ProAgri Botswana/Namibia/Zimbabwe

ProAgri B otswa n a /N am i b ia/Zim b ab w e

No 04

Botswana p 24

Namibia p 33

Free

Reinke's tips for preventative maintenance

Zimbabwe p 41

www.agri4all.com

www.proagri.co.za

Letter from the Editor

T

he benefits of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is celebrated all over the world and has been with us for almost three decades now. The GMO industries also go from strength to strength and the most serious draw backs they are encountering is the activists who try to stop the development and proliferation of these technologies.

It is a pity that people get so riled up through the influence of unfounded media sources.

In Namibia, the long and arduous process of getting GMOs fully certified by producers, importers and processors is also a battle. The farming of GMOs especially will go through a tough process, since the environmental impact studies and especially the research on cross pollination from GMO to conventional maize won’t be easy and quick. The EIS is well underway and Geo Pollution Technologies (Pty) Ltd (GPT) was appointed by the Agronomic Producers Association

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Cover (APA) to undertake an environmental assessment, as required by Namibian legislation, for this proposed environmental release of GM maize. The application will be for three GM maize events, namely MON810, MON89034 and NK603, where an “event” refers to each modification of an organism and is used to distinguish between different GMOs. A public meeting for the introduction of GMO’s for cultivation in Namibia was recently held in Grootfontein. All the interested and affected parties were invited to have an open discussion. The potential positive and negative impacts were highlighted and the purpose of the environmental assessment as well as background to the GM maize events were presented. Getting all parties on board is the wisest approach, since other countries face severe difficulties in getting consensus on this controversial topic.

This month, Reinke shares their maintenance tricks with us to get your pivot up and running before the dry season arrives. AGCO believes sound farming practices are just as vital as their implements. Besides pivots, Agrico also manufactures cultivation implements and their High Speed Disk is as tough as Africa.

For the farmers who wish to receive the magazine on WhatsApp, please WhatsApp your name, surname, country, main agricultural activity and e-mail address to +27(0)84-041-1722.

It will be less than 15 MB per issue.

Farm smartly!

Du Preez de Villiers dupreez@proagri.co.za

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Content 3. Agrico High Speed Disc pays for itself in one season 4. How to handle your beef cattle. Part 3 8. How to get started with aquaponics. Part 4 12. Protect your Reinke irrigation system with preventative maintenance 14. Soil, the farmer’s most important asset. Part 3 16. Water wise farmers build earth dams. Part 2 20. Spray to protect your crops. Part 4 23. AGCO: Safe food production depends on diligent crop protection 24. Diamonds are not forever 33. The Dare to Care disaster fund helps farmers in need 37. Seal harvesting in Namibia 41. Tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe 46. Soil cultivation: Subsoiler or ripper efficiency

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

Kit your farm out with Revaro’s forklifts, front end loaders, generators and utility vehicles, or manufacture your own bricks, roof sheets or roof tiles with their very advanced machines. Revaro is also looking for agents in your country. View their advertisements on page 2 and 48.

ProAgri B ot s wa n a/N a m i b i a/Z i m b a b w e

202b Griselda Road Murrayfield, Pretoria +26 (0)12 803 0728 www.proagri.co.za Copyright © 2019. All rights r­ eserved. No m ­ aterial, text or p ­ hoto­graphs may be r­ eproduced, copied or in any other way t­ ransmitted without the written consent of the publisher. O ­ pinions ­expressed are not n ­ ecessarily those of the publisher or of the e ­ ditor. We recognise all trademarks and logos as the sole property of their r­ espective o ­ wners.

ProAgri shall not be liable for any errors or for any actions in reliance thereon.

ProAgri Editor Du Preez de Villiers > +27 82-598-7329 dupreez@proagri.co.za Reporters Jaco Cilliers > +27 71-893-6477 jaco@proagri.co.za Benine Ackermann > +27 73-105-6938 benine@proagri.co.za Marketing Manager Diane Grobler > +27 82-555-6866 diane@proagri.co.za Marketing Xander Pieterse > +27 79-524-0934 xander@proagri.co.za Tiny Smith > +27 82-698-3353 tiny@proagri.co.za Anelda Strauss > +27 74-424-0055 anelda@proagri.co.za Johan Swartz > +27 71-599-9417 johan@proagri.co.za Gerhard Potgieter > +27 74-694-4422 gerhard@proagri.co.za Design Christiaan Joubert > christiaan@proagri.co.za Enquiries Engela Botha > +27 12-803-0782 engela@proagri.co.za Izel Zeelie > +27 12-803-0782 izel@proagri.co.za Accounts Ronel Schluter > +27 12-803-0782 accounts@proagri.co.za Distribution Janita du Plessis > +27 12-803-0782 janita@proagri.co.za Managing Editor Annemarie Bremner > +27 82-320-3642 annemarie@proagri.co.za Business Manager George Grobler > +27 83 460 0402 george@proagri.co.za

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ProAgri BNZ 04

Agrico High Speed Disc pays for itself in one season

by Du Preez de Villiers

S

eeing is believing. Alwyn Rautenbach, of the farm Rooipoortjie, in the Lichtenburg district in South Africa, heard about his neighbour’s new implement that greatly improves productivity, and decided to investigate.

Alwyn says: “I went to look at the green machine working at breakneck speed next door. I could almost not believe what I was seeing and climbed through the fence for a closer look.

What I saw was the Agrico High Speed Disc (HSD), which impressed me so much, I bought one immediately and a second one within two months…”

Alwyn says he already had excellent relations with Agrico as a customer using their centre pivots. The purchase of the HSD from Agrico was made an even easier decision, based on what his neighbour illustrated. Alwyn bought his HSDs in August and September last year.

“I plant wheat in winter and seed maize or sugar beans in summer – all of it under the Agrico centre pivots.

Multi cropping gives me little time for soil preparation in between crops – a time-consuming, but essential job for the sensitive seed maize. I cannot really spray weed killer. Instead I work my fields three times. First I work the plant rests of the previous crop in and simultaneously loosen the soil. I then irrigate the field to force the weeds to germinate as fast as possible before I disc them into the soil. After some time I do a third cultivation to work more of

the emerging weeds into the soil and prepare a seedbed.”

He now uses the two HSDs for these operations and the job is being completed much quicker than previously.

The seedbed is also much better prepared and the fields are smoother.

“The soil contains between 25 and 30% clay. I disc 15 cm deep at 14 km/h and can now finish off a 30 hectare centre pivot field in a day. Another reason why I bought the HSDs is for growing wheat. I use a spreader to apply the seed. Previously I followed it with a harrow to work the seed in, but the harrow tines leave little furrows into which the seed falls, eventually not being covered with soil and dying soon after germination.”

“I did a comparative trial with the harrow and the HSD and the difference was dramatic! With the HSD almost no seed was to be seen on top of the soil and the seedbed was much smoother,”

Alwyn believes that he should harvest 10% more wheat this year with lower input costs. He banks on the assistance and support of Agrico and the Agrico HSDs.

The team members whose support ensure that the productivity of the AGRICO HSDs remain at a high level, are Paul Burger, Agrico mechanical engineer, Shadrack Tswala, tractor operator, Alwyn Rautenbach, farmer, Abraham Dinake, tractor operator and Jan-Hendrik Strydom, implement production engineer of Agrico.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

says Alwyn.

It is easy to adjust the working depth of the HSD so that the discs do not work the soil too deeply. He did the HSD trial in June. Germination was much more even and the plant stand vastly improved.

“It looks like my yield will be improved by at least 10%. On top of this I use much less fuel and save a lot of time, which means that I will pay for both HSDs in the present season, laughing all the way to the bank,” says Alwyn.

“I think the reason for the HSD’s success is the aggressive angle at which the discs work, running on triple-sealed, self-aligning ball bearings mounted in shock absorbing rubber rings. Here and there I have rocks in my fields and when the HSD hits one, the mechanism allows the discs to break away individually and the machine suffers no damage. The rear roller, which is used to adjust the working depth, finishes the seedbed off beautifully and breaks the lumps to manageable sizes.”

“It will be interesting to see the result when cultivating maize seed. I believe there will also be a dramatic difference,” says Alwyn.

Since September last year, the two HSDs have now cultivated 650 hectares three times and they are still performing without a single problem. Alwyn is also impressed with the prompt assistance of the Agrico team, even when insignificant little problems crop up.

Invest in an efficient, South African manufactured agricultural implement. Contact Alfred Andrag on +27-82-824-1214 (cell), +27-21-950-4111 (landline) or send an e-mail message to alfred.andrag@agrico.co.za.

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How to handle your beef cattle Part 3: Cattle handling facilities 4

ProAgri BNZ 04

T

he secret behind effective beef cattle handling entails more than just able herdsmen. Mechanics and steelwork are also very important to make stock farming a pleasure. This is the third part in our beef cattle handling series, and the ARC Agricultural Engineering in South Africa has made their manual on handling facilities available to ProAgri BNZ so that our readers can benefit from their research and knowledge.

In this article of the beef cattle handling series we look at various crush constructions as well as separation equipment for calves.

Crushes with V-shaped solid sides allow the best flow of cattle and an advantage is that calves cannot turn around in these types of crushes.

The sides of these crushes are usually solid to prevent cattle from getting injured by the poles as a result of the limited walking space.

For cleaning purposes and easy drainage, the solid sides should not reach the ground. The opening must, however, not be too large, as the cattle can injure their hoofs. An opening of 50 mm should be sufficient.

