ProAgri BNZ 16 by ProAgri

ProAgri B otswa n a / N am i b ia/ ia / Zim b ab w e No 16

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Spray your way to better crops

Botswana page 21

T1000: Work deeper and wider www.agri4all.com

Namibia page 29

Zimbabwe page 39

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Letter from the Editor

Cover

Agrico T1000: Work deeper and wider for better seedbed preparation.

ProAgri B ot s wa n a/ a / N a m i b i a/ a/Zimbabwe

he new year has finally arrived and hopefully everybody is well rested after the holidays. The farmers have planted their summer crops and are looking forward to a good harvest this season. In 2020 ProAgri also planted seeds that we shall be harvesting in 2021. During the difficult times we persevered and kept our magazines and online articles on the high standard that our readers have become accustomed to. We have launched social media platforms in five new countries – Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, and Angola. We are now present and serving agriculture in ten Southern African countries. This year, we shall also expand to include a television programme, and we shall pay more attention to video production that will be broadcasted on television as well as on YouTube and our various social media platforms. The details and where to find the channels to view the exclusive ProAgri content

will be shared in due course. The ProAgri vision goes beyond being just another media company that prints and distributes articles and advertisements. We are committed to keep you up to date with the latest trends, technologies and best practices in livestock, crop production, mechanisation, and resource management. With an ever-increasing audience that grew to more than 6 million monthly readers last year, we are ideally placed to distribute free, premium information to all farmers in Southern Africa. Remember to get your free copy every month, and visit our websites www.proagri.co.za or www.agri4all.com. Also find us on Facebook or contact me directly via the e-mail address provided below. I would love to hear what you are busy with on your farm, or what is happening in your region. Farm smartly! Jaco Cilliers jaco@proagri.co.za

Content 3. Work deeper and wider with Agrico's new T1000 folding ripper 4. Goat production guide Part 4(ii): Internal and external parasites 7. Reinke Irrigation: The pivot that makes crops and farmers grow 8. Zimbabwe: Livestock diseases to look out for in summer 11. Correct zinc deficiency in pecan nut trees with soil banding 13. Soil: The farmer’s most important asset Part 12: Ground water (IV) 17. Feeding Africa with Tip Top Foods 19. Maschio Gaspardo's Dracula Hydro: Prepare a perfect seedbed in a single pass 21. Chicken farming: Fight the invisible enemy with these biosecurity measures 25. Pig production guide Part 9: Feed sources for pigs 29. Irrigation made easy part 9: Flood irrigation 33. Agri4all.com: All your agricultural needs on one convenient site 36. Spray to protect your crops Part 14: Safety: Take special care during spraying 39. Cannabis in Zimbabwe: Meet the new health cure

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

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ProAgri Editor Jaco Cilliers > +27 71-893-6477 jaco@proagri.co.za Reporters Du Preez de Villiers > +27 82-598-7329 dupreez@proagri.co.za Benine Ackermann > +27 73-105-6938 benine@proagri.co.za Specialist writer Annemarie Bremner > +27 82-320-3642 annemarie@proagri.co.za Marketing Manager Diane Grobler > +27 82-555-6866 diane@proagri.co.za Marketing Xander Pieterse > +27 62-391-6507 xander@proagri.co.za Candice Rieger > +27 83-292-3150 candice@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 Creative Director Christiaan Joubert > +27 72-419-3990 christiaan@proagri.co.za Design Michelle Kruger Enquiries Engela Botha > +27 12-803-0782 engela@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 Business Manager George Grobler > +27 83 460 0402

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by Benine Ackermann

Work deeper and wider with Agrico's new T1000 folding ripper

ny implement must prove itself before the Versters of Potlachi Family Trust would acquire it. Therefore, every implement under consideration is thoroughly tested on their farm near Luckhoff, in the central part of South Africa. They ensure that only the best equipment is bought to support their drive towards achieving the best yields possible. The Versters farm with maize, wheat, popcorn, alfalfa, peas, and soya beans under irrigation. They need a strong, reliable, and efficient ripper to prepare the soil thoroughly and quickly before planting. After a demonstration on their farm last year, where they tested a wide range of Agrico's implements, they decided to buy a new T1000 folding wing ripper. This is one of the largest rippers in the Agrico T1000 series. The Versters use a 430 kW tractor with the implement. The T1000 is available in various models from 1 to 21 tines, with frames up to 10 metres wide. "Agrico's people understand farming and give the farmer exactly what he needs,” says Ryno Verster: “They adapted the ripper especially for our farm, for example, they fitted the implement with specific wheels, as per our specification. Agrico also, on request, mounted the tines 420 mm apart. The standard spacing is 500 mm. “The T1000 can work up to 630 mm deep, but on average we rip the soil 500 mm deep,” says Ryno. According to Agrico, the ideal working depth is between 400 and 630 mm, depending on conditions and the cultivation methods. Within this working range, the operation is very efficient and the tines are still able to completely break away and reset automatically. Ryno says Agrico's ripper stands out above the competition, because the frame and tines are manufactured from high strength materials and are designed to last longer. Yet, Agrico offers much better value for money than their competitors. Since this particular Agrico T1000 was adapted according to the Versters' needs, there were minor teething problems with the rocker shaft and welding on a hinge. “Agrico offered to give me a brand-new frame, but I said

The frame clearance of the T1000 reset ripper from Agrico is 1 000 mm and the breakaway force at the shear tip of the tine is 7 600 N (760 kg). A protective strip at the leading edge of the T1000’s ripper tine protects the tine against wear and damage. This ensures a longer life. they could just reinforce it, which they did at the hinge point. The rocker shaft, they replaced with an upgraded one,” says Ryno. "That being said, up to now we had no issues and didn’t even have to replace one bolt on a shear after 500 hectares of deep ripping with the implement.” He is also impressed with the fact that the implement can cultivate 6,3 hectares per hour. "Its method of cultivating is very efficient and the breakaway action is outstanding.” Ryno is very satisfied with Agrico’s after sales service, which is a major consideration with the purchase of any equipment. "They always help me when I experience any problems. I will definitely buy more Agrico implements." Ryno's father, Francois, added. “Agrico went to great lengths to give us exactly what we wanted. The ripper is designed to be a part of our farming solution, and it is better than any imported alternative." Paul Burger, Engineer and Product Manager of Agrico, explains that this T1000 is designed with a folding frame to facilitate easy transport, while

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offering a wide working width. He explains why the T1000 is an exceptional implement: “Bigger tines give the farmer more tillage options and allow for either deep, or slightly shallower cultivation in harder soil. The taller tines result in more clearance between the ground and the frame. The tine design and -layout is also optimal with less obstructions. When working with more residual material on the field, there is better stubble flow and reduced clogging of the implement, compared to other designs. "Agrico’s T-series is also successful because of lower draft resistance than the competitors, thanks to the optimised breakaway action, -tine width, -tine shape and -shear angle. The standard 80 mm shear has a more aggressive action than those of its competitors. A wide range of alternative shears is also available.” Benefits of the T1000-reset ripper: • The implement does its job with little effort because tines automatically reset during operation, without having to reduce speed or lifting the implement. • Reduced wear on tines. • The implement is cost effective. • It is available as three-point hitched or drawn models, and now also with folding wings for the wider models. • It ensures low fuel consumption due to extremely low draft resistance. • The tine geometry, layout and good ground clearance beneath the frame ensures good stubble flow and reduced clogging. • The T1000 is the only implement in its class with recoil shock absorbers on all tines, that ensures a longer life expectancy. • Agrico's popular straight ripper shear is fitted as standard. • The shears are bolted on, making it easy to exchange them.

