Irrigation Show 2021

Fibertex geosynthetics horticulture irrigation plant propagation capillary mats

At a time in Southern Africa, when food scarcity is a very real concern, it is even more important for the agricultural sector and horticulture specialists to make sure they have optimum growth conditions in nurseries and greenhouses.

“A critical part of providing a healthy growing environment for plants is controlled water and fertilizer distribution in optimal amounts, to ensure high quality of each vegetable, herb or shrub,” says Sefton Fripp, Commercial Executive, Fibertex South Africa, specialists in nonwovens and performance-based materials for use in diverse industries. “The Fibertex team works closely with farmers and horticulturalists globally to continually improve plant growing conditions, through the development and manufacture of eco-friendly products that make it easier to care for plants correctly.

“Included in the broad range Fibertex range of horticulture products are geosynthetics used for constructing growing tunnels and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) drainage pipes, which are UV stabilised and offer high impact resistance to avoid damage during installation, as well as improving mechanical service life and ensuring extended service life in exposed propagation environments. Fibertex capillary mats have been specially designed for controlled sub-irrigation for efficient nursery production.

“The installation of Fibertex capillary mats in nurseries and greenhouses improve the quality of plants by providing the best growing conditions. Capillary mats ensure uniform water storage and reduced disease, fungus and rot, due to the controlled water hold. These mats, which are also well suited for computer-controlled watering systems, eliminate dry spots and prevent areas with insufficient fertilizer.

“Fibertex capillary mats are simple to cut without any fraying at the edges and are easy to join by welding or glueing. These durable mats can be re-used many times and maintain high strength, even in wet conditions. Added to this, they are easy to clean with a high-pressure cleaner or a firm brush.”

Fibertex PPR 443 capillary mats are the most popular type of capillary mats for sub-irrigation with hoses. This range has an excellent balance between capillary action and water retention capacity and is suitable for use in all nurseries and greenhouses.

The highly efficient capillary function of this material enables exact control of the dry/wet cycle, ensuring uniform water and fertilizer distribution on sloping benches, sand bottom and concrete floors.

These grey mats (150 g/m² weight and 1.0 mm thickness) have a capillary lift of 8.0 cm and are available in a maximum roll width of 520 cm and standard length of 100 lin m.

Fibertex F-80 capillary mats, with excellent filter properties, have been developed for ebb and flood benches, preventing dirt build-up in the nozzles and irrigation system. Although the main function of this material is for filtering, these mats have also been designed to absorb the remaining moisture and distribute this evenly to plants, after irrigation is completed.

These white mats (80 g/m² weight and 0.6 mm thickness) have a capillary lift of 7.0 cm and are available in a maximum roll width of 520 cm and standard length of 200 lin m. All Fibertex horticulture products are manufactured to stringent environmental and quality standards, including ISO 9001 certification.

The Fibertex geosynthetics range encompasses nonwoven and woven geotextiles, gabions and mattresses, drainage pipes and fittings and erosion control and cellular confinement solutions. The company also supplies soil reinforcing and stabilising products, including geogrids and geocells, as well as geosynthetic clay liners as part of composite lining systems in modern landfills.

Fibertex is the largest manufacturer of UV stabilised virgin PP (polypropylene) nonwoven geotextiles produced in Africa, with certification for durability of over 100 years, in accordance with the latest EN standards.

The local Fibertex team supports the diverse product range with technical advisory service throughout the African continent.

Non-toxic & Biodegradable Disinfectants for Containing Foot and Mouth Disease in Southern Africa Safer and Greener Disinfection

Rigorous tests carried out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) have revealed that most traditional surface disinfectants for livestock contain toxins which are classified as a health hazard and pollutants. This necessitates cattle farmers to adopt safer and greener alternative disinfectants to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable business practices (Environment, Social and Governance).

By Nick Barnes

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) has cost cattle farmers in Southern Africa - South Africa and Botswana in particular – easily over two billion of rands in revenue loss - as importing countries of animals and animal products only buy from FMD-free countries. Governments - the departments of agriculture and relevant authorities in affected countries in this context - may do their utmost by committing resources towards enforcement of policies of good veterinary governance to prevent and control the spread of the virus. Nevertheless, all things considered, the buck stops with farmers themselves who have to adopt appropriate means to protect their herd. And one of the elements in the first line of defence is the use of surface livestock disinfectants, which are used in regular cleaning and disinfection of livestock pens, buildings, vehicles and equipment.

Cattle farmers have to make judicious decisions on the choices concerning the relevance and quality of disinfectants they use. In particular, Current legislation obligates livestock farmers – indeed the agricultural sector – to only use suitable products whose efficacy in the containment of viruses, bacteria and fungi has been verified.

Growing interest in alternative disinfectants

Interestingly, there has been growing interest in what are deemed safe and environmentallyfriendly disinfectants as the agricultural sector embraces sustainability (Environment Social and Governance) in its business model. Though, it would be an exaggeration for anyone to claim that there is a revolution in surface disinfectant markets, where traditional products are being phased out of the market, and non-toxic and biodegradable alternatives are replacing them. It is entirely upon the livestock farmer to elect to use products which are classified as safe and eco-friendly as part of their commitment to sound business ethics (ESG).