The disadvantage of crushes with solid sides is that the cattle cannot be handled from the side. These crushes are also expensive to erect and a catwalk has to be erected, from which the cattle can be monitored or driven. A catwalk is a raised platform on which the handlers walk, as shown in Figure 1.

A further disadvantage of V-shaped sides is that when an animal falls or lies down in the crush, it wedges itself in.

The animal can then only be lifted with great effort.

Box-type crushes with vertical sides are a variation on V-shaped crushes.

It has basically the same benefits and disadvantages as the V-shaped crush.

Crushes with vertical, transparent sides are relatively cheap and easy to build. Cattle are handled with more ease and there is still an effective flow of cattle. Calves, however, turn around very easily in this crush.

Box-shaped crush

In feedlots, crushes are used daily and a more durable crush is therefore justified. The cattle are approximately the same size and the width of the crush can be adapted accordingly. Cattle are basically only handled in the working area and the crush only serves as an inlet channel. A V-shaped crush with solid sides is therefore recommended for feedlots.

Commercial and stud farmers sometimes want to handle the cattle in the crush themselves and for this purpose a crush with vertical sides is preferable. A separate calf entrance can also be built.

This simplifies the handling of calves.

Where crushes are used regularly, the ground surface tends to become trampled to form a hollow ditch. Such a crush surface makes it difficult for cattle to stand, causing them to become very uncomfortable and anxious. The ground surface should be refilled regularly so that it remains level.

A cement floor with a rough surface is a better alternative for a crush floor.

It is easier to be kept clean and does not become trampled. The floor can be made slightly convex, so that the cattle trample the manure out themselves. However, care should be taken to ensure that the hoofs of the cattle do not slip in under the solid sides and get stuck there.

The width of a crush must be determined very carefully, as cattle turn around much easier if the crush is too wide. There are no fixed rules on the width of a crush, but normally the inner dimension should be approximately 750 mm. In the case of exceptionally large stud bulls, the crush can be constructed slightly wider.

As the cattle arriving at feedlots are fairly young, the feedlot crushes can even be as narrow as 620 mm. Figure 10 shows the measurements of a practical crush. The upright supporting poles must be spaced approximately 1,5 m apart.

The question remains whether calves should be handled together with large cattle. The general tendency these days

V-shaped crush

Should calves be handled separately from large cattle? Photo: arrowquip. com.au. is to handle calves separately from large animals. The reason is obvious, as calves sustain fewer injuries and handling is fast and easy when they are handled separately.

Two calf crush constructions are possible. The crush for large cattle must be built in such a way that it can be adapted to handle calves, or a portion of the main crush must be designed so that it can easily be adjusted to handle calves.

Figure 3 shows the typical construction of such a crush-decreasing unit.

The other possibility is to erect a separate crush especially for calves. Figure 2 shows practical measurements for a calf crush. The lower 300 mm of the calf crush should be solid, because calves can easily poke their legs through the sides of the crush and break them.

Vertical crush

Figure 1: Various crush constructions ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

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ProAgri BNZ 04

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Crush for calves Figure 2: Practical crush specifications Calves are also not as tame as adult cattle because they are not as used to handling as large cattle.

A great problem with the handling of calves is the separation of a cow from her calf without disturbing the flow of cattle.

In a V-shaped crush the calf can, however, be easily separated from the cow, because the V-shaped crush forces the calf to walk ahead of or behind the cow.

The calf can then easily be headed off with a gate. Figure 4 shows such a calf drafting race. Figure 5 shows a calf drafting race in a crush with vertical sides.

Another method of separating calves from cows is to build a portion of the crush with vertical poles spaced approximately 350 mm apart, as shown in Figure 5. The calf is then driven through the vertical poles to stand outside the main crush in a small pen. The separation process must be undertaken calmly, or else the mature cattle may injure the calves while they are moving out.

Calves

750

Portable unit

450

500 Figure 6: Calf separation gate

Crush

400 400 300

750

250 250

Figure 3: Crush decreasing unit

Calf crush

Large cattle Drafting gate

Crush

Figure 4: Calf separation gate Crush

Seperation portion for calves Flow direction 350

When a cow and her calf are separated, the calf must remain as close as possible to the cow, or she will search for her calf and this causes a delay in the crush. The calf crush must therefore not deviate too sharply away from the main crush.

Where cattle are being driven into a crush, handlers should be standing on only one side of the crush, on the opposite side of where the cattle’s heads should be. The reason for this is that cattle show a tendency of moving away from people. The application of this principle will help to make the cattle stand at an angle in the crush for inoculations and gestation examinations, because each animal will tend to place its head behind the rump of the animal in front of it.

Cattle tend to strain backwards in the crush when they are handled intensively. This causes unnecessary injuries and can be easily prevented by placing a one-way gate in the crush. The height of the gate can be adapted to the average height of the cattle by adjusting the chain. Such a gate can be affixed every three metres in the crush.

Next month we shall take a look at swing gates and mobile crushes.

Published with acknowledgement to the ARC-Institute for Agricultural Engineering for the use of their Beef Cattle Handling Manual. Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information.

Figure 5: Separation unit for calves ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

7

Aquaponics Part 4: Building with bacteria

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ProAgri BNZ 04

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n ProAgri BNZ 03 we focused on two of the main building blocks of an aquaponic system, namely aquaculture (fish) and hydroponics (plants), and we compared it with traditional aquaculture and hydroponics.

In this issue we focus on bacteria as the third building block. To recap we shall briefly discuss aquaculture and hydroponics: Aquaculture is the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, plants, algae and other organisms in all types of water environments. As our natural marine fish resources are becoming more and more depleted, farming with fish is becoming more important world-wide, showing exploding exponential growth. Methods include cages in the sea, rivers or dams, or dams specifically built to cultivate fish.

One of the challenges fish farmers face is water usage. In a traditional aquaculture system up to a third of the water has to be replaced regularly and everything has to be kept clean and sterile.

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without using soil. In a tradtional hydroponics system plants receive their nutrients through the application of growth mixes and chemical fertilisers. It is normally a single crop system because fertilisers are mixed for specific plants.

The waterflow systems include drip irrigation, nutrient film technique (NFT), deep water culture (DWC), ebb and flow and aeroPonics. Hydroponics are usually practiced undercover in tunnels and nethouses with different degrees of climate control. It is an intensive form of farming, initially needing a lot of capital expenditure, but it delivers much higher yields per square meter than traditional soil based systems.

In a hydroponic system everything must be kept in a sterile state, and bacteria are not welcomed. Another challenge for hydroponic farmers is water usage. Once the water has run through the system, it usually has to be discarded or sterilised as one cannot be sure which nutrients have been used and what still remains in the water. The water may also contain harmful pathogens which it picked up on its way. So, clean water and a new batch of fertilisers are used every time.

In aquaponics you have to unlearn a lot of what you have learnt in traditional aquaculture and hydroponics.

Suddenly bacteria becomes your best friends!

There are three basic bacterial systems at work: Nitrification system In this system ammonia is converted into useful nitrates, with an increase in acidity (in other words low pH rates).

Two types of bacteria are always active when there is ammonia (NH³) present in nature, such as the ammonia released through fish gills. The more the ammonia, the more bacterial growth.

Nitrosomonas Bacteria: It changes ammonia into nitrites (NO²).

Nitrobacter Bacteria: As soon as there is nitrite, these bacteria start to grow, changing the nitrites into nitrates (NO³); the nutrients plants need.

Nitrosomonas under a microscope.

Photo: visualsunlimited.photoshelter.com

to happen, therefore it is important to limit the growth of anaerobic bacteria as far as possible. They tend to thrive in places where there is not regular movement of water and oxygen.

Anaerobic bacteria under a microscope. Photo: brighthub.com

Nitrobacter under a microscope.

Photo: twitter.com The nitrification process starts in the biofilter or bacteriological system where little plastic units (K2) are placed to enlarge the surface area to promote bacterial growth. When you start with an aquaponic system, you need time to “cycle up” the system, which means that you need to let the bacteria grow and do their work.

You do not need to add anything in; all you need is for your fish to breath.

Bacteria will eventually grow on any surface in the system, it cannot be contained in a biofilter, and you also do not want to contain it. It is a case of the more, the merrier!

NB: Too much ammonia and nitrites in the water will kill the fish. Nitrite is toxic to tilapia at 5 mg/litre. Nitrate is less toxic, but can cause discomfort – the level should be below 300 mg/litre.

Denitrification This is the reverse process through which nitrates are converted into nitrogen gas causing alkaline conditions.

This usually happens when anaerobic bacteria take over. You do not want this

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

Aerobic bacteria under a microscope.

Photo: twitter.com Heterotrophic bacteria system This is the breakdown of solid organic material, such as fish waste and unused fish food, to release carbon dioxide, ammonia and inorganic material.

The solid organic material can be collected just after the outlet of the fish dam by using filters or swirl tanks in which the water slowly spins out leaving the solids at the bottom. The solids should be moved to a seperate tank for the breakdown process.

This process can be assisted by adding air and an activant which promotes aerobic bacterial growth (such as a composting agent). In an aquaponic system this is known as the mineralisation process and the mineralised water runs back into the system to add even more nutrients for the plants.

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Upington Trekkers Ivan Heyns 082 773 3308 ivan@upttrekkers.co.za

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ProAgri BNZ 04

The remaining solids should be removed from the system.