Francois, Ryno and Jacques Verster are fully satisfied with their T1000 reset ripper from Agrico. For any enquiries, contact Alfred Andrag at +27(0)82-824-1214 or +27(0)21-950-4111 or send an e-mail to Alfred.andrag@agrico. co.za. 3

Goat production guide Part 4(ii): Internal and external parasites G

oats can have internal parasites (inside the intestines and other organs) and external parasites that stay on the outside of the animal. Internal parasites Worms and flukes Generally, these parasites cause harm either by absorbing the goat’s food or by feeding on the blood or tissue of the goat. There are different types of worms, some which are easier to see (such as tapeworms) and some which are more difficult to see (such as roundworms). Roundworms (which include wireworms) cause serious losses if not properly controlled. Tapeworms cause a ‘potbelly’ in young animals. Another type of internal parasite is the liver fluke which is found in the goat’s liver. The goat becomes contaminated when he feeds on plants growing near water bodies (wetlands, marshes and standing water). Liver flukes cause symptoms similar to those of roundworms. Even if they do not make the goat sick, internal parasites reduce its productivity. If the goat has heavy infestations, it can lose condition, become anaemic (from loss of blood), become listless, develop a ‘bottle-jaw’, suffer from diarrhoea, and even die. Some tapeworms form cysts in goats’ brains, which lead to mortalities. It is a tapeworm that they pick up from dogs. The cysts cause ‘malkop or draaisiekte’, as discussed in the previous article. Use of anthelmintics (dewormers) Goats can be dosed with a variety of dewormers – some only kill one type of worm, while others kill a range. You should try and dose for the particular worms that are affecting your goats. Resistance will build up over time, so regularly change your dewormer ensur4

ing to use different active ingredients. Unless you have a particular type of worm that you are trying to treat, you should swap dewormers regularly (check that they have different active ingredients) to make sure that over time you control the different types. You also need to make sure that the product you are using is safe for goats. It is recommended that you use a FAMACHA chart and the 5-point check system described below to control parasites in your goats. You can use a standard dosing programme based on periods of heavy infestations and dose the whole flock at certain times of year. If it is possible, call in a technician to send a dung sample to a laboratory to determine what worms are infecting your goats. You should collect a sample directly from some goats and not from the ground. Keep samples in plastic packets in the fridge until you take them to the lab. If you plan to slaughter the goat to eat, you should also check the withdrawal period of the product (this is the recommended time period from the time of dosing to when it is safe to eat the goat or drink its milk). Many medicines also have a withdrawal period. Observation points to determine internal parasites Certain signs help you to determine which goats or sheep could be affected by one or more major internal parasites. Five places on the body need to be checked. Those places are the nose, eyes, jaw, tail, and the back. Nose: Discharges from the nose may indicate nasal bot fly (Oestrus ovis). Jaw: A soft, subcutaneous swelling below the jaw is known as the bottle jaw. This is another symptom of worm

species that cause anaemia. Eyes: Anaemia (as determined by the use of FAMACHA©) may be due to wireworm (Haemonchus contortus) and other worm species such as hookworm that cause anaemic conditions. Back: Body condition scoring is the assessment of overall condition of the animal. If only a few in the flock show poor condition, this may show worms that suppress the animals’ appetite, such as bankrupt worm, brown stomach worm and conical fluke. Tail: Parasites such as conical fluke and roundworms cause mild or severe diarrhoea. Parasites are known to be a major cause of diarrhoea therefore the farmer needs to treat those with visible diarrhoea. Other observations, such as a pot belly, when combined with poor condition or growth rate, is usually an indication of tapeworm infestation. There are other ways to control the worm burden in your goats: • Goats pick up worms from the grass when they are grazing (the eggs come out with the faeces and then infect the camp). You can practice rotational grazing to prevent a build-up of worms in your camps. • Repair leaks in troughs as worms breed in the muddy ground around the trough. Checking for signs of anaemia The FAMACHA method is suitable for controlling wire worms because it is based on assessing the level of anaemia in the goats (from looking at the inner membranes of their eyes) and

ProAgri BNZ 15

tissue damage, while others also transmit diseases to the goat.

then dosing only those that are anaemic. If the membranes are pale pink instead of bright pink, they are anaemic. The paleness occurs because the worms have been feeding heavily on the goat’s blood. However, the FAMACHA method will not pick up tapeworm. Another key measure to control worms, is to identify goats that are particularly susceptible to worms and cull them, because these goats actually keep infecting other goats in the flock. If you check your goats’ eyes regularly and find that a certain animal often has pale membranes, then you should not just continue to treat it for worms – you should actually sell or slaughter it. External parasites External parasites affecting goats are mainly ticks and mange mites. Other examples would include mosquitos and flies (especially blowflies). Some external parasites cause skin irritation and

Ticks Besides the physical damage caused by ticks, they also transmit a number of diseases. In goats, the most serious tick-borne disease is heartwater. Tickborne diseases are specific to a certain type of tick. For example, heartwater is only transmitted by bont ticks. Ticks can be controlled by insecticides that can be applied in different ways. Spraying is the most common way, and less common is either dipping the goat (in a plunge dip or with a bucket and sponge), applying a pour-on product onto the animal’s back, or by injecting it with a registered product. Remember that dips are poisonous so you should make sure that you use gloves and protective clothing to prevent skin contact as you can actually absorb the dip directly through your skin. Mange Mange is inflammation of the skin (causing itchiness) and the loss of hair, and is caused by small organisms called mites – they are too small to actually see. The same mites cause sheep scab in sheep. Dips and injectable products are available to control mange. Fleas These are small wingless insects that move around different hosts by means of jumping. They have well-developed legs that are used for jumping considerable distances. They range between 1 mm and 8 mm in length. Fleas are normally found on dogs and cats. In that way they are passed on to domestic livestock like goats. Fleas cause rubbing of affected areas, scratching, and hair loss. They can be controlled by dipping the goats and treating the affected areas with sprays or powders such as Karbadust. Lice There are two recognized types, the biting (red) lice and the sucking (blue) lice. The biting lice feed on dead skin, while the sucking lice actually suck blood from the host. Both types cause the animal to itch, and in most cases

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

causing the animals to rub against objects. Lice are normally found on the insides of the legs and around the head and neck, and may result in scabby or bleeding areas, loss of hair or a dull coat. Severe cases can cause anaemia. The goats should be sprayed or dipped, and the kraal should be treated with an insecticide. (They can also be dusted with Karbadust). Infected animals should be separated to prevent the lice from spreading to other goats. Nasal worm Nasal worms are not proper worms, but actually the larvae or bots of a fly. The fly lays its eggs around the nose of goats, and the eggs hatch into larvae which travel up the nose into the sinuses in the goats head. Here they cause irritation, inflammation and mucus that runs out of the nose, the goat coughs and sneezes and shakes its head until it eventually gets rid of the bots that then turn into flies again. Fortunately, these nasal worms are easy to get rid of. The most effective method is to treat animals with a remedy that contains ivermectin or closantel. Some deworming products, such as Tramisol, can also be used. Sometimes the bots cause secondary infection of the sinuses or even infections that eventually spread into the lungs. These infections must be treated with long-acting oxytetracycline products.