Surface disinfectants based on hydrogen peroxide are considered as an alternative to traditional surface disinfectants like hypochlorite, the most preferred chlorine disinfectant available in both solid and liquid forms. Rigorous tests carried out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) have revealed that most traditional surface disinfectants contain toxins which are classified as a health hazard and pollutants.

In one report released in May 2020, the WHO warned: “Spraying or fogging of certain chemicals, such as formaldehyde, chlorine-based agents or quaternary ammonium compounds, is not recommended due to adverse health effects on workers in facilities where these methods have been utilised.”

Judicious procurement decisions

As expected, in response to this growing niche demand, manufacturers are producing biodegradable disinfectants based on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution. Unfortunately, the malpractice of greenwashing, rampant in other veterinary products, has not spared the non-toxic and biodegradable detergents niche market, posing a challenge for farmers to tell the genuine from the counterfeit. It is not uncommon, in the core business of pushing sales to increase revenue, for manufacturers and major suppliers of non-toxic and biodegradable disinfectants to claim that their product is the ‘leading natural and toxic free cleaning and decontamination natural alternative’ widely used to control microorganisms. Accordingly, it is entirely upon the cattle farmers to exercise prudence and make judicious decisions when choosing products in a market awash with hundreds of product brands. Any doubts cattle farmers may have about the veracity of claims by suppliers made can be settled by referring to certification by any of the credible entities. Prudence would be the operative word at all times.

All the more, as regards proper usage, it is the farmer’s responsibility. Respective regulatory bodies make it mandatory for all label use directions and safety precautions to be followed. In the U.S., for instance, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates disinfectants (referred to as antimicrobial pesticides) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). In South Africa, this falls under Section 13 (1) of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act (Act 5 of 2008) - Compulsory Specification for Chemical Disinfectants (VC 8054).

The future of biodegradable products

Generally, notwithstanding COVID-19, there are huge prospects that the African livestock surface disinfectant market size is set for exponential growth in the coming years. This is mainly down to increasing awareness amongst farmers concerning animal diseases – a phenomenon which is expected to occasion growing demand for stockyard disinfectants. There are indications that the African livestock surface disinfectant market size is set for a growth trajectory. Valued at USD 65.0 million in 2018, a market review predicts that it is likely to expand at a CAGR of 6.3% by 2025.1

Africa Livestock Surface Disinfectant Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Chemical, By Form, By Livestock (Cattle, Pig), By

Country, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 – 2025 1

Fighting Foot-and-mouth disease, the modern way

One of the most important keys to success in containing diseases such as foot-andmouth disease (FMD), is using a highly researched and tested disinfectant. For it to be successful, it must contain a formulation of several ingredients working together, where the whole performs more effectively than its parts. This contrasts with simple non-formulated disinfectants, which require very high levels of biocidal ingredients that are more likely to lead to toxic and environmentally hazardous results. These raw disinfectants are also not as effective at containing disease as their formulated counterparts.

This is because formulated disinfectants have been developed directly with a purpose in mind; farm biosecurity. Researchers match ingredients to the disinfectant which can deal with real-world challenges, such as organic soiling, temperature change, water hardness, and repeated usage, in boot dips or vehicle wheel baths.

The disinfectant FAM 30, developed by Evans Vanodine International in the UK, was first researched and developed throughout the 1960s, to directly combat FMD during a nationwide outbreak. According to government testing laboraties, raw disinfectants being used at the time were taking hours to kill the virus and were not effective. When the first version of FAM 30 was introduced, these laboratories discovered the virus was eliminated in less than a minute. The name of the product, short for ‘Foot and mouth formulation number 30’, highlights its history against the disease. The FAM 30 formulation has been redeveloped and improved over the decades. Further testing provides the product with maximum efficacy against a wide spectrum of bacteria, viruses, and fungi while also keeping the environmental impact and hazards of the product as low as possible. One of the strengths of FAM 30 is its well-matched level of surfactant. Surfactants are a type of detergent which allow the disinfectant to penetrate organic soiling or other surfaces.

FAM 30 has been developed to take advantage of this, so that it is effective at sanitising and disinfecting while also possessing cleaning properties. As well as being highly effective, the surfactant chosen is also biodegradable. These advancements have led to FAM 30 becoming the number one disinfectant for FMD and other diseases in the UK. This is reflected in FAM 30 being authorised by various, rigorous, efficacy and environmental regulations, such as the European Union’s Biocidal Products Regulation and others throughout the world. Farms, and the industry at large, have trusted FAM 30 for 50 years worldwide, including South Africa. This is in part due to FAM 30 passing the strict UK DEFRA test method for FMD at a dilution of 1:550.

Not only must your chosen disinfectant be effective at neutralising harmful microorganisms, but it must also be safe, as the need for low environmental impact and safe-to-use disinfectants grows. Some biocidal ingredients have already been banned due to their highly hazardous nature. Disinfectant manufacturers must therefore research safer alternatives so that users and the environment remain protected.

Evans Vanodine International is committed to this approach; FAM 30 is non-toxic to farm animals and humans and is also completely biodegradable. Care should always be taken with disinfectants, especially regarding usage and disposal. For a more effective containment of microorganisms, it is recommended to clean with a detergent prior to disinfection.

For more information on FAM 30, visit the Evans Vanodine website www.evansvanodine.co.uk or contact export@evansvanodine.co.uk