika betref, kan die regering se algemeen-aanvaarde doelwitte van grondverdeling en die ontwikkeling van bestaansboere aan die een kant, en voedselsekuriteit aan die ander kant, nooit versoenbaar wees nie. Die hoofrede is dat dit onmoontlik is vir kleinboere om noemenswaardig tot voedselsekerheid by te dra indien hulle nie volhoubaar en winsgewend kan boer nie, het Brink beklemtoon.

toediening van plantvoedingstowwe en onvoldoende waterretensie veroorsaak is, te beperk. Dit lei tot opbrengsverliese van 65%. “Handelsmaatskappye in die sintetiese misstofbedryf moet ‘n toegewyde belangstelling toon in die breër konteks waarbinne misstowwe gebruik word, veral deur kleinboere, om sodoende groter doeltreffendheid vir die toekoms te bewerkstellig.” Volgens Scott beland baie van die kunsmis wat elke jaar in Zambië versprei word, ongelukkig in die hande van invloedryke persone, insluitend staatsamptenare en die plaaslike politieke elite. Hulle skuil agter sogenaamde “koöperasies” waar lede (kleinboere) nie die kunsmis kry wat hulle toekom nie. Misstofdistribusie stel dus die minderheid “mediumskaalboere” daartoe in staat om die oorgrote deel van die mielieoes deur middel van korrupsie te produseer.

Werkgeleenthedepotensiaal in landbou Enige noemenswaardige groei in werkgeleenthede op plase kan alleen geskep word deur addisionele besproeibare grond te ontwikkel, tesame met verbeterde lewenstandaarde en verhoogde indiensneming in die kommunale boerderygemeenskappe. Bedrywe wat die grootste potensiaal in werkgeleenthede bied, is meestal besproeing-gebaseer, aldus prof Nick Vink, voorsitter van die departement van landbou-ekonomie, Universiteit van Stellenbosch.

y het gesê Suid-Afrika bewerk tans ongeveer 13 miljoen ha landbougrond. Beskikbare landbougrond beloop ongeveer 15 miljoen ha. Dit laat 2 miljoen ha beskikbaar, hoofsaaklik in die voormalige tuislande, vir verdere uitbreidings. “Ongeveer 300 000 werkgeleenthede kan in die kommunale (stamgebiede) geskep word, waar nagenoeg 1,3 miljoen huishoudings toegang tot grond het. Die minder intensiewe gewassektor het ‘n potensiaal van 10 000 op-die-plaasgeleenthede. In totaal kan die getal primêre en sekondêre werkgeleenthede wat geskep kan word, 900 000 oorskry,” het professor Vink bygevoeg.

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agri Promosie/Promotional

Harvest group will look after your packaging needs The Harvest Group consists of Harvest Bags CC and Harvest Bopp Bag Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd. Both companies are situated at Babelegi Industrial Park, North West Province. Our agents service the entire country as well as several of our neighbouring countries in Southern Africa. Harvest Bags CC arvest Bags is a supplier of agricul tural packaging products. Harvest bags are ideally suited for a wide range of products including oranges, onions, butternuts, grapefruit, cabbages, pumpkin, avocado pears, garlic, lemons and chillies. Harvest Bags is proud to announce that we have expanded and we now have four factories where we produce pallet wrap and pallet net. We supply the following products in various sizes and colours: • Knitted agricultural bags • Pallet net • Mono agricultural bags • Pallet wrap • Loom agricultural bags • Polypropylene bags • Polypropylene rolls We also offer a unique labeling service to

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ensure that the labels stay on the bags despite various handling from the farmer to the end user.

Harvest Bopp Bag Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd The main objective of this company is to manufacture and distribute a wide range of high quality polypropylene bags and materials at the highest level of service excellence. Our clients include mining companies, milling companies, dog food producers, farming communities and their co-operates, as well as other corporate businesses. We supply the following products: • Laminated bags • Printed bags • Polypropylene rolls • Fire retardant material Our raw products are supplied by the most well-known and trusted suppliers in the market!

Solutions Our quality products manufactured and distributed to a vast range of customers are high in demand. Quality, service and price have become synonymous with the company. It is our mission: • To provide the best possible service and products to meet the needs of our clients; • To serve our customers; • To be an honest and ethical company; • To supply a high quality product that reflect positively on our company’s image and • To commit to a strong healthy business relationship. Let us assist you with your packaging needs and let your packaging do the selling out there in a very competitive market!

agri Nuus/News

Veediefstal ‘n ‘emosionele’ misdaad, sê Veediefstalforum Die Nasionale Veediefstal-voorkomingsforum het ‘n beroep op alle rolspelers binne die rooivleisbedryf gedoen om te help om veediefstal te voorkom deur aan die wette hieroor te voldoen.

eediefstal is ‘n ekonomiese en ‘n “hoogs emosionele misdaad”, sê die forum in ‘n mediaverklaring. Navorsing toon egter dat veediefstal baie afgeneem het sedert die Wet op die Identifikasie van Diere, Wet 6 van 2002, in werking gestel is. Volgens die forum het daar gedurende 2013/2014 R509 miljoen vir die ekonomie verlore gegaan weens die diefstal van bokke ter waarde van R43 miljoen, skape ter waarde van R100 miljoen en beeste ter waarde van R366 miljoen. Navorsing wat namens die Rooivleisbedryfstrust deur die Universiteit van die Vrystaat onderneem is, dui daarop dat die omvang van veediefstal tans met soveel as 75% onderskat word. Die syfer is waarskynlik nader aan R2 miljard per jaar. “Dié plaag hou ‘n bedreiging vir die land se kommersiële én opkomende boerderysektore in. Aspekte wat nie altyd in gedagte gehou word wanneer vee gesteel word nie, is die uitwerking wat dit op die werksekerheid van werkers het. Baie mense is op die veebedryf aangewese vir voedsel en ekonomiese oorlewing,” aldus die verklaring.

Volgens die forum is daar steeds rolspelers in die rooivleisbedryf wat nie aan wetgewing voldoen nie en nie toesien dat vee behoorlik geïdentifiseer is nie. “Veekopers soos boere, spekulante, afslaers, voerkrale en abattoirs is onwetend die ontvangers van gesteelde vee omdat hulle nie seker maak dat die vee wat hulle koop aan die voorskrifte van die wet voldoen nie. Wette word oortree en strawwe boetes kan opgelê word en oortreders kan vervolg word. “Die Wet op die Identifikasie van Diere, Wet 6 van 2002, maak voorsiening vir die verpligte merk van vee en die Veediefstalwet, Wet 57 van 1959, beheer die beweging van lewende hawe. Albei dié wette is daar om die bedryf en die SAPD te ondersteun in die stryd teen veediefstal en maak dit makliker om gesteelde vee terug te vind. Dit blyk dat ‘n groot gedeelte van die veehandel nie aan die voorskrifte van

die wet voldoen nie en ook nie aan die basiese vereistes voldoen om veediefstal te voorkom nie. Die Nasionale Veediefstal Voorkomingsforum versoek: • dat alle vee-eienaars ‘n unieke brandmerk in hulle naam registreer en dit op al hulle diere aanbring; • dat hulle identifikasiedokumente en veeverwyderingsertifikate met alle transaksies indien; • dat alle veehandelaars, veilings, voerkale en abattoirs eienaarskap bevestig en weier om vee te aanvaar wat nie gemerk is en van die nodige identifikasiedokumente en veeverwyderingsertifikate voorsien is nie. • dat alle identifikasiedokumente vir twaalf maande op rekord gehou word.

Fork & Cork-fees spog met Wellington se beste Maak gereed om te smul en proe by die tweede jaarlikse Fork & Cork Wellington-wynfees. Dit vind op 12 September 2015 by die Kleinevalleij Landgoed plaas en word aangebied deur die Mutual & Federal Agri Wellington-wynroete.

ie fees beloof om die heel beste Suid-Afrikaanse kos, wyn en vermaak uit die Wamakersvallei uit te stal en voor te sit. Feesgangers kan uitsien na ‘n varsprodukteen ‘n leefstylmark met ‘n splinternuwe wynteater wat vyf verskillende produksies aanbied. Kaartjies is by Computicket teen R150 per persoon beskikbaar. Die fooi sluit ‘n gratis proe in, asook ingang na die vyf wynteaters. Kinders onder 17 het gratis toegang. Vir meer inligting en vir die volledige program, kontak tel no (021) 864 1378, e-pos info@wellington.co.za of besoek www. wellington.co.za/forkcork agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

agri Promosie/Promotional

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agri Nuus/News

Deurbraak met relatieweregte-debat ANNELIZE CROSBY, AGRI SA-ADVISEUR VIR REGS- EN GRONDSAKE, PARLEMENTÊRE VERTEENWOORDIGER

Minister Gugile Nkwinti het gedurende 2013 ‘n konsepbeleid op relatiewe regte van plaasbewoners gepubliseer, wat mettertyd in die volksmond bekend geword het as die 50/50-beleid.

ié konsepbeleid het onder fel kritiek deurgeloop, nie net van Agri SA nie, maar talle regsgeleerdes, landbouekonome, akademici en belanghebbende partye was uiters skepties oor die werkbaarheid en grondwetlikheid van die voorstelle. Die minister het georganiseerde landbou toe uitgedaag om met alternatiewe voorstelle vorendag te kom. Agri SA se standpunt, wat deur die organisasie se kongres in 2014 bevestig is, is dat stappe nodig is om die lewens omstandighede en vooruitsigte van plaas werkers te verbeter. Agri SA se kongres het voorstelle vir ‘n sosiale akkoord ten opsigte van werks- en lewensomstandighede, asook as ‘n ideëbank van bestaande suksesvolle projekte aanvaar. Die organisasie en ander rolspelers het op 20 Maart alternatiewe voorstelle tot die 50/50-benadering aan minister Nkwinti voorgehou. Die ministerie het besluit om 50 loods projekte oor die volgende vier jaar te doen

om die konsep van die versterking van relatiewe regte te toets. Agri SA vorm deel van ‘n werkgroep wat kriteria moet ontwikkel vir sulke loodsprojekte en moet toesig hou oor die projekte en lesse help dokumenteer wat daaruit spruit. Die werkgroep het reeds twee keer hierdie jaar vergader, maar daar was aanvanklik groot onduidelikheid oor of die alternatiewe voorstelle ook as moontlike loodsprojekte oorweeg kan word. Die minister het meer duidelikheid gebring in sy begrotingstoespraak wat op 8 Mei gelewer is en het uiteindelik finale opklaring gebring tydens ‘n vergadering op 22 Mei met die georganiseerde landbou. Hy dit duidelik gestel dat van die alternatiewe voorstelle, wat gemik is

op die verbetering van plaaswerkers se verblyf- en lewensomstandighede, ook as loodsprojekte kan kwalifiseer. Die werkgroep het weer op 5 Junie vergader en het ooreengekom oor kriteria vir die loodsprojekte en op ‘n aksieplan vir die implementering van die loodsprojekte.

International Labour Conference focuses on ‘decent work’ ELIZE VD WESTHUIZEN, SENIOR MANAGER, LABOUR RELATIONS

The 104th session of the International Labour Conference, which took place from 1 to 13 June 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland, focused on “Building a future with decent work”.

or the first time the conference was presented over a two-week period and not the usual three weeks. Three points were on the agenda: • Small- and medium-sized enterprises and decent and productive employment creation; • Transition from the informal to the formal economy; and • Strategic objective of social protection.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises and decent and productive work The promotion of small- and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) is a key area of intervention for the ILO, given the large number of people employed by SMEs. The ILO prepared a report on the role of SMEs in generating employment and economic growth, as well as key constraints

faced by SMEs and their workers. The report also reviewed the effectiveness of support measures for SMEs given the diversity within the sector. According to the report, the three biggest constraints faced by SMEs are access to finance, access to electricity, and competing with the informal sector. Elize van der Westhuizen represented South African business in the discussion.

Transition from the informal to the formal economy The year 2014 saw the first discussion on this topic. In preparation for the 2015 discussion, the ILO prepared a report which sets out the law and practice in different counties. The outcome of the discussion would be a recommendation on the theme. Vanessa Phala from Busa represented South African business in the discussion.

Strategic objective of social protection Developing and enhancing measures of social protection formed one of the four strategic objectives in the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for fair globalisation, which was adopted by the ILO Conference at its 97th session. This committee focused on four aspects of social protection, namely wage policies, working time arrangements, occupational health and safety and maternity protection. These topics are important to all employers. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, no business representative from South Africa could attend the committee discussions. This is a short overview of the work done on the different committees at the ILO Conference this year. More detail of the relevant committees will be shared in later editions of Agri.

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Kubota se nuwe modelle gaan boere se lewe makliker maak Kubota het by NAMPO Oesdag twee nuwe modelle bekendgestel wat beloof om boere se lewens aansienlik te vergemaklik.

ie B2650 is ‘n hidroustatiese trekker wat bemarkings bestuurder, Deon Engelke, glo die toekoms van landbou in Suid-Afrika gaan verander. Dit is reeds ‘n groot gunsteling in lande soos Ierland. Die trekker word deur hidrolika aange dryf en het geen koppelaar of ratte nie. Die voordeel is dat daar nie ‘n beperking

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op die trekker se spoed is nie en dit kan dus teen enige spoed werk. Die B2650 is uiters operateursvriendelik en is veral geskik vir vrugteprodusente. Die trekker rem vanself en kan baie vinniger vorentoe en agtertoe beweeg. Dis ideaal geskik vir klein spasies soos binne kwekerye. Omdat die trekker “sagter” wegtrek en stop, is daar minder kans dat vrugte tydens die vervoerproses kan beskadig. Dis ‘n probleem met tradisionele trekkers wat oor ‘n koppelaar beskik en dikwels rukkerig beweeg. Die trekker is ‘n raps duurder as soort gelyke modelle maar die onderhoudskoste is baie laag. Daar is nie ‘n koppelaar wat teen opdraandes en afdraandes verniel nie. Bestuurders hoef ook nie intensiewe opleiding te ondergaan om die trekker te bestuur nie. Die M9540, ook ‘n hidrouliese koppelaar, is met of sonder ‘n kajuit

beskikbaar. Die groot voordeel van dié “high clearance”- model is dat dit besonder kort kan draai. Dié trekker kan draaityd met tot die helfte verkort. Die grondvrye hoogte is 600 mm. Die kajuit is luuks en beskik oor lugreëling wat ‘n groot pluspunt is wanneer gif gespuit word. Die dryfkas is buite sig wat beteken dat dit nie sommer beskadig kan word nie. Die M9540 is toegerus met ‘n hidrouliese koppelaar asook ‘n sterk hyserstelsel wat tot 1 000 liter gif met gemak kan lig. Die trekker verlig ook die areas weerskante van die trekker, wat dit ideaal vir nagwerk maak. Gaan maak dus ‘n draai by jou naaste Kuboto-handelaar en gaan maak kennis met die nuwe modelle.

agri Nuus/News

Nuwe lewe vir vroue in die Noord-Kaap ELIZE VAN DER WESTHUIZEN, SENIOR BESTUURDER, ARBEIDSVERHOUDINGE

Dertig werklose vroue in die plaaswerkergemeenskap van Keimoes in die Noord-Kaap, het die afgelope jaar ‘n praktiese ondernemerskapkursus deurloop.