The information in this article is credited to Mdukatshani, Heifer International South Africa and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development who published the Goat Production Handbook in 2015.

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Reinke Irrigation:

The pivot that makes crops and farmers grow by Jaco Cilliers

hen choosing an irrigation system for his farm, the farmer should consider: • The most efficient, cost-effective design, • The quality of the components such as pumps and gearboxes • The overall cost per hectare • The availability and quality of after sales service This is according to Graeme Flower, Managing Director of Lomag Agri in Zimbabwe. It is for these reasons that more and more farmers all over Zimbabwe choose Reinke centre pivots for their farms. One such a farmer is Gary Parham who is in charge of crop production at Inamo Agri farms near Harare. The Reinke pivots are used to irrigate wheat, soya beans, maize, peas, potatoes, and tobacco. Inamo Agri is the proud owner of 27 Reinke pivots ranging from 10 to 35 hectares in size. “Reinke pivots provide excellent value for money,” says Gary. “The systems pay for themselves by increasing the turnover of your farm. Depending on type of crops you plant and

commodity prices, the pivot can pay for itself within two harvests.” Gary opted for the simplest management system on all his Reinke pivots for two reasons. Firstly, it lowers the cost of the pivot. Secondly, it suits his conditions better. “There is nothing fancy that can be broken, stolen, or programmed wrong. There is a simple on/off switch as well as settings for the speed and quantity of water that needs to be given.” In a highly competitive market, any irrigation system will have to be worth its weight in gold. According to Gary, the service provided to the client makes the biggest difference. “Reinke is involved in the entire process, from designing the best system to suit your needs, to the installation and after sales service.” Gary also says that he does not need to worry about the maintenance of his pivots, as it is all done very professionally by Lomag Irrigation, the Reinke agent in Zimbabwe. Although the company was established in 2009, their relationship with Reinke started in 1995. “Working with a family-owned business allows for excellent service. If I need something, I can contact the Reinke president

Due to the clever design of a Reinke pivot, most of the stress that is usually carried by the pipes is now transferred to the towers. This ensures less maintenance and a longer lasting irrigation system. (Photo credit: Gary Parham). ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

Gary Parham from Inamo Agri farms near Harare installed his first Reinke pivot in 2013 and has never looked back. Now, his 27 Reinke pivots keep the crops and the profits growing year after year. directly in the USA,” says Graeme. Delivery time from the Reinke warehouse in Durban to Harare takes about a week. Lomag Irrigation keeps enough stock in Zimbabwe to erect six pivots. “We have enough stock to assist any farmer, and ordering from Reinke’s warehouse in Durban is not a problem,” says Graeme. There has been a rapid growth in the demand for centre pivots in Zimbabwe. This is a good indicator that agriculture in Zimbabwe is growing. “Our bestselling product is the 2065 model, and this year we introduced the 2045 which is more cost effective on 25 hectares and smaller areas. We have also recently received stock on the enginepowered mini pivots from Reinke. The most popular sizes are between 20 and 30 hectare pivots,” says Graeme. Investing in an irrigation system is the best way to ensure that your farm will develop and avoid the risk of crop failure due to drought, or unreliable water supply. It enables the farmer to be in control of the growth of his crops. A Reinke pivot will last for decades after it has paid for itself, improving your harvest, and profit, year after year.

For more information about the high-quality irrigation systems that Reinke has to offer, contact Patrick Ellis in South Africa on +27(0)31350-4525 or patrickellis@reinke. com or Graeme Flower in Zimbabwe on +26(0)37-7223-5503 or graeme@lomagagric.com.

Zimbabwe: Livestock diseases to look out for in summer S

outhern Africa can get really hot during summer, and these are the conditions under which various diseases thrive. Livestock farmers must know what summer diseases to look out for, what the symptoms are and how to treat them. All ill animals should be provided with nutritious feed, plenty of water, a clean pen protected from dampness, and drafts, and isolated from healthy animals. If these measures and your vaccine still does not help, the services of a veterinarian must be called in. Cattle diseases:

Bloat

Bloat is also called hoven or ruminal tympanites, and is a disorder of ruminant animals involving distention of the rumen. Bloated cattle are very restless and noticeably uncomfortable. Bloat often occurs in cattle that have grazed rich, young crops, or ingested large amounts of concentrate rations.

Signs The first sign of bloat is bulging of the area between the last rib and the hip. As gas pressure increases inside the rumen, the entire abdomen enlarges on both sides of the animal. This causes pressure and pain, resulting in difficult breathing. Prevention Bloat can be prevented by avoiding rich feeds such as lush alfalfa, and by feeding sufficient quantities of roughage with concentrates. Forgetting to feed the animal or changing its feed abruptly can also cause bloat.

passing a stomach tube or piece of garden hose into the rumen to release the gas, but this should be done by someone with experience. • A veterinarian or an experienced farmer may also insert a surgical instrument, called a trochar, into the rumen through the exact place high up in the side of the animal to immediately relieve the pressure.

Pinkeye

Usually animals have a lot of flies around them in summer. Pinkeye is an eye infection that happens when flies deposit the bacterium in the eyes. In most severe cases, it can permanently blind an animal in one or both eyes. Pinkeye can also spread from animals to humans.

Warts

Warts are viral infections of the skin and can spread among animals. Signs Warts commonly appear and spread slowly on the neck, shoulders, and head. Most warts are small, but in extreme cases, they become so large that they break off and can easily become infected. Prevention Isolating affected calves will help prevent the disease from spreading to others.

Signs Affected eyes are sensitive to bright light. The first thing a farmer will see is a clear discharge running from the affected eye down the side of the face. The eye appears red and may bulge. A white spot will appear and may remain if the eye does not heal properly. Calves will generally exhibit a more frightened behaviour, as they may have more difficulty to see their surroundings. Prevention • Separate infected calves from healthy calves. • Control flies by spraying, dipping, or dusting calves and spraying calf pens. • Dispose of manure frequently to eliminate places for flies to lay eggs. • To avoid getting pinkeye yourself, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes. Treatment • Keep affected calves in a cool, darkened pen and give them plenty of feed and water. • Apply antibiotic ointments on the affected eyes under the direction of a veterinarian.

Treatment • Depending on the severity of the condition, it may be required to quickly relieve the gas pressure. • Treatment means to slow down fermentation in the rumen and help relieve the excess gas pressure. • Veterinarians have their own treatment methods that differ from animal to animal. • For emergency treatment, cooking oil may be administered via the mouth. • Another emergency treatment is 8

• Severe cases may require additional veterinary treatment.

Treatment Small warts often disappear without treatment, but larger warts will need to be removed and healed. Ask your veterinarian for the best treatment.

Theileriosis

Theileriosis is a disease caused by a species of Theileria – a blood-borne parasite, or also called January disease. It only affects cattle and is primarily transmitted by ticks. To become infected by Theileria, a cow must be bitten by a tick carrying the disease. Once

the animal is bitten, it takes about 6 to 8 weeks for the parasite to build up to significant levels in the blood. Signs • Pale or yellow, rather than healthy pink, vulva (open up the vulva to look at the colouring).

