ProAgri BNZ 13 by ProAgri

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

No 13

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Letter from the Editor

he emerging farmer is the future of agriculture in Africa. This is evident due to the fact that the emerging farmers and small-scale farmers represent the largest segment in the African agricultural industry. These young people have a passion for agriculture and an entrepreneurial spirit that drives them. Like any other business, they have to start with the capital and resources that they have available, but their aspirations are to employ more people, produce more agricultural products, and make more profit. The challenges that they face are access to resources such as business loans, and secondly the knowledge and expertise required to farm on a more commercial level. Over the past two decades commercial agriculture has evolved to become more precise and more scientific than ever before. Anyone who wants to farm on a commercial scale needs to understand this and have the knowledge and support to be able to compete. The good news is that there is an increasing awareness of the emerging farmer segment among the large agricultural corporations. Companies are reaching out in various ways. Some months ago, ProAgri BNZ featured an article on how John Deere is reaching out to Zimbabwean farmers by making

financing and equipment available to them. This month we see that Bayer is also reaching out to emerging farmers by providing the knowledge needed to increase productivity. This paradigm shift in the industry should be an encouragement to emerging farmers throughout Southern Africa. This is an opportunity for Africa, and more specifically Southern Africa, to show that agriculture can lead the way out of the economic woes that have been prevalent on the continent, especially in the COVID-19 aftermath. ProAgri BNZ also plays a role in providing free information that will empower emerging farmers to keep abreast of the latest farming techniques and technology. We aim to provide training through our series of educational articles on various forms of livestock such as pigs, poultry, cattle and goats, while our scientific article series on soil, crop protection and irrigation will enable the crop farmer to increase his productivity and profit. Apart from providing the farmer with the information he needs, we can also provide all the products that he needs through the agricultural e-commerce platform, Agri4All.com. There is no need to look any further to find everything that you will need to farm successfully. Remember that you can also gain access to our information through our various online and digital platforms. Find us on Facebook at ProAgri and select your country, or visit our website at www.proagri.co.za. For all your buying and selling needs, visit www.agri4all.com. Readers are also encouraged to 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 2. Goat production guide Part 2: Goat breeds, management of does and bucks, and breeding of goats 5. How to handle your beef cattle Part 12: Feedlot office complex, workshop, feed storage, and water supply 6. Ctrack Always Visible: Gain full control over your fleet 9. Spray to protect your crops part 12: Safety: Read the warning labels on packaging 10. Reinke: Don’t forget your midseason preventative maintenance 11. UFCL gives Africa the Russian advantage 15. SOIL: The farmer’s most important asset Part 10: Soil water (ii) 16. Gain full control over your pivots with Valley’s 365™ platform 19. Everything the farmer needs: The Adendorff tool range is endless 21. Poultry production guide Part 6: The correct steps in the slaughtering process 25. Pig production guide Part 6: Proper housing for proper growth and proper profits 29. Farm faster with Veloce, the high-speed disk harrow 31. Saving Namibia’s livestock industry Part 8: Farming in the age of smart phones 35. Irrigation made easy Part 6: Schedule water usage 39. Protect your crops Part 1: What makes a good sprayer? 43. Bayer partners with emerging farmers to ensure increased profitability

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

Cover Bayer provides emerging farmers with the right advice to increase production and profits.

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

577 Rossouw Street, Die Wilgers, Pretoria +27 (0)79 515 8708 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 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 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 & Esta van Niekerk 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 Managing Editor Annemarie Bremner > +27 82-320-3642 annemarie@proagri.co.za Business Manager George Grobler > +27 83 460 0402

Goat production guide part 2:

Goat breeds, management of does and bucks and breeding of goats

here are more than 3,5 million goats in Zimbabwe, of which 98% are indigenous breeds and owned by the smallholder farmers. The importance of goats increases as the rainfall decreases. Goats are hardy and easier animals to look after, because they can survive in harsh environments. Goats are reared under extensive farming conditions, mainly for meat (chevon) and to a lesser extent for milk. Goats also provide skins of commercial importance, and manure for gardens and crop fields. To some extent the productivity of these goats is low due various factors such as high kid mortality and lack of good animal husbandry practices. Goat breeds • The vast majority of goats in Zimbabwe is indigenous and these are mainly the large Matebele and the Small East African (SEA) goat • Average birth weights of kids range from 1,5 kg to 2,5 kg up to 3 kg • The indigenous breeds are welladapted to their respective environments Other breeds found in Zimbabwe include exotic types, the Boer goat (mainly for meat) with a mature weight of 65 kg. The Saanen goat is for milk 2

Boer goat.

Saanen.

production and produces an average of 3,5 litres of milk per day. There is also the Angora goat for mohair production.

remain stunted the rest of their lives and will have poor reproductive performance. They will also have insufficient milk to raise healthy kids. A well-managed female can produce kids for about eight years. Gestation in goats lasts between 145 and 150 days (five months). A mature female can only mate when she is ready (“on heat”). The heat period lasts between 24 and 26 hours. During this time, she should receive the male. The presence of the male in the flock triggers heat. Coming on heat also depends on the nutrition of the animal.

Management of does and bucks Proper care of both female and male goats is an essential aspect of goat production. This includes strategic vaccinations and dosing, supplementary feeding, selection of breeding stock, kid rearing and weaning. Management of females (does) Young females are mated from the age of twelve months. Good nutrition ensures that the animal grows faster and is ready for mating sooner. It also increases fertility and multiple births. If does are mated when they are very young (under 8 months), they will

Signs that may indicate that the animal is on heat: • Shaking of the tail • Mounting other animals

ProAgri BNZ 13

• • •

Seeking males Continuous bleating Mucous discharge

A Boer Goat male goat

Gestating females should be separated from the main flock for close monitoring, at least two months before birth. This also reduces the loss of kids. At this stage they will need quality feed supplements to enhance feed reserves in the body. This will ensure a healthy kid and enough milk.