ie doel van die kursus was om van hulle entrepeneurs te maak wat vir hulle, hul gesinne en die gemeenskap ‘n beter toekoms kan skep. Dit is ‘n voorloperprojek wat Agri SA, met die finansiële ondersteuning van AgriSETA, aangebied het. Die idee is om die projek uiteindelik landwyd aan te bied om ‘n bydrae te maak teen armoede, werkloosheid en die gevolglike sosiaal-maatskaplike probleme in landelike gebiede. Afgevaardigdes van Agri SA het by ‘n konferensie van die Suider-Afrikaanse Konfederasie van Landbou-unies (Sacau), wat in die Seychelles gehou is, oor die rol van die vrou in die Suid-Afrikaanse landbou gesels. Delene Möller, die programleier, en Elize van der Westhuizen wat die projek oorhoofs bestuur, het Suid-Afrika by die konferensie verteenwoordig. “Die tendens om landbouproduksie stelsels te meganiseer, wat arbeid vervang, is ‘n voortdurende proses wat deur ekonomiese realiteite soos mededinging vanuit ‘n globale omgewing, dikteer. Dié tendens word versnel deur die onsekere beleidsomgewing waarin die landbou tans funksioneer. Die arbeidsonrus en die toename in die koste van arbeid die

kommersialisering van Suider-Afrika se afgelope paar jaar speel ook ‘n rol. Dit onderontwikkelde landbou te versnel. het daartoe gelei dat minder lede van ‘n Dit vind aansluiting plaaswerkergesin by die Afrika-Unie se werk en talle van inisiatief om vanjaar te hierdie gesinne se ”Wat duidelik is, is dat fokus op die bemagtiging besteebare inkomste is daar met beleid en in van vroue en landelike onder ernstige druk,” praktyk veel meer op ontwikkeling. “Aandag sê Johannes Möller, vroue se bydraes gefokus is gegee aan die president van Agri SA. moet word om landbou veelvoudige uitdagings “Hierdie in die Suider-Afrikaanse wat vroue moet oorkom omstandighede streek te help ontwikkel en ondersteuning het Agri SA verplig en daarmee saam die wat hulle benodig om strategies oor lewensomstandighede en om sukses te behaal. oplossings te dink. -kwaliteit van landelike Gevallestudies is toegelig Ons glo dat opleiding en bespreek waaruit gemeenskappe te noodsaaklik is om verteenwoordigers kon vroue op plase verbeter,” sê Möller. leer,” sê Möller. te bemagtig om “Die Suid-Afrikaanse nuwe beroep- of situasie is anders as sakegeleenthede te dié van buurlande. Daar is tog genoeg ontsluit. Ons is opgewonde oor wat die gemeenskaplikhede waaruit ons kan leer, vroue wat die program deurloop het nou in of waarde kan toevoeg. Wat duidelik is, hul gemeenskappe en op plase aanpak. Dit is dat daar met beleid en in praktyk veel gaan ‘n positiewe verskil in hulle en andere meer op vroue se bydraes gefokus moet se lewens teweegbring,” sê Möller. word om landbou in die Suider-Afrikaanse Die Sacau-konferensie het gefokus op streek te help ontwikkel en daarmee saam die ontwikkeling van ondernemerskap van die lewensomstandighede en -kwaliteit van vroue in die landbou. Daar word geglo landelike gemeenskappe te verbeter,” sê dat dit ‘n vereiste is om weg te beweeg Möller. van bestaansboerdery en grootskaalse agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

agri Nuus/News

The success story of the Makatini Flats’ cotton farmers Phenias Gumede in a vegetable field

KOSIE VAN ZYL AND JOHAN PIENAAR, AGRI SA

Agri SA was invited to visit the Makatini cotton producing areas in Mkhanyakude and Zululand.

he latter formed an umbrella body called Ubongwa Cotton Farmers Co-op, which also affiliates with the KwaZulu-Natal Cotton Growers’ Association. Their business arm is Ubongwa Cotton Development Services CC T/A Makhathini Cotton Projects with its management and staff. The Makhathini cotton projects have played a significant role in reviving the industry in KZN with a vision to: • increase cotton supply to the existing gin; • to make the gin sustainable; • to upgrade the equipment; • to save on the rising cost of electricity and maintenance; • to introduce new technology; and • as a long-term goal explore and utilise the possibilities of spinning, weaving, designing and manufacturing of textiles/ clothes. The gin was recently refurbished. At full capacity the five gin stand can process up to 50 000 tons of cotton, but with the three gin stand currently in operation a throughput of apparently only about 25 000 ton is possible. Only 762 tons were delivered to the gin in 2013/2014. It is clear that the gin is underutilised and operation cost cannot be covered. Clearly, increased production of cotton is required. According to a five-year plan having been presented to a meeting, which took place during the visit, the production can

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be increased to at least 18 000 tons per year over a five-year period, which will render the gin economically viable. New irrigation areas in Nondabuya and Ikhwehle may contribute significantly in this regard. Almost 1 600 hectares can be brought under production, providing full and part time employment to approximately 5 000 people. A net investment of R112 m will be required over the particular period. The frost free climate characterising the Makatini flats also makes the area ideal for vegetables and maize production. This currently provides for a total gross income of R26,5 m for the farmers. The aim is to increase marketing by supporting local school feeding projects. An agreement was reached with Massmart to buy the local vegetable production. A maize mill will also benefit the community. The deputy president of Agri SA, Phenias Gumede, played a leadership role in developing the Makatini flats and to unlock the area’s agricultural

potential. The Ubongwa Cotton Farmers Coop already applied significant “own” financial resources towards the restoration of the gin. It is clear that the vast potential for agricultural development benefits job creation and alleviates poverty in the area. The government is currently entertaining the concept of agri parks as vehicles for agricultural and related development. The Makatini flats should surely be considered in this regard and business plans should be a logical first step. As was indicated during the meeting that such business plans are currently contemplated. Despite financial support, which will be required for production and processing purposes, public investment in infrastructure, such as roads, will also be required. Chapter six of the National Development Plan refers to areas such as the Makatini flats. The area is also suitable for the production of subtropical fruit. This could create a significant number of jobs if the technical and financial support are injected into just one third of the underused areas. This may be an economically sound approach.

agri Nuus/News

Wynbedryf verbind tot sosiale opheffing Die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf bly daartoe verbind om die goeie vordering wat tot dusver gemaak is om aan sosio-ekonomiese uitdagings in landelike gebiede aandag te gee. Die bedryf doen dit deur ‘n holistiese benadering, vennootskappe en samewerking met die regering.

ó het Rico Basson, besturende direkteur van VinPro – die verteenwoordigende organisasie vir nagenoeg 3 500 Suid-Afrikaanse wynprodusente en kelders – tydens ‘n gesprek oor fetale alkoholsindroom (FAS) in Wellington gesê. Die Wes-Kaapse Premier, Helen Zille, het die byeenkoms versoek, waartydens verteenwoordigers van Bolandse plaasgemeenskappe, die plaaslike regering, nie-regeringsorganisasies en die vrugte- en wynbedrywe die omvang en onderliggende oorsake van FAS, asook projekte wat hierdie kwessies bekyk, bespreek het. Dit volg op ‘n ondersoek deur die premier na aanleiding van aantygings in die dagblad The Cape Times vroeër vanjaar dat die dopstelsel – ‘n praktyk waardeur werknemers gedeeltelik of ten volle deur middel van alkohol vergoed word – steeds in die gebied toegepas word. “Die dopstelsel is onwettig. Volgens ons kennis bestaan dit nie, en indien dit sou voorkom, moet dit via die regte kanale gerapporteer word,” het Basson gesê. Hy het opportunistiese verslaggewing ten sterkste veroordeel, aangesien dit onomkeerbare skade aan wynhandelsmerk-SA, werkskepping en groei van die bedryf kan aanrig. Basson het gesê die wynbedryf stem met die regering saam dat alkoholmisbruik in Suid-Afrika onaanvaarbaar hoog is, spesifiek oormatige drankverbruik onder die jeug. Onwettige handel is ook ‘n groot probleem. Daar is meer as 150 000 ongelisensieerde afsetpunte vir drank in die land en een uit elke vyf liter alkohol wat verkoop word, bestaan uit tuisgemaakte mengsels. “Dit is egter nie net ‘n landbou-uitdaging nie. Dit is ‘n landelike een. Dit is daarom belangrik dat alle partye saamwerk om gefokusde intervensies vir alkoholmisbruik daar te stel,” het hy gesê. Volgens Basson is

alkoholmisbruik nie ‘n geïsoleerde probleem nie. ‘n Holistiese benadering is nodig om alle onderliggende probleme aan te spreek. Hy het dit geïllustreer aan die hand van vier projekte in die wynbedryf.

Die Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA) Hierdie organisasie bied sosio-ekono miese opheffingsprogramme in die Perde berg- en Robertson-distrikte aan. Dit is in 2012 gevestig, met FAS as primêre fokus, maar het spoedig na aspekte soos crècheopleiding, veiligheid en gesondheid, nood hulp en finansiële beplanning uitgebrei. Die projekte behels ‘n projekbestuurder en twee maatskaplike werkers, met uitgekontrakteerde opleidingspesialiste. Altesaam 51 produsente en 1 240 plaaswerkers word in die twee distrikte deur die projek geraak. “Die sukses van hierdie projek lê in die in koop van beide produsente en plaaswerkers, buigsaamheid volgens en eienaarskap deur die streek self, en veral vennootskappe met die regering, maatskappye en verskeie diensverskaffers,” het Basson gesê. Die VinPro Stigting sal van 1 Julie 2015 met ARA ‘n vennootskap sluit waardeur die projek na twee addisionele streke uitgebrei word. Die visie oor die lang termyn is egter om in die volgende vyf jaar 18 maatskaplike werkers in die nege streke te hê. Agricultural Ethical Trade Initiative (Wieta) Deur akkreditasie van die Agricultural Ethical Trade Initiative (Wieta) te bekom, verseker wynprodusente dat hulle aan plaaslike en wêreldstandaarde rondom etiese arbeidspraktyke voldoen. Wieta het tans 1 276 lede, met nagenoeg 17 000 plaaswerkers wat onder die Wieta-akkredi tasie werksaam is. Die inisiatief word deur die bedryf en die Wes-Kaapse departement van

Rico Basson

landbou gesubsidieer, en werk nou saam met ander etiese handelskodes soos Siza in die vrugtebedryf.

Opleiding VinPro fokus sterk op die opleiding van wingerdwerkers, insluitend ‘n praktiese, gebruikersvriendelike DVD-opleidings pakket wat alle aspekte van die wyndruif seisoen insluit. Daar is ook ‘n reeks opleidingskursusse op plase in die onder skeie streke. “Befondsing van VinPro, privaat- en korporatiewe donateurs, asook regeringsdepartemente stel ons in staat om nagenoeg 2 500 wingerdwerkers per jaar op te lei,” sê Basson. Agri het Talent Die Agri het Talent-projek word gesamentlik deur Hortgro en die VinPro Stigting aange bied, en sluit ‘n sangkompetisie en lewens vaardighede-werkwinkel in. Die wenner van Agri het Talent 2015 word 31 Julie 2015 aangekondig. “Agri het Talent is ‘n wonderlike platform om die uitsonderlike sangtalent onder ons plaas-, pakhuis- en kelderwerkers ten toon te stel, en hulle te bemagtig met kennis en vaardighede waarmee hulle ‘n verskil in hul gemeenskappe kan maak,” vertel Basson. “Dit is nou die tyd vir alle rolspelers om saam te werk en ‘n beter toekoms vir almal in die wynbedryf-waardeketting te verseker – spesifiek die arbeidsmag, die hoeksteen van ons bedryf,” beklemtoon Basson. Premier Zille het die vrugte- en wyn bedrywe bedank vir die inisiatiewe waarmee hulle ‘n verskil in die lewens van hul landbou werkers maak, en het ‘n beroep op die werkers gedoen om trots te wees op hul gemeenskappe, verantwoordelikheid vir hul toekoms te neem en op te staan teen sosiale ongerymdhede.

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agri Nuus/News Die jongboerfinaliste vir die Toyota SA/Agri SA 2015 Jongboer van die Jaarkompetisie word tans aangewys. Die nasionale wenner sal gedurende Oktober 2015 aangewys word. Dit is die elfde jaar dat Toyota SA die kompetisie borg. Agri SA beskou die kompetisie as van groot waarde omdat jong rolmodelle geïdentifiseer word. Nuwe toetreders is noodsaaklik vir die toekoms van die bedryf.

Die room van SA se jong boere gekroon BAREND GROBLER VAN DIE PLAAS UITKYK Die eerste finalis is Barend Grobler van die plaas Uitkyk in die Dewetsdorp-distrik. Barend is aangewys as Vrystaat Landbou se Jongboer van die Jaar. Hy boer saam met sy vrou, Juanita, sedert 2011 voltyds met braaihoenders, beeste en hulle rond varke vir slagdoeleindes af. Hy het die braaihoenderboerdery gevestig omdat hy besef het dat hy nie ekonomies met net vee kon boer nie. Die boerdery is tans in ‘n groeifase en beskik oor potensiaal om die onderskeie boerderyvertakkings verder uit te brei, veral die braaihoenderbedryf en die varkvertakking. Deur vleisverwerkingsgeriewe op die plaas op te rig, stel hy waardetoevoeging tot die varkvertakking in die vooruitsig. Die veevertakking fokus op die afronding van kalwers en die lewering daarvan aan voerkrale. Barend verdeel die risiko’s van sy onderneming in volhoubaarheids- en operasionele risiko’s. Die risiko’s sluit grond, watervoorsiening, energiekostes, natuurlike rampe, asook toegang tot finansiering in. Dit is vir hom noodsaaklik om betrokke te wees by landbou-instellings waardeur hierdie kwessies met die regering aangespreek kan word.

NEELS FOURIE VAN DIE PLAAS AVONDSTER Neels is getroud met Emie en die egpaar het drie kinders. Hy is Agri Noordwes se finalis. Hy boer vir die afgelope twaalf jaar op die plaas Avondster in die Schweizer Reneke-omgewing waarvan hy die alleeneienaar is. Neels het ‘n BSc Agric-gaad in veekunde en dierefisiologie. Die boerdery bestaan uit 78% graan, 64% vee en ‘n wildvertakking waarmee hy pas begin het. Neels se toekomsvisie is om ‘n doeltreffende en winsgewende boerdery te bestuur met behulp van goed opgeleide werkers en om deurentyd te fokus op verbruikers en hulle behoeftes. Sy prioriteite vir die komende seisoen is om ‘n sterk fokus te plaas op grondchemie en vogbewaring en ook om ramp- en risikobestuurspraktyke toe te pas in die lig van die verwoestende effek wat die voortslepende droogte op landbouers het. Neels is tesourier van die Amalia Landbouvereniging, lid van Agri Schweizer-Reneke se Jongboervereniging, lid van Graan SA, asook lid van die plaaslike veiligheidsinisiatiewe en die Brandbeskermvereniging. Hy ondersteun ook die NWRPO se vrywillige heffingstelsel. Hy dien ook in die beheerliggaam van die plaasskool en gee finansiële ondersteuning aan ‘n projek wat na plaaswerkers en hul gesinne se geestelike en ander gesinsbehoeftes omsien. Neels is van mening dat die rol van die jong boer al hoe meer onmisbaar raak aangesien hulle die implementeerders is van nuwe tegnologie en produksiemetodes. Hy sê ook dat jong boere moet besef dat hulle in hul leeftyd by die een of ander faset van grondhervorming en boerontwikkeling betrokke gaan wees en dat dit belangrik is vir jong boere om positief, dinamies en relevant te bly.

CARL VAN DER MERWE VAN BOPLAAS LANDGOED ‘n Appel- en peerprodusent van die Koue Bokkeveld is as Agri Wes-Kaap en Santam Landbou se Jongboer van die Jaar aangewys. Carl van der Merwe boer op die Boplaas Landgoed by Ceres. Die boerdery het die afgelope drie jaar deurlopend gegroei en Carl sê dit is sy visie om hierdie groei in die toekoms voort te sit. “Ons wil nie net in hektare nie, maar ook in produksie groei deur nóg nouer met die natuur saam te werk en die natuur nóg beter te benut,” sê hy. Dit is veral sy produksie- en finansiële bestuur, en arbeids- en hulpbronbestuurspraktyke wat die beoordelaars beïndruk het. Carl sê hy is gelukkig om al sewe jaar saam met sy pa, Fanie, te kan boer en het hom vir sy raad en leiding bedank. “My pa leer my nog daagliks en gee my ongelooflike goeie blootstelling. Dus ontvang ek elke dag nege voorgeslagte se ervaring en kennis,” het hy gesê. Volgens Carl sien hy homself as ‘n skakel tussen generasies. “Ek wil vorige generasies se landboukennis en kundigheid aan die volgende generasie oordra. Dit is vir my belangrik om hierdie skakel te wees,” het hy gesê. Volgens Carl speel landbou ‘n reuserol in die ekonomie en sluit dit alle fasette, soos byvoorbeeld werkloosheid, in. “Jong boere wat ten spyte van die vele uitdagings steeds kans sien om te boer, moet die sektor en al sy fasette laat voortbestaan.”