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• Pale or yellow whites of eyes (a sign of jaundice). • Lethargy – exercise intolerance, cows lagging behind on the walk to the shed. • Sick cows not responding as expected to treatment for conditions such as milk fever. • Cows are off their food and appear hollow sided. • A decrease in milk production. • Sudden death, especially in late pregnancy or early lactation. Prevention This disease can be prevented if you spray and control the ticks around the cattle. Treatment Immediately reducing pressure on the affected animal by: • Milking once a day. • Minimised handling. • When bringing into the shed, let them go at their own pace (do not push them). • Good quality feed. • Medical intervention. • Treatment of concurrent illnesses (for example ketosis or black mastitis). • Supplementation of trace minerals and iron (hemo15 multi-mineral injection). • Blood transfusions. • Buparvaquone (Butalex). Sheep diseases

Blue tongue

Blue tongue is an insect-borne, viral disease affecting sheep, cattle, and goats. Although sheep are most se-

verely affected, cattle are the main mammalian reservoir of the virus and are very important in the epidemiology of the disease. Signs • High rectal temperature (up to 42,0° C). • There is swelling of the face and ears, and also pulmonary oedema which may cause breathing difficulties. • Animals are stiff and reluctant to move. • Eye and nasal discharges. • Drooling as a result of ulcerations in the mouth. • Swelling of the mouth, head, and neck. • Lameness with inflammation at the junction of the skin and the coronary band. • Difficult breathing. • Abortion. Prevention The main prevention is vaccination. The vaccines also do not act immedi-

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

ately, with cattle requiring two doses of vaccine (the second at least 6 weeks after the first) to be protected. Treatment Treatment is limited to antibiotic therapy to control secondary bacterial infections. Sources: • https://www.canr.msu.edu/ news/three_common_summer_cattle_diseases • https://www.thepatriot. co.zw/old_posts/cattle-diseases-in-zimbabwe-part-one/ • https://www.sundaymail. co.zw/january-disease-kills50-000-cattle • https://www.nadis.org.uk/ disease-a-z/cattle/bluetongue-in-cattle-and-sheep/ • https://franklinvets.co.nz/ dairy/disease-management/ theleiria/

ProAgri BNZ 15

Correct zinc deficiency in pecan nut trees with soil banding P

ecan nut trees are heavy users of zinc (Zn). It is an essential nutrient for good growth and nut production. However, zinc deficiency is quite a common problem in commercial pecan nut orchards, especially those established on sandy, well-drained, acidic soils, and on soils from phosphatic rocks. In other words, the soil pH is important in determining the availability of zinc in pecan trees. In acidic soils of a pH less than six, zinc treatment is essential. Zinc is commonly applied by means of a foliar spray. Although multiple annual foliar spray applications, up to six per season, are effective and potentially a rapid method for correction of Zn-deficient foliage, it is expensive. Efficacy also depends on complete canopy coverage and repetitive application, as the foliar canopy expands during spring. Also, foliar sprays probably do not result in sufficient mobilisation and transport of endogenous zinc to alleviate deficiency in the non-foliage tree organs such as the roots. There is evidence that the zinc needs of pecan trees might be best satisfied through root uptake. Zinc can also be applied once in several years in a dry form by broadcasting it underneath the trees, or placed in trenches, but correction by soil application is also expensive and usually impractical or not effective. Trunk implants or injections are also possibilities. There is a need for a more effective, economical, and long-lasting method for satisfying Zn needs. The US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, South-eastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory did some extensive research on a better methods to solve this problem. The research was conducted over four years on trees growing in acidic soil, which exhibited moderate Zndeficiency symptoms. The trees were entering their fourth growing season.

Foliar application of zinc is the norm, but extensive research proves that there is a better method to pursue.

Band placement of zinc on top of the soil under the trees proves to be an inexpensive and effective method of application. Image: tpga.org

Another conventional method of applying zinc to pecan trees is by dissolving it into the irrigation water. Image: Hardus du Toit Two parallel, underground drip irrigation lines were spaced 1,2 metres on either side of the tree trunks with the emitters raised above the soil level, one metre apart. Soluble zinc sulphate (ZnSO4.7H2O) or zinc oxide (ZnO) were applied under each experimental tree in a band of 10 cm by 4 metres, exactly over the drip lines. Different quantities of the nutrients were supplied to the different trees to find the perfect application. The dry weight of zinc in the leaves was measured to determine the outcome, and the results were significant. 50 milligram per gram dry weight of zinc in the leaves are needed for optimal tree functionality. This was obtained even four years after the application. Rates of Zn at 264 to 1 056 g per tree are efficacious and, as a bonus, increasing amounts of Zn also increased the foliar Mn concentration, and did not affect foliar concentration of other key micronutrients such as Fe, Co, Cu, or Ni.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

Previous experiments proved that band placement methods were inferior to broadcasting, but this method hit the sweet spot. This fertilisation strategy offers an efficacious alternative to annual foliar Zn sprays for orchards established on acidic soils, and provides a means of ensuring rapid and long-term Zn absorption through soil application. It appears that under moist soil situations, the zinc needs of the tree will be satisfied for at least four years, and potentially for several years thereafter, as applied zinc moves deeper into the soil profile with passage of time and more feeder roots penetrate the Zn-enriched zone.

Zinc oxide and zinc sulfate are very efficient providers of zinc when the banding application method is used. Source your knowledge and certified pecan trees from Orion Irresistible Pecans and Nursery. Contact Hannes van Zyl at +27(0)82-572-5635 or e-mail hannesvanzyl.hvz@gmail.com, or hannes.vanzyl@orionirresistiblepecans.co.za. Visit their website at www.orionirresistiblepecans.co.za.

ProAgri BNZ 15

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applied in the case of drip irrigation, where the water is applied in one place but, moves rapidly sideways as well.

Soil: The farmer’s most important asset Part 12:

Ground water (IV) Martiens du Plessis, Soil Scientist, NWK Limited & Prof Cornie van Huyssteen, Lecturer: Soil Science, University of the Free State

oil is the most fundamental resource for the farmer, without which food and natural fibre cannot be produced. This article forms part of a series to highlight this resource and will take a closer look at the interaction of soil water and the plant roots. At any given moment, there is very little soil water directly in contact with the plant root, ready for absorption. In order to adequately satisfy the plant’s needs for water, there are two mechanisms in action: Firstly, the water moves towards the root and secondly the root grows into the moist soil. Water potential distribution around a root The plant’s leaves exist in relatively dry air and water is constantly evaporating from the leaf via the stomata. The water that evaporates from the leaf has to be replenished immediately to ensure the leaf does not dry out. This water shortage causes a suction tension lower down in the plant, as far as the furthermost plant roots. As a result, there is also a potential difference between the root and soil surrounding the root, with water moving from the wetter soil into the root. The root then transports the water to those parts above the ground. In fact, the leaves actually “suck” the water upwards. As a result, the water directly surrounding the root has been absorbed and the layer of soil surrounding the root has dried out. A bit further away (about 1 mm from the root), there is still water in the soil and, as a result, a potential gradient develops: a lower matrix potential surrounding the root (greater suction or tension) and a higher potential somewhat further away. Soil water therefore moves from a higher potential (lower suction) to a

lower potential (greater suction). There is now a difference in the levels of energy and this difference in energy levels results in energy becoming available to move the water from the wetter areas to the drier areas. The plant now has (new) water that it may absorb. Thus a chain reaction takes place here, as the water at 2 mm now moves to 1 mm and later into the root. It is therefore wetter further away from the root and drier close to the root. The water constantly moves from the wetter parts to the roots. If less water moves towards the roots than the atmospheric demand via the leaves, the plant is placed under stress. Movement of water to the root Saturated flow When a significant shower of rain occurs or when irrigation is applied, there is a surplus of water in the upper regions of the soil and this water moves downwards due to gravitation. The water potential is high and is easily absorbed by the roots, the rate of movement and replenishment is rapid and far greater than the rate of absorption by the plant roots. The water thus flows to the roots and also past them. In the case of a water table within reach of the root zone, the upward saturated flow within the capillary zone is also very rapid and the water is replenished as quickly as the plant roots can absorb it. The lower energy free water thus moves upwards against gravitation due to the potential difference between the uppermost dry soil and the free water deeper down the profile. This capillary rise can be about 700 mm to 800 mm upwards in the profile in sandy soils. Water flow can also be lateral, as is