Mating systems It is important for the farmers to know different mating systems that can be applied to their breeding flock. Random mating is allowing any number of bucks to be with an uncontrolled number of females. Advantages of random mating 1. Simple 2. Cheap 3. Goats can kid any time; therefore, a farmer can sell any time. Disadvantages 1. High risk of inbreeding 2. High risk of spreading diseases. Assertive mating is putting the best females with the best buck. This is better than random mating. Advantages of assertive mating 1. High quality breeds 2. Maintain genetic base Disadvantages 1. Unavailability of appropriate breeding stock 2. Difficult to implement in a communal setup 3. Lack of technical skills, including records

Crossbreeding This involves the mating of different breeds to combine characteristics found in the different breeds and to make use of the “hybrid vigour”. In simple terms this means that the offspring performs better than the parents. Crossbreeding is one of the methods used in meat and milk production. It can be disastrous if not done properly, leading to the disappearance of the existing genetic pool. 2

Mating starts (Putting the buck to the females for 42 days

End of mating

Indigenous female goat

Breeding Breeding systems The breeding system is an important aspect of goat production. It has a significant influence on immediate and long-term flock productivity.

Selection of breeding stock

Crossbred

Management of males (bucks) • Male goats are known to be fertile at an earlier stage than females. In such circumstances males have to be raised separately from females to avoid unplanned mating. • Bucks have to be kept in good condition and well fed at all times. • For breeding purposes bucks with horns have to be used, so as to avoid hermaphroditism (incukubili/ bisexuality), which comes with the use of hornless/polled bucks. • Bucks can be selected at an early age. A male kid born weighing about 2,5 kg or more could be selected for future breeding. Heavier and fast-growing bucks should be selected. • Select bucks from twin births so as to increase the chances of twinning. Males not suitable for breeding should be castrated or culled.

Month 1

Breeding calendar Below is a calendar that can assist the farmers to plan their flock breeding cycles. This helps the farmer to plan when to purchase inputs, market and to perform strategic operations.

Selection and culling Selection is a process of choosing the animals with desirable characteristics to be parents of the next generation. Culling is the process of removing unproductive animals (old goats, animals with poor mothering abilities, poor reproductive performance, and animals with chronic sicknesses) from the flock. 5

Mating ratio In a controlled mating system: • A male goat should be kept with females for 36 to 42 days, the reason being that a female which misses mating or coming into heat has a second chance within the mentioned period. • A mature buck can be given 40 to 50 females to service. A young buck can be given 25 to 30 females. The effectiveness of both male and females depends on their body condition at mating.

We thank the Department of Agricultural Research and Extension, Zimbabwe in the book Goat farming as a business, who made the information available to the readers of ProAgri BNZ.

Separate the pregnant and the nonpregnant

Supplement and vaccinate all pregnant females against pulpy kidney

Kidding starts

End of kidding

Care of kids

Vaccination against pulpy kidney

Flushing females

Weaning period

Flushing Routine Management of the flock – Dipping, dosing and vaccinations. ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

How to handle your beef cattle Part 12:

Feedlot office complex, workshop, feed storage and water supply This month we take a look at the central complex and all the activities surrounding it. This central complex is the heart of the feedlot. Cattle are received, sorted and handled here. Cattle ready for marketing are dispatched from here. The design of these handling facilities must simplify the execution of important tasks in the unit. Office At large feedlot the offices will usually be separate from the feedlot and handling facilities. At smaller units it would be sensible to have a small office at the processing plant. The office complex consists of an office, storeroom and dressing room. Equipment and medicines are kept in the storeroom. Some medicines have to be cooled, therefore a refrigerator is a necessity. A wash basin with hot water must preferably be installed. The office must be placed in such a position that a good view on the entire complex is possible. The weighing instruments, and if necessary, a computer is placed in the office. Flow of cattle Cattle are driven along the road or transported by truck and must always remain in separate groups, until identified by number. After receiving the cattle they must all be driven through a spray race or immersion dip, but cattle arriving late in the day, must remain in the overnight pens until the following day. After the dipping process, the cattle 4

move through the crush, scale and body clamp, where they are weighed and vaccinated. Anthelmintics are dosed, the animals are de-horned and provided with ear tags or another form of identification. The animals are then ready to be transferred to the adaptation pens where individual groups can mingle. Adaptation pens are merely a few ordinary feeding pens, nearest to the handling pens, where new arrivals have free access to silage, hay and balanced feed. The animals can be placed separately or intermingled in the pen for the

Cattle are sorted at the central complex.

adaption and orientation period. Cattle that previously received silage or other balanced feeds react sooner and are ready to be transferred to the finishing pens sooner. After finishing, the cattle are ready to be dispatched. The progress of the cattle in the feedlots must be monitored regularly. This is usually done by means of an inspection, but some feedlot operators prefer weighing the cattle. Cattle may be weighed one by one, depending on the available equipment. The individual animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress, or the progress of the cattle in the pen, can be measured. A large mass scale that can determine the weight of a group of cattle, is very handy. Two dispatch systems for cattle are generally used. The one system consists of the identification and separation of market ready animals, while the total number of cattle in a pen can be dispatched as a second system. In cases where individual animals in the different pens are identified, separated, weighed and loaded, the social order is disrupted. If only about 60 cattle from a pen of 600 cattle must be loaded, it is important that the entire group must move through the handling channel. The market-ready animals are then separated, while the remainder goes back to the pen. This frequent handling of cattle extends the period they take to become market ready. When animals are divided into groups according to weight upon arrival, the social order is never interrupted. When 60% of the cattle are market ready, the entire group is marketed.

ProAgri BNZ 13

The benefit is that animals are market ready sooner, but there are some losses as a result of animals that are marketed before they are market ready. Feeding facilities Any feedlot needs a fodder plant. The size of the plant will be determined

by the number of animals to be fed. The daily diet of cattle consists of energy-rich protein and roughage feed components. These components have to be kept in storage. Some components may be stored in silos, while it is sometimes easier to store others in barns with dividing walls.

Fodder store with divisions The feed components are stored in the divisions until needed. From here, all ingredients are placed in feed wagons, according to finely calculated formulas, mixed and transferred to feeding troughs. The feed wagons must preferably have mass meters for easy measuring. The picture below shows a typical feed wagon.

Feed wagon

Workshop complex If complete mechanisation planning is applied, large amounts of money are invested in equipment and machinery. A well-equipped workshop is therefore necessary for maintenance services.