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agri Nuus/News

HYLGARD LOURENS VAN VERVERLANGE LANDGOED Hylgard boer reeds die afgelope twaalf jaar in die Nelspuit-omgewing met sitrus, groente, Makadamia-neute en wild. Hy is getroud met Charlene en die egpaar het drie kinders. Hy het ‘n B Agric-landboubestuursgraad wat hy aan die Universiteit van die Vrystaat verwerf het. Hy is by Mpumalanga Landbou se kongres aangewys as dié provinsie se wenner. Daar is volgens Hylgard geen twyfel nie dat jong boere in Suid-Afrika die toekoms vir voedselsekerheid moet verseker. Hy glo dat met volhoubare boerderypraktyke en die natuurlike hulpbronne tot hulle beskikking moet boere daarna streef om hoëwaardeprodukte vir die verbruiker te produseer. Hy beplan om op sy boerderyresultate van die vorige jaar te verbeter deur gebruik te maak van nuwe geleenthede en tegnologie. Ongeveer 80% van sy soetrissieproduksie word aan ‘n maatskappy gelewer wat dit verpak en aan kettingwinkels voorsien. Deur ‘n bemarkingsagent word die boerdery se sitrusproduksie aan Woolworths gelewer. Vir die toekoms beplan hy om in die verbouing van kiwivrugte te investeer en wild te teel. Hy is van lid van Nelspruit landbou-unie se dagbestuur. Hy is ook lid van die Brondal Avo-feeskomitee en betrokke by die Brondal-veiligheidskomitee.

WIN!

You can win a copy of Die onbekende Van Gogh: Die lewe van Cornelis van Gogh, van Nederland tot Suid-Afrika deur Chris Schoeman, if you complete our crossword correctly. Mail your answers to agricompetitions@gmail.com, or fax your answers to 086 211 0210 together with your name, address and tel no.

The winner of the previous competition is Gretha Wasserman from Noorsekloof. CLUES: Across 1 Destructive beetle (5) 4 Piet ...; author of book about Battle of Savate (6) 5 Subject of new book by van Wyk and Smith (5) 8 Rob ...; trade and industry minister (6) 9 African Growth and Opportunity Act (4) 12 Young goat (3) 15 Anti-dumping duties were imposed on USA ... exports (7) 16 Dr... Jeffrey is with Institute of Race Relations (6) 18 Used for water storage (3) 19 Canola (4) 21 ... de Villiers; CEO of Grain SA (6) 22 Main crop of Elgin area (5) 23 ... Mdontswa; deputy chief land claims Commissioner (5)

Answers of our previous crossword: Across: 1 Adam, 5 Prepaid, 7 Citrus, 8 Wasted, 10 Senzeni, 12 Eff, 13 Ups, 14 Gauteng, 16 Tea, 18 Apac, 19 Harvest. Down: 1 Agrihelp, 2 Zebra, 3 Lamati, 4 DDT, 6 Briza, 8 Winetech, 9 Daff, 11 Denmark, 15 AGPs, 17 East.

CLUES: Down 1 This government will fund training of DLC members (7) 2 Prof Peter Britz is with this University (6) 3 Theo ..; legal intern at AgriSA (7) 6 Prof ... Hara is with University of Western Cape (4) 7 Wine and ... industries in particular have benefitted from AGOA (6) 10 Producers of the “Hidden Hunger” report (5) 11 Food source found in 18 ac (4) 13 Most efficient form of irrigation (4) 14 Groot Constantia is said to be the ... wine estate in South Africa (6) 15 Where poultry associations from SA and USA met in June 2015 (5) 17 ... Nkosi; senior economist at Agri SA (5) 19 Ready for consumption (4) 20 Female sheep (4) agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

agri Bedrywe/Commodities

Verander bewaringsingesteldheid

Aardverwarming is ‘n bedreiging vir biodiversiteit en die bewaring van endemiese spesies in plantbiome, soos die Kaapse blomstreek. Hierdie en ander omgewingsimpakte en bewaringsaksies word vanjaar by die derde Cape Floral Kingdom Ekspo in die Overberg onder die vergrootglas geplaas. Vanjaar se fynbostentoonstelling word vanaf Donderdag 27 Augustus tot Sondag 30 Augustus op Mega Park, Bredasdorp gehou.

eeds bykans ‘n dekade gelede het internasionale studie oor biologiese bewaring bevestig dat die Kaapse Blomstreek, as ‘n Unesco Wêreld bewaringsgebied, een van die biome is waar verskeie endemiese spesies óf reeds uitgewis is óf deur aardverwarming bedreig word. Die studie het biome as natuurlike habitat vir plantspesies ontleed en met toekomsprojeksies in biome onder dubbel-hoeveelhede koolstof, die verande ringe in habitat en gepaardgaande uitwis sing van endemiese plantspesies en van gewerwelde diere, in dié biodiversiteitbewaringsgebiede bepaal. Bewaringsgebiede wat veral as broos uitgelig is vir die invloed van aardverwarming, is die Kaapse Blomstreek, die Karibiese Eilande, Indo-Burma, die Mediter reense Kom, SuidwesAustralië en die Tropiese Andes, waar plantuitwissings in hierdie studie soms 2 000 spesies oorskry het. “Dit ondersteun bewerings dat aardverwarming een van die grootste bedreigings vir biodiversiteit op die planeet is.” Die Cape Floral Kingdom Ekspo het die afgelope twee jaar met treffende, natuurlike blomtentoonstellings en spesie-

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identifikasie-afdeling, bekendheid verwerf as ‘n asemrowende fynbosuitstalling van wêreldklasprodukte. Met 8 000 m2 binnens huise uitstalruimte is dit ook die grootste van sy soort op die planeet. Om optimale bewaring van die wêreldbekende fynbosbewaringsgebied in die WesKaap te bevorder, is dit nodig dat die mens se omgewingsingesteldheid teenoor die natuur sal verander. Om nuut hieroor te kan dink en die unieke ekowaarde van elke spesie te geniet en te waardeer, is ‘n sleutel tot bewaring vir die geslagte wat mag volg. Dit is die siening van Chris van Rhyn, ontwerpbestuurder van die Cape Floral Kingdom Ekspo. Met die tema “Verander jou siening” wil dié kleurvolle fynbosskouspel elke natuurliefhebber, blomkyker, botaniese rolspeler, fotograaf en lede van die publiek wat passievol is oor die natuur en blommekuns, se harte raak. Die ekspo word vir die derde keer aangebied. ‘n Reeks werkwinkels en lesings maak van die ekspo ‘n interaktiewe leergeleentheid. Van die aktuele sake wat in vier onvergeetlike dae aandag sal kry, is hernubare energie, herwinning, arti-kultuur (kuns uit tuinbouprodukte), fynbosbewaring en toerisme. Geïnspireer deur Moeder Natuur, bied

die Cape Floral Kingdom Ekspo ‘n tentoonstelling van natuurlike plante en blomme. Boonop word bewaringsbestuur, kulturele biodiversiteitingesteldheid en kreatiwiteit deur blomkuns in die kollig geplaas. Die Suid-Afrikaanse Blommerangskikkings kampioenskap word tydens die ekspo aangebied en blomme word uitgestal. Dit is een van die hoogtepunte van die ekspo. Die beste rangskikkings in talle “Ontwerp met fynbos”kategorieë sal oor al vier dae van die ekspo vertoon word. ‘n Fynbosblommekunsuitstalling wat ook wêreldklasbekroonde natuurfotografie en verwerkte fynbosuitvoerprodukte sal insluit, word aan die publiek vertoon. Boonop sal werkwinkels en demonstrasies deur die Western Cape Flower Arrangers Association (WCFAA) aangebied word. Navrae: Tel tel (021) 863 0397. Eunice Joubert, projekbestuurder: info@capefloralkingdom.co.za/ Chris van Rhyn, ontwerpbestuurder: marketing@capefloralkingdom.co.za

agri Fauna

Daar is ‘n ongekende vrees onder die mensdom oor glifosaat wat deur die Wêreld gesondheidsorganisasie (WGO) as ‘n moontlike menslike kankerwekkende stof geklassifiseer is.

ierdie onkruiddoder is verantwoordelik vir ‘n redelike sprong in gewasproduksie, veral in terme van die transgeniese gewasse soos mielies en soja wat weerstandig teen glifosaat is. Die nuutste uitlatings van die WGO skep die indruk dat die mensdom vir veertig jaar in die duister gehou is oor die werklike negatiewe uitwerking van glifosaat ter wille van die groot geld wat uit die onkruiddoder te make is. Daar is uit verskeie oorde wetenskaplike artikels na my gestuur waarin onomwonde bewys is dat glifosaat onder meer moontlik kanker kan wek, glutenintoleransie veroorsaak en ‘n klomp ander effekte op mense kan hê. Die vraag is of mens dit moet lees as die waarheid of skuil daar iets agter die navorsing? My kommer is dat navorsing deesdae baie maklik gemanipuleer kan word om ‘n hipotese te bewys, in plaas daarvan om die hipotese te toets. Die anti-plaagdoderdrukgroepe is op slinkse wyse besig om navorsers te befonds om die gevare van plaagdoders te bewys ongeag die feit dat daar soos met glifosaat derduisende studies gedoen is wat geen verband tussen glifosaat en kanker kon vind nie.

Die tweede kommer is dat die navorsing dikwels op indirekte getuienis gebaseer is. Een van die mees algemene bevindinge is dat mense die een of ander skeet opdoen in die area waar ‘n bepaalde plaagdoder gebruik word. Dit is egter baie duidelik in die artikels dat die navorsing eendimensioneel is. ‘n Hipotese word gestel en korrek bewys sonder inagneming van die geweldige kompleksiteit van die omgewing en die mens as wese. Moderne mense neem daagliks duisende vreemde molekules in soos voedselkleurstowwe, kunsmatige geurstowwe soos MSG, kunsmatige versoeters soos aspartaam, kankerwekkende stowwe soos nikotien, sigaretteer, lugbesoedelingstowwe soos stikstofoksiede, swaar metale soos lood en kwik, medikasie, en dan al die massas suikers en ander koolhidrate in koeldranke en kitskosse. As mens daarna kyk, is dit eintlik skrikwekkend oor waaraan mense hulleself bloostel. Om dan een plaagdoder soos glifosaat uit die pakkie te haal en ‘n gesondheidsrisiko daaraan te koppel, klink uit ‘n wetenskaplike oogpunt heeltemal ongeldig. Daar was onlangs ‘n studie wat aangedui het dat Amerikaners wat in ‘n area woon waar DDT in die 1960s as

plaagdoder gebruik is, tot oorgewig geneig is. Die studie het glad nie die eetgewoontes van die mense in ag geneem nie! Ek was self al in die VSA en was geskok om te sien hoe die bevolking letterlik tonnemaat burgers en gaskoeldrank van een besondere handelsmerk verorber. My waarneming sou eerder wees dat vetsug as gevolg van ooreet aan MacDonalds en gaskoeldrank as aan DDT gekoppel moet word. Tog glo almal dat DDT vetsug veroorsaak! Belaglik om die minste sê. Glifosaat, soos enige ander plaagdoder, is nie onskuldig nie. Dit is egter met derduisende studies bewys dat as die mens 1 mg glifosaat per kilogram ligaamsmassa per dag inneem daar nie teken van enige nagevolge is nie. As ‘n mens egter ‘n span proefdiere met hoë dosisse glifosaat vir ‘n lang periode doseer, gaan daar beslis negatiewe effekte wees. Die vraag wat lesers hulleself moet afvra, is of die mens ooit in normale omstandighede aan sulke enorme vlakke van glifosaat blootgestel gaan wees om dieselfde effekte as die proefdiere te toon. Besluit maar self…

Dr Gerhard H Verdoorn, Griffon Gifinligtingsentrum, nesher@tiscali.co.za 082-446-8946 agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

Dr Gerhard Verdoorn

As glifosaat regtig so gevaarlik was...

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Mpumalanga kyk na volhoubaarheid in die huidige ekonomiese en politieke klimaat HOOGTEPUNTE VAN MPUMALANGA LANDBOU SE JAARKONGRES Grondhervorming: Moet landbou steeds deelneem? ideon Anderson, president van Mpumalanga Landbou, het in sy presidentsrede gesê dat die vraag nou is of georganiseerde land bou enigsins moet voortgaan om deel van gesprekke met die regering oor grondher vorming te wees. “Is ons nie besig om kosbare tyd, energie en fondse te mors met hierdie proses nie? Telkens besef leierboere weer dat hulle ‘n verantwoordelikheid het om grondhervorming te maak werk aangesien die katastrofe van voedselonsekerheid en ekonomiese on stabiliteit ten alle koste voorkom moet word. “Daar is onlangs weer uitsprake deur die minister oor sogenaamde grondplafonne gemaak. Tog bly ons steeds by die proses betrokke. Daar is waarskynlik slegs twee redes hoekom ons steeds aan die proses deelneem. Ons moet steeds die ekonomiese argument voer en ons moet sorg dat ons nie die minister se ‘oor’ verloor nie”. Anderson het gesê boere moet nie hoop met dié uitputtende proses waarmee georganiseerde landbou besig is, verloor nie: “Spreuke 25:15 sê: Met geduld kan iemand in ‘n magsposisie tot ander insigte gebring word; met ‘n versigtige benadering word weerstand afgebreek.” Hy het die ampsdraers en personeellede van Agri SA en Mpumalanga Landbou bedank wat hard probeer om ‘n werkbare roete te onderhandel vir die suksesvolle toepassing van grondhervorming. “Wees selektief waaraan jy jou steur wanneer politici uitsprake maak. Sommige uitsprake mag met minagting verwerp word. Vertrou ook die leiers van Agri SA en

Dr Roelof Botha, gasspreker, het gesê die regering is onkundig oor die kompleksiteite van die landbou.

Mpumalanga Landbou met die mandaat wat aan hulle gegee is om aan die proses deel te neem. Maak ook ‘n verskil daar waar jy daagliks besigheid doen. Jy kan die regte gesindheid vestig. Leierboere moet besef dat hulle meningsvormers in hulle gemeenskappe is wat hulle daarvan moet weerhou om deel te raak van mismoedigheid en pessimisme.” Sy boodskap aan die regering was ondubbelsinnig: “Please stop playing games with the commercial farmers in South Africa. We are busy producing food for the country within a difficult economical environment. In most cases we take high risks in doing so. At this stage most of our members have a positive attitude towards our responsibility of producing food to the people of this country. Please do not ignore this positive attitude. Also, sir, stop making populistic announcements that you know is impossible to carry out without destroying the food security of this country. We are more than prepared to make contributions to transformation, but we are definitely not going to co-operate with plans that will lead us from the ‘wal in die sloot ‘. Protect the commercial farmer and the country will be protected.” Anderson het kongres daaraan herinner dat, hoewel grondhervorming waarskynlik die saak is wat die meeste onrustigheid tot gevolg het, dit beslis nie hanteer moet word asof dit die belangrikste element in die volhou baarheid van landbou as ‘n besigheid is nie.

Toegevoegde waarde al hoe meer bepalend Dr Roelof Botha, onafhanklike ekonoom, het as hoofspreker by die kongres opgetree. Sy tema was die volhoubaarheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie. Hy het klem gelê op toegevoegde waarde wat al hoe meer bepalend word in die uiteindelike sukses

Johannes Möller, president van Agri SA, het gesê daar is nog vele redes waarom Suid-Afrikaanse boere optimisties moet wees.

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van ‘n besigheid. Hy het die regering skerp gekritiseer oor die onkunde wat bestaan ten opsigte van die kompleksiteit van landbou. Twee faktore wat volgens hom uit die oog verloor word, is dat boerdery kapitaal-intensief en vaardigheid-intensief is. Die armste deel van die bevolking bestee die grootste persentasie van hulle inkomste aan voedsel. Die regering moet dit nie uit die oog verloor nie. Hy propageer ‘n “basic income grant” soos in Brasilië, in plaas van die “social grant” wat tans in Suid-Afrika van toepassing is. Kapitaal word in die landbousektor die produktiefste van alle sektore in Suid-Afrika aangewend. Daar was in die afgelope tyd ‘n geweldige toename in die uitvoer van landbouprodukte. Die groei in Afrika is ongekend.