If gravel beds are used in a system, earthworms between the stones will also help to process the solid organic material that slipped through the filters.

Microbes There are many other forms of microlife keeping nature in balance. In aquaponics we invite them in.

The organisms include fungi, algae, zooplankton, phytoplankton, nematodes and many more. The beauty of aquaponics is that it is a true ecosystem, so we encourage a diversity of naturally occurring elements. Eventually all contribute to the nutrients available to the plants.

Algea under a microscope. Photo: landcareresearch.co.nz

Daphnia Zooplankton under a microscope.

Photo: aquafind.com

The aquaponic cycle is all about the nitrification of the ammonia breathed out by the fish and the breakdown of solid organic fish waste to provide the nutrients for the plants. Healthy clean water is returned to the fish without any waste along the way.

Summary Aquaponics is the integration of the three systems described above, namely aquaculture, hydroponics and bacteria to form a complete ECOSYSTEM. The water is circulated the whole time; no part of the system functions in isolation or on its own. For example, the bacteria do not just stay in the biofilter where it is encouraged to grow, you will find it throughout the whole system. In the plant system you will find bacteria, lots of microbes and algae.

This is normal, as long as there is biological balance in the system. If you put your hand in the water, it should look like tea!

Phytoplankton.

Photo: apemltd.co.uk

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

Holopedium Zooplankton under a microscope. Photo: studyblue.com

Bremner, CD & Bremner A, Introduction to Aquaponics, Kleinskuur Aquaponics Training Manual, 2017, Unpublished.

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Protect your irrigation system with preventative maintenance Reinke technicians will go through the pre-season pivot maintenance check list with you in your field.

T

he planting and spraying season is upon us, and as farmers plan for irriga-ting crops this summer, they need to consider what they are asking of the center pivots around the countryside. The pivot is the only piece of machinery that a farmer owns that sits out in the elements 365 days a year.

The pivot does not get the opportunity to spend the winter in a shed like the combine and planter. However, a pivot, like the other machinery, is a substantial investment, and needs to last for many years, performing when the farmer needs it most.

Reinke reminds farmers that proper care of the pivot will help their bottom line by providing a greater return on investment.

Before the planting season begins, it is important to take a look at your

“Preventative Maintenance is the key to providing reliablity and longevity of your pivot system, and making sure it will run when farmers need it most.”

- Todd Merryman, Reinke Manufacturing, Manager of Technical Services 12

irrigation system to see what preventative maintenance can be done to prevent down-time when you need your pivot to run at peak performance later in the season. Reinke suggests focusing on system maintenance rather than repair when failure occurs.

Always consult the maintenance section of the owner’s manual of all Reinke products to ensure the reliability and longevity of every pivot. With the Reinke warranty, farmers also have the option of working with their local Reinke dealer to send out a certified technician to provide preventative maintenance while using genuine Reinke parts for any repairs.

In order to thoroughly inspect your irrigation system, we have put together a check list of steps to go through in order to achieve peak performance of your irrigation system. First, verify safe operating conditions of your pivot in the pre-season.

Second, prevent system downtime during critical irrigation periods with minimal maintenance.

Finally, extend the longevity of the system through post-season maintenance and quiet times to protect your investment.

By taking these preventative steps,

“Preventative Maintenance is less expensive than reactive maintenance for the farmer because it is done while no crop is in the field. If crop was in the field then there would be maintenance cost on top of crop loss.”

- Hunter Walls, Walls Irrigation farmers will have confidence and enjoy peace of mind regarding the system’s reliability.

The pre-season check list is generally conducted in early spring and includes a thorough system inspection and required corrective actions to ensure the system is in a “ready for operation condition”. External conditions such as potential damage from grazing livestock or wind and storm damage should be inspected.

Checklist for pre-season inspection

Verify the system’s electrical earth.

Look for any structural or electrical hazards.

• System conditions.

ProAgri BNZ 04

Check the pivot centre.

• Inspect the pivot pad and anchor bolts.

• Grease the pivot bearing.

•

Check the alignment of the system.

• System alignment may need to be adjusted.

• Check the alignment mechanism condition.

• Micro-switches used in both the alignment and safety circuits have a recommended 10 year service life.

Check gearboxes (centre drive and wheel).

• Remove any water condensation that has accumulated • Fill oil level to proper level with lubricant specified in the owner’s manual.

Check wheels and tires.

• Make sure tires are inflated to the specification in the owner’s manual.

• Make sure all wheel lug nuts are tight.

Check the condition of the water carrying conduit.

• Inspect the boots, clamps and gaskets.

• Inspect the low pressure drains.

• Inspect all components associated with the sprinklers. i) Goosenecks ii) Drops iii) Regulators iv) Sprinkler devices

Check other drive train components.

• Check high torque couplers (if installed) – coupler pucks have a manufacturer’s recommended 5 year service life, date of manufac-

“Rarely is there a problem with the pivots that we need a technician for, but it’s comforting to know they are available through our local Reinke dealers when we need them.”

- Dave Koenig, Koenig Farms

ture is color coded.

Grease steel U-joints (if installed).

Remove the sand trap and thoroughly flush the system with water.

Inspect all components with the sprinklers to insure full water output during the irrigation season

After a thorough pre-season inspection, the farmer can be confident that the pivot will run properly when switched on during the long, hot days of summer. Preventative maintenance can save farmers time and money while the crops mature throughout the growing season.

Inspect the drive train including the centre drive, wheel gears and tire pressure to make sure that the pivot will move properly.

Please contact Patrick Ellis for more information on +27-31350-4525 or send an e-mail to patrickellis@reinke.com.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

13

Soil: The farmer’s most important asset Part 3: Primary materials Martiens du Plessis, Soil Scientist, NWK Limited & Prof Cornie van Huyssteen, Lecturer: Soil Science, University of the Free State in South Africa.

S

oil is the most fundamental resource for the farmer, without which food and natural fibre cannot be produced. The mineral fraction of soils originates mainly from geological material. This article aims at highlighting the influence of a few of the most important and common geological parent materials on the composition of soil.

Primary minerals form when rocks weather physically and the minerals are released chemically unchanged from the parent rock. The primary minerals are further subdivided into two groups, the silicate and non-silicate minerals.

THE SILICATE MINERALS The silicate minerals comprise a basic silicon (Si4+) tetrahedron, which forms when the Si4+ cation is surrounded by four oxygen (O2-) anions to form SiO 44-.

Various combinations of this and other elements (primarily cations) which bind themselves to this, form the various silicate minerals.

Quartz is the most common mineral of the silicate group and offers extreme resistance to weathering.

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Olivine When the negative charge on the SiO 44is balanced by iron (Fe2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) cations, olivine is formed (Figure 1a). Olivine ((Mg,Fe)SiO 4) is rather unstable in soil and weathers rapidly to release Fe2+ and Mg2+ into the soil.

The pyroxene group The pyroxene minerals form when the Si tetrahedra arrange themselves together in a single chain (Figure 1b). The basic unit of the single chain is SiO32- and the negative charge is balanced by calcium (Ca2+), Fe2+ and Mg2+. The pyroxenes, with augite (Ca(Mg,Fe)Si2O6) as the most common mineral in this group, are hard but, as a result of the long chain structure, they weather rapidly to release Ca2+, Fe2+ and Mg2+ cations into the soil.

chain, the amphibole group is formed (Figure 1c), with Si2O52- as the basic unit. Once again the negative charge of the chain is balanced by Ca2+, Mg2+, sodium (Na+) and Fe2+. Hornblende ((Ca ,Na,K)2(Mg,Fe,Al)3(Si,Al)8O22(OH)2) is the most common amphibole.

Amphiboles occur widely, especially in young (more recently formed) soils.

The mica group A plate of Si tetrahedra forms one of the most basic building blocks of the mica group of minerals (Figure 1d). These minerals constitute a very important group in soil and will be discussed as fine micas in the next article in this series.

The amphibole group When two tetrahedral chains bind together to form a double Si tetrahedral

The feldspar group The feldspar minerals (Figure 1e) are framework silicates, with SiO2 as basic unit, in which isomorphic (the same shape) substitution takes place, during which Al3+ replaces some of the Si4+.

The black mineral is hornblende and is part of the amphibole group.

The pink mineral is orthoclase and is part of the feldspar group.

ProAgri BNZ 04

the soil under conditions of a fluctuating water table. Under these conditions, the iron oxides are localised into mottles which, under long-term accumulation, can harden to form an ironed layer – the so-called ferricrete.

The Al oxides are seen as the end product of weathering and are thus only present in very old soils and under conditions of intense weathering and leaching. Both Fe and Al oxides can precipitate with phosphate under low pH conditions, making it inaccessible to plant growth.

The negative charge is balanced by Ca2+, Na+ and potassium (K+). That gives rise to the Ca, Na and K feldspars, namely Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8) which is a potassium feldspar, Albite (NaAlSi3O8) which is a sodium feldspar and Anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) which is a calcium feldspar. Plagioclase is a feldspar in which Ca2+ and Na+ can be found in various ratios. The feldspar minerals are relatively unstable, weather relatively easily and thus occur in small quantities in soil. During weathering, they provide the soil with Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ respectively.