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

Unsaturated flow After the soil profile has finished draining under gravitation (uppermost limit of available water), unsaturated flow becomes the most important form of water movement to the root. Under dryland conditions it is responsible for the main water movement to plant roots. If one keeps in mind that maize roots are only in direct contact with less than one percent of the volume of soil, the water has to move towards the roots to be absorbed. What is of major importance here, is that this rate of movement is very slow. Under conditions of unsaturated flow, water only moves over a distance of 1 to 2 mm a day. The drier the soil, the slower the progress, until the rate of water movement is almost at a standstill. In the about three to four months that a maize plant absorbs the majority of the water, the water can barely flow 100 mm due to unsaturated flow (while the maize plant roots can grow about 20 mm a day). This means that there must be a root about every 100 mm to get the profile dry within a growth season. The better the root density, the less water needs to move. During night time the transpiration rate of plants is very slow. However, the redistribution process of water, during which the water moves from the wetter parts to the drier parts, continues and hereby the plant roots once again have “new” water available near the roots in the morning. Soil types differ greatly Soil texture plays a major role in the rate of water movement. In a wet sandy soil the rate of water provision is initially rapid and decreases rapidly to a matrix potential of about -1 000 kPa next to the root, after which the water provision rate remains almost constant. The soil will then provide water at a constant rate until the soil dries out, after which the plant will wilt within a few days. In a clayey soil, the rate of water provision will decrease gradually within a decrease in moisture content (matrix potential) and rapidly reaches a point where it moves the water too slowly to make it available to the plant. For that reason, the plant begins to wilt more rapidly in a clayey soil, but gets water bit by bit over a longer period, which keeps the plant alive, albeit under stress. Root distribution through the soil profile Because water flows so slowly under unsaturated conditions, and moves over a short distance within the growing period of the crop, it is important that the plant roots spread through the soil profile as good as possible. 13

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Figure 1: Maize roots that exploit the soil profile to a depth of 2 metres. The growth of roots in wetter parts is of course an important facet of the sustained provision of water to the plant. However, an important principle is that when the plant is under stress and grows more slowly under drought conditions, the roots also grow more slowly. When the plant growth above ground stops, root development also comes to a standstill. For that reason, the standpoint that stress “forces” the plant to “search” for water is simply not true. Maize roots lengthen about 27 mm per day under optimal conditions, which results in them penetrating about two metres deep into the profile during the plant’s vegetative period, up to just before it flowers (at which stage growth drastically decreases) (Figure 1). It has already been observed in the Northwest Province of South Africa that maize roots can dry out a profile to a depth of 2,4 metres. Wheat roots grow even deeper into the soil profile and a moisture withdrawal of deeper than three metres has already been observed. Keeping these facts in mind, it is therefore important that the producer should give the plant the opportunity, and stimulate it to penetrate the soil profile as good as possible, to exploit the water. The principle of optimal rooting density is a direct objective of the producer. Under water table conditions, maize roots only grow to a few centimetres above the water table (the level at which the water stands in the profile) and therefore deep within the capillary zone, a zone which to a large degree is saturated with water. It is therefore possible for a maize plant to lower the water table to a depth of 2,7 metres (taking into consideration capillary rise of 800 mm), after which the water table is too deep. Some sub-soil layers with “signs of moisture” (grey soil colours) are deeply

Figure 2: A diagrammatic representation of a transverse cross-section of a maize root surrounded by soil: (a) during adequate water provision the plant and roots are turgid and the plant root fills the entire root canal in the soil; and (b) when the plant suffers under drought stress, the root shrinks with the result that there is poor soil-root contact (Brady, NC. 1990).

penetrated by maize roots. It has already been observed in the Northwest Province and the Free State that maize roots have penetrated about 1,2 metres into “soft plinthite” and the underlying “unspecified material with signs of wetness” and dried them out. Soil-root contact When the plant root grows, the tip of the root grows between the soil particles, after which the root thickens and fits tightly against the soil particles. Soil water can now readily move into the root due to a potential difference in the root. For this process to function effectively, very good soil-root contact is essential. When the soil is very loose as a result of tilling, good soil-root contact is difficult to achieve. That is why a number of authors who write about seed beds, refer to a “fine, firm seed bed”. When a plant is subjected to drought stress, plant cells are not full of water (not turgid) and the plant wilts. The same thing occurs with the plant roots, causing the root to shrink and lose contact with the soil (Figure 2). This worsens the problem, as water intake virtually comes to a standstill, which causes the plant to wilt further and the roots to shrink further – a vicious circle. Under these circumstances, plant roots can shrink by as much as 30 to 50 percent in diameter. The effect of the soil-root contact

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

was clearly demonstrated recently where a shallow, compacted zone occurred in a maize field. The plants only grew to a height of about 30 cm and, during a warm dry period were “wetripped” with a ripper on one side of the row. Within minutes of the plants being tilled, they wilted severely as a result of the broken soil-root contact. The other side of the row was initially not tilled in order to retain soil-root contact, and was also tilled a week later.

Summary The provision of soil water to plant roots is a complicated process, which is based upon a number of physical and biological principles. These processes are the fundamental basis on which all plant production methods are based. Water moves from wetter parts in the soil profile towards the drier parts. In turn, plant roots crisscross the profile to exploit the maximum volume of soil for water and plant nutrients. If the producer understands these processes and adapts his or her methods in such a way as to benefit these processes, it will directly benefit the growth of the crop. In the next article in this series, soil air interactions will be discussed.