Water supply It is accepted that a young animal drinks approximately 40 litres of water per day and that reservoirs should store enough drinking water for three days. This should be kept in mind when planning a water supply system. PVC supply pipes that run through pens must be buried at least 600 mm deep to prevent the cattle from damaging them. Cattle drink about 70% of their daily water requirements between 12:00 and 14:00. The supply pipes must therefore be large enough to supply the animals with water at the critical times. The pipe network must preferably run outside the pens. This will simplify repair work and will prevent a mess in the pen when pipes are leaking. Next month we shall look at manure handling practices. 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.

It is important to have enough water for every stock unit’s requirements.

Overloading of troughs can cause deterioration of feed, which can cause fatalities. A feed processing plant must be as close as possible to the access roads and placed on the highest point of the pens. This will make it possible to drive downhill to the troughs with heavy loads of feed.

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Silage trenches Some feedlots use silage as roughage. Silage trenches must therefore be constructed. ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

Tel: +27 927459 4999 Cell:(0)53 +27 (0)82 9451 Cell: judy@nosering.co.za +27 (0)82 459 9451 E-mail: judy@nosering.co.za www.nosering.co.za www.nosering.co.za PO Box 1806, Vryburg, 8600, South Africa

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manage your assets, time and money investment. Our suite of GPS tracking devices are built for the often rough and remote conditions in South Africa so you can rest assured that your agricultural equipment will always be properly monitored.

Features: Machine usage (operating hours)

Real-time alert (geo zones)

Pattern of use (direction when used)

Potential asset theft or tampering alerts

www.ctrack.co.za | sales@ctrack.co.za | Call Centre: +27 (0)860 333 444 6

ProAgri BNZ 13

Ctrack Always Visible:

Gain full control over your fleet

ecurity software is getting more advanced and user friendly by the day. It saves farmers many hours of needless worry. Ctrack, a software as a service (SaaS) solution offered by Inseego Group, is a global supplier of vehicle tracking, insurance telematics, and fleet management solutions. With operations spanning over 55 countries on six continents, with 500 employees, over one million Ctrack systems were sold to date. Their continued emphasis on researching and developing next-generation products ensures that they remain ahead of the market, meeting demands for value-added, flexible, feature-rich, and cost-effective technology that keeps everything â&#x20AC;Ś Always Visible. With this goal in mind, Ctrack has developed and pioneered products that directly address the five key areas of fleet and asset management. Ctrackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s five key areas of fleet and asset management: Owning and operating vehicles efficiently in any business requires that the owner of the fleet must have as much information about their performance as possible. Furthermore, transport operators need to make sure that a holistic telematics solution is used to address the five key fleet management areas identified by Ctrack, namely: risks, cost control, fleet utilisation, operations control, and asset control.

Ctrack thinks of everything while they continuously upgrade their software.

Risks: Dangerous driving is a major threat to your business, as is unauthorised vehicle use. This element includes the safety, fatigue, and rest times of your drivers. It also includes general vehicle security, theft, hijackings, signal jamming, route adherence and area management. Cost control: Driver behaviour out on the road has a big impact on your bottom line. Cost control provides insights into speeding, accidents, harsh braking and cornering, excessive idling, tacho analysis and fuel monitoring, so you can keep a lid on these costs. The monitoring of driving patterns further helps reduce fuel consumption. Fleet utilisation: This reduces fuel and maintenance costs. Business owners need to know how their vehicles are being used, not just how they are being driven. Ctrack provides you with odometer readings, vehicle operating hours, turnaround You are covered and have access to your Ctrack softtimes, route adherware through any imaginable platform.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

ence, auxiliary monitoring, and waypoints. Operations control: Real-time fleet management helps reduce fuel consumption. Keeping control of your vehicles becomes increasingly difficult as the fleet grows and your routes and schedules change. Ctrack tackles this complexity with productivity reports, route deviation details, time adherence insights and more. Asset control: As vehicles age, it becomes difficult to have a holistic view of their individual condition. With Ctrack it is possible to receive daily health checks and odometer/hour meter readings. From here it becomes much easier to schedule vehicle maintenance, keep up with vehicle license renewals, and perform accident analysis. A principal aim of Ctrack is, from the moment the ignition is turned on, to provide as much information as possible on all operational activities, with the aim of helping to improve efficiency and reduce fleet operational costs. Ctrack can even assist in reducing the overall size of the fleet. Ctrack, keeping your fleet â&#x20AC;Ś Always Visible. Steer clear of security and maintenance surprises. Visit www.ctrack.co.za for more information. 7

Spray to protect your crops Part 12:

Safety: Read the warning labels on packaging T

he chemicals used in agriculture are intended to kill things. Some are made to kill plants and others to kill insects and other pests. Some chemicals can even kill humans and animals. This means that we are working with poisons and we need to know how to use and handle these dangerous agricultural inputs. This month we look at the different warning labels on chemical packaging. It is important that we know everything about the chemicals before we open the can or bottle to use it. The label Whenever you buy chemicals, make sure there is a label on the bottle or can. Often there is also an additional paper with information that should come with the chemicals. This label and paper convey very important information about the chemicals, and must not be lost. Store it in a safe place with the container. Always read the label and the paper, or ask someone to help you until you understand everything. The label on the bottle has important information about the danger of the chemicals and how to handle it safely:

The coloured strip on the label

A red label means it is poisonous and “VERY TOXIC” means it can kill you.

A red label means it is poisonous and “TOXIC” means it can kill you.

A yellow label means it is dangerous and “HARMFUL” means it can make you very sick.

A blue label means it is also strong and “CAUTION” means it can hurt.

A green label means it is quite safe, but the picture says: “Keep away from children”. Each picture on the coloured strip also tells a story about how to protect yourself, as well as other safety information. Also read the paper which should be packed with the chemicals.

Pictures on the label The pictures on the label have the following meaning: Wear protection over your nose and mouth.

A coloured strip on the label warns one about the danger of the chemicals. Find this strip and note its colour. 8

Wear gloves to protect your hands.

Wear a special mask. ProAgri BNZ 13

Wear a face mask.

Bad for wild animals and for birds.

Do not spray with an aeroplane.

Wear boots.

Bad for fish and other things living in water.

Wash hands after mixing and spraying.

Bad for livestock.

Bad for livestock and for poultry.