Quartz The final primary silicate mineral is quartz (Figure 1f). Quartz is also a framework silicate, with SiO2 as its basic unit, but it has little isomorphic substitution. Therefore, it has virtually no negative charge that has to be balanced by cations. Quartz is therefore very hard, weathers very slowly and releases virtually no basic cations during weathering. Because quartz is resistant to weathering, it occurs abundantly in the soil, where it makes up the largest portion (as much as 90%) of the sand fraction. In the soil, quartz is usually colourless or milky white, but is often covered with a layer of red or yellow iron oxide, giving basic unit, but it has little isomorphic substitution. Therefore, it has virtually no negative charge that has to be balanced by cations. Quartz is therefore very hard, weathers very slowly and releases virtually no basic cations during weathering. Because quartz is resistant to weathering, it occurs abundantly in the soil, where it makes up the largest portion (as much as 90%) of the sand fraction. In the soil, quartz is usually colourless or milky white, but is often covered with a layer of red or yellow iron oxide, giving the soil a

red or yellow colouring. As quartz has no cations, it contains no plant nutritive matter and is therefore chemically nonreactive and therefore mainly plays a role in the physical properties of soil.

From the above, it can be seen that there is a decrease in the negative charge, and therefore fewer complimentary cations, as the Si minerals become more complex (from top to bottom in Figure 1). The minerals therefore become increasingly more stable and release increasingly fewer cations into the soil during weathering.

One can therefore say that the minerals increasingly become more acidic (with fewer basic cations).

THE NON-SILICATE MINERALS The non-silicate minerals do not contain silicon in the mineral structure and can be sub-divided into the oxides and hydroxides, the carbonates, bicarbonate, sulphates, sulphides, and chlorides of Ca, Mg, and Na. The majority of non-silicates are soluble in water, while the silicate minerals are insoluble. The non-silicate minerals thus play an important role in the chemical properties of the soil.

Oxides and hydroxides Hematite (Fe2O3), goethite (FeOOH), magnetite (Fe3O 4), gibbsite (Al2O3) and boehmite (AlOOH) are the most important oxides and hydroxides. The oxides make up a small percentage of the soil. Iron oxide usually occurs as thin layers on quartz crystals and, in so doing, gives the soil its distinctive red or yellow colouring. The iron oxides are relatively insoluble in water, but under long-term saturation in water, the iron can be reduced and becomes soluble.

This makes iron, and therefore the soil colour, a useful tool to deduce water saturated conditions.

Iron oxides can also accumulate in

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

Carbonates and sulphates The dominant minerals in this group are lime (CaCO3), gypsum CaSO 4), magnesite (MgCO3) and MgSO 4. These minerals are highly soluble and are usually leached out of the soil where the rainfall is more than 550 mm per annum. They are therefore mainly found in the soils of arid areas and in irrigated soils, where it is added to the soil via irrigation water. In arid areas, the lime and or gypsum can accumulate in the soil as a continuous soft or hard layer. Calcitic and dolomitic lime and gypsum are also used to increase the basic cation content of soil, thus increasing the pH of the soil.

Phosphates Apatite ((Ca3(PO4)2)3¡Ca(Cl,F)2) is a phosphate mineral which comprises <1% of igneous rocks. However, apatite weathers slowly and is the primary source of natural phosphate as plant nutrient in soil.

SUMMARY To summarise, quartz is the most dominant silicate soil mineral, followed by the micas, feldspars, amphiboles, pyroxenes and olivine. The non-silicate minerals are usually soluble in soil and thus occur mainly in arid regions. The iron minerals are responsible for the red and yellow colour of soils and may also be used as an indicator of the water regime of soils. The Ca and Mg carbonates are mainly used to neutralise soil acidity.

REFERENCES The following references were used extensively during the compilation of this series of articles: 1. Van Huyssteen, CW. 2009.

Soil ecology. Unpublished class notes for GKD214.

University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.

2. Brady, NC. and Weil RR. 2002. The Nature and Properties of Soils. 13th ed. Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

ProAgri BNZ acknowledges Grain SA for the use of this series which originally appeared in Afrikaans in SA Graan/Grain.

15

by Jan van Heerden, M.Eng Tec

Water wise farmers build earth dams Part 2: Building cost and natural losses of stored water

D

ams can be expensive to build and therefore a farmer should do his calculations and planning very carefully to prevent those hidden costs from rising out of control. Water seepage can also be a huge unplanned expense, but it can be reduced to a minimum through proper planning.

We thank the ARC Agricultural Engineering in South Africa for making their manual on earth dams building available to the readers of ProAgri BNZ. The building cost of a storage dam is a function of: • The required preparation of the site.

• The quantity of building material 16

• •

• • • •

needed, i.e. soil, pipes, cement, sand, quarry stone, etc.

The availability of the building material and the transport distance.

Working with soils with long hauling distances increase difficulty and the cost of an earth dam considerably.

The quality of the foundation and the necessary preparation thereof.

The spillway as required by the design.

An outlet pipe is required, namely type, diameter and length with valves and necessary cut-off walls.

Fencing of structure, if necessary.

Hidden costs like fencing can easily increase the cost of your dam way above budget.

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Natural losses of stored water Seepage Seepage usually occurs in two ways, namely through the basin of the dam or through the wall. This is a result of permeable formations that the dam basin consists of or faults in the structure itself.

To prevent seepage through the wall or foundation, provision must be made in the design to ensure a denser structure.

In the case of an earth dam, the foundation and topsoil must be of a reasonably dense type; where this is not the case, the construction of a pit wall, clay core or a clay blanket must be considered.

A certain measure of seepage occurs in most dam basins. The amount of seepage is difficult to determine. If there is fine silt in the run-off water, the deposit of the silt in the basin will reduce the seepage. If the basin of the dam is very permeable, a blanket of clay can be placed over the entire basin, which will be described in a future article.

It is therefore preferable that the building ground and the dam basin be dense or compacted economically where the storage of water is a prerequisite.

Evaporation The average gross evaporation figure for Southern Africa from a free water surface is approximately 2 m per year.

It varies from approximately 1,2 m per year in the south and east to about 3 m per year in the dry, warm regions.

Preference is therefore given to dam sites which are relatively deep and have small surface areas.

Evaporation is something to bring into account when designing a dam. Photo: Makal, Pixabay.

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Silting of dams When muddy water flows into a dam basin, the larger and heavier sediments tend to settle first, but the finer material in suspension moves toward the dam wall.

Earth dams with exceptional long walls and side spillways must not be designed in regions where the run-off water contains a high percentage of sediments, because delta forming takes place. The lifespan of such a dam is extremely limited. After silting, it will eventually fail and cause flooding. In the choice of an earth dam with a side spillway, the catchment area must be well covered with vegetation and if fields are present, it must be mechanically and biologically protected against erosion.

Silting of a dam.

Photo: educalingo.com.

Catchment areas and run-off Annual run-off The amount of run-off, regarding flood peaks, as well as the average annual run-off is in a certain direct relation with the size of the catchment area.

Other factors, such as annual rainfall, intensities and seasonal distribution of rainfall, vegetation, topography, mother rock, type and depth of the soil and water use in the catchment area, each play particular roles in determining the run-off, regarding both the average annual run-off and the run-off flood peaks.

Various hydrological models exist that use the above factors to determine run-off intensities, average annual run-offs, flood sizes and the catchment water delivery potential. The models each have specific application ranges and are used by specialists. Methods that can be used for first order approximations exist for small catchment areas. Examples of flood approximation models are: Unit hydrograph, SCS, Rational, and Roberts. The ACRU-model of the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa is a computer-supported model that not only calculates run-off, but also handles dam balances, risk analysis, etc.

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obtained beforehand from the relative department. In the case of large dams, an environmental impact assessment might be required.

Annual run-off is influenced by factors like topography, rainfall and vegetation.

An indication of a few hydrological models, with an indication of catchment area size applications is given in Table 1.

Table 2 provides the amount of water that can normally be expected annually in the different rainfall regions from a catchment area of one km². These results are only averages based on the average values regarding factors such as rainfall, topography, vegetation, soil depth and infiltration.

Hydrological model

Catchment area size (km2)

SCS

<8

Roberts

< 15

Rainfall region (mm/yr)

300

Rational

10 - 2 000

Percentage run-off (%)

2,5

Unit hydrograph

10 - 2 000

Run-off (m3/km2)

7 500

Table 1: Hydrological models with catchment area sizes Regarding annual run-off, the following two distinctions can be made: Permanent flow This is water from consistent fountains or streams. The volume can usually be determined by means of some or other simple method of stream measurement.

Temporary run-off This is the run-off that persists during rain showers up to a few days after the showers and it is difficult to determine the extent thereof.

Temporary run-off after a rain shower. Photo: Hans Braxmeier, Pixabay.

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Is your dam compliant with your local water acts? Photo: Hans Braxmeier, Pixabay.

400

500

600

800

1 000

3

6

9,5

14

22

12 000

30 000

57 000 112 000

220 000

Table 2: Average annual run-off Run-off flood peaks There are various methods according to which the flood peak can be determined, namely: • By using the rational formula for catchment area of one km² and smaller • By using the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry’s method of calculating run-off flood peaks Various sources for the calculation of run-off flood peaks are available.

Storage capacity of dam basin and run-off A healthy relation must exist between the size of the catchment area and the storage capacity of the dam basin. If the catchment area is small and the storage capacity of the dam basin is large, there is a slight chance that the dam will fill up. Such a design is uneconomical and the flood plain downstream is deprived of run-off water, which is extremely essential for the biological maintenance thereof.

If the catchment area is relatively large and the storage capacity of the dam basin is small, a large, expensive spillway will be required.