Balansstaat Johannes Möller, president van Agri SA, het ‘n balansstaat van landbou in Suid-Afrika voorgehou. Positiewe faktore wat hy uitgelig het, sluit in: • Suid-Afrika se gunstige en gematigde klimaat; • Suid-Afrika produseer hoëgehaltevoedsel; • Die groei van markte in Suidelike Afrika; • Suid-Afrika het goeie boere; • Suid-Afrika se boere funksioneer binne ‘n sterk finansiële omgewing; • Daar is ekonomiese groei ten spyte van politieke onbeholpenheid; • Suid-Afrika is deel van Afrika; en • Die NOP is positief vir landbou. Negatiewe faktore • Klimaatsverandering gaan op boere ‘n invloed hê; • Landbouskuld – 62% van boere se bates word deur skuld verteenwoordig; • Die gemiddelde ouderdom van boere is 62 jaar;

Oubaas Malan ontvang die trofee vir die beste boerevereniging van die jaar namens die Volksrust Boerevereniging.

Hans van der Merwe ontvang ‘n oorkonde van Gideon Anderson.

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Hennie Laas, uittredende hoofbestuurder van Mpumalanga Landbou, saam met wederhelf Davida.

Gerhard Basson, naaswenner van die Mpumalanga Jongboerkompetisie.

• Die beleidsomgewing, wat deur die regering bepaal word, is negatief; • Suid-Afrika se boere opereer binne ‘n hoëkoste-ekonomie; en • Landelike veiligheid is ‘n groot negatiewe faktor. Sy boodskap oor wat Agri SA te doen staan gegewe hierdie faktore: • Stel die raamwerk vir grondbeginsels vas waarbinne die proses van grondhervorming moet plaasvind; • Nuwe boere moet sonder twyfel gevestig word; • Op tegniese vlak moet samewerking aan die departement van grondsake gegee word; • Ontwikkeling van ‘n SPV (special purpose vehicle) is belangrik; • ’n Finansiële raamwerk moet ontwikkel word; • Boere moet meewerk aan die ontwikkeling van tegnologie; en • Georganiseerde landbou moet toesien dat navorsing nie agterweë gelaat word nie. Möller het afgesluit deur te antwoord op die vraag of dit nou ‘n goeie tyd is om grond te koop. Hy het met ‘n teenvraag geantwoord: “Was dit al ooit ‘n goeie tyd om grond te koop? Hierdie is maar net ‘n ander reus wat voor ons staan en ons moet seker maak die reus val”. Hy het kongresgangers herinner “dat ons nie môre se koerant al vandag kan lees nie. Ek is daarvan oortuig dat die eko nomie en ekonomiese realiteite sal seëvier.”

Hylgard Lourens, wenner van Mpumalanga Landbou se Jongboerkompetisie.

Produksie van voedsel Hans van der Merwe, uitvoerende direkteur van Agri SA, het ook sy siening oor grondhervorming gedeel. Hy het beklemtoon dat die beste versekering vir die kommersiële boer gesetel is in die produksie van voedsel. “Ons moet besef dat die klein en bestaans boer ook deel vorm van die totale landbou prentjie. Stemme is nodig vir die wen van ‘n verkiesing.” Volgens Van der Merwe is daar twee denkrigtings binne die ANC se uitvoerende komitee – die ekonomiese en die sosiaalmaatskaplike denkrigtings. Die waarde van kommersiële boere in die ekonomiese ketting is nie in dié stadium vir die regering van so groot belang nie. In die gesprekke met die regering is dit uiters belangrik om die vertroue te skep dat Agri SA nie ‘n politieke agenda dryf nie. “Ons moet goeie oordeel aan die dag lê oor hoe ver openbare kritiek op die regering gedryf kan word. Die regering moet besef dat ons nie ‘n mandaat soek om te regeer nie.” Hy het kongres gevra om die georganiseerde landbou se leiers nou en in die toekoms te vertrou. Van der Merwe het beklemtoon dat Agri SA en sy lede nie polities “gekontamineer” mag word nie. “Daar word baie druk van die regering op die kommersiële boere geplaas oor ons sosiaalmaatskaplike verantwoordelikheid. In dié verband sal ons definitief ‘n sosiale akkoord met die regering moet aangaan.”

Mpumalanga Landbou se nuwe dagbestuur: Tommy Ferreira, Barend van Rensburg, Moorrees du Toit, Gideon Anderson, Oubaas Malan, Brent Parrot, Alwyn van Graan en Wilscott Radley.

Hy het met ‘n paar opmerkings afgesluit: • Die ANC is uiters gefragmenteer en stuur teenstrydige boodskappe uit; • Is alle seine werklik van langtermynbelang of is dit slegs faksiestruwelinge? • Die SAPK domineer die ANC se uitvoerende komitee; • Die EFF is vir die ANC ‘n groot bedreiging; en • Maak seker dat die georganiseerde landbou sy ledebasis in stand hou en maak seker dat ons optrede korrek is. Tydens die kongresdinee is die volgende oorkondes oorhandig: • Ere-presidentskap aan dr Leon van Rooyen; • Ere-visepresidentskap aan Leon du Plessis; • ‘n Oorkonde vir uitsonderlike diens gelewer oor baie jare aan die georganiseerde landbou aan Hans van der Merwe, uittredende uitvoerende direkteur van Agri SA; en • ‘n Oorkonde vir uitsonderlike diens gelewer aan die georganiseerde landbou aan Hennie Laas, uittredende hoofbestuurder van Mpumalanga Landbou. ‘n Hoogtepunt van die dinee was die aankondiging van die wenner van die Jongboerkompetisie in Mpumalanga. Die wenner vir 2015 is Hylgard Lourens van Nelspruit en die naaswenner is Gerhard Basson van Komatipoort.

Heinz Beneke ontvang ‘n trofee vir die beste bydrae tydens die kongres.

Jannie Moolman het vir die vermaak gesorg.

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In the spotlight at parliament during April and May 2015 Annelize Crosby, advisor: Legal and Land Affairs, Parliamentary Liaison, looks at matters discussed in parliament during April and May 2015. Department of rural development and land reform: Response to the report of the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on restitution

n 27 May 2015, the department of rural development and land reform presented its response to the report of the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on restitution to the Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform. In July 2014 the SAHRC published a report on findings on systematic challenges affecting the land restitution process in South Africa. In its presentation, the department, supported by the Restitution Commission, responded to each finding and recommendations of the SAHRC. The main findings of the SAHRC report were: • The Commission was understaffed, lacked technical skills and had inadequate research capacity; • The role of the Commission was not clear because the Commission was impartial to and independent of the department; • The Commission had a poor research methodology; • The Commission had difficulties on the recording and capturing of current claims as a result of documents and files being lost; • The Commission did not address losses faced by communities from their exclusion from benefiting from mineral resources in and under their land; • Restitution was a judicial process and could not be contingent on the department policies that undermine the need for just and equitable remedy of past rights violations as envisaged in the Constitution; • The backlog of unresolved restitution claims raises concerns that claims filed under the new restitution period might further undermine fulfilment of existing claims; • Significant challenges in relation to the calculations and determination of value of land from which individuals and communities were historically

dispossessed. It had to be seen in the context of subsequent developments and uses; • Absence of • New claims will undermine the backlog capacity with the chief surveyor general of unresolved claims; to do historical research work, to provide • The Amendment Act opened a space for a complete register of all land owned claims by traditional leaders to clash with by different spheres of government and existing community-constituted structures; parastatals to help communities develop and plans for the future; • The Amendment Act would also open • The cadastral surveys the space for claims, for of million hectares of example by traditional land have not been leaders, which might be “The backlog undertaken and the in conflict with existing of unresolved plans and resources claims by other communityrestitution claims necessary for the surveys constituted structures. In did not appear to be in raises concerns addition, the Act intended place. Sub-divisions and to ban communal property that claims filed title deeds had not been institution from owning under the new finalised and registered; redistributed land. This restitution period • The additional period removed an option to might further for submission of claims existing claimants without may create a possible undermine their occurrence. resurgence of new According to the fulfilment of land claims, with the commission, its strategic existing claims.” department expecting plan would address most approximately 397 000 of the issues raised by the claims; SAHRC.

Portfolio Committee on Public Works: Submission received on the Expropriation Bill and the way forward On 26 May 2015 the Portfolio Committee on Public Works met to discuss the submission received on the Expropriation Bill and the way forward. It was decided to grant a further three weeks for written comments to the Committee. Public hearings will now only take place after the parliamentary recess in July. Sugar Association on alternative energy sources On 13 May 2015 the Sugar Association briefed the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry on alternative energy sources. Rolf Lütge, chairman of the Sugar Association of South Africa (SASA), told >>> page 96 agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

agri Nuus/News <<< page 95 the Committee that the fibre (bagasse) of the cane stalk was also used in among other things, the production of renewable electricity. He gave an overview of the industry’s support initiatives in terms of land and rural development such as the Grower Development Account with over R206 million invested for the development of black growers in the industry. He said that the sugar industry could contribute to address the current energy crisis as it could potentially export cumulatively 78 MWs to the national grid.

Senzeni Zokwana, minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, delivered his budget speech Also on 13 May 2015 the minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana, delivered his budget speech. As minister Nkwinti, he also started his speech by referring to the Freedom Charter. He said that The Freedom Charter is the founding document of our democracy, demanding inclusivity as per its opening lines: “South Africa belongs to all who live in it.” He also referred to section 27 of the Constitution, which states that every citizen has the right to access sufficient food and water; and, that the state will ensure the progressive realisation of this right. The minister said that the primary mandate of the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, is to ensure food security. He also referred to the National Development Plan and to the state of the nation address, quoting the president who said: “We are working with the private sector to develop an agricultural policy action plan, which will bring one million hectares of under-utilised land into full production over the next three years.” The minister spoke at length of the achievements of the department over the past year. He also spoke about challenges such as drought and fire. He also said that the management of pests and diseases remains important in contributing to sustainable local agricultural production and exports. “We therefore continue to implement various biosecurity measures to effectively control the entry of such pests and diseases into the territory of the country.” The department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries: 2015 strategic plan and annual performance plan On 12 May 2015 The department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (Daff) briefed the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on its 2015 strategic agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

plan and annual performance plan. Director-general Prof Edith Vries said that the strategic plan was premised on key government medium-term priorities that are informed by the National Development Plan (NDP) and the New Growth Path (NGP), which repositions food security and basket of commodities and value-added agrarian transformation high on products that are destined for export the economic development agenda of the markets; and country. Groundbreaking legislative and • The challenge of growing the smallholder policy reforms were undertaken, which will sector is closely tied up with the challenge take us forward to collectively champion of making smallholder agriculture more a cause for marginalized and vulnerable remunerative. Currently, more than half people. of all smallholder households live below Dr Vries highlighted the following the poverty line. challenges: The total budget for 2015/16 was • The thousands of hectares of R6,3 billion and there was a budget cut underutilised arable land in the former amounting to R300 million. Committee homelands is a challenge; members expressed concern about the • Increased movement of goods and budget cuts. people which, in turn, has led to increased risk to the country and the Budget of the department of rural necessity for increased measures to development and anticipate and land reform prevent possible Minister Nkwinti “The challenge of introduction of presented the budget of growing the smallholder animal diseases, the department of rural sector is closely tied plant pests and development and land up with the challenge other undesirable reform to parliament articles such as of making smallholder on 8 May 2015. He unsafe food and agriculture more started his address in feed, including parliament by referring remunerative. Currently, agricultural to the sections of the more than half of all remedies; Freedom Charter which smallholder households • The growing dealt with land. food insecurity live below the poverty not only in South line.” Africa, but in Southern Africa; climate change and inadequate investment in agricultural production; • Market access for developing producers has also been identified as one of the key challenges for the department; • The challenge facing the sector is to diversify its export destinations, as well as to broaden the

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agri Nuus/News <<< page 96 Minister Nkwinti said that it was the responsibility of the state to translate the Freedom Charter into reality. He said that the litmus test to all policies is whether or not they are redistributive in character. He referred to the relative rights policy, also popularly called the 50/50 policy, and said that he had received various alternative proposals from among others Agri SA, Agbiz, SASA and WRSA and indicated that the policy will be piloted, starting in the current financial year. The minister then announced the following policy proposals on the ceilings, for both natural and juristic persons: • The ceiling for a viable commercial small scale farm should be 1 000 ha; • The ceiling for a medium scale viable commercial farm should be 2 500 ha; and • The ceiling for a large scale viable commercial farm should be 5 000 ha. A special category with a ceiling of 12 000 would apply to game farms, forestry and renewable energy farms. The minister also mentioned the possibility of using a R5 million turnover for commodities such as sugar and fruit, where a requirement of a minimum of 25% shareholding for workers would apply. He stated that anything above “Minister Nkwinti indicated, the ceilings would be expropriated in response to a statement by and that just and equitable compensation would apply. the Freedom Front, that the Regarding restitution, the minister ruling party did not consider indicated that, by mid-April 2015, itself to be bound by the 20 per a total of 55 973 new claims have cent measure of land reform, been lodged with the Commission. and that land reform would He said that the Commission will continue in South Africa until partner with universities and the Human Sciences Research Council land possession reflected the in researching the claims. country’s demographics.“ Minister Nkwinti mentioned that the Portfolio Committee on reported to the Portfolio Committee on Public Works was finalising the agriculture forestry and fisheries on the new Expropriation Bill. He also said that the department’s responses to submissions government condemned land grabbing, even made on the Performing Animals Protection though they acknowledge that progress with Amendment Bill. Following the public land reform has been slow. submissions Daff had, amongst other things Minister Nkwinti indicated, in response amended some of the proposed definitions to a statement by the Freedom Front, that to bring them in line with the principle Act. the ruling party did not consider itself to be Included in these was the definition of bound by the 20 per cent measure of land reform, and that land reform would continue in South Africa until land possession reflected the country’s demographics.

Department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (Daff): Submissions made on the Performing Animals Protection Amendment Bill On 28 April 2015 the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (Daff)

“animal”, which was very broad in the Bill. The definition of “Animal” has now been limited to read: “animal means any equine, bovine, sheep, goat, pig, fowl, ostrich, dog, cat, or other domestic animal or bird, or any wild animal or wild bird which was in captivity or under the control of any person.” Daff also responded to comments on the Plant Breeder’s Rights Bill and Plant Im provement Bill. Clarity was provided on who were included in the definition of a “breeder”. The definition was sufficiently broad to cover natural and legal persons. A proposal that a person with economic expertise be appointed to the Advisory Committee will be favourably considered by Daff. • At the same meeting, the chief director of Inspection and Quarantine, Daff, briefed the committee on poultry meat regulations. The revision of the poultry meat regulations stemmed from requests made from the SA Poultry Association (Sapa), the South African Revenue Service (Sars); Pick n Pay and the Red Meat Producers Organisation. The review process had started in 2010 and two drafts had been made available for public comment. A number of stakeholder meetings took place. The outcome of the meetings had led to a consensus on the proposed treatment level of a maximum of eight per cent >>> page 99

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agri Promosie/Promotional

Kies Ballistic vir beskerming Die deurlopende toename in plaasaanvalle noop boere om hulle en hul gesinne sover moontlik te beveilig. Altesaam 278 plaasaanvalle het verlede jaar op Suid-Afrikaanse plase plaasgevind, volgens Chris van Zyl, assistant-hoofbestuurder van TLU SA. “Dit het tot 67 plaasmoorde gelei.”

ans van der Merwe, uitvoerende direkteur van Agri SA, het in Januarie vanjaar tydens ’n RSG-radiopraatjie gesê dat die gemiddeld 56-65 plaasmoorde per jaar ontstellend hoog is en boere gemaan om hul weerbaarheid nog verder te verhoog. Die meeste plaasaanvalle het verlede jaar in Gauteng plaasgevind, gevolg deur Noordwes, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga en die Vrystaat. “Hier by ons in die Standertonomgewing het die getal plaasaanvalle sedert verlede jaar ook heelwat toegeneem,” sê Hannes Uys van die plaas Rietpoort. “Dit het onder meer daartoe gelei dat ek en verskeie ander boere koeëlvaste baadjies van die maatskappy Ballistic Body Armour bestel het.” Dié Germistonse maatskappy, wat reeds in 1986 gestig is om liggaamsbeskerming vir die plaaslike mark te vervaardig, was

agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

die eerste groep wat koeëlvaste baadjies plaaslik vervaardig het. Vandag is verskeie soorte baadjies beskikbaar, onder meer vir vinnige reaksie, polisie en selfs polisiehonde. Die boere-baadjie is spesiaal vir boere ontwerp. Volgens Uys was dit ’n aangename ervaring om met Ballistic Body Armour te werk. “Hulle het ’n personeellid na ons uitgestuur om die baadjie aan ons te verduidelik en te demonstreer en daarna kon ons presies bestel wat ons elkeen nodig gehad het.” Die beskermende baadjies is in verskillende groottes beskikbaar – klein (tot 85cm), medium, groot, X-groot en ook XX-groot (116-125cm). Die baadjie wat spesiaal vir boere ontwikkel is, bied voor-, agter- en kantbeskerming. Die sagte panele kan verwyder word en die buitenste deel kan selfs in ’n wasmasjien gewas word. Wat van Ballistic Body Armour opval, is dat dié maatskappy van die begin af

’n beleid gevolg het om sy eie produkte te ontwikkel en uiteraard deeglik te toets. Dit word in sy toetslaboratorium gedoen, wat vandag van die gevorderdste in die land is en onder meer aan NIJ 0101.04 en SABI 1658:1996 onderwerp word. Die maatskappy is sedert 1999 reeds ISO 9001-geregistreer, wat die hoogste gehaltestandaarde neerlê. Omdat Ballistic Body Armour in gevorderde oorlewingstegnologie spesialiseer, het die maatskappy ook hul reeks beskermingsprodukte met toepaslike helms, skerms en selfs bomkomberse uitgebrei. Die produkreeks word deur- opend volgens markbehoefte vergroot.