Bad for wild animals.

Next month we shall look at the correct manner to handle chemicals.

Bad for birds.

safetyandhealthmagazine.com

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

Published with acknowledgement to the ARC Institute for Agricultural Engineering for the use of their manuals. Visit www.arc. agric.za for more information. 9

We can supply and install anywhere in Africa

! E K N I E R E S O O H C , T O V I P K THIN

www.reinke.com Patrick Ellis 10

+27 (0)31 350 4525

patrickellis@reinke.com ProAgri BNZ 13

Don’t forget your midseason preventative maintenance Midseason quick checklist • Check system alignment • Check tyre pressure and condition • Check gearbox lubricant levels • Grease all fittings • Verify sprinkler uniformity

We supply and install anywhere in Africa Check to make sure each tower is aligned.

"By following the preseason and midseason preventative maintenance checklists, you’ll be able to greatly reduce the risk of system failure and downtime during the critical irrigation period.” – Todd Merryman, Reinke Manufacturing, Manager of Technical Services

t is important to make sure your pivot is operating in tiptop shape no matter what time of the year. Now that preseason preventative maintenance has come and gone, the next step is to identify what you should focus on during midseason. By following the midseason preventative maintenance checklist, you will be able to ensure your pivot is operating smoothly during the peak of the growing season. The next time your pivot is parked along the edge of the field or close to a pivot road, take some time to inspect the system’s components and ensure they are functioning properly. Locating a potential problem and taking preventative measures to fix it before additional damage may occur, will save you crucial downtime and costly repairs.

Contact your Reinke dealer If a problem does occur with your irrigation system, it is beneficial to locate the issue early to prevent further damage down the road. Do not hesitate to contact your local Reinke dealer for answers to all your questions. Reinke dealers are trained and certified service professionals who are equipped with the knowledge needed to troubleshoot and resolve any issue that may occur. Reinke dealers are able to eliminate system downtime by having a selection of genuine Reinke parts on hand to get you up and running as soon as possible. Before calling your Reinke dealer, make sure you have the relevant information available to help speed up the service.

"Finding a flat tyre in the middle of a hot maize field can be like finding a needle in a haystack. That’s why I take extra time to inspect my pivots to try and prevent an issue before it may happen.” – Wade Walters, Farmer

"The advantage of using Reinke Genuine Parts for repairs is knowing you are backed by Reinke quality and a warranty.” – Hunter Walls, Walls Irrigation

Weather precautions Being exposed to the elements 365 days a year may increase the risk of weather damage to your pivot. Make sure to inspect your system carefully after severe thunderstorms for any structural or electrical damage that may have been caused by lightning, water, or wind. If your system does not run properly and you suspect there is electrical damage, contact your Reinke dealer immediately. Never tamper with any wiring or electrical components yourself.

Information requested by the Reinke dealer: • Your name • System serial number or identifier • System location • How does the problem affect the system? • What was the system doing when the problem occurred? (parked, running wet, running dry) • Is it an intermittent problem? • Are there any commonalities regarding the problem? (time of day, location in field, high or low temperature and main control panel settings)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

Inspect the drivetrain to ensure things are running smoothly during irrigation season.

• • •

What action, if any, has already been taken to try and remedy the problem? What is the level of urgency for getting this system back in service? How do you want the system left when the repair is completed (stopped or running)?

"I like to gather as much information beforehand, so I can come prepared with a possible solution before I reach the field.” – Jarrod Watson, South Central Irrigation

Contact Patrick Ellis at +27(0)31-350-4525, or e-mail patrickellis@reinke.com, or visit their website at www.reinke. com for more information. 11

UFCL gives Africa the Russian advantage Article supplied

nited Fertilizers Company Limited (UFCL) exclusively represents the Russian fertiliser manufacturers, Uralchem and Uralkali, in Africa. Uralchem’s product range is one of the most versatile and well-balanced on the market. Uralchem also manufactures a number of compound NPKs and specialty water soluble fertilisers under the Solar brand. Uralkali is the leading global producer of potash (potassium chloride), also known as MOP. The company mines potash ore, which is then enriched and converted into the final product ready to be used as a fertiliser for direct application to the soil, a component for NPK blending and the source of potassium in compound NPK manufacturing process. Uralchem’s and Uralkali’s manufacturing facilities are located in Russia, with the majority of them in the Perm region. The companies control the entire supply chain by owning its own fleet of specialised railcars and port

terminals in Riga (Riga Fertilizer Terminal) and Saint Petersburg (Baltic Bulk Terminal). Both companies have a global footprint through extensive distribution networks as well as storage, shipment and loading facilities. UFCL was established in early 2019 to perform commercial and marketing activities in Africa on behalf of Uralchem and Uralkali. Since then, UFCL made itself known as a reliable supplier and proactive, knowledgeable partner. UFCL has offices close to major African markets to make things easy for customers. Over and above the supply of highquality fertilisers, the company focuses on providing value-added services, and contributes to economically beneficial and environmentally friendly crop production through specialised knowledge. All the nutrients that crops need to produce a healthy harvest are available in the complete range of products offered by UFCL. Together with our partners we distribute well-known products

to the agricultural industry. These include: NPK grades 27:6:6 and 21:10:10 as well as 10:26:26 and 10:20:20. These compound NPKs are produced through latest advanced granulation manufacturing processes, which means that each granule has superb physical properties (strength, density and shape), and contains primary nutrients (N, P and K) and sulphur. UFCL also provides popular nitrogenous fertilisers like urea prilled, ammonium nitrate and CAN granular. Finally, farmers can get the most concentrated source of potassium – potassium chloride (MOP), which is used for the manufacturing of various NPK blends and can be applied directly to the field. The specialty fertilisers portfolio provides robust solutions for crops under irrigation. High purity and fully water-soluble potassium nitrate, monoammonium phosphate, calcium nitrate concentrated, urea Micro prills, and foliar NPK+ME are specifically made for high-tech sensitive systems.

For more information, you are welcome to contact your local supplier and visit our website: www.ufertilizers.com.