It is therefore recommended that the maximum storage capacity of a farm dam must normally not be more than half of the expected annual run-off.

Apart from the practical implications that the capacity of storage dams may have, it may not exceed the regulations of the country’s water act and the necessary authorisation must be

The danger potential The proposed dam’s potential as source of danger for life, private and public property and installations, such as roads, rail, buildings, etc. must be considered thoroughly. The danger potential will influence the design and cost of construction to a large extent. The dam safety legislation of your country must be consulted and adhered to.

Extremely small dams must be designed to allow a peak flood to flow safely, which can occur every ten years. Larger dams with a low danger potential, is designed for a 20 to 30 year frequency.

Larger or more expensive dams with a greater danger potential are designed for a 50 to 100 year frequency.

Dam safety legislation Dam safety legislation attempts to have dams comply with certain safety conditions and thereby prevent potential loss of life and damage to infrastructure. The South African law is taken as an example.

Background In 1984, Article 94 regarding “Safety of dams” was included in the Water Act. It is also known as the Water Amendment Act, 1984 and was published in Government Gazette no. 9339. Regulations originating from this amendment act came into force in 1986 and contains the conditions which must be complied with regarding classification, design, building, registration, putting into com

ProAgri BNZ 04

A large dam should be designed for a 50 to 100 year peak flow.

Photo: tunfux, Pixabay.

Size class (H = Maximum wall height in metres)

Threat potential Slight (PLL = 0 and PEL: Minimal)

Significant (0 < PLL ≤ 10 or PEL: Significant)

High (PLL > 10 or PEL: Great

Small (5 < H < 12)

Category I

Category II

Category II

Medium (12 ≤ H < 30)

Category II

Category II

Category III

Great (H ≥ 30)

Category III

Category III

Category III

Table 3: Dam safety risk groupings

mission, operation, maintenance and abandoning of a dam with safety risks.

Different conditions are set regarding dams of different sizes and danger potential.

Definitions and requirements The following three definitions are given as part of the regulations, namely: • A “dam” is defined as any structure in which water can be stored.

• A “dam with a danger risk” is defined as a dam with a storage potential of more than 50 000 cubic metres and a vertical wall height (H), measured on the downstream side of the wall, of more than 5 m. Any dam that does not comply with the above description can be declared as a dam with a safety risk if the Minister is of the opinion that such a structure is a threat to human life or public safety.

• An “Approved Professional Engineer” is defined as a professional that has been approved by the minister after consultation with the Engineering Council (ECSA) for the purposes of this series.

Requirements originating from this Act include the following: • An owner of a dam that was built before the coming into force of the Act has to register the dam within 120 days.

• An owner of a dam that is completed after the coming into force of the Act has to register the dam within 120 days, after it is able to store or discharge water.

• An owner of a dam must comply with all the regulations in accordance with this article, regarding design, building, putting into commission, changing, enlarging or usage of the dam.

Consult your water department before you start building a dam in a existent river or stream. Photo: Cipo13, Pixabay.

Dam classification Each dam with a safety risk must be classified by the Director-General as a Category I, II, or III dam according to the size (maximum wall height) and the potential threat thereof.

For this purpose, the threat potential is defined as an indication of the Potential Loss of Life (PLL) and Potential Economic Loss (PEL) that the failing of a dam can lead to. The separate consideration of the PLL and PEL for the resultant highest level is used. Table 3 summarises the category grouping of dams with a safety risk.

The maximum wall height (H) is the height measured from the bottom of the river or stream to the crown of the

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

wall. The measurement is done on the downstream side.

Before the commencement of any construction of a new dam or the changing of an existing dam, the local Water Affairs office must be contacted for the acquisition of the necessary application forms and permits.

Next month we shall look at design essentials. Published with the acknowledgement to the ARC Agricultural Engineering for the use of their manuals.

Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information.

19

Spray to protect your crops Part 4: The knapsack sprayer Compiled by J Fuls (Pr Eng)

T

he knapsack sprayer works like a charm on a small farm or when those pesky weeds surrounding your vegetable garden are sticking out their heads. This month we shall look at the finer workings of this incredible tool. We thank the ARC Institute for Agricultural Engineering in South Africa, who made this article available to the readers of ProAgri Zambia.

How does the knapsack sprayer work?

The pump inside the tank looks quite like a bicycle pump. Instead of moving the push rod, the pump cylinder is now moved up and down. The rod is fixed to the bottom of the tank.

The hand pump directly pumps liquid out of the tank for spraying. The tank is not placed under pressure. The sprayer is carried on the back, hanging on both shoulders.

Pump hose

The knapsack sprayer can be used to:

Air pocket Multi level in pump Plastic tube Cylinder pump tube Outlet valve Valve on wheel Piston and inlet valve Washer Push rod Multi inlet Air inlet

Components of the knapsack sprayer:

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Note the following differences between a bicycle pump and a knapsack pump: 1. The bicycle wheel has a valve to stop air from returning to the pump, but the spray nozzle does not have a valve.

Now an outlet valve is installed in the pump, to prevent liquid from returning to the pump.

2. The washer of the bicycle pump is soft and allows air to flow around it to the pumping side only, as the pump rod is retracted. The seals of the piston pump cannot do the same, and now an inlet valve is needed to allow the chemicals to flow from the tank to the pump, but not back again.

3. On the sprayer pump the chemical enters the pump at the bottom end of the push rod.

4. The sprayer pump has a plastic tube that connects the outlet hose to the bottom of the cylinder. This tube is very important. Its function will be discussed below.

ProAgri BNZ 04

If one understands how the pump works, it will be easier to find faults and to repair it.

Now this is how the problem is overcome:

Move the cylinder upwards:

This property of air is used on a spray pump:

Now move the cylinder downwards:

There is also another alternative to the inside of the pump:

The plastic tube and the air pocket: Let us look at the bicycle pump again. Fill it with water and then start pushing the handle. If we stop pushing the handle, it will immediately stop delivering water.

If the knapsack sprayer does the same, it will immediately stop delivering the chemical to the nozzle, the moment we pull the handle up for the next pumping stroke. Even spraying will then be very difficult.

The main difference is that with the pump discussed so far, the push rod is fixed to the bottom of the tank and the cylinder is moved up and down for pumping. With the alternative pump, the cylinder is fixed to the bottom of the tankand the push rod is moved up and down for pumping. The rest of the functioning remains the same.

Next month we shall take the knapsack sprayer apart to have an even closer look. Published with the acknowledgement to the ARC Institute for Agricultural Engineering for the use of their manuals. Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

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ProAgri BNZ 04 e-mail: petru

Safe food production depends on diligent crop protection

by Dr B Ngwene, AGCO

A Challenger RoGator sprayer spraying pesticides on the field.

C

rop protection is the one activity that keeps farmers busy for most of the growing season. It starts during land preparation and only ends when the harvest leaves the field.

The science and practice of managing plant diseases, weeds and other pests are two of the most important aspects of agronomy. If we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t protect our crops properly, it can lead to yield losses of up to 100%. So here is a brief overview on combating each of these infestations.

Crop infestation: weeds, diseases and pests A weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted or where it is out of place.

It goes without saying that you need to start with a clean field at the outset.

This can be achieved by using either a burndown herbicide application, tillage practice, or even physically removing the weeds where applicable.

A weed infestation in maize.

Plant diseases impair the normal functioning of a plant, interrupting or modifying its vital functions. They reduce photosynthesis and interfere with plant functions such as translocation. Fungi are the most important type of plant pathogens (causing diseases). However there are also viruses and bacterial infections.

Plant pests are organisms that cause damage to agriculture by feeding on crops, parasitising on livestock or that injure or kill cultivated plants. These organisms can include insects, animals and birds that cause reduction in crop yield and quality by feeding directly on the crop and/or transmitting diseases.

Crop protection: weed, disease and pest management The control of weed, disease or pest infestation is easier and more effective when an intervention is effected early.

First the weed/disease/pest needs to be identified in order to evaluate whether or not it can cause meaningful damage.

Thereafter the ideal crop protection method can be applied. This can be for example mechanical (in weed control), trapping (pest control) or chemical (application of pesticides).

The packaging of synthetic pesticides is usually clearly marked: F for fungicide, H for herbicide, and I for insecticide.

Pesticides can be divided into two groups: nonselective pesticide, for example glyphosate for weed control which burns down every plant on the field, and selective pesticides, for example herbicides can select broadleaf weeds in grass crops, and also grass weeds in broadleaf crops.

Your local distributor should advise you on the product you need depending on the infestation you are confronted with. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to note that when using chemical pesticides in agriculture, you are legally obligated to use them correctly and store them safely.

There is also the option to use agronomic practices to enhance crop protection. This may include crop rotation to break disease cycles, adjusting sowing dates, ensuring crop hygiene, applying a management programme, by planting resistant varieties, using certified seeds and applying the correct crop density.

In conclusion, a diligent farmer scouts his field regularly to detect any invasions. If you take crop protection seriously and employ all necessary steps to minimize any infestation; you are well on your way to a healthy yield.

Dr Benard Ngwene is the Agricultural Advisory Manager for AGCO Africa. He is a highly enthusiastic and motivated agricultural scientist, with exceptional knowledge of rhizosphere processes and involved in defining mechanisation solutions for smallholders and emerging farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Maize infested with fall army worms.