ProAgri BNZ acknowledges Grain SA for the use of this series which originally appeared in Afrikaans in SA Graan/Grain. For further information, please contact: Martiens du Plessis: martiens@nwk.co.za Cornie van Huyssteen: vanhuysteencw@ufs.ac.za

References: Bennie, ATP. 1981. Soil Science 354. Soil and water management. Unpublished class notes for GKD354. University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. Brady, NC. 1990. The nature and properties of soils. 10th ed. Macmillan publishing company, New York. Marshall, TJ. & Holmes, JW. 1979. Soil Physics. Cambridge University Press. New York. 15

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Maschio Gaspardo's Dracula Hydro:

Prepare a perfect seedbed in a single pass The new Hydro version is equipped with hydraulic pistons replacing the traditional dual spring absorbers.

ew developments in cultivation equipment have revolutionised the way farmers prepare seedbeds. Maschio Gaspardo has taken the lead with the combination of discs and tines in its Dracula Hydro. In a single pass Dracula Hydro handles crop residues, soil aeration, levelling, and preparation of the seedbed. The double row of front discs cuts the crop residues and mixes it with the soil, for faster decomposition. The discs’ working depth can be adjusted hydraulically while moving. Once the soil and crop residues are properly mixed, it is better aerated. This improves the biochemical properties of the soil and, in colder climates, it speeds up the seedbed heating to support quick plant emergence. The purpose of the rows of tines in the central section is to break the deeper and more compacted stratum, remix the surface and create porosity in favour of aeration. The new Hydro version is equipped with hydraulic pistons replacing the traditional dual spring absorbers. This improvement guarantees efficiency on tough grounds as the tines are now

Dracula Hydro’s discs are made of boron and high strength steel, and guarantee a homogeneous seedbed.

firmly in place up to maximum 900 loading kilograms against 700 kilograms of the previous version with double springs. This strength, unique in the category of combined cultivators, ensures a constant performance in all conditions, avoiding the risk of cultivating some areas shallower than others. Working depth is hydraulically adjustable and can vary from 8 to 30 cm. The inclination of the tines has been designed to allow better penetration,

Dracula Hydro notched discs have a large diameter of 610 mm and are 6 mm thick. They are made of boron and high strength steel, and guarantee homogeneous work. The concave shape performs a better mixture of soil and residues. The mounting angle of 22°, the shape and the spacing between discs guarantee an excellent cutting quality and residue burial, even under the most difficult conditions. The positions of tines and discs have been developed to complement one another along the entire working width to form a perfect, homogeneous seedbed. The deeply grooved rings of the large rear roller (600 mm diameter) break down clods, level the soil, and form an even, firm seedbed perfect for planting. Large tungsten carbide coated scrapers enables the roller to work even in nonoptimal soil conditions. Dracula Hydro can easily run on the road. During transport, its 3-metre width and tyre dimensions (700/60-R22.5) ensure excellent manoeuvrability. The hydro-pneumatic drive of the three sections allows immediate and accurate tractor adjustment with the possibility to use the machine in different conditions and for different purposes. The unnecessary elements can indeed be easily excluded. The final good news is that Dracula Hydro is now available in versions with a free axle, with a pneumatic braking axle and with a hydraulic double-line braking axle, the last two versions complying with the specifications of the European Mother Regulations.

Dracula Hydro is the combined cultivator of Maschio Gaspardo that stands out for sturdiness and productivity.

also in tough soils, while the high clearance of the frame ensures a perfect flow of soil and residue. The final section consists of a set of inclined discs that remove possible ridges left by the tines. The rear roller breaks the big clods, levels and consolidates the ground, and prepares an optimal seedbed as the final refinement.

For more information, visit the website www.maschio.com, or contact your local Namibian dealer, Golden Pastures Agri Trading CC on +26-481-7904197, or send an e-mail to namritter@googlemail.com.

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300

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ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

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ProAgri BNZ 15

Chicken farming: Fight the invisible enemy with these biosecurity measures

Chickens can be highly susceptible to various diseases. Taking steps to improve the biosecurity on your farm will protect your chickens and your business.

ecurity on chicken farms should guard your flock against more than just theft. The invisible enemy, disease, can cause extreme losses on your chicken farm. Certain biosecurity measures can be taken to ensure that your chickens are kept safe from disease.

Biosecurity is a set of management measures that collectively reduce the chances of introducing or spreading disease-causing organisms onto and between sites. Most infectious agents enter the chicken via the beak while eating, drinking, or cleaning its feathers,

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

or while breathing. Other infectious agents can infect a wounded chicken. The agent then multiplies within the chicken and may spread, causing damage to certain organs resulting in clinical signs. After multiplication, some of the infectious agents leave the chicken through droppings, in discharges from lesions, in its breath, or even on dropped feathers. When other chickens come into contact with these contaminated items, then they too may get infected. Infectious agents can survive outside the chicken for varying periods. Worm eggs and coccidia, for example, can survive for several months in the environment, while some other infectious agents are easily destroyed by sunlight, disinfectants, or heat. In the spreading of diseases caused by agents that are easily destroyed, direct contact between the chicken and agents is necessary. Infectious agents that can survive for a certain period in the environment can also be spread via persons, animals and materials that might carry the agent. The infectious agent might be carried with small traces of droppings on shoes, or in the dust or small feathers attached to any rough surface, on the eggshell or any part of a dead chicken. Once infectious agents enter the chicken, the chicken does not get sick immediately. It usually takes some days for the bird to show signs of illness. This period is referred to as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;incubation periodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. During this period,

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the bird does not show any signs of disease, but the number of infectious organisms inside it increases rapidly, and some organisms may leave the bird when it breathes or drinks or passes droppings. This means that the agents causing an infectious disease can be spreading even before clinical signs of the disease are manifested. Some infectious diseases can also be spread vertically, that is from the hen to her offspring, via the eggs. To date, vertically transmitted diseases are more of a problem in commercial poultry enterprises. Common bio-security measures: Location Avoid locations close to existing chicken farms (between farms 500 m to 1 km); use prevailing wind directions when planning to minimise risk of airborne infection. ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

All in â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all out Reduce build-up of disease-causing organisms by breaking the rearing cycle for different ages. Litter disposal Remove used litter and properly disinfect and dispose of it. Site security Reduce possible introduction of infection to premises by personnel moving between houses and flocks, equipment, and other innate objects.

This article is published with full recognition to Kenya Agricultural Research Institute who first published it in the Indigenous Chicken Farming Training Manual. 23

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Pig production Part 9:

Feed sources for pigs

arious feed sources can be used to make nutritious pig feed that will enable your pigs to grow and earn more profit. The composition of the feed is extremely important. Pigs, like people, need a balanced diet to remain healthy and grow effectively. Grains Grain constitutes between 55 and 70% of the total feed mixture. The grain in a mixture provides mainly energy (between 60 and 80% of the total DE (digestible energy) in the mixture). Although grain is mainly an energy source with a low protein content, it also contributes substantially (30 to 60%) to the protein content of the mixture. Maize is used as a grain source in pig feeds because it is high in DE and low in protein, and therefore used mainly as an energy source. Grain sorghum has a nutritional value similar to that of maize. Provided that sweet sorghum (low tannin) varieties are used, sorghum can be substituted for maize on an equal basis in feed mixtures. Feed-grade wheat, when available at a cost not exceeding 20% above that of maize, can also be used. The protein content of wheat is normally higher and the DE content lower than that of maize. Using wheat instead of maize in feed mixtures could lead to considerable savings in protein costs. Wheat must always be coarsely ground when used for feeding pigs.

Barley is included in some regions as a grain source. It has a higher fibre content and a lower digestible energy value than other grain types. Barley should not comprise more than 70% of the grain component of a mixture. Oats can be used, but not more than 40% should be included in mixtures for growing pigs, and 60% or less in mixtures for finishing pigs.