ProAgri BNZ 13

SOIL: The farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important asset Part 10:

Soil water (II) Soil 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.

he movement of water in soil is of great importance in spreading the water throughout the soil profile and making it available to plants. In the previous article the energy state of water in soil was discussed. In this article the soil water constants and the hydraulic flow of water in soil are discussed. The soil water constants The amount of water in a soil profile is always changing and yet, by definition, there are a few limits in soil water management which are of great importance to the soil user. Saturation point When the soil is excessively wetted through heavy rain or irrigation, it often happens that almost all the air in the pores is forced out and replaced by water. This is regarded as the maximum water capacity of the soil. When this condition takes place over a long period, the soil is regarded as saturated or â&#x20AC;&#x153;water loggedâ&#x20AC;?. The matrix water potential = 0 kPa and the osmotic potential is dependent on the salt concentration. The water potential is therefore at its highest. In a well-drained profile the water will flow freely downwards due to the gravitational potential. (FIGURE 1a). Drained upper limit (DUL) of available plant water (Field water capacity)

Following rain or irrigation the water will initially move rapidly and later more slowly downwards due to the gravitational force, until this movement becomes insignificant. In sandy soil, it happens after about two days, in loam after about three days, and after about four to five days in clayey soils. At this point it is said that the soil has reached the drained upper limit (DUL) of available plant water. In the past, the term field (water) capacity was used to describe this. At this stage the water has drained out of the macro pores and air is once again drawn in from the atmosphere (FIGURE 1b). This is the most powerful form of natural soil aeration. The micro and capillary pores are still filled with water. The matrix potential at this point will vary between -10 kPa for sandy soils and -30 kPa for clay soils. For calculation purposes, this point is accepted as the uppermost limit of plant available water. Over time, water will move very slowly, under capillary forces, towards drier parts of the soil profile, with a lower matrix potential. Lower limit of plant available water (Permanent wilting point) As the plants draw water out of the soil and water evaporates from the surface of the soil, the matrix potential gradually decreases. At a certain point, the plants cannot extract sufficient water from the soil and begin to wilt during the daytime because the

FIGURE 1: Schematic representation of soil at (a) saturation point, (b) drained upper limit (field capacity) and (c) lower limit (permanent wilt point) of plant available water. ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

atmospheric demand is higher than the rate of water availability to the plants, but the plants may recover at night. A few days later, the plants will even wilt during the night and at this point the soil is regarded as having reached its lowest level of plant available water. In the past the term permanent wilting point was used to describe this. The matrix potential is now about -1 500 kPa and the water which is now still in the soil, is present only in the smallest pores and as a very thin layer covering the soil particles. It is no longer available to the majority of plants because the forces holding the water in the soil are too great for the plants to overcome. In sandy soils, there is hardly any water, but it is more significant in clayey soils. Hygroscopic point When the soil is further dried out by the atmosphere (at 98% humidity), it later comes into balance with the atmosphere and does not dry out any further. The soil moisture content is now at its hygroscopic point with a matrix potential of about -3 000 kPa. Even at this point there is still a quantity of water in the soil. Sandy soils then have very little water, while clay can still hold a significant amount of water. The water is stored in the soil within the clay platelets and is actually not in a liquid state but gaseous. Plant available water The water available to plants represents the difference between the drained upper limit and lower limit of plant available water. It differs significantly between soils and can be deduced from the clay content (TABLE 1).

Silt & clay content (%) 0-5 5 - 10 10 - 15 15 - 20 20 - 25 25 - 30 30 - 40 40 - 50 50+

Field water capacity (mm/m) 70 150 160 180 200 220 240 260 270

Permanent wilt point (mm/m) 40 50 50 60 80 100 130 160 200

Plant available water (mm/m) 30 100 110 120 120 120 110 100 70

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how quickly the soil will drain following heavy rains or irrigation. The higher the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil, the quicker excess water will flow through the profile. Any factor that influences the size and arrangement of the soil pores, will influence the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil. In sandy soils, the pores are larger and the resistance to water flow is relatively small, and for that reason the water will flow rapidly through the profile (FIGURE 3). When sandy soil is compacted, for example by vehicles in a road or via plough compaction, the pores are reduced in size and the flow of the water becomes slower (for example standing water on a farm road after a rain shower). In a clayey soil the pores are smaller (although far greater in number) with the resistance which is now relatively high and again the water will flow more slowly through the profile. Interestingly, is that the flow through a pore with a 1 mm diameter is equal to the flow through 10 000 pores of 0.1 mm. This simply emphasises that the flow rate is mainly determined by the number of larger pores in the soil.

clayey soils, this point will be reached quicker than in sandy soils and drought symptoms are more quickly visible in the clayey soils. On the drier side of the spectrum the picture is turned around and the flow in the clayey soils is quicker than in sandy soils and clayey soil can keep plants alive longer than sand (although under constraint).

Unsaturated flow As soon as a soil has been excessively wetted after heavy rain or irrigation and allowed to drain to the drained upper limit, hydraulic conductivity due to gravity is very low and the matrix potential is the dominant driving force. Movement under saturated conditions is rapid and mainly downwards with little lateral movement. Under conditions of unsaturated flow, the water flow is much slower and the moveSaturated hydraulic ment can be upwards, downwards or conduction ability laterally. Matrix potential and moisture The highest hydraulic conductivity of content differences are now the main a soil will be at saturation. A layer of driving forces and therefore unsaturatwater on top of the soil surface will ed flow becomes increasingly slower increase the flow due to a positive as the soil dries out. matrix or pressure potential. This is The unsaturated flow is of particular illustrated in FIGURE 2 as the rate at importance to the soil user, as it is the which water flows through the profile, main method causing water moveand is measured at the bottom of ment from the wetter parts, further the profile. The saturated hydraulic away from the plant root, to the drier conductivity of a soil is an indication of parts surrounding the root. In a sandy loam soil, the flow under hours unsaturated conditions is between 1 and 2 mm per day for a soil which is close to hours the lower limit. It is a rate that will supply enough water to the hour plant roots. As the soil hours gets drier, the flow rate is reduced to a point where water movement is so slow hours that the water does not reach the plant a b root quick enough FIGURE 3: Schematic representation of and the plant begins water movement in (a) sandy and (b) to wilt. In the case of clayey soils.