For more information on AGCOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fine equipment and agricultural courses, send an e-mail to Benard.Ngwene@agcocorp.com

AGCO Future Farm in Lusaka, Zambia provides smart solutions for farmers, giving them access to tools that will allow them to use fewer resources more efficiently and creating a more sustainable food production system.

TRAINING INCLUDES: Agronomy Crop establishment Harvesting Crop nutrition Crop storage Crop protection Farm business management

Mechanisation Tractor fundamentals Tractor driving introduction Tractor maintenance & basic operation

For more information on training solutions offered at the AGCO Future Farm, please contact: Kalongo Chitengi | +260 979701936 | info_agcofuturefarm@agcocorp.com ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

23

Botswana

DIAMONDS are not forever

by Jaco Cilliers

24

ProAgri BNZ 04

Photo: wallpaper.wiki.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

25

Botswana

CROPS ARE GREEN...

IMPLEMENTS ARE RED ...CHOOSE THE BEST BRAND FOR YOUR SOIL, CHOOSE AGROMONT SUPPLIED BY THE AGRI SHOP

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Graphics:MaruapulaA@TheAgriShop-2019

AGROMONT CULTIVATOR 11 TINE TUBULAR FRAME

D

iamonds are a girl’s best friend.

They have also been a very good friend to Botswana’s economy. The diamond industry in Botswana is responsible for most of the job opportunities in the country’s private sector. It earns approximately 80% of Botswana’s foreign currency and it contributes half of the Botswana government’s revenue.

Diamonds also constitute a third of Botswana’s GDP. The legacy of the diamond industry can be seen in Botswana’s economic growth and stability since the discovery of the first diamonds in 1966. The industry employs almost 8 000 people, either directly in the mining sector or indirectly in the processing of diamonds.

However, the diamond industry is under strain. According to DeBeers Group, the international demand for diamonds is declining. Botswana’s neighbour, South Africa, is also feeling the pressure as one of the world’s largest exporters of diamonds.

The Botswana Government realised the potential threat of being overdependent on a fluctuating industry.

There are plans to develop the agricultural sector of Botswana to be able to supplement the economy in case the diamond industry cannot cope with the external macro-economic pressures.

At the moment, the agricultural sector of Botswana is not a viable alternative for the diamond industry as it only contributes 2% to the GDP. The agricultural sector mainly relies

on beef production in this arid country. Beef and goat farming constitute the majority of agricultural activities in Botswana, with some crop farmers in the northern regions closer to the Okavango delta.

The question then remains how Botswana intends to expand agriculture to become one if its main economic pillars.

The answer lies in the number of people that have knowledge and experience in the agricultural sector. Many citizens are practicing subsistence agriculture. The government hopes to convert the current common practice of subsistence farming into commercial farming that can make a meaningful contribution to the national economy.

The government intends to assemble an incentive package to encourage farmers to start new ventures. The aim is to boost the country’s food production so that the quantity of food being imported can be reduced. During the 2019 National Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance allocated a budget of P1,34 billion to the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security.

Viewed in proportion to the rest of the budget, this is only 2,8% of Botswana’s annual National Budget. The government should consider investing more in agriculture if they want better returns from the sector.

The Government of Botswana reported a growth of 3,6% during the years 2012 to 2017. It was estimated that the sector’s contribution to the

GDP will only grow with 0,7% annually until 2023. The reason for the nominal growth lies in the challenges that the Government of Botswana had identified. They are: • A lack of infrastructure in Botswana.

While the major centres are connected by roads and railways, the rural regions, where most of the agricultural activities take place, do not have adequate infrastructure to support the transport needed for farmers to get their produce to major markets. Furthermore, water, electricity and telecommunications are not readily available.

• The outbreak of pests and diseases have played a significant role in the poor performance of the agricultural sector. Between 2009 and 2015 the country has been plagued with outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease. Several species of weeds have also been identified that caused crop failures or lower yields. These challenges can be overcome through sound management practices.

• Climate change is also identified in the National Development Plan (11) as having a detrimental effect on the agricultural sector. Botswana is an arid country with vast desert and semi-desert areas. The persisting drought that has been raging throughout Southern Africa has also affected Botswana.

• The under-utilisation of agricultural

Diamonds have been the cornerstone of Botswana’s economy for decades, but recent trends have forced the country to look to alternatives to drive the economy.

Photo: DeBeersgroup.com.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

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Botswana 28

ProAgri BNZ 04

•

•

land is a major cause for concern.

As stated, many of the inhabitants of Botswana are already practicing subsistence agriculture. If these farmers can be motivated and assisted to expand their operations and farm on a commercial scale, the agricultural sector and the country could benefit greatly.

The combination of all these factors has contributed to a very low production rate in the agricultural sector of Botswana. The country has the potential to produce a lot more, but it needs to ensure enough capital investment and training opportunities in order to achieve improved results.

The answer seems to lie in four focus areas that the government of Botswana can invest in to ensure substantial growth in the agricultural sector. The first is investment in the development of infrastructure. If more farmers have access to local and major markets it will not only encourage larger scale operations but will also aid other sectors of the economy. Boosting infrastructure will entail the building of roads and power stations that will create more jobs. The whole economy will benefit from this; not only the agricultural sector.

Secondly, the challenges of drought and climate change can largely be met by the development of irrigation technology.

Agriculture is the favourite alternative to diamond mining and the dominant form of agriculture in Botswana is cattle farming. Photo: Pixnio.com.

Botswana has rich water sources in some areas of the country, and these can be used as irrigation hubs where crop farming and horticulture can be the

Agrichem NR

main focus of economic activity.

Once the issues of a sustainable water supply and adequate infrastructure have been addressed, the farmers can be motivated and trained to expand their operations from subsistence to commercial agriculture. This in turn will lead to more effective land use and higher levels of agricultural production.

The government of Botswana deserves credit for foreseeing the problem of being overly dependent on the diamond industry. They also deserve credit for realising that agriculture has the potential to become a major contributor to the economy. The challenges that have been identified is another step in the right direction. Whether the government has the political will and resources to adequately address these challenges is something that remains to be seen.

Drought, subsistence farming, lack of infrastructure as well as pests and diseases have been identified as growth barriers for the agricultural sector of Botswana. Photo: Botswanafarms.com.

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It all begins with a visit to a place where people still count Kaap Agri Nambia is an agricultural services group that distributes good and services mainly to the agricultural sector, but also to the general public.

These goods and services include: • Direct agricultural production inputs such as fertiliser, seeds and pesticides.

• Animal feeds, animal health and pet-related products.

• Fuels, oils, lubrication and tyres.

• Industrial and domestic gas.

• Gardening and agricultural irrigation equipment.

• Related products, such as wire and poles.

• Building materials, such as cement, timber, paint, corrugated iron and plastic.

• Horticultural supplies like tools, fertiliser and chemicals.

• DIY items like tools, ladders, screws and accessories.

• Camping equipment and related accessories for the outdoor enthusiast.

• Food, cleaning agents and clothing, which includes protective clothing.

• Financing of these products and services.

• Delivery services.

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Expressmark

Fuel and convenience offering to the general public.

Financing

A wide range of financing products is available to fulfill the diverse agricultural financing needs of our clients.

We specialise in finance packages to specifically address the seasonal financial needs of our customers involved in the agronomy sector and would like to invite prospective customers to contact our financing office for detailed information regarding these packages.

Services available include processing of all new applications, applications for credit increase, account queries etc.

Windhoek: (061) 226266

Available Facilities • • •

Cash/deposit accounts; 30-Day accounts; Seasonal accounts (60 days to 6 months)

Interest Rate

Kaap Agri Nambia is a private company of which 50% shareholding is Namibian-owned by the Pupkewitz Group of Companies.

The prime bank interest rate of Kaap Agri Namibia’s bankers forms the basis to determine interest rates charged to our customers.

Differentiated interest rates are applicable.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF TRADING POINTS

Factors such as asset and liability ratios, solvency, payment history and operational risks will be considered.

Kaap Agri Namibia provides these goods and services through a network of 18 trading points across 15 cities, towns and farm settlements throughout Namibia.

Kaap Agri Namibia has the right to determine interest rates according to individual needs and circumstances.

Particularly in the larger town and cities, Agrimark concentrates on the destination customer who desires a wide range of items under one roof.

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES IN THE GROUP Agrimark

Sales Representatives

Experienced personnel who specialise in addressing customer needs with tailor-made solutions within their farming operations on a personal basis.

In short, Kaap Agri Namibia provides a wide range of goods, products and services to a broad spectrum of clients through an extensive footprint that stretches throughout Namibia.

A chain of retail stores that offer direct agricultural production inputs and related products.

Contact your nearest branch for more information regarding our products and services:

Agrimark: Aranos (062) 272375 • Gobabis (062) 565335 • Gochas (063) 250007 • Grootfontein (067 248500) • Hardap (063) 240897 • Keetmanshoop (063) 227450 • Mariental (063) 241309 • Omaruru (064) 571418 • Otjiwarongo (067-300300 • Rehoboth (062) 521550 • Stampriet (063) 260046 • Windhoek (061) 401490 Expressmark: Grünau (063) 262059 • Stampriet (063) 260046 • Rehoboth (062) 521550 • Ondangwa (067) 240483 Depots: Kalahari Padstal Depot – Omitara (062) 560250 • Hochfeld Depot (062) 549011

Windhoek Head Office:

Plot 211, c/o Monte Christo Road & Industria Street | Lafrenz Ext. 1, Windhoek

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ProAgri BNZ 03 04

The DARE TO CARE disaster fund helps farmers in need

by Benine Ackermann

D

uring the fierce veld fires in 2000 in Namibia, the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) decided to create a fund to give financial aid to farmers, farmworkers and any other persons who were wounded or died whilst fighting veld fires. Now this fund also helps farmers facing the drought.