Lees meer oor Ballistic Body Armour se beskermingsprodukte op sy webwerf, www.bodyarmour.co.za. Meer inligting kan ook per e-pos aangevra word (info@bodyarmour.co.za).

<<< page 97

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• •

•

agri Nuus/News

of brine content in poultry meat. It seemed however that the department of health was worried about the amount of salt intake involved with brining; hence they were against the eight per cent level. The following conclusions were presented to the Portfolio Committee: The proposed draft amendment on brining levels represents a compromise between the industry and the consumer; Consensus cannot be reached with some industry role-players and government will have to take the final decision; Chicken represents a cheap source of protein – consumer protection and improvement of nutrition, however, remain essential; The majority of the stakeholders accept the draft amendment in its proposed state; The poultry regulations are not cast in stone and may be reviewed should the proposed amendments have an unintended negative impact; and Minister is the only empowered person to either approve or reject the proposed amendments.

Restitution Commission: Strategic plan for 2015-2020 as well as the annual performance plan 2015/2016 On 16 April 2015 the Restitution Commission presented its strategic plan for 2015-2020, as well as the annual performance plan 2015/2016 to the Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform. The chief land claims commissioner, Nomfundo Gobodo, reported that the Commission was in the process of gaining more independence from the department of rural development and land reform. She said that there was a need for the Commission to be autonomous. The Commission was, however, still administratively dependent on the department. The greatest risk facing the Commission was its limited budget. The Commission intends to settle 463 land claims in the current financial year and to research 2 660 claims. Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: Proposed amendments to the Disaster Management Act On 14 April 2015 the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs discussed the proposed amendments to the Disaster Management Act. The Disaster Amendment Bill was published for comment in January 2015. Its main objective is to address the problems that have been experienced in the implementation of the principal Act since its promulgation in 2003 and to promote the effective and efficient implementation of the principal Act. Certain definitions are amended to bring them in line with international terminology. The Bill proposes that the National Disaster Management Centre has to function within a department of state. It requires national, provincial and municipal organs of state to conduct disaster risk assessments. Public hearings took place on 20 and 21 April. Organisations such as the Southern Africa Society for Disaster Reduction, Research Alliance for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction, Disaster Management Training and Education Centre, University of the Free State, South African Local Government Association (Salga) and the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction presented to the Committee. The department responded to the public inputs in an official document, which responses were dealt with at a meeting of the committee held on 27 May. The presentations made at the public hearings as well as the summary of proposed amendments and the department’s reaction thereto are available on request. agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

agri Securitas

in aid of Agri-Securitas

Nick Mallett, former SA rugby player and Springbok coach, will be the main speaker at this year’s Prestige Sports Evening in aid of Agri-Securitas. Nick Mallett will share his opinions on the state of South African rugby, review this seasons Super Rugby competition and analyse the Springboks chances at this year’s Rugby World Cup. The event will take place at St. Georges Hotel in Centurion on Thursday, 20 August 2015. Darren Scott will be the MC for the evening. The Prestige Sports Evening is in aid of the Agri-Securitas Trust Fund, which provides for the safety and security of farms, farmers and farm workers in South Africa. Afgri, NWK, OFM and Senwes are partnering to make this prestigious fundraising event possible for the 11th time this year. Date: Time: Venue: Dress code: Cost: Bookings.:

20 August 2015 18:30 for 19:00 St. George Hotel, Centurion Formal R10 000 (excl VAT) per table of 10 Cornèl Erasmus - 051 505 0900 or cornel@redstaragency.co.za

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agri Promosie/Promotional

Grondsuurheid: Bestuur van bemestingstowwe ESMOND COEN

Die deurlopende bestuur van grondsuurheid in die verbouing van gewasse is van kardinale belang, selfs na ‘n droë seisoen waar grondversuring moontlik teen ‘n stadiger tempo plaasgevind het.

ie toegediende kunsmisstowwe, wat bydra om die pH te verlaag, kan moontlik meer residuele voedingstowwe in die grond tot gevolg hê as tydens ‘n goeie reënvalseisoen. Die oordeelkundige produ sent sal hierdie residuele voedingstowwe in berekening bring met die berekening van die voedingsbehoefte vir die komende seisoen se aanplantings. Grondsuurheid is ‘n aanduiding van die balans van H+- en Al3+- ione in die grondoplossing. Die toename in die H+-ioon veroorsaak ‘n vrystelling van Al3+-ione vanuit die klei-minerale na die grondoplossing, wat vir plantwortels toksies is. Die Al3+-ione verhinder die beskikbaarheid vir die opname van katione soos kalium, kalsium en magnesium, wat veroorsaak dat plante nie hulle genetiese groei- en produksiepotensiaal kan bereik nie. Die goedkoopste manier om die grondsuurheid te korrigeer, is om landboukalk toe te dien om sodoende die kalsium- en magnesiumvlakke te verhoog. Die voordele van kalktoediening is soos volg:

• Dit verhoog die pH • Dit verhoog die doeltreffendheid van die kunsmis • Dit verhoog die kalsium- en magnesiuminhoud van die grond • Dit verbeter wortelindringing in suur ondergrond (daar is ‘n versnelde effek wanneer gips bygevoeg word). Die regstelling van die pH nader aan ‘n neutrale pH-vlak veroorsaak dat voeding stowwe wat verhinder is om opgeneem te word, weer in die grondoplossing vir opname deur die plante beskikbaar raak. Daar is plant voedingstowwe wat uit die grond loog gedurende die produksieseisoen wat ongelukkig nie meer beskikbaar sal wees vir die volgende seisoen se aanplantings nie. Die bygaande is ‘n grafiese voorstelling

van die plantbeskikbaarheid van verskillende voedingstowwe by verskillende pH-statusse in ‘n voorgestelde grondoplossing. Dit is ontstellend om die hoeveelhede duur kunsmisstowwe wat nie beskikbaar vir plant opname by ongewenste pH-statusse is nie, te sien. Korrekte regstellings van pH met hoëgehaltelandboukalk het duidelik meer voordele as net ‘n gewenste pH-vlak, wat ook meebring dat residuele voedingstowwe benut kan word wat by lae pH-vlakke nie beskikbaar is nie.

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agri Securitas

Slaan saam af in die

NWK/Senwes Agri Securitas Trustfonds-gholfdag en help so om ons boerderygemeenskappe te beskerm op 3 September 2015 by die Val de Gracegholfbaan, Parys

Nieteenstaande die veiligheidsbedreigings wat die Suid-Afrikaanse landbouprodusent daagliks in die gesig staar, word hy wêreldwyd beny vir sy kundigheid wat steeds sorg dat daar nie ‘n tekort aan voedsel in ons land bestaan nie. Landbouprodusente speel ‘n onmisbare rol as bydraer tot die totale ekonomie van ons land. Slaan saam af en help ons om die produsente van Suid-Afrika te beskerm as ‘n bate vir die toekoms.

Indien die reuk van groen gras op die setperk en die vars lug jou hart vinniger laat klop, dan is die NWK/Senwes/Agri Securitas-gholfdag wat op 3 September 2015 by die Val de Grace-gholfbaan gehou word, net die plek waar jy en jou maatskappy moet wees.

Plaasveiligheid baat by gholfdag

KOSTES VIR DEELNAME

Die voorkoms van plaasaanvalle en algemene misdadigheid is slegs enkele van die bedreigings wat ‘n nadelige effek op individue se veilig heid en die produksievermoë van die Suid-Afrikaanse landbou het. Sonder ‘n veilige en vooruitstrewende landbousektor is voedselsekuriteit en landelike stabiliteit in Suid-Afrika nie gewaarborg nie. Die doel van die Agri Securitas Trustfonds is om ‘n bydrae te maak tot die bevordering van landelike veiligheid en bly daartoe verbind om met ‘n positiewe gesindheid en met konstruktiewe optrede te werk vir ‘n veilige en welvarende landboubedryf in Suid-Afrika. Fondse wat die dag ingesamel word, sal gebruik word om plaasgemeenskappe te help beveilig deur die voorsiening van radio-kommunikasiestelsels, oprigting van valhekke, verskaffing van landelike beveiligingstoerusting, befondsing van navorsing oor motiewe vir plaasaanvalle en trauma berading. Verskeie boerderygemeenskappe in die Vrystaat en Noordwes Provinsie het reeds gebaat by die ondersteuning van die Trustfonds. Uit versoeke vir bydraes blyk dit dat behoeftes oor ‘n wye front toeneem en die terugvoer wat ontvang word dui daarop dat die bydraes ‘n verskil maak aan mense se veiligheid en lewens. Elke bydrae ter ondersteuning van die doelstellings van die trustfonds word daarom opreg waardeer.

Koste vir ‘n vierbal: R3 800.00 (BTW uitgesluit) Sluit in: Baanfooie, verwelkomingsdrankie, halfweghuis, 2 addisionele koeldranke of gebottelde water op die baan, aandete en ‘n geskenk. Koste vir die borg van putjie: R2 500.00 (BTW uitgesluit). Sluit in: putjie en middagete vir twee. Formaat vir die dag: “Better-Ball-Competition” Telkaarte moet per paar voltooi word. Deelname aan die gholfdag sal die volgende blootstelling aan maatskappye en instansies bied: • Deur ‘n putjie te borg, kan reklamemateriaal om die putjie aangebring word. • Deelnemende instansies se logo sal deur die loop van die prysuitdelingsete deurlopend op die skerm vertoon word. • Alle borge se logo’s sal in die program ingesluit word. • Deelnemende instansies sal in die Agri-tydskrif van Agri SA wat aan nagenoeg 27 000 produsente gepos word, vermeld word. • Blootstelling aan deelnemende instansies sal ook op Agri SA se webblad gegee word. Die sluitingsdatum vir inskrywings, putjieborgskappe en betaling is 24 Augustus 2015. U 4-bal- en/of putjie-bespreking word bevestig slegs sodra volle betaling ontvang is voor die sluitingsdatum. Deelname aan die dag en u bydraes om landelike Suid-Afrika en die boerderygemeenskap se veiligheid landswyd te help bevorder, sal verwelkom word.

Navrae en besprekings Die Agri Securitas Trustfonds het Silver Crest Event Management aangestel om behulpsaam te wees met die gholfdagreëlings. Navrae en besprekings kan aan Juanita da Matta gerig word by 084 514 5180 of juanita@silvercrestevents.co.za agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

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MEDIABORG

agri Promosie/Promotional

The TATA 207 DI a real hard worker Indian driving conditions are known to be tough and difficult, especially for commercial vehicle drivers, extended hours of engine operation, exposure to various terrains, yet with an expectation of reliability and economical cost of operation.

he TATA 207 DI worker has been designed and built keeping these specific expectations in mind. If you are looking for a reliable and affordable workhorse, which works as hard as you, never lets you down and is light on your pocket, then this bakkie designed for urban and rural use is your answer. The 207DI worker comes with an impressive 3.0L turbo charged powerful diesel engine, spurting out an impressive 52.5kW of power at 2800 rpm and 225Nm of torque at 1500-2000 rpm, clearly the best in the class. The four cylinder engine is remarkably smoother, has good acceleration and assures its owner of a strong and reliable powerhouse. With a rear axle ratio of 4.1, top speed of 120 kph and 26% gradeability, the worker is agile and fast. But that is not even why this vehicle is a winner, what really sets this worker apart from its contemporaries is the fact that the powertrain of this vehicle is surprisingly the same powertrain which is used in the SFC 407 two tonner truck. Now that is called a design delight!

The vehicle has been designed to accommodate larger and heavier payloads while retaining the aesthetic and comfort value. The 207 DI worker offers extra loading capabilities with a dropside body length of 2.425 mts and a rated payload of 1.1 tons. The worker carries the 1.1 ton rated payload effortlessly and obediently every time you put it to task. The new stylish three way dropside flatbed load body has been designed for easy loading/unloading and is suitable for all kinds of loads. The skirt panel has been introduced below the load body to improve aesthetics. The cabin is spacious, comfortable and ergonomically designed to make long drives/ usage comfortable. A buyer can choose attractive accessories to make the worker look even more appealing. The power steering along with an adjustable steering wheel makes it easier for different users to adjust the position to their comfort level. With the best ground clearance of 210 mm in its category coupled with large tyres, the worker is up and ready for all kind of terrains, be it your farm, construction site, factory or highways.

The Tata 207 DI is an example of a perfect multi-tasker. It can not only fit the bill as a worker, but also could be used as a vehicle for final leg distribution and can be used for a large range of applications such as distribution of milk, vegetables, poultry and FMCG goods. The list is long. It is also an ideal vehicle for multiple forms of personnel-based applications such as highway maintenance, roadworks, construction, courier vans and “do-it-yourself” applications. High fuel efficiency and low maintenance cost makes the operating economics work in favour of the buyer. As long as the vehicle is maintained as per the service intervals, all you would need to do is fill the tank and make the vehicle work for you. The vehicle comes standard with 3 Year/100 000 km warranty and roadside assistance for similar duration and unlimited kms. The icing on the cake: It retails at R 149 995 (Incl VAT) in South Africa. Looking at the options that are available in South Africa, the 207 DI worker at this price and with all of the above is definitely worth buying.

207DI Turbo 3.0l Worker

Hard Worker. Model used for illustration purposes and may differ

When you need a Bakkie that works as hard and tirelessly as you do, then the new 207DI Worker is your best choice.

From only

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1.1-Ton payload High ground clearance Power steering

p.m.*

207DI Worker

Retail R149 995, R2063 per month over 72 months, 30% residual, 10% deposit, Total Repayment R208 534.. Excludes once off initiation fee and monthly bank service fee. T&C’s apply. E&OE No finance application refused.

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agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

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agri Promosie/Promotional

N1 4x4 Land Cruiser Festival 28 – 30 August 2015 In August 2015, N1 4x4 will celebrate our 20th year of serving the 4x4 community. As a part of the festivities, we are going to host the Land Cruiser Festival at Tarlton International Raceway on 28-30 August 2015.

ast year we established two new records, one for the most Cruisers on site (where we spelt the name Land Cruiser with parked Cruisers) and also for the most moving Cruisers in a convoy. With the support of our Cruiser community we plan to set new records again this year so please come and join us! We will again provide entertainment from the Friday night, for those who join us camping for the weekend. Saturday’s festival will be packed with activities: The two record events; Drags for Cruiser with timed runs and

certificates for the participants; Concourse for Cruisers – the best original and the best modified; Rally Rides; Technical Workshop; Kids entertainment; Outdoor Exhibitors; Food Vendors; Bar facilities and Clint & Co on stage for Saturday night. Please see the registration document and assist us by completing this and by returning the forms as soon as possible. This assists us with the planning of the event. Trio Events will again manage the Festival for us. All the correspondence regarding registrations will be

confirmed and communicated by them. We will send special updates as we get closer to the date. We look forward to seeing you as this year’s festival!