Summary Water movement in soil is of extraordinary importance to the farmer, as it is the method that determines the provision of water to plants. Various soil types react differently where water retention and hydraulic conductivity are concerned. With the planting of crops in various soils, the farmer must keep the behaviour of the soil in mind, as it can have a significant impact on the sustainability of the farming enterprise. In the next article in this series, the behaviour of water in soil will be discussed further.

Water

Soil column

Flow rate = Saturated hidraulic flow

FIGURE 2: Schematic representation of saturated flow through a soil column.

Types of water movement in the soil The hydraulic conductivity of a soil is its ability of water to move under the influence of the driving forces or the soilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to allow water to flow through it. The hydraulic conductivity (or flow) takes place through waterfilled pores and along films of water. The hydraulic conductivity is for that reason dependent on the moisture content of the soil. The greater the water content of the soil, the greater the hydraulic conductivity and vice versa. It therefore means that the water flow is highest directly after wetting and thereafter it gradually decreases as the soil dries out. The forces that determine the flow rate are gravity and the matrix potential.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

Movement of water vapour Soil pores that are not filled with water are filled with air. Normally the humidity of the soil is about 98% (high vapour pressure). When the soil close to the surface is dry, the humidity there can decrease due to evaporation (lower vapour pressure) and water vapour will move from the higher vapour pressure area (soil) to the lower vapour pressure area (atmosphere). This movement of water vapour in soil is of minimal significance in agriculture. The quantity of water in vapour form is about 15 litres/ha in the upper 15 cm of the soil layer, compared with 375 000 litres/ha water in the liquid form at the lower limit of plant available water.

References Bennie, ATP. 1981. Soil Science 354. Soil and Water Management. Unpublished class notes for GKD354. University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. Bennie, ATP. 1985. SA Coop, Vol. 5, Nr. 1 Brady, NC. 1990. The nature and properties of soils. 10th ed. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York. Brady, NC. and Weil, RR. 2002. The nature and properties of soils. 13th ed. Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Van Huyssteen, CW. 2009. Soil Ecology. Unpublished class notes for GKD214. University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. For further information, please contact: Martiens du Plessis: martiens@nwk.co.za Cornie van Huyssteen: vanhuysteencw@ufs.ac.za ProAgri BNZ acknowledges Grain SA for the use of this series which originally appeared in Afrikaans in SA Graan/Grain. 15

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Valley remains at the leading edge of irrigation

Gain full control over your pivots with Valley’s 365™ platform

by Benine Ackermann

arious reasons convince farmers all over the world to choose Valley for pivot irrigation. After all, Valley offers the best water utilisation, and enables the farmer to accurately control his pivots from any spot on earth. “Valley pivots stand firmly, because they are designed and built to withstand high wind speeds,” says Francois Griesel, Valley’s Regional Sales Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa. “Furthermore, the propulsion is controlled by the Valley gearbox which is, without a doubt, the best the market can offer. This is effected by Valley’s meticulous quality tests. “Valley’s integrated control systems can be upgraded as technology develops. The farmer need not buy a whole new system to benefit from the latest technology on the market. A new module is simply added,” Francois says. A well cared for Valley pivot usually outlives the farmer. Therefore, Valley offers the owners of old models an

option of “Don’t replace – repipe”. “Some of our pivots are forty years or older and still running. We thought it proper to make the special offer to make older pivots look like new. Now the farmer need not buy a whole new system, but simply replace the pipes of his old pivot. In this way, he can save on costs.” Valley 365™ – Control everything from one place “The Valley 365™ platform that was announced during NAMPO Virtual 2020, is an electronic platform that the farmer can load onto his phone, tablet or laptop computer. The platform gives him access to all the various pieces of equipment that he can use to peruse soil and weather conditions, and to control his pivots accordingly from wherever he may find himself at the moment. This enables him to exercise full control over irrigation on his farm,” Francois says. “Valley 365™ offers the farmer organised analysis reports. These reports link in with the AgSense options. Therefore, if you have an AgSense licence, you will gain free access to the Valley 365™ platform,” Francois adds.

This is the Valley 365™ app displayed on a cellular phone.

The benefits of the 365™: • Efficient – Existing applications integrate easily, enabling the farmer to use one interface for access to all his pivots. • Accessible – This cloud based platform offers a simpler, more intuitive user experience. • Intelligent – Puts all

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

• •

the data together. Extendable – Farmers may add options themselves. Safe – The app is very safe and constructed with the latest technology.

Valley weather station – your eyes in the storm Access to accurate weather data is one of the best ways to improve harvests, and the new Valley® weather station is an important aid to forecast weather conditions and analyse weather patterns. Francois says: “The weather station can also be linked to various other technological aids to give the farmer an overall view of the water needs on different parts of a farm. Should you have land in various areas, you can erect weather stations on each of them and receive readings from them all. Then you can programme your pivots to run faster or slower to apply less or more water. This way, you save on electricity, water, and long-term costs.” Benefits of the weather station:

Valley is the dependable pivot with a long life that continuously gives the farmer even more control and convenience. • • • •

• • •

Easy to install Mobile access Increased productivity – an e-mail informs the farmer about changing weather patterns Informed decisions – Information about temperature and humidity helps the farmer to make better decisions Increased accuracy Field specific data – Receive data directly from the field. Peace of mind – You do not have to go to the fields unnecessarily

Valley’s dealer network stretches all over Southern and Eastern Africa with more than 80 service points for technical services. For more information on Valley’s 365™ options, contact Francois Griesel at Francois.Griesel@Valmont.com, or +27(0)67-412-9089.

Botswana 18

ProAgri BNZ 13

Everything the farmer needs: The Adendorff tool range is endless

Look out for thick and comprehensive Adendorff catalogues that are regularly distributed inside the ProAgri magazine.

The new and massive Adendorff Machinery Mart headquarters and distribution centre in Aeroton, south of Johannesburg in South Africa, is where every tool starts its journey to end up in the hands of a happy and satisfied farmer.