Grain by-products Grain by-products such as wheat bran, maize bran, maize leaves, maize stalks, and maize cobs are used to dilute the DE content of the mixture. Brans have a protein content higher than that of grains, and are also relatively inexpensive. Wheat bran is the most popular DE diluent used in pig feeds. It is usually cost effective and has a laxative effect

Sweet sorghum can be used as a substitute for maize in feed mixtures.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

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because it is unpalatable. It becomes burnt easily during processing, which has a detrimental effect on the quality of the proteins. Carcass meal can vary a great deal in composition and quality because manufacturers use different products and processing methods. Heat damage during processing can downgrade the quality of the proteins in carcass meal. Calcium and phosphorus sources Feed lime is a good calcium source and is not awfully expensive, but it contains no phosphate. Monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate and bone meal are usually included as sources of phosphate. These sources also contain calcium, but in smaller quantities than feed lime.

Grain, and specifically maize, make up most of the composition of pig feed. Commercial pig farmers usually grow their own grain to convert into pig feed to limit the influence of high grain prices on their piggery. in pigs. When seasonal shortages occur, other diluents such as maize bran, maize leaves, maize stalks, maize cobs, and lucerne can be used. Hominy chop, a by-product from the maize-milling industry, can be used when available at a reasonable price. It is a product that can vary a great deal in content and quality, depending on the miller it is bought from. It has a higher fat content than maize, and can be used as a partial replacement for maize.

Plant protein sources Oilcake meals Soya bean oilcake meal and sunflower oilcake meal are plant protein feedstuffs usually included in pig feed mixtures. Soya bean oilcake has a higher and better-quality protein, and contains considerably less fibre than sunflower oilcake. Full-fat oilseeds Full-fat soya bean and sunflower seed meals have a high oil content. The oil results in soft fat in pig carcasses. Therefore, the inclusion of these two feedstuffs, if fed in combination with maize, must be limited in rations for

finishing pigs. Full-fat soya beans must be heat treated before use to destroy the trypsin inhibitor, a substance which reduces the growth rate of pigs. Lucerne Lucerne is also used as a DE diluent in pig feed mixtures. It has a high fibre and low DE content. Therefore, the inclusion of lucerne in feed mixtures for pigs must be limited. Lucerne also varies much in composition depending on the growth stage when cut, and on the extent of leaf loss during drying and baling.

Waste products in pig feed mixtures Waste products must be used with great caution in pig rations. Kitchen refuse and by-products from the bakery and other food-processing industries may contain toxic substances such as excessive quantities of salt and other additives which can be harmful to pigs. Even hard objects such as pieces of broken glass, which can injure the pigs, are sometimes found in waste products. These products are generally high in moisture (water) content and therefore have a very low nutritional value when fed in a wet form. Only use waste products in an air-dry form. Use a flat cemented area in the sun for drying the waste. Remove any undesirable material from the waste when it is spread out on the cemented area. After drying, grind the waste in a hammer mill. The milled meal can then be used to replace part of the maize meal when mixing pig rations. Before using the waste product meal, it is advisable to have it analysed for protein, fat, fibre, calcium, and phosphate content by an analytical laboratory. Thereafter it is important to get the advice of a pig nutritionist on how much of the dried waste meal must be included in a pig ration.

Animal protein sources By-products of the animal and fishing industry can be used as animal protein sources for pigs. Fish meal Fish meal is the most frequently used and best protein source to include in feed mixtures. It also has a high DE content. Blood meal and carcass meal Blood meal has a very high nutritional value. Do not, however, use more than a maximum of 5% in feed mixtures

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

We thank the ARC Agricultural Engineering South Africa for sharing this information with the readers of ProAgri BNZ. For further information visit www.arc.agric.za. 27

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ProAgri BNZ 15

Irrigation made easy part 9:

Flood irrigation

Labour usage in flood irrigation is high

Irrigation efficiencies

Labour usage with all flood irrigation systems is high. At least three labourers per ten-hectare block will be needed to control the distribution of water in the field.

100 80 60

Maintenance of flood irrigation systems should be done on a regular basis

Maintenance is important with flood irrigation systems. Systems should not be expected to last for more than five years without major repairs and upgrading of systems. Minor maintenance operations will be required on a regular basis, with not more than one week between operations.

20 0 Very good management Normal Poor management

Low pressure is sufficient for flood irrigation R

ll around the world the traditional system of irrigation through flooding the lands is still the most widely used method. Flood irrigation systems are cheaper than other types of systems, but management is always critically important. Unless the system is well maintained and controlled, the irrigation efficiencies achieved are likely to be very low.

Flood irrigation systems normally operate with open channel flow and flow across the land. The operation of these systems does not involve supplying water under pressure. Pumping may be needed to transfer water from the source into canals. Low pressures can also develop in piped distribution networks.

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Flood irrigation systems are divided into four categories:

Syphon pipes

nt fro ion ss e c Re

Level

e nc va Ad

Basin irrigation is the simplest form of flooding. A field is divided into a series of flat-bottomed basins. The soil is levelled and earth bunds are built to create ponds. Water is diverted to fill the basin and infiltrates downwards from a level pool of even depth. The basin size is determined by soils, stream-size and application.

nt fro

Uniform slope

Furrow lenght

Furrow irrigation is the most widely used method of irrigating row crops. Water no longer flows over the entire soil surface, but is confined to small channels between the crop rows. Furrows will normally be evenly sloped and flow directly away from the source canal. Furrow lengths will be determined by soil type, irrigation depth, stream size and slope. Water moves both downwards and sideways from the furrow to wet the root zone of crops planted on the ridge between furrows.

Level Recession

Uniform slope

Level furrow along the contour

Border length FURROW ACT AS SMALL, ELONGATED BASINS Flow control structure

Advance

Border irrigation divides the field into strips of land. The bed has a uniform slope away from the supplying canal, but is level in cross-section. Borders are recognised by their characteristic long, narrow shape. Border irrigation can be adapted to suit many crops, soils and farming practices. The length of the beds will be determined largely by soil type, stream size, irrigation depth and slope. The stream size (flow rate) will be strongly influenced by slopes, crop type and bed width. The base slope can be more level at the start and end of the bed to assist with initial spreading of the water and final ponding (to ensure even infiltration).

Border irrigation

Distribution canal

Short-furrow irrigation involves the creation of a series of long and narrow basins aligned along the contour. The system design and management are the same as for basin irrigation. The distribution of water occurs similarly to furrow irrigation. Of all types of flood irrigation systems, short-furrow (or basin-furrow) systems are best suited for use by small-scale farmers and farmers with less formal education and training. Management and maintenance of short-furrow irrigation systems are relatively simple and, as long as the capacity of individual basins is correctly designed, scheduling of fixedapplication irrigations is also easily achieved. Short-furrow systems are, however, usually more labour intensive than other flood irrigation systems.

Short-furrow irrigation

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

Next month we shall look at land preparation. This series is published with acknowledgement to the ARC Agricultural Engineering for the use of their manuals. Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information. 31

Namibia

Everything your farm needs, in one place Equipment, implements, livestock, property, transport, services and much more.