Contact detail Registrations: www.N14x4.co.za General enquiries: admin@ekspo.co.za Tel 082 201 6722 (office hours).

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CONTACT US T: +27 12 545 0200 F: 012 940 3383 E: admin@n14x4.co.za PYRAMID (HEAD OFFICE) Plot 6, Olifant Street, Haakdoornlaagte GPS: S 25d 35m 32.05s E 28d 16m 41.10s MONTANA BRANCH Shop 5, Montana Value Centre GPS: S 25d 40m 57.49s E 28d 16m 28.41s

See details far beyond human capability N14x4.indd 1

2015/04/01 11:37 AM

On every farm there are areas where the soil is dry or too wet. Here a pathogen or fungus could be taking hold. The crop may also possibly need pesticides.

t is almost impossible to identify such areas without walking every single row of the crop. Even then, the farmer would need super human vision to tell exactly which plant is about to be affected. Our small UAVs fly over fields, collecting image data that goes far beyond what the human eye can see. Historically acquired from satellite images (NDVI), our advanced camera systems provide detailed images of crops in various colour bands, which can quickly highlight abnormalities that cannot be seen by the

agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

naked eye. These images can be collected frequently, cost effectively and with more detail, to provide a near real time view of the farmer’s field. This allows the farmer to take the guesswork out of farming. It is now

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possible to give every square meter of the crop exactly what it needs, when it needs it. Farmers get a bigger crop yield, and use less input – water, fertiliser, fungicide, pesticide etc. Pricing from R80 per hectare, contact Peter Gill: 082 901 1505.

agri Weiding/Grazing

Invloed van ontblaring op wortelgroei PROF HENNIE SNYMAN, DEPARTEMENT VEE-, WILD- EN WEIDINGKUNDE, UNIVERSITEIT VAN DIE VRYSTAAT

Alhoewel ontblaring van weiplante as normale verskynsel binne die funksionering van die weiding-ekosisteem beskou kan word, moet dit tog met omsigtigheid hanteer word, aangesien dit die produktiwitet van die weiding-ekosisteem aansienlik kan beïnvloed. Hier word veral die intensiteit (hoe straf) en frekwensie (hoe gereeld) van ontblaring bedoel. Wortelstelsels by weiplante herstel nie naastenby teen dieselfde tempo as die bogrondse plantdele ná ‘n brand of beweiding nie. ‘n Veel langer rustyd as wat op die oog af nodig lyk, kan dus vereis word. Sou dit nie toegelaat word nie, sal veld met swak verspreide wortelstelsels ‘n boer des te meer aan droogte uitlewer.

oe strawwer die plant ontblaar word, hoe groter is die afname in wortelmassa (Figuur 1). Kort ontblaarde plante is dus langer aangewese op die onttrekking van groei-reserwes vir hergroei. Dieselfde geld vir gereelde ontblarings waar die wortelmassa ook afneem en die fabriek (blare) van die plant nie die nodige rus kry om optimaal te kan herstel nie. Daar word dus soms verkeerdelik geredeneer dat weiplante van tyd tot tyd wel straf ontblaar moet word ten einde toe te laat vir voldoende wortelafsterwing om sodoende die organiese materiaal (humus) in die grond weer aan te vul. Wortelafsterwing vir humus-aanvulling in die grond is ‘n natuurlike proses wat seisoenaal gekoppel is en word ook deur die klimaat beïnvloed. Met droogtetye is wortelafsterwing groter as wanneer optimale groeitoestande voorkom. Die blote afname in wortelmassa weens intensiteit en frekwensie van ontblaring is van minder belang as die feit dat wortelgroei deur ontblaring vertraag word. Indien 80% tot 90% van byvoorbeeld ‘n klimaksplant in

die droër dele se blaaroppervlakte verwyder word, kan dit ‘n totale staking in wortelgroei van so lank as 12 tot 17 dae meebring. Ontblaring van 60% tot 70% laat wortelgroei vir ‘n paar dae gedeeltelik staak, terwyl 40% tot 50% se ontblaring wortelgroei net vertraag, maar nie heeltemal laat ophou nie. Die graad van benutting van ‘n weiplant het dus ‘n direkte invloed op wortelontwikkeling, en gevolglik op die hergroei van die bogrondse komponent. Indien die plant baie straf ontblaar word, is dit lank aangewese op die onttrekking van groeireserwes wat in die stoppels en wortelbasisse gestoor word vir gebruik in hergroei. Die weerstand van so ‘n plant om droogtetoestande en herhaalde ontblarings te oorleef, is dus baie laag. So ‘n plant sal ook moeilik vir water en plantvoedingstowwe vanuit die grond kan kompeteer met nie ontblaarde plante. Die verhouding tussen die graad van benutting tussen plante word deur die dier se voorkeure bepaal. Nadat ‘n kamp met ‘n laer drukbeweidingsbenadering benut is, sal smaakliker plante maksimaal ontblaar wees, terwyl die persentasie ontblaring van onsmaaklike plante laer sal wees. Minder ontblaarde plante se kompeteervermoë sal dus sterker wees vir voedingstowwe en water as die straf ontblaardes. Die lengte van die rusperiode moet dus lank genoeg wees sodat die groeireserwes van smaaklike plante weer aangevul kan word voor die daaropvolgende

Figuur 1 Invloed van ontblaring op wortelgroei

Dié artikel is ‘n uittreksel uit Gids tot die volhoubare produksie van weiding

ontblaring. ‘n Ander beginsel is om die smaaklike plante net tot so ‘n mate te ontblaar dat dit so gou moontlik weer normaal kan fotosinteer en so kort moontlik aangewese is op die onttrekking van groeireserwes vanuit die wortels vir hergroei. Gedurende die lente-maande, wanneer die fabriek (blaaroppervlakte) van die plant nog nie optimaal funksioneer nie, is die plant aangewese op groeireserwes vir bot en hergroei. Tydens hierdie periode is die plant vatbaar vir oorbeweiding (indien te lank in kamp gebly word) en moet sorg gedra word dat die fabriek eers optimaal funksioneer voordat beweiding weer plaasvind. Meer navorsers moet spreekwoordelik in die toekoms ondergronds beweeg ten einde die volle bydrae van die plant se wortelstelsel tot volhoubare diereproduksie te ontrafel. Hierdeur sal die volle prentjie van die verskillende weiveldbestuursbenaderings (lae benuttingsbenadering en hoë benuttingsbenadering) se voor- en nadele duideliker uitgewys kan word. Daar moet dus nie net na die bogrondse produsiepotensiaal gekyk word in besluitnemings nie, maar deegliker besef word dat die bo- en ondergrond afhanklik is van mekaar. Kennis oor plantegroei en die benutting daarvan is veranderlike hulpbronne waaroor die boer wel beheer het. Verder moet die veeboer nie alleen waarneem wat gebeur met die omgewing, klimaat, voeding, tegnologie, diere en hul produksie nie, maar hy moet die waarnemings behoorlik monitor. Om te monitor beteken om vrae soos wanneer, wat, waarom, hoe, hoeveel, en wie te beantwoord en hierdie antwoorde op rekord te plaas om as verwysingsbron te dien in toekomstige besluitnemingsprosesse. Hoe fyner die waarnemings gemaak word en hoe deegliker die monitering geskied, hoe groter die vooruitsigte vir sukses.

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Graan SA tevrede met suksesvolle NAMPO 2015 ‘n Kombinasie van die nuutste landboutegnologie, produkverskeidenheid, innovasie, gesprekvoering, netwerkgeleenthede, landbou-gasvryheid en ideale weersomstandighede het gesorg dat NAMPO 2015, wat gedurende Mei buite Bothaville in die Vrystaat plaasgevind het, sy reputasie gestand gedoen het as Suid-Afrika se vertoonvenster van landbou.

raan SA, organiseerder van Nampo Oesdag, is tevrede met hoe die 49ste Oesdag afgeloop het en uitstallers se terugvoer dui op goeie belangstelling deur vanjaar se 69 584 besoekers. Nuwe toevoegings, soos die saadplotte, tentehotel en die trekker-enwaentjie-vervoerstelsel, was doeltreffend en het ‘n positiewe bydrae gelewer. Ten spyte van tandekryprobleme het die elektroniese toegangskaartjiestelsel goed gewerk. ‘n Basis is vanjaar gelê met die Namporekenaartoep (app) wat aan uitstallers en besoekers bekendgestel is en wat verder ontwikkel en bemark sal word. Graan SA agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

was ook tydens die Oesdagweek aktief op die sosiale media-netwerke en dié medium is benut om intydse foto’s en inligting te publiseer en algemene navrae te beantwoord. “‘n Mens verwag dat die droogte tans die gemoedstemming van produsente bepaal. Tog het ons meer kommervrae oor grondhervorming ontvang as oor die droogte,” het Jannie de Villiers, uitvoerende hoofbestuurder van Graan SA, gesê. Die minister van landbou, bosbou en visserye, Senzeni Zokwana, het Nampo 2015 bygewoon om deel te neem aan ‘n Nasie in Gesprek-dialoog oor arbeidsverhoudinge.

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Grondhervorming en finansieringsmodelle, beskikbaarheid van natuurlike hulpbronne en die waarde van tegnologiese integrasie was die ander Nasie in Gesprek-onderwerpe waaraan meningvormers deelgeneem het en met ‘n ander beeld van landbou kon huis toe gaan. “Minister Zokwana se teenwoordigheid was ‘n pluimpie vir Graan SA en vir landbou in die breë. Die graanbedryf het waardering daarvoor dat hy deurlopend moeite doen om met kommersiële landbou kontak te maak. Hy is waarskynlik die eerste landbouminister sedert 1994 om die Oesdag te besoek. Dit beklemtoon die Nampo Oesdag as

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‘n gesaghebbende platform vir dialoog, gesprekvoering en netwerkgeleenthede,” het De Villiers bygevoeg. Graan SA het ook gesprekke gevoer met hoofde van die kommersiële banke, Land Bank en versekeraars oor die herskedulering van graanprodusente se produksieskuld asook insetfinansiering vir nuwe erakommersiële produsente. Die organisasie trakteer sy lede jaarliks

as ‘n blyk van waardering vir hul volgehoue ondersteuning. Die ledelokaal – wat verlede jaar opgegradeer is – asook gratis toegang en spesiale parkering, is weer doeltreffend deur lede van Graan SA benut. “Die infrastruktuur op Nampo Park is oor jare geskep en uitgebrei om ‘n groot getal besoekers met gemak te hanteer en om uitstalgeriewe van ‘n hoë standaard aan uitstallers te kan bied. Selfs die aanloopbaan

kon vanjaar ‘n totaal van 365 vliegtuie en helikopters oor die vier dae gemaklik hanteer. Graan SA is gerat om aanstaande jaar die 50ste Nampo Oesdag met trots aan te bied,” het Cobus van Coller, Nampo Oesdagvoorsitter, gesê. Dié landbouhandelskou vind altyd gedurende die 20ste week van die jaar plaas en sal dus volgende jaar van 17 tot 20 Mei duur.

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ie propvol kompetisiekalender lys meer as 30 kragmetings, wat wissel van die Muskadel Uitdaag met 22 inskrywings, tot die enorme SA Jongwynskou waarin jaarliks sowat 2 000 wyne meeding. Hierdie kompetisie se wyne is egter nog in hul prille jeug en die meeste sal nie hierdie jaar gebottel word nie. Dis basies ‘n maatstaf vir die bedryf, waarin nege wyndistrikte meeding om uiteindelik 19 SA kampioene op te lewer, insluitend die algehele wenner van die allemintige Genl Smuts-trofee wat die Curriebeker na ‘n teekoppie laat lyk. Die grootste riglyne vir verbruikers is egter die Veritas-toekennings – as’t ware die Oscars van die bedryf wat by ‘n reusegalageleentheid in die Kaapse Internasionale Konferensiesentrum (KIKS) aangebied word – asook die Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show en Michelangelo International Awards. Die Trophy Wine Show is vroeg uit die wegspringblokke en dié kompetisie se uitslae is reeds bekend. So ook die Muskadel SA Toekennings en Cappa Port en Wyn Uitdaag. Die laasgenoemde twee is van my gunstelinge as ondersteuner van die “underdog”. Sien, gefortifiseerde of soetwyne trek deesdae swaar wêreldoor, maar hulle bied van die grootste juwele wat vir donkiejare in jou kelder kan verouder. En wat ‘natuurliker’ en gesonder is as enige kunsmatige, suikersoet likeur vir plesierige knertsies... Of vir ‘n warmhartgevoel op koue, nat wintersdae soos ons nou hier in die Kaap kry. Die intieme funksie vir die portprysuitdeling was juis op so ‘n reëndag – in daardie ouwêreldse Muratie-kelderrestaurant naby Stellenbosch – met dekor van dik, verkleurde mure, spinnerakke, mos, ou wynvate, ouderwetse skilderye en, glo dit as jy wil, Persiese matte op die betonvloere. Met dik botterskorsiesop en kerrie-lamsvleis op geelrys en, natuurlik, voortreflike port en Portugese

Cassie du Plessis

Kranig in die kelderkragmetings Die nuwe geslag dra die fakkel vir Boplaas. Susters Rozanne en Margaux Nel, onderskeidelik bemarker en wynmaker by Calitzdorp se Boplaas, wenner van die Port en Wyn Uitdaag.

Met die jongste oes ingesamel en die belangrikste verwerking agter die rug, het die seisoen van pronk aangebreek en ‘n paar veldslae is reeds agter die rug. Reserve 2012 Boplaas Touriga Nacional 2014 Boplaas Tinta Chocolat 2014 Boplaas Ring of Rocks 2013 Calitzdorp Wynkelder Touriga Nacional 2013 • De Krans Touriga Nacional 2014 • De Krans Tinta Roriz 2013 • Fledge & Co Big Red 2012 • Peter Bayly III 2012 Daar was 63 inskrywings en wat die portafdeling betref, het die Boplaas Cape Tawny Reserve Bin 1880 en Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2013, onderskeidelik algeheel eerste en tweede plekke behaal. Boplaas het dus die Cape Vintage- en Cape Tawny-klasse gewen, met Groot Constantia Cape Ruby die wenner van die robynklas en die KWV Limited Release Tawny Port 1948 wat koning gekraai het in die museumklas. Intussen, as mens na die uitslae van die Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show kyk, dan sien jy ook dat Calitzdorp se kranige De Krans een van die 18 top-trofeë gewen het, naamlik Beste Port met die De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2012. Die algehele wenner was Rustenberg, met trofeë (en goud) vir sy Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2012 en Peter Barlow 2009 Red, asook ‘n handvol silwermedaljewenners. Selfs in die genoemde muskadelkompetisie het Calitzdorp sy spog ingekry, met die Boplaas Heritage White Muscadel 2011 wat een van ses goue medaljes losgeslaan het. Die top-presteerders was Wonderfontein Wit Muskadel 2012 en Oranjerivier Kelders Rooi Muskadel 2013 – elk met ‘n platinumtoekenning wat ook erkenning aan die voortreflikheid van die verpakking gee. Muskadels is mos oor die jare gekenmerk deur minder spoggerige “aanbiedings”. Maar die prentjie is besig om te verander, alhoewel die rakpryse nog van die grootste winskope in die wyngeweste is. • • • •

Pure plesier! Simon Barlow, eienaar van Rustenberg Wyne, spog as mees suksesvolle produsent by die 2015 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show.

kultivar-wyne. Die laasgenoemde is afkomstig van vreemde kultivars soos Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz en Touriga Francesca, en is eintlik deel van “Plan B” waarmee die handjievol kranige kelders van Calitzdorp in die KleinKaroo vorendag gekom het om die wêreld se teenslae aan te vat. Hulle vorm die kern van Cappa (Cape Port Producers Association), wat ondanks die Europese Unie se verbod op die gebruik van die port-term, hul momentum behou deur gebruik van die “Cape”-woord op hul kenmerkende portstylverpakkings en die maak van onbetwisbare internasionale gehaltewyne. Daarmee saam gee die baanbrekers, Boplaas en De Krans, ook die pas aan met ‘n nuwe geslag rooi tafelwyne van die bogenoemde Portugese kultivars. Volgens Boplaas se eienaar-wynmaker, Carel Nel, is die toenemende gewildheid van tafelwyne van Portugese kultivars ‘n nuwe internasionale tendens, onder meer danksy hul gehalte, “anderse” eienskappe en geskiktheid as koswyn, veral met vleis. Die Cappa-kompetisie gee deesdae erkenning aan hierdie wynstyle, waarvan die Top 10 soos volg aangewys is – almal van Calitzdorp (alfabetiese volgorde): • Axehill Machado 2013 • Boplaas Touriga Francesa Family

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agri Bewaring/Conservation

Grondgesondheid en beweiding: Lesse van migrerende troppe wilde diere Nou kyk, as mens die beste deel van jou loopbaan van 25 jaar daaraan bestee het om te probeer verstaan, opnames te doen, mense bewus te maak, opleiding te gee en te skryf oor die gevare van hulpbronagteruitgang en hoe om dit te bestuur, sluk jy aanvanklik maar swaar as ‘n boer vir jou sê: Met groot getalle diere het ek my plaas reg bewei!

k het in Junie vanjaar die voorreg gehad om saam met Frits van Oudtshoorn, bekende weidingskonsultant van Modimole, en Ivan Riggs, ‘n hulpbronbewaringsinspekteur van ouds van die departement van landbou, bosbou en visserye by Lucas van der Westhuizen in die Alma-distrik te gaan kuier. Die doel van ons besoek was om ondersoek in te stel na die verband tussen hoë beweidingsdruk en die hulpbrontoestand, veral die toestand van die grond op ‘n beesplaas waar intensiewe beweiding plaasvind.