A farmer feels like a child in a candy shop when he enters any of the 24 Adendorff Machinery shops all over South Africa.

ention the name Adendorff Machinery Mart and any tradesman, hobbyist or farmer knows what you are talking about. This famous distributor is the go-to place for an unimaginable wide range of inexpensive tools. For over 30 years, Adendorff has been supplying an extensive range of quality tools and machinery at the most competitive prices. They can surely pride themselves in being the industry leaders when it comes to quality tools and machinery. When they say their product range is the greatest, they mean it. Not only do they source the best products from across the globe, but they also cover all major categories. In their stores, you will find everything from hand tools, generators, air compressors, pneumatic tools, pumps,

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

power tools, garage equipment, welding machines and much more. Their focus is to provide the right quality tool at the best price, for the job at hand. They are continually improving and updating their product range to ensure that their customers receive the highest quality products at affordable prices â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all backed by expert advice from their friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a wide range of spares and accessories. Operating from their impressive newly built headquarters located in Aeroton, Johannesburg South, just off the highway at the Nasrec off-ramp, their new 14 000 mÂ˛ warehouse is in a prime position to deliver stock timeously to their 24 stores all over South Africa, ensuring the stores remain wellstocked. But South Africa is not their only market. African farmers already showed that they are very keen on acquiring their inexpensive tools, and Adendorff is rapidly expanding their footprint all over the continent. For your convenience, their branches and headquarters have qualified in-house technicians to service your machines. They ensure that their professional sales team is aligned with their company mission and vision to provide excellent customer service and expert advice. This is their premise: to ensure that you can make Adendorff Machinery Mart your first choice for quality tools and equipment.

For hints and tips and to view their comprehensive range, find out more at www.adendorff.co.za

Botswana 20

ProAgri BNZ 13

Poultry production guide Part 6:

The correct steps in the slaughtering process A

few steps need to be taken to get the chicken from the farm onto your plate. This process can make some people uncomfortable. The good news is that in modern abattoirs the utmost care is taken to ensure that the poultry is despatched in the most humane way possible, without causing the animals any undue stress. The following will guide you through the process step by step, to aid you in planning your own poultry abattoir. The process consists of several phases. The first is transport and receiving facilities for live birds. Second, the birds then need to enter the production line where the next steps of stunning, scalding, defeathering and evisceration will take place. After this, the poultry can be portioned, packaged, and kept in cold storage for distribution to the retail market.

Receiving live birds This part of the process starts on the farm. It is important to choose the abattoir closest to your farm to limit transport costs, and to limit the stress that the transport may cause the birds. Stress can have a negative impact on the quality of the product, as well as causing mortalities while in transit. Birds that are dead on arrival will be discarded for hygienic reasons, and can therefore lead to a loss of income for the farmer. The abattoir must have a roofed receiving area where the crates can be unloaded. Gates are essential to ensure that access to the facility can be controlled with strict bio-security measures in place. The production line After the birds have been received, they are attached to the production

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

line. This is done by attaching their feet to the conveyor and hanging them upside down. The live poultry receiving and stunning areas must have dimmed lighting. One minute must be allowed between the hanging and stunning point. Approximately 15 to 18 birds per minute per handler are permitted. Hangers hanging the birds must treat them in a humane and calm way. Birds must be hung facing the same direction. Both legs must be secured into the shackles. A guide rail is usually provided, which will relax the birds. Bends in the slaughtering line should be kept to a minimum, and any disturbing obstructions should be removed. Supervision is important. Stunning An alternating current of 60 or 110 mA is required for small and large chickens respectively. The current should 21

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takes place. A sharp knife or blade must be used for this purpose and it must be sterilised frequently. The process of scalding Soaking in hot water softens the skin and feathers, thus facilitating the defeathering process. Standard “hard” or “hot” scalding is done at ± 54 °C to 60 °C for 2 to 2,5 minutes. The epidermis is removed providing for a whiter looking carcass. Standard “soft” or “cold” scalding is done at ± 50 °C to 53 °C for 3,0 to 3,5 minutes. The scalding process wets the feathers and warms the skin thus releasing some of the muscle pressure of the skin holding the feathers. The whole carcass must be immersed. A constant inflow of clean water at the right temperature is necessary to keep all carcasses totally submerged at all times and to control the build-up of micro-organisms. When the level is too low the “sock” feathers will not be scalded resulting in incomplete defeathering of the hocks. Agitation of the scalding water is important for thorough penetration onto the skin and preventing “cold spots” in the scalding tank. A chlorinated water spray, after hot water immersion and just before defeathering, is recommended in order to decrease micro-organisms.

only go through the head and specifications for the equipment must be followed. Line speed must allow for 4 to 7 seconds contact time (dwell time) within the stunning apparatus. Eleven to fifteen seconds is allowed from stunning to throat slitting. A saline solution can be used to increase the conductivity of the water and make stunning more effective. Total recovery time after stunning should not exceed 2 minutes. Constant maintenance must be done on the equipment. All birds must be stunned before being bled. The ideal voltage for electrical stunning is debatable, but as a guideline, voltages between 50 V and 70 V should be adequate for wet stunning if the head and neck of a bird is immersed in the electrified bath.

The process of defeathering Defeathering takes place after soaking. A defeathering machine consists of a round metal disc with grooved (corrugated) rubber fingers spinning on either side as well as below the hanging bird. The softness/ hardness of the rubber fingers and the regular replacement of damaged fingers are

important for proper defeathering. The rubber plucker fingers are colour coded for the different grades of hardness. By placing the plucking machines in series, excessive loss of carcass temperature is prevented. Water used in the defeathering machines should not exceed 20 °C to prevent any further damage to the epidermis. The quantity of water in the plucker should be between 0,25 to 0,50 litres per bird. The nozzles of the sprayers should be directed in such a way that they easily wash away all the feathers on the plucker discs and inside walls of the plucker machine. In the smaller abattoirs, various different models of defeathering equipment are used. They can differ in size from 1 to 10 birds at a time. Maintenance and performance checks on defeathering machines are very important. A trained supervisor for this department is important. This person must understand the importance of setting the height, angle and distance between the plucker banks. Evisceration process During this process, the defeathered carcasses are attached to a different production line. Here, the heads and feet will be removed, as well as the internal organs and the crop. Once the carcass has been through this process, it can be either packaged as a whole chicken and moved to cold storage, or the carcass can be divided into portions before it moves on to packaging.

The information used in this article is credited to the Meat Inspectors Manual, published in 2017 by the Directorate: Veterinary Services Veterinary Public Health National Department Of Agriculture Republic Of South Africa. For more information visit their website www.nda.agric.za.