Up to date the fund has paid a total amount of N$140 445,30 of which N$80 000 was for the flood victims in the north of Namibia.

The establishment of the fund: The NAU further approached members of the agricultural family in 2000 including Meatco, Agra, Meat Board, Agronomic Board, Feedmaster, Namib Mills, AgriBank and Farmers Meat Market. They came together and decided to host an annual golf day to collect funds for these veld fire victims. It was decided that the NAU would administrate the fund and also arrange the golf days. Although the

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

main source of funding of the Dare to Care fund is the proceeds of golf days, any other contributions to the fund are highly appreciated. In 2013 AgriBank and Farmers Meat Market resigned from the fund.

The fund helped the following people: â&#x20AC;˘ In 2005 it was decided that the fund should also assist victims of natural disasters, farm attacks and other worthy causes.

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Namibia

The Dare to Care fund was founded to help the farmers who fell victim to the veld fires of 2000.

•

•

•

34

The fund inter alia paid for all funeral costs of the farm workers of the murdered Erasmus couple.

The Namibian newspaper, Die Republikein, reported that eight people, including two children, were murdered on Kareeboomvloer farm near Kalkrand on Saturday, March 5, 2005. The murder is still described as one of the most gruesome mass murders in the history of Namibia.

In 2008 an amount of N$30 000 was paid for water purification tablets for flood victims in the north of Namibia.

During 2013 the fund also assisted the San Community in Ekonkolo in the Ohangwena region buying food

The drought in Namibia takes its toll. The Dare to Care fund has helped the farmers in drought since 2013.

ProAgri BNZ 04

•

to the value of N$40 000 over a period of 12 months and arranged that the food was delivered to the San Community by Kunene for Christ.

In 2016 the fund paid N$50 000 into the Willie Grobler Trust for medical assistance for Mr Grobler (after Mr Grobler’s Medical Aid was exhausted).

Dare to Care also helps farmers in the drought: Due to the drought that Namibia has been facing since 2013 – a national crisis in the agricultural sector – the whole agricultural sector, including the Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU), Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), and the private sector in Namibia, decided to join hands under the “Dare to Care” umbrella to make a contribution to all drought stricken farmers. These include communal, emerging commercial and commercial farmers across the country.

In March 2019 Dare to Care set themselves an ambitious target to collect N$10 million by end of March 2019 and it was their goal to subsidise the feed cost of farmers with a fixed subsidy of N$50/bag of animal feed, in order to help farmers to round off livestock for the market, while also assisting them

The fierce veld fires in Namibia in the year 2000 had farmers on their knees.

to maintain their core breeding herds.

Another important principle of the assistance would be to not donate feed to farmers, but rather to make certain feeds more affordable through subsidisation. The agricultural retail outlets (such as Kaap Agri, Agra, et cetera) and their retail branches countrywide were used to reach farmers and these subsidised prices are available at all branches.

The management of the fund has appointed SGA Chartered Accountants and Auditors to perform a full financial audit on the fund to ensure accountability of all monies received and the distribution thereof.

With the donation of the Capricorn Group and Capricorn Asset Management of N$200 000 on 25 November 2019, the fund has exceeded their target of N$10 million and is now standing at N$10 046 765.

The Namibia Agricultural Union would thanked all the donors of the fund – those who gave more than N$1 million and those who gave N$10. “We also thank everybody who organised fundraising actions for the fund. You all made this happen and with all the assistance, the fund was able to subsidise over 200 000 bags of feed. We also sincerely thank all participating retailers who assisted to ensure correct documentation is in place for auditing purposes. The NAU appointed additional personnel, at their own cost, to capture all claims, thus making more than 99% of all donated funds available for direct drought assistance to farmers,” a spokesperson of the Namibian Agricultural Union said.

“Although the aim of N$10 million was achieved, the intensifying drought continues.

Anybody who wishes to make a contribution, how little it may be, contact 061-237-838, fax 061-220-193 or e-mail: evg@agrinamibia.com.na.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

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Seal harvesting is a means of income for people without jobs.

SEAL HARVESTING: Namibia is one of the last countries where seals are hunted for commercial purposes

by Benine Ackermann

S

eals feed upon fish, and some people allege that harvesting of seals is necessary for the fish species to survive. Others are heavily opposed to the harvest of seals and a petition was signed by animal activists in 2013 to stop it, but to little effect. The methods used for seal harvesting are believed to be inhumane and cruel.

Seal harvesting dates back to 1884 and also has a positive effect on Namibia. It has some small employment impact, employing around 81 people seasonally from July to November and about 100 people downstream in the processing plants. The Fisheries Ministry also says seal harvesting contributes to the growth of the tourism industry and has attracted direct foreign investment, such as the Hatem Yavuz Group who specialises in seal skins export and processing.

From 2005 to 2015, Namibia has exported nearly 400 000 seal skins.

Along with Canada and Greenland, Namibia is one of the last places where seals are hunted for commercial purposes.

Arlana Shikongo wrote in an article in the Namibian on 18 July 2019, that over the years, activist groups, organisations and individuals have condemned the annual seal 'culling', citing brutality and animal cruelty as the reason for their staunch rejection of it.

Answering some questions posed by The Namibian, the Ministry said it prefers to place the emphasis on harvesting rather than culling because “our policy is to harvest, and not to cull”.

Furthermore, the Ministry said the practice contributes to state revenue for national development programmes and is critical to the livelihood of the people and families directly involved in the harvesting. “Namibia has a constitutional responsibility to use resources at its disposal for development and advancement of its people,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry claims that it is continuously monitoring the seal harvesting practice to ensure that it adheres to all relevant legislation, citing the Government Gazette 'Regulations related to the exploration of marine resources of 2001' of the Marine Resources Act.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

How they harvest the seals: The pups are immobilised and stabbed to ensure that the animals are unconscious. Mature animals are harvested with a rifle rendering them unconscious instantly, just like cattle in an abattoir.

According to a study that Sune de Klerk did on seal harvesting in Namibia, the Namibian Government has allowed the harvest for many years while F Hugo, the founder of Seal Alert-SA, has been trying his best since 2011 to stop the harvest, calling the practice animal cruelty and unsustainable. Hugo has sent various

Most people see seal harvesting as brutal.

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Namibia

bulldozers clean up and restore the beach before the tourists arrive to view the colony, because all of this happens in a designated seal reserve.

Namibia is the only country in the Cape Fur Seal's range in which commercial hunting is permitted.

Sealing occurs on two mainland colonies, Cape Cross and Wolf/ Atlas Bay on the DeBeers company property, where 75% of the pups are born.

Cape Fur Seals now have a natural mortality rate of around 30% within the first few weeks of being born.

Clubbing begins when the seal pups are only seven months old, while still very dependent on their mothers. Both Canada and Russia stopped and banned the practice of killing seal pups that are still nursing or younger than one year.

Last year the European Union (EU) banned all imports of seal products due to cruelty. Total import bans on all seal products are now also in effect in the US, Mexico and South Africa – for a total of 27 countries.

A new economic study has confirmed the seals are worth three times as much alive rather than dead. In 2008, the seal hunt generated only £320 000, a poor comparison to seal watching which netted £1,3 million in direct tourism expenditure in the same period.

•

• documents to the Namibian Government, including the Ombudsman, in which he requested Namibia to stop its yearly harvest. In 2012 the Ombudsman delivered his final findings on the harvest and declared it legitimate.

The Ombudsman also made a number of recommendations, some of which included amendments to the Marine Resources Act and revisions to the killing process.

He recommended an effective hitting/shooting, monitoring, bleeding out and implementation process, in which sealers would be trained to become competent in the procedures they use.

As stated in the Ombudsman's report, the Namibian government has, on several occasions, invited anti-sealing proponents to meet and bring new ideas and proposals to the table to resolve the controversial issue; however, that call is yet to be heeded.

The Ministry of Fisheries said that keeping in line with these recommendations, they conduct an annual review of the harvesting practice and provide refresher courses for workers.

The Ministry also assured that because of fur seals standing on appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), their sustainable and humane utilisation is ensured.

People fear the seals will go extinct but the Ministry maintains that Namibia's seal numbers do not show any threat of extinction. According to the Ministry, the seal population in Namibia is very healthy.

•

•

•

Seal cull facts by change.org: • Each year up to 85 000 seal pups are killed in Namibia.

• At 6 am, the clubbing begins.

Then, at 9 am each morning,

REFERENCES 1. The Namibian, Season of seals – a 'harvest', not a cull, 201907-18, Arlana Shikongo 2. Seal harvesting in Namibia: A critical analysis. 2013. S. de Klerk. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the LLB degree of the University of Namibia.