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ProAgri BNZ 15

Agri4all.com: All your agricultural needs on one convenient site

by Jaco Cilliers

he world has changed, and the agricultural sector is no exception. Farmers had to quickly adapt to the strange circumstances that dominated 2020. Shows, auctions and expos that were normally major events had to move to online platforms to conform to COVID regulations. Agri4all is a website that was first launched in 2018. It enables the farmer to buy all the products and services that his farm needs without setting a foot outside of his own farm gate. Agri4all is conveniently divided into separate categories namely: Equipment, Vehicles, Livestock, Auctions, Property and Other. It covers everything that any farmer may need on a single, convenient e-commerce platform that is powered by ProAgri Media. The farmer is the target audience. Therefore, only agricultural-specific products and services are being advertised. NO more scrolling through endless pictures of irrelevant products when you are looking for something in particular. Agri4all is the most populated website of its kind in Africa. It provides the best value for money to the advertisers, while the farmer has the widest variety of products and services to choose from. Borders should not be trade barriers, and with Agri4all they certainly are not. Agri4all operates in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. To search within a certain country, simply select the country of your choice on the landing page. There are plans in place to extend Agri4allâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s African footprint even further in the near future. When Agri4all penetrates a new

country, all the relevant agricultural businesses and organisations are approached to list their products and services on the website. This is often combined with a dedicated social media campaign that uses geotagging to ensure that the right products are marketed to the right users. A farmer can get all the products that they need simply by using his smart phone. Any enquiries that a farmer might have can be left in the comments facility on social media. The advertiser will be informed and can contact the farmer directly. Through various platforms that include online, social, and printed media, ProAgri Media and Agri4all reaches about six million people every month. In order to ensure that the product reaches the farmer safely and in due time, several logistics companies have been approached for their services. This includes cross-border logistics. It also provides the farmer with an opportunity to receive competing quotes that he can use to choose the option that will suit his needs as well as his budget. Farmers themselves can use Agri4all to market their produce directly to the consumer without paying commissions to retailers and other middlemen. Agri4all is changing the way that

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

farmers do business. It provides a safe and user-friendly trading platform where farmers can access products and services from the convenience of their own farms. The products advertised on Agri4all are supported by editorial articles published in the ProAgri magazines and on the ProAgri website â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.proagri. co.za. The information in these articles enable the farmer to make informed decisions before spending his hardearned money. To get the best products at the best price from the biggest agricultural e-commerce platform in Africa, simply visit www.agri4all.com. Remember to sign up for the free weekly newsletter to keep track of the latest product listings. Send an e-mail to nita@ agri4all.com to receive the weekly newsletter.

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Zimbabwe

Spray to protect your crops Part 14:

Compiled by J Fuls (Pr Eng)

Safety: Take special care during spraying O

ur last edition of the spraying series discusses the most important issue on the high-risk practice of crop spraying â&#x20AC;&#x201C; safety during the spraying process. You are working with potentially toxic chemicals and it is therefore crucial to follow the correct steps to ensure your safety, the safety of the people who share your space, your animals and your crops. Only the weeds are allowed to be harmed.

Gloves

Boots

Face mask

Headwear

Always wear protective clothing. 36

Do not spray in strong wind. Care after spraying

Clean your equipment properly and store it away from children.

Clean and bury empty containers.

ProAgri BNZ 15

Cut the sharp corners away, fold it open and pierce holes into two corners of the plastic. Safety training courses It is strongly recommended that trainers, extension officers and literate farmers consult more in-depth guides and literature for extended background knowledge on safe spraying.

Wash your clothes separately from other clothes and wash yourself with soap. Make your own face mask If you cannot find a face mask at a reasonable price, you can make your own mask in the following manner:

safeworkmethodstatements.com

Cut an elastic band from an old bicycle tube, long enough to fit around your head. Tie the elastic band to the holes in the plastic, fitting it around your head.

Cut a two-litre plastic cold drink bottle open near the top and near the bottom. Now cut it open from top to bottom.

With a cloth over your nose, a cap on your head and the face mask, as well as the other clothing, you are now ready for safe spraying.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

Published with acknowledgement to the ARC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Agricultural Engineering for the use of their manuals. Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information. 37

Zimbabwe 38

ProAgri BNZ 15

Cannabis in Zimbabwe:

Meet the new health cure

annabis, also called mbanje in Zimbabwe, is no unknown word to people today. It has many health benefits like fighting cancer, and 22 countries around the world legalised it for medicinal use. Zimbabwe is the latest country to legalise growing of this crop. South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Lesotho have also legalised medicinal cannabis. Cannabis contains CBD (cannabidiol) which is a chemical that impacts on the brain, making it function better without giving it a high, along with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which has pain relieving properties.

It is important to remember that a licence is still needed to plant cannabis. The license is valid for a maximum of five years and renewable, allowing growers to own, sell, and transport cannabis in dried and oil forms. Applicants are required to state plans for the growing site along with quantity for production and selling, as well as production period. The first license to be granted for medicinal marijuana cultivation was to Precision Cannabis Therapeutics Zimbabwe, which went for $46 000 in early 2019. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The government has issued 44 licences since September 2020 when it announced rules for growing cannabis, and cannabis sales are predicted to reach $1,25 bn in 2021. Thirty producers are ready, and some were doing test production,â&#x20AC;? Clive Mphambela, Chief Director Communications at Zimbabwe Treasury, said. Another crop that Zimbabwe is big on, is the tobacco plant, but Clive said that the country expects cannabis crops to earn almost three times as much as tobacco. Tobacco is Zimbabweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest agricultural export product, and earned $444 m from the 2020 marketing season that closed in August, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

Zimbabwe 40

ProAgri BNZ 15

John Robertson, an independent economist based in Harare, said the projections for cannabis sales were ambitious. “It is a massive over-estimate and ignores the fact that cannabis is grown in many markets outside of Zimbabwe,” he said. “It’s sold in grams, not in kilograms or tonnes, so there will be disappointment,” John said. “The only enthusiasm will be from producers, but massive supply globally will depress prices.” In his budget statement on 26 November 2020, Finance Minister of Zimbabwe, Mthuli Ncube, said cannabis production for medicinal purposes has immense potential to generate export receipts and tax revenues.

“A so-called cannabis levy will be introduced next year, in line with export values,” he said. Mthuli also added that taxes of as much as 20% will be applied on oils, bulk extracts, and dried cannabis flowers. Growers, most of whom are locals with international partners, can produce $40 million to $46 million worth of cannabis a month, underpinning Treasury’s “very conservative” estimates, Clive Mphambela said. Some of the health benefits of cannabis: • Improves lung capacity • Helps lose weight • Regulates and prevents diabetes • Helps treat depression • Shows promise in autism treatment • Regulates seizures • Mends bones • Helps with ADHD/ADD • Is a treatment for glaucoma • Alleviates anxiety • Slows development of Alzheimer’s disease • Deals with pain linked to arthritis • Helps with PTSD symptoms • Helps provide relief to individuals with multiple sclerosis • Reduces side effects linked to hepatitis C and increase the effectiveness of treatment • Treats inflammatory bowel diseases • Helps with tremors associated with

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 15

Parkinson’s disease • Helps with alcoholism What you need to grow a cannabis plant: • Light – whether you are using sunlight or grow lights, you must understand the light needs of a cannabis plant to get the best bud quality and yields. That means also it needs to be grown outside. • Growing medium – the stuff your plants grow in; soil is not your only choice! • Air – a well-ventilated space with good air exchange and a slight breeze is best. • Temperature – A good rule of thumb for cannabis plants is if it feels too hot for you, it is probably too hot for your plants. Just like humans, cannabis plants can die if exposed to extreme temperatures. • Nutrients – you can buy pre-formulated nutrients that you just add to your water, or you can compost your own super soil so that it already includes all the nutrients you need. • Water – Sufficient water is essential for the plant to survive. Source: BizNews and www.growweedeasy.com and www.healtheuropa.eu. 41

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