Groot troppe diere en hul impak op grond en plantegroei Regoor die wêreld heen is daar voor beelde van groot troppe wilde diere wat seisoenaal na beter weidings migreer. Vir

Healthy soils for a healthy life ons is die bekendste voorbeeld seker die springboktroppe wat deur die Karoo en Kalahari beweeg. Maar daar is ook die wildebeeste, sebras en Thompson’s gaselle van die Serengeti in Kenia, die bisons van Noord-Amerika, die Saiga op die steppe van Rusland en Kazakstan, die kariboe van die arktiese

landskappe, en die guanacos op die mees Suidelike punt van Suid-Amerika, om maar net ‘n paar te noem. Wanneer duisende van hierdie diere in groot troppe bymekaarkom, verander die dinamika van hul impak op die omgewing drasties weg van dié van individuele diere na dié van die trop en kry mens ‘n kumulatiewe effek, amper iets soos 1 + 1 = 3. Grasvretende diere speel ‘n belangrike rol in grasveld- en savanne-ekosisteme. Diere vreet die gras voor dit oud, droog en onsmaaklik raak. Periodieke beweiding verseker vegetatiewe groei, plantwortels sprei uit en soos die plantbedekking versprei en toeneem, vorm dit ‘n deklaag wat die grond beskerm teen direkte hitte en verdamping. Dit help weer om vog te bewaar. >>> bladsy 113

Lehman Lindeque ieca.safrica@gmail.com agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

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>>> bladsy 111 Wanneer dit reën, vertraag die grasbedekking, die dooie gras en plantmateriaal tussenin, die vloeitempo van water wat infiltrasie verhoog. Hoe meer water in die grond insak, hoe meer water word gestoor en hoe langer sal vog beskikbaar wees ná die reën. Dié klink behoorlik soos die “ideale argument”, maar dit is presies wat dit is! Weidende diere en grasveld is die perfekte kombinasie. Hulle het die laaste 24 miljoen jaar saam ontwikkel en elk maak gebruik van die goeie eienskappe van die ander. Diere trap eenvoudig die dooie plantmateriaal plat en dryf dit met hulle gesplete hoewe in die grond in om daar in kontak te kom met grondmikrobes en vog en so kan die verrottingsproses begin, plantwortels word weer gevoed, gras groei en die hele siklus herhaal homself. Hierdie hoefaksie breek ook die harde kors wat soms op die oppervlak vorm en sodoende kom die grassaad in kontak met die grond en reënwater kan makliker infiltreer. Die platgetrapte materiaal vertraag die spoed van afloopwater en die holtes wat deur die hoewe in die grond veroorsaak word, hou ook water vas wat oor tyd infiltreer en die grondvog aanvul. Natuurlik laat die diere mis en urine agter, nagereg vir al die grondmikrobes! Mishope vorm ook baie gunstige habitatte vir sekere grondmikrobes en saam met die gedeeltelik verteerde gras uit die bees se verteringstelsel, word hierdie organismes

gevoed en kan hul weer op hulle beurt hulle werk doen om grondvrugbaarheid te verbeter. Migrasie van groot troppe diere word altyd gedryf deur hul soeke na vars weiding, aangesien dié groot troppe die gras vinnig opvreet. Wanneer enkele diere in ‘n trop saamwei, is hulle verspreid, kies hulle wat hulle wil eet en trap versigtig. Hulle hoefaksie is dan onreëlmatig en het nie ‘n groot impak nie. In groot, migrerende troppe moet diere vreet wat voorkom, anders eet een van die ander diere die gras. As hulle agterraak, word hulle maklik die prooi van roofdiere. As die troppe te lank op een plek bly, of hulle keer te gou terug na dieselfde area, het die gewenste plante nog nie kans gehad om weer te groei nie. Die gewenste spesies is meer kwesbaar vir beweiding as die onsmaaklike spesies, veral as die plante nie genoegsaam uitgegroei het nie. As die diere nie gou genoeg terugkeer nie, kan die ou en dooie organiese materiaal die plante versmoor en sonlig blokkeer. Wanneer troppe te lank bly of nie gou

Verskillende weibane in ‘n kamp en die gang (regs) wat diere toegang gee tot water en die voerbakke.

genoeg terugkeer nie, gee dit aanleiding tot ‘n toename van ongewenste spesies. Smaaklike spesies kom dan net in kolle voor en indringers en onkruide neem toe. Net so kan te veel, te min of onegalige hoefaksie ook veroorsaak dat water nie infiltreer nie. Die interaksie tussen weidiere en gras moet reg toegepas word, op die regte tydstip en lank of kort genoeg om te verseker dat die gras gesond en groeikragtig bly. “Livestock are tools to create and maintain healthy grasslands, but they must be integrated properly in order to have the desired effect.” (Ruechel, 2006) Dit is makliker gesê as gedoen. Plase is kleiner, troppe diere is kleiner en verspreid, ontwikkeling en infrastruktuur het migrasieroetes geblokkeer. Hoe op dees aarde maak ‘n gewone vee- of wildboer die beste van hierdie positiewe interaksie tussen weidiere en natuurlike veld?

‘n Gevallestudie Lucas van der Westhuizen van Alma koop speenkalwers aan wanneer hulle so 160-170 kg weeg, voer hulle dan ‘n produksielek met sout (om inname te beperk) op die veld tot hulle so 240-260 kg weeg en dan gaan die kalwers voerkraal toe vir finale afronding en vetmaak. Lucas se doelwit is om die maksimum kilogram vleis per hektaar te produseer en nie noodwendig die maksimum kilogram per dier nie. Hy fokus daarop om die jong, groeiende diere se raam te bou en seker te maak hulle word nie te vinnig vet nie. In die somer neem die diere se massa gemiddeld 1 kg per dag toe en in die winter ongeveer 0,4 kg. Om hierdie doel na te streef, pas hy ultra-hoëdrukbeweiding toe op sy plaas van 800 ha en is dit sy ideaal om tot 3 500 speenkalwers op die 800 ha te kan aanhou. Dit beteken hy sal dan sy veld teen 0,7 ha/ GVE benut. Alhoewel die diere elke dag gevoer word, het hulle nog steeds genoegsame ruvoer ook nodig en dit is waar die ultrahoëbeweiding inkom. Lucas-hulle het aanvanklik met die stelsel op ou landerye met swak spesiesamestelling en heelwat kaal kolle begin, maar vandag werk die stelsel so goed dat hy meer en meer kampe maak om selfs sy natuurlike weiding ook so te benut. Sy kampe is tussen 40 en 50 ha groot en dit word verdeel in ongeveer 25 gange wat ongeveer 32 m wyd is. Elke trop het drie sulke kampe, opgedeel in weigange, beskikbaar om wisselweiding en rus te verseker. Die duimreël is om omtrent ½ ha veld vir elke 100 kalwers/dag beskikbaar te hê. In die winter moet meer beskikbaar gestel word wanneer die voedingswaarde van die gras laag is. ‘n Enkele elektriese heining op >>> bladsy 115

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agri Bewaring/Conservation >>> bladsy 113 ongeveer 90 cm-hoogte word gebruik om die gange af te span. ‘n Smal gang aan die bokant van al die weigange gee diere toegang tot die water en hulle word hier gevoer. Die idee is dat die kampe lank en smal moet wees om diere te forseer om al die gras te benut, goeie hoefaksie op die grond te kry, mis en urine te konsentreer en vinnig genoeg te skuif (daagliks) om seker te maak die hergroei word nie weer benut nie. Hy boots basies die uitwerking van die groot troppe migrerende diere waarna ek vroeër verwys het, na. Hy gaan selfs verder en gebruik ultrahoëbeweiding as bestuursmaatreël. Die buitenste gange en die gange teen paaie word eerste bewei voor die winter om as voorbrande te dien. Lucas wil ook die padreserwes so benut voor die winter om as voorbrande te dien. In die winter word al die kampe ook skoon gevreet om soveel as moontlik van die droë materiaal te verwyder en beweiding word ook gebruik om indringerplante (slangbos) en bosverdigting (vaalbos) te beheer. Gedurende Desember wanneer baie van sy werkers met verlof is, word meer kampe oopgemaak om die las van elke dag skuif bietjie ligter te maak.

Wat sê Lucas oor die stelsel? Die bedekking op sy ou lande het definitief verbeter, die lewe in die grond en bo-op die grond is ook baie beter en probleemplante soos slangbos word ook doeltreffend beheer. Maar hy erken dat die stelsel uiters bestuurs- en arbeidsintensief is: “Dit is soos ‘n melkery, jy moet elke dag daar wees”. Ander beperkende faktore soos die beskikbaarheid van genoegsame drinkwater vir die diere moet

Die verskil tussen ‘n beweide en onbeweide gedeelte, geskei met ‘n enkele elektriese draad. Die egalige benutting, goeie bedekking en die konsentrasie van mis is duidelik sigbaar.

ook in ag geneem word. Lucas was juis besig om ‘n nuwe waterreservoir te bou aangesien die gebrek aan drinkwater die moontlikheid van uitbreiding beperk het. Hoe weet hy wanneer ‘n gedeelte te veel of te min bewei is? Grasbedekking is sy enigste aanduiding: “Jy moet gereeld in die veld kom en kyk wat in al die kampe aangaan, hoe lyk die bedekking, hoe lyk die hergroei in die kampe wat reeds bewei is, jy moet presies weet wat in jou veld aangaan”.

Wat sê die kundiges? Volgens Frits van Oudtshoorn en Ivan Riggs het Lucas dit reggekry om sy ou lande se bedekking baie te verbeter deur hierdie beweidingstelsel toe te pas. Die probleem met indringerplante en bosverdigting is nou

Natuurlike veld besmet met slangbos, links, onder normale ligte selektiewe beweiding en ‘n weibaan onder hoëdrukbeweiding, regs van die heining. Die effek van drukbeweiding op die beheer van slangbos is duidelik sigbaar op die foto.

minder. Die konsentrasie van mis en urine, saam met die nie-selektiewe beweiding en hoefaksie, bevoordeel grondmikrobes en stimuleer die stikstof en ander belangrike siklusse wat nodig is vir grondvrugbaarheid en groei. Maar, waarsku hulle, dit is nie almal wat oor die bestuursvaardighede, die motivering en miskien die arbeid beskik om so ‘n stelsel toe te pas nie. Daar is nie ‘n wenresep wat sukses gaan waarborg nie en hierdie is die uitsondering eerder as die reël, maar dit is ‘n goeie gevallestudie om die konsepte te verduidelik. Van Oudtshoorn doen talle aanbevelings oor weidingstelsels en die bestuur van veld vir boere. Hy meen daar is plek vir alle soorte weidingstelsels, van beheerde selektiewe beweiding tot ultrahoëdrukbeweiding. Die uitdaging is egter om die regte beweidingstelsel te kry wat aanpas by die spesifieke omstandighede en landskap van elke plaas, die bestuurstyl van die boer en die hulpbronne tot sy beskikking. Maak nie saak watter weidingstelsel ‘n boer op die spektrum gebruik, ek dink die kern van die saak wat alle weidingstelsels in gemeen het, is dat dit wat onder die grond gebeur in terme van grondvrugbaarheid, bepaal wat bo-op die grond gebeur in terme van grasproduksie. Oor miljoene jare was daar ‘n fantastiese simbiose tussen weidiere en grasveld. Alhoewel dit feitlik onmoontlik is om hierdie prosesse vandag natuurlik te laat plaasvind, het die gevallestudie van Lucas van der Westhuizen gewys hoe dieselfde natuurlike, goeie effek van groot migrerende troppe, met goeie bestuur nageboots kan word. Verwysing: Ruechel, J. 2006. Grass-fed cattle: How to produce and market natural beef. Versa Press, United States.

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agri Water In this series of articles, Agri is in discussion with Dr Gerhard Backeberg, executive manager: water utilisation in agriculture of the WRC, in order to obtain information on water use and what the WRC is doing for investment of funds in water research.

Productive use of fresh water inland fisheries for rural livelihoods Agri: There are a large number of storage dams in South Africa, supplying water for mainly irrigation, industrial and domestic use. The fish stocks in these dams can be a source of food and improved rural livelihoods. What is being done to exploit these natural resources? Backeberg: South Africa’s inland fishery resources have been overlooked as a means of supporting sustainable livelihoods in the democratic era, lacking a guiding policy and legislation aligned with the country’s rightsbased Constitution. The absence of an equit able inland fishing governance framework with explicit usage rights has led to increasing conflicts between resource users, unmanaged and unsustainable fishing practices. This means continued exclusion of rural commu nities from livelihood and economic opportu nities linked to aquatic natural resources at specific locations. A major constraint for addressing the situation at policy level was identified as the lack of quantitative information on inland fishing for livelihood purposes. In response to this problem, the WRC initiated a directed research project entitled “Baseline and scoping study on the development and sustainable utilisation of storage dams for inland fisheries and their contribution to rural livelihoods”. The main objective was to provide a knowledge base to inform the development of policy and to identify gaps in knowledge that require further research. The project team was led by Prof Peter Britz of Rhodes University in collaboration

with researchers at the University of the Western Cape and the SA Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. The research approach consisted of a combination of literature reviews, community based surveys to evaluate the role of local and indigenous knowledge, undertaking fishery productivity modelling and stakeholder consultations. The series of consultations consisted of workshops with rural fishing communities, recreational angling bodies and representatives of mandated government departments. The results of the reviews and surveys were discussed with stakeholders, such as organised recreational angling, to determine options for institutional arrangements, organisational structures and effective governance. Recommendations were presented to the rele vant government departments and feedback incorporated into the research report. These recommendations include the following: 1. The department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries should take the lead and promote co-operative governance with other departments and public sector agencies with mandates relevant to inland fisheries; 2. Given the context of rural poverty, inland fishery governance requires developmental interventions to address issues of equity and capacity in order for individuals and groups in rural communities to benefit from livelihood opportunities based on inland fisheries; 3. Each dam is unique in terms of land and water usage rights, production poten-

tial, stakeholder composition and economic opportunities. Initiatives for local co-management and co-operative governance are thus essential to inland fishery development; and 4. Inland fishery policy has to be based on a value chain approach in order to maximize the socio-economic benefits. The recreational fishing value chain linked to the tourism service sector is currently the most economically valuable component of inland fisheries. Subsistence fishing is a vital contributor to food security in certain rural communities. While the commercial fishing potential of fresh water inland dams is limited, growing unauthorised fishing on a commercial scale has already created conflict and has the potential to marginalise subsistence and recreational fishers from value chain benefits. In this regard, a priority for further research is the assessment of fish stocks and fisheries potential, as well as co-management of market value chains for selected inland water storage dams. A new WRC research project by a multi-disciplinary team has started in 2015/16, which is led by Prof Mafa Hara at the University of the Western Cape. The published WRC reports on the completed project can be obtained under the number TT 615/1/14 (Research report, Volume 1); and TT 615/2/14 (Case studies of small-scale inland fisheries, Volume 2).