3. Change.org

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ProAgri BNZ 04

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NRZ Premises, Robert Mugabe Way, Bindura GMB Premises 248-250 Warwick Road, Chegutu Shop no. 1 Stand no 6 (Old Barclays Bank), Chinhoyi Std 76B Knobthorn Road, Chiredzi 1 91km peg Hre/Chirundu Highway 69B 6th Street, Gweru 8 Paisley Road, Workington, Harare, Zimbabwe 515 of Std 454 Vainona, T/Ship, Vainona 13km peg, Simon Mazorode Rd 17.5km peg Harare/Chinhoyi Highway Shop no. 2 Std 7743A of Std 29629 Arcadia, Mbare Complex Satcoy House, Cnr Robson Manyika & 4th Street, Harare Chirinda Farm, 1 Bulawayo Road, Tynwald, Harare 34 Robert Mugabe Way, Kadoma No. 7 Birmingham Road, Industrial Sites, Marondera Plot no 1 of Umvukwes Flats, Centenary Road, Mvurwi Std no. 1 Magamba Way, Industrial Sites

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Tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe Photo: Couleur, Pixabay.

by Jaco Cilliers

Z

imbabwe is the largest producer of tobacco in Africa. The plant, also known as the ‘golden leaf’ has been the backbone of the country’s agricultural economy. Tobacco constitutes 38,6% of Zimbabwe’s agricultural industry. Maize contributes about 10% with various other legumes making up the difference.

The Zimbabwe Tobacco Association was formed in 1928 and has been aiding the development of the industry over the past ninety-one years. These days they represent both commercial and emerging farmers. They provide research through the Tobacco Research Board, and training through the Blackfordby Agricultural Institute. These are examples of how a healthy industry generates economic opportunities beyond the primary sector. But is it in danger of going up in smoke?

In the past year the country harvested a new record of 257 million kilograms of tobacco despite the persistent drought in the country. However, this does not mean that the Zimbabwean farmers are jumping for joy. In fact, many of the tobacco producers have decided to opt out of the industry. This is because the record-high harvest was accompanied by a record-low market price. This year's prices, at US$2,03 per kg, were 30,52% lower than the average price of US$2,92 per kg paid in 2018. This meant that many farmers could not cover their expenses.

In many countries, such as South Africa, the official policy on the use of tobacco products is not friendly. Strict laws that prohibit smoking in public places have been implemented over the past two decades. In 2019 new smoking laws made headlines again in SA. The proposed restrictions include the banning of smoking in all indoor public spaces, including designated smoking areas in restaurants. When smoking outside, it should also be within the boundaries of a smoking area and may not be closer than 10 meters from the nearest building.

Photo: Couleur, Pixabay.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

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ProAgri BNZ 04

These laws and restrictions are motivated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showing that it is not only a national movement, but rather a global trend to stop the use of tobacco products. This is clear when one sees the list of countries that joined the WHO in their Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (FCTC) which aims to have stricter regulations on the use of tobacco products, as well as clamping down on the illegal cigarette trade by 2030.

How does this affect the farmer?

While there is a battle of wills going on between legislature and corporations about the production and selling of tobacco products, the farmers who are producing the crops are being forgotten. Could it be time for Zimbabwean farmers to consider alternative crops?

If so, the Zimbabwean government will lose the highest foreign currency earner in the country. Tobacco exports are responsible for most of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign currency income.

The idea of ending the tobacco farming

industry is simply not viable. According to the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association there are 180 000 tobacco growers in Zimbabwe as of 2019. The economic impacts of the industry are simply too far reaching for people to stop farming with tobacco, or to stop the use of tobacco products.

With the current economic situation that Zimbabwe is facing, one can only hope that the authorities will nurture the tobacco farmers and aid them in expanding their enterprises in order to create more jobs and stimulate growth.

Photo: Volpin, Pixabay.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

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Zimbabwe 44

ProAgri BNZ 04

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Soil cultivation:

Subsoiler or ripper efficiency

by Johan van Biljon

We thank the ARC Institute for Agricultural Engineering in South Africa, who made this article available to the readers of ProAgri Zambia.

W

hen tractors and implements are used, soil compaction may take place because of the texture of the soil and the plough sole effect caused by heavy or large machinery. Soil compaction hampers the root development of planted crops.

Soil compaction can be solved either mechanically or biologically. Ripping is the most common practical mechanical method used to deeply loosen the soil. This gives plant roots an improved chance to develop well, resulting in healthy plants and increased crops.

The following graph shows traction against 15% wheel slip with changed wheel load:

Drawbar power required A ripper operation, however, is an action that requires a lot of traction and energy, which makes it very expensive.

It is therefore important to do it as effectively as possible.

Graph 1 indicates that the pulling force is reduced when too much wheel weight load is applied in soft soil.

Drawbar power efficiency Traction efficiency can be determined to evaluate the optimal utilisation of the tractor's traction on a specific implement. However, there are a number of factors that can affect effective traction.

Graph 1

Tyre pressure Tyre pressure also plays an important role in improving traction. Again, it is important to follow the tractor manual for the correct tyre pressure.

Figure 2 shows how lower tyre pressure will allow greater traction and a bigger contact area on the soil, but can also lead to increased rolling resistance.

Rolling resistance In Figure1, rolling resistance can be seen as the resistance the tractor has to overcome to move forward before any traction takes place. On level ground, the factors that affect rolling resistance are soil hardness, the pressure exerted by the wheels on the ground, and the load.

Wheel slip A certain percentage of wheel slip is required for good traction. During wheel slip, the ground particles are compressed to create traction.

However, there are optimum desirable wheel slip percentages for different soil types. Too much wheel slip can reduce traction and increase fuel consumption.

Graph 2

Figure 2

Figure 1:

better traction. Wider tyres will also reduce soil compaction.

Tyre width Figure 3 shows how the use of wider or double wheels will enlarge the tyre contact area on the soil and therefore

Graph 2 shows that maximum traction power is reached at optimal wheel slip.

Implement hitching system: three-point linkage The resulting pulling force is perpendicular to the ripper tines. The pulling force is at an angle downwards from the back of the tractor, and the moment is around the rear axle of the tractor wheels. This causes more traction on the rear wheels, but tends to lift the tractorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nose and front wheels.

(Figure 3) This can be a disadvantage for four wheel drive tractors, because of the traction losses at the front wheels of the tractor.

Implement hitching system: threepoint linkage with depth control wheels When using depth control wheel on the implement, the force moment is Figure 3

Wheel weights Wheel weight load also plays an important role in effective traction, but it must be used in accordance with the tractor manufacturer's requirements.

If the wheel weight load is too heavy, it may also result in traction disadvantages.

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ProAgri BNZ 04

Picture 2 shows an effective ripping process because the volume of soil is more effectively loosened. Thus, the amount of energy used to do the work is better utilised.

Picture 2

Figure 3 between the centre of the ripper tines and the depth control wheel axle. This causes a downward pressure on the rear as well as the front wheels of the tractor. In this way, better traction by all the wheels of the tractor will be obtained to ensure good traction on a four-wheel drive tractor. (Figure 4)

Ripping efficiency Ripping is not a cheap operation, so it is important to perform the task as effectively as possible. The purpose of a ripping operation is to loosen the soil or break a plough-pan layer. Effective ripping entails the maximum loosening of soil. The energy input must therefore justify the output.

Several tests have been done on dif-

Figure 4 Different types of rippers Rippers come in different shapes.

The main differences are ripper teeth shapes. Some are straight and others are curved. Ripper teeth designs differ from each other because manufacturers try to create the best design for the best soil penetration.

Different tips shares or chisels can also be used on ripper tines to effectively brake up the soil. Manufacturers are continuously thinking up better ideas for ripper chisels. In most cases, the ripper tines are mounted at an angle to achieve better penetration.

Other important components that are sometimes added, are depth control wheels, especially on the larger ripper frames. The function of the depth control wheels is of course for more effective depth control, but also to balance the weight and traction between the tractor's front and rear wheels, which is ideal for four-wheel drive tractors or tractors with tracks.

ferent soil types, and it has been found that not all rip actions are effectively done. The effectiveness of the ripping depends greatly on the soil type, soil clay percentage and moisture percentage. The mechanical differences will, of course, depend on the working depth, working speed, chisel type and chisel cutting angle.

Picture 1 shows an example of an inefficient ripping operation where the soil is not properly loosened.

Picture 1

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

Drawbar power needed for rippers The pulling force required for rippers is generally very high, but will depend on the soil type, ripper tine design and chisel or share design. Of course, the working depth will also play a role.

The question is, of course, what is the optimal working depth because the deeper the ripping action, the higher the power demand.

Ripping depth will depend on the specific need, whether it is to break a plough sole, or because of very sandy soil which need to be ripped every year because of the characteristics of the soil.

Share or chisel design, working angle, share width and the placement of shares or chisels will also have an effect on the energy consumption. Tests have been done with different working angles versus the drawbar power required.

When a sub-soiler or ripper needs to be used, the following factors can be considered regarding operational efficiency: • Optimal traction efficiency of the tractor • The type of soil such as sand, clay, loam or combination of different components • Physical soil properties such as moisture content and density • Number of ripping shanks • Plough sole and optimum ripping depth • Share design parameters such as working angle, width and placement of shares or chisels Published with the acknowledgement to the ARC Institute for Agricultural Engineering for the use of their manuals.

Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information.

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All users on LWN are verified and all documents are on record.

No brokers or sub-listing allowed.

All-inclusive, no-limits membership: - 3 Months: R4 800 (R1 600/m) - 6 Months: R7 200 (R1 200/m) - 12 Months: R12 000 (R1 000/m)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 04

49

www.reinke.com Patrick Ellis 50

+27 (0)31 350 4525

patrickellis@reinke.com ProAgri BNZ 04