Visit the Water Research Commission’s webpage www.wrc.org.za for more information and / or ordering of research reports Tel: 012 330 0340 Fax: 012 331 2565 E-mail: wrc@wrc.org.za. Private Bag X03, Gezina, Pretoria 0031 agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

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Dr Gerhard Backeberg

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, WATER AND THE WRC

Many irrigation farmers in South Africa pay an annual research levy to the Water Research Fund in respect of water that is used for irrigation on scheduled land. This fund is dedicated to financing the activities of the Water Research Commission (WRC) to support and undertake research on the use of water for agricultural, industrial and domestic purposes. The levy on irrigation water is, however, not the only source of income for the fund: Levies on water use for urban, industrial and domestic purposes make by far the biggest contribution.

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The practical uses and benefits of hot water pressure washers IT PAYS TO BE HOT (Parts of the article were written by Martin Wendland, freelance journalist, Toronto, Canada.)

Pressure washers are a must when looking for a sensible approach to cleaning and hygiene. The combination of hot water and high pressure is more economical for commercial operators. Besides the clear advantage of needing less or no detergent, they offer much shorter drying times.

HEAT ACCELERATES THE CLEANING PROCESS eat energy plays a key role in speeding up and improving the effectiveness of the cleaning process. The introduction of heat ensures that dirt and lubricants will break down quickly: Every 10°C increase in temperature accelerates the chemical processes and halves the reaction times. Oil, grease and soot are dislodged by the heat and can be removed more easily. Oils and grease also emulsify at a quicker rate when warm water is applied. Various practical examples – from a car garage or workshop to a large industrial company – show that the use of hot water can reduce the total cleaning time by up to 40%. This leads to lower labour costs. Another key factor in the use of heated high-pressure cleaners is the reduced drying time. Surfaces that are cleaned with hot water remain slightly heated and therefore dry more quickly. LOWER USE OF DETERGENTS AND FEWER GERMS While conventional cold-water units can generally achieve the desired results only when combined with a suitable cleaning agent, the hot water machines get the job done more quickly. Usually stubborn dirt, like encrusted grease, resin or oil residue, starts to break down when hot water is applied, which means you do not have to use anywhere near as much detergent. In many cases, you

do not need any cleaning agent at all. This is not only good for the environment, it is also kind to the operator’s bank balance. Heated pressure washers are particularly popular in areas that require the highest standards of hygiene and have a need to focus the cleaning effort on microorganisms and germs. This not only applies to the food industry – from independent butchers to industrial mass production – but also to the agricultural industry, where cleanliness is crucial if you raise young animals or operates a milking parlour. The use of cold water can simply spread the germs about, whereas the combination of high pressure and hot water up to 85 °C can significantly reduce the number of germs. Studies from agricultural businesses, which are backed up by swab samples and lab findings, prove: 70 to 80% of all microorganisms and pathogens can be removed effectively by using hot water high-pressure cleaners. Often, the reduction in germs achieved with just hot water and no disinfectant is enough to meet the standards of hygiene required in the barnyard. Another reason why heated highpressure cleaners are particularly popular among farmers: In contrast to cold water, cleaning with hot water does not lower the basic room temperature. This may not be particularly important for incoming young cattle; however, it can be crucial to chicks which are especially sensitive to low temperatures.

EXTREMELY EFFICIENT The most important advantage of hot

water pressure washers is their high level of economic efficiency. This real benefit comes when the machine is used regularly for commercial purposes. The longer and more often you use the machine, the clearer the cost advantage becomes. A hot water pressure washer may cost at least twice as much as a cold water machine with comparable pressure and capacity. However, thanks to the lower labour and operating costs, the acquisition cost is quickly amortized. The reason for the high purchase price is the cost for expensive technology, mainly in the form of the burner. Also, the heating system’s increased energy consumption must be taken into account when considering the maintenance costs. However, these two cost factors are quickly balanced by the high savings potential provided by the hot water machines. The savings start with the operating and maintenance costs, when the high cost of generating the heat is quickly offset by the savings gained from much lower consumption of water and cleaning agents. In a profitability analysis, it is important to note that cleaning times are reduced by 40% using of hot water. This figure impacts the cost of labour, which over the entire service life of a commercial high-pressure cleaner would be several times higher than the purchase and operating costs. It is no wonder that more and more professional operators rely on heated high-pressure cleaners. Hot really does pay!

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Delo/5484/AGRISA

Delo Testimonial: HJ Linde & Sons ®

Achieves 16,000+ hours of engine durability in a New Holland Tractor with Caltex Delo® 400. HJ Linde & Sons operates a large potato farm located outside of Vryburg, South Africa. They have ® been in the farming business since 1856 and used Delo 400 heavy-duty engine oil in their tractors for over 30 years. In 2001, Hansie Linde, owner of HJ Linde & Sons, purchased a New Holland 8066 ® tractor with an Iveco 4045 diesel engine and started it brand new running on Delo 400 Multigrade SAE 15W-40 engine oil.

Hansie Linde

“I have been farming now 41 years, here. My dad has been farming before me for 50-something years. His dad was farming here. They started in 1856. I’ve had about 25 New Holland tractors and ® some of them are over 30 years old. For 3 generations we count on Caltex and Delo 400 to protect our tractors,” says Hansie Linde, Owner HJ Linde & Sons. After 16,000 hours of operation running 500ppm low sulphur diesel fuel at 250-hour oil drains with no major issues, Hansie, the Local OE Dealer, and the Caltex team wanted to inspect the engine performance, since it had achieved 6,000 - 8,000 more hours than the engine would typically last before a rebuild is required. “It is the standard to overhaul an Iveco engine between 8,000 and 10,000 hours on a New Holland. When we heard of a tractor that was still running after 16,000 hours, we were very surprised and very proud,” says Boy du Preez, Suidwes Co-op’s Technical Service Manager.

Boy Du Preez

Camshaft

There is no visible abrasion or micro-pitting wear on the camshaft or lobes. The camshaft could be reused by the customer due to excellent wear protection provided by Delo® 400.

One of the technicians from Suidwes Co-op, E. Nel, was also able to provide comment on the engine condition based on his wide experience in tearing down these types of engines for other customers. “This camshaft is very smooth with no scrapes, gouges, or abrasive wear. Sometimes we have engines with 6,000-7,000 hours with a lot more wear, scrapes and damage. Additionally, the balancer in the bottom half of the engine most of the time will show damage or broken teeth. However, these gears look particularly good with no visible wear or broken teeth at all. It all looks in very good shape,” says Nel. “Having inspected the critical components of this diesel engine, we can state with confidence that the combination of the maintenance ® practices of HJ Linde & Sons and the performance of Caltex Delo 400 Multigrade SAE 15W-40 has enabled the customer to maximise engine durability and reliability,” says Green. “The tractors are good but it’s the oil helping us get the longer engine ® ® life. I can’t count on the rain, but I can count on Delo 400. Delo helps my tractors go further,” says Linde. To learn how Delo’s family of products can help you go further, visit CaltexDelo.com.

Pistons

Iveco diesel engine pistons show minimal deposit formation on piston lands and ring grooves, allowing for excellent oil consumption control. “This really reinforces for the South African farming community that investing ®

in premium Delo 400 engine oil can provide a total cost of operation savings beyond the differences in price with lower quality oils. This farmer was able to almost double his engine life to 16,000 hours, saving him R50,000 in additional rebuild costs over the life of the equipment. This more than offsets any price differences between ®

Caltex Delo 400 and lower quality oils,” says J.P. Potgieter, Technical Manager, Star Lubricant Distributors.

John Green

agri Uit ‘n ander hoek

Na aanleiding van die artikel, Uit ‘n ander hoek, oor die Elgin-sakhorlosie in die Maart 2015-uitgawe van Agri, skryf Andrew van Zyl dat hy ook so ’n sakhorlosie het van sy oupa wat ‘n boer was. Dan merk hy op dat die vieruur-syfer op die Romeinse gesig van die horlosie nie IV is soos ‘n mens sou verwag nie, maar wel vier strepies, IIII. Toe wonder hy daaroor.

iemand skyn presies te weet waarom dit so is nie. Die een gedagte is dat die syfers vier en agt wat teenoor mekaar lê meer gebalanseerd vertoon met vier strepies as ‘n IV teenoor VIII op die horlosie se linkerkant. ‘n Ander skool meen IV was die teken van die Romeinse god, Jupiter, en was daarom nie aanvaarbaar op ‘n horlosie se gesig nie. En so is daar baie meer bespiegelings. Dis egter interessant dat Big Ben in London wel IV op syfer vier vertoon. Óf die Engelse het nie van ‘n tradisie geweet nie óf hulle het dalk beter geweet. Die oudste horlosie wat ek teengekom het wat die vier strepies pleks van IV het, is die houthorlosie van die Sveti Stjepan-katedraal in Zagreb, Kroasië, wat terugdateer tot die 13e eeu. Hierdie houthorlosie het ‘n geskiedkundige oomblik in die bestaan van Zagreb beleef. Dit is soos volg: Soos onheilsboodskappers het die eerste vroeë sonstrale van 1880 se negende November-winteroggend deur die grou, losdrywende wolke op die rooi teëldakhuise en geboue van die stad Agram, vandag Zagreb, neergeskiet. Agram het die nuwe dag vreedsaam begroet onder die Huis van Habsburg in Oostenryk wat reeds sedert 1526 oor die stad en landstreek heerskappy gevoer het. Oraloor het rokies luierig

geheel nuwe benedestad in die trant van uit die skoorstene opgewalm soos vroeë die Weense Ring met talle monumentale opstaners vuurherde begin stook het om bouwerke, in veral die barokstyl en die nagkoue uit die huise te verdryf. uitgestrekte parke, daarna aangelê is. Volksoorlewering wil dat die Sveti Merkwaardig is net een persoon dood Stjepan-katedraal se houthorlosie skielik terwyl 29 ernstig beseer is. Die skade aan op daardie November-oggend soos in geboue en ander infrastruktuur was egter ‘n geheimsinnige waarskuwing met die omvangryk. wyser op Die verbygaan 7 uur, 3 minute van tyd is deur die en 3 sekondes “Die verbygaan van tyd eeue op baie maniere gaan staan het. is deur die eeue op baie gemeet. Een van die So asof dit ‘n meer oorspronklike voorbode van maniere gemeet. Een van maniere waarvan ‘n ramp was. die meer oorspronklike ek ‘n voorbeeld Verdwaasde maniere waarvan ek ‘n besit, is om dit as’t inwoners was voorbeeld besit, is om dit ware met ‘n maatlyn nog besig om met gewone syfers die raaisel van as’t ware met ‘n maatlyn te meet. Hierdie die horlosie se met gewone syfers te meet.” horlosie – is my vertel eienaardige – het saam met die stilstand Engelse soldate na te probeer die Anglo-Boereoorlog gekom. Op die ontrafel toe ‘n krag 8-aardbewing met horlosie staan slegs Made in USA en ‘n episenter byna onder die Medvedgrad-fort patentnommer. Dalk is daar ‘n leser wat op die berg bokant Agram die stad om meer van die horlosie kan vertel en ons uit 7:33 getref het. die nie-weet-nie-hoek kan help. So geweldig was die aardskok dat dit Agram letterlik in twee geskeur het met ‘n hoogteverskil van 40 meter tussen die boonste stadsdeel, wat met minder skade bly staan het, en die onderste deel van die stad. Dié was dermate verwoes dat ‘n

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agri Promosie/Promotional

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176kW - 254kW rvaar die kragtigste Magnum-trekkers tot op datum wat die kombinasie van tegnologiese markleidende krag en brandstofdoeltreffendheid vervolmaak. Die reeks sluit baie opgraderings in, van die enjin tot by die AFS-presisieboerderysisteem. Moderne implemente verlang meer van die boer en sy trekker. CaseIH het geluister en innoverende tegnologie ingespan om die uitdagings en behoeftes die hoof te bied. Die AFS-presisieboerderysisteem gee die kliënt die nodige gereedskap om produktiwiteit en doeltreffendheid te maksimaliseer. Die CaseIH Magnum is ontwerp om jou opbrengs op jou belegging te verhoog met eenvoudige dienspunte en ‘n robuuste ontwerp vir die moeilikste omstandighede en om vir meer betroubaarheid te sorg. Dit is wat jy nodig het. Dit is wat ons verskaf! Verhoogde produktiwiteit Brandstofbesparende “automatic power management” kies outomaties die meer doeltreffende ratkas- en enjinspoedkonfigurasie. Met die innoverende “multi controller armrest” en die AFS Pro700-beheersentrum, kan die hele masjien en stelsel beheer word en navigasie word integreer deur die “AFS AccuGuide”satellietsisteem. Krag en produktiwiteit CaseIH bied die doeltreffendste krag ooit. Die swaardiensraamwerk is ontwerp om net die beste te lewer. CaseIH FPT-enjins kan verstel word om die maksimum krag en werksverrigting met die minimum brandstofverbruik te laat realiseer. Die masjien sal gemaklik werk van standaardkraglewering tot ‘n 14% ekstra kraglewering om jou deur daai taai kolle te help.

‘n voorassuspensie, asook dubbelvoorwiele. Die kombinasie versprei die trekker se gewig oor ‘n groter oppervlakte vir beter traksie en rygerief. Die verbeterde raamwerk van die trekkers help om krag op die grond te sit wanneer nodig. Dit is die soort diversiteit wat van dié grootte trekkers verlang word. Die suspensie maak seker dat al agt wiele op die grond bly. Dit is krities vir stabiliteit en doeltreffendheid. Die Magnum se vooras verseker dat die bande loodreg met die grond bly. Dit het ook tot gevolg dat rygemak op hoër spoed verbeter. Dit verhoed ‘n gespring en rondval in die kajuit. Die soliede konstruksie minimaliseer die aantal bewegende onderdele, wat ook tot minder onderhoud lei.

Intuïtief en eenvoudig CaseIH kry jou vinniger in en uit die veld. Langer diensintervalle as in die ou dae, gekombineer met eenvoudige kontroles en ‘n minder stresvolle operasie, beteken dat meer gedoen kan word op die regte tyd. Die Magnum se robuuste ontwerp verhoog produktiwiteit en verlaag die koste van daaglikse onderhoud. Werk gemaklik in enige toestand Jy sit lang ure in die veld. Jou trekker se kajuit en rygenot moet van die allerbeste wees. Dít bied ons! Die kajuit is groot en ruim en die kontroles maklik bereikbaar en baie gebrui kersvriendelik. Die beheer van die masjien kan alles op die “MultiController” gedoen word – een hefboom met al die funksies. Dubbelwiele: Meer gematigde krag op die grond Magnum-trekkers 315 en 340 is toegerus met agri JUNIE/JUNE • JULIE/JULY ‘15 bladsy/page

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‘n Eenvoudige selfbestuurstelsel van die fabriek tot in die veld Fabriekgeïnstalleerde AFS-komponente, insluitend die “AFS AccuGuide”-selfstuurstelsel, bied onafhanklikheid en gemak. Dit verseker die korrekte installasie, toets van die stelsel en beter gehalte. Met die Pro700-beheersentrum wen die klant ekstra bykomstighede met minimale kompleksiteit. Dit is maklik om te lees en vertolk. Dit het een van die grootste skerms in die bedryf in ‘n ligter, dunner pakkie met voldoende rekenaarwerking. Die enkelskerm bied nie net beheer vir die trekker nie, maar vir enige ISOBUS-implement wat gekoppel word. Jou eenstopskerm vir beheer – dit is Pro700!