Bleeding The bird should bleed for at least 90 seconds. Respiration must stop and the bird must be dead before entering the scalding tank. This will prevent water in the scalding tanks from entering the lungs and air sacs and contaminating the carcass. More than 80% of the blood is lost within 40 seconds of slaughter. Thorough bleeding results in a lifeless, non-struggling carcass before immersion and soaking ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

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ProAgri BNZ 13

Pig production guide Part 6:

Proper housing for proper growth and proper profits G

ood, efficient housing makes pig management easier and helps the farmer to successfully rear 85% or more of all the live-born piglets to market weight in the shortest possible time. Pigs at different stages of growth need different environments and temperatures. If they are to produce and grow to their maximum potential, piglets need special protection against very low temperatures. Growing and reproducing pigs must be protected against high temperatures. The houses must therefore be built in such a way that the pigs are protected against extreme temperatures and other bad weather conditions such as cold winds and continuous rain. The boar pens Boars are kept separately in their own pens. One boar is kept for every 15 to 20 sows. On a pig farm with only 20 sows it is advisable to keep at least two boars, namely a young not too heavy boar for young sows and gilts, and an older boar for older, heavier sows. You will therefore need two pens.

Sows are brought to the boar to be serviced in the boar pen. This pen should be 10 m2, with the short side at least 2 m wide so that the boar can easily turn around in it. The floor should be hard and must not be slippery. It should slope towards the sides and to the front so that urine and wastewater can drain into a shallow manure channel at the front of the pen. The walls must be of solid concrete or cement plastered brick. Gates can be made of round iron pipes, with a 20 mm diameter, spaced vertically not further apart than 75 mm. The height of the gate and also the walls should be 1 400 mm. A roofed sleeping area, about a third of the size of the pen, must be covered in bedding. Straw, grass, or sawdust can be used for this purpose. A feed trough is placed in the sleeping area in such a way that it does not get filled with bedding. The trough for each boar should be 450 to 600 mm long, 150 to 200 mm high and 500 mm wide. Cool, clean water must be available at all times on the side where the gate is. The pig will also defecate in this

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

area. A small water trough with a ball valve to control the level of the water or preferably a drinking nipple can be used. The nipple must be placed at a 90Â° angle with the vertical and between 550 and 650 mm from the floor. Make sure that the boar pen is well ventilated. It is important that the temperature does not rise above 22 Â°C for long periods. If the temperature rises above 32 Â°C, the boar may become infertile for up to six weeks. On very hot days boars can be kept cool by sprinkling them with water. Gilts and dry sows Gilts should be brought to the boar for the first time when they are eight months old. Dry sows come onto heat three to seven days after weaning when they have to be serviced by a boar again. Therefore, keep gilts and dry sows to be serviced in pens next to or near the boar so that they can be checked for heat daily until they are serviced. Do not keep more than five gilts or sows in one pen. Gilts and sows should not be kept in the same pen. An area of about 5 m2 per pig is required. Therefore, to house five pigs, a pen with an area of approximately 25 m2 is required. The construction and specifications of the sow/gilt pen are the same as that of the boar pen. Individual feeding is, however,

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and her piglets during the first seven to 10 days after birth, while trampling and overlying is prevented as far as possible. It is advisable to build a farrowing house containing five or six farrowing pens. A five-pen house should be 13,25 m long, and a six-pen house 15,5 m. The width in both cases should be 4 m. Each pen will be 2 x 2,25 m with a 1 m wide feed passage on the northern side of the pens and a 1 m wide dung passage on the southern side. The entrance must be on the short side of the building with a 1 m space between the outside wall and the first pen.

Pigs, and especially piglets, are extremely sensitive to temperature. If a farmer plans the housing on his pig farm properly, he can ensure that adequate temperatures are maintained to keep the pigs healthy and comfortable.

The pens in the finishing house must be large enough to keep up to 12 pigs per pen until they reach an average weight of 90 to 110 kg. The floor should be sloped to ensure that dung and wastewater can be washed away. Feeders need to be placed near the isle for easy refilling. Photo credit: https:// cdn.bigdutchman.com/ important to ensure that each pig receives the correct quantity of feed every time. Enough trough space with partitions that allow the pigs to eat individually is therefore necessary. Nineteen days after the sows have been serviced by a boar, they are brought into contact with a boar again for five to seven consecutive days to make sure that they are pregnant. If the boar does not serve them again, it can be concluded that they are pregnant and they can then be placed in the pregnant sow pen. Pregnant sows Pregnancy lasts 114 to 116 days. Sows are put in the pregnant sow pen about 24 days after service and are only

moved to the farrowing pen seven days before they give birth. They stay in these pens for about 85 days. The pens can be similar to dry sow pens. Provided the sows are about the same size, up to five pregnant sows can be kept in one pen. To make sure that each pig receives the correct quantity of feed, provision should again be made for individual feeding. The construction of this pen is also similar to that described for boar pens. At least two and preferably three pens are needed. Farrowing pens The farrowing pen is the most important pen on the farm. It has to be designed in such a way that the right temperature is provided for the sow

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

Weaner and finishing house (growing pigs) Piglets are weaned when they are 28 days old. They must therefore be looked after with care for at least another four to six weeks until they are 10 weeks old. They must be kept in pens at a temperature of 17 to 25 Â°C, and draughts and wet conditions should be prevented. It is advisable to keep the growing and finishing pigs in pens similar to those used for weaners. A finisher house with 20 pens must therefore be built. Each pen must be large enough to house a litter of 10 to 12 pigs, kept in the pen from the age of four weeks until they are sold at a live weight of 90 to 110 kg. Two rows of 10 pens are built in the house. The building will be 40 m long and 9 m wide. The individual pens should be 12 m2 with 1 m high concrete walls, and two 1 m wide dung passages along the north and south walls of the building with a feeding passage, and 1 m wide in the middle between the two rows of pens. The entrance to the building is again on the short side of the building with a 1 m space between the outside wall and the first pen linked to the feed and dung passages.

For further information, contact your animal health technician, state or private veterinarian or Animal Health for Developing Farmers ARC Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute on +27(0)12- 5299158, or The Resource Centre, +27(0)12-319-7141 or +27(0)12-319-7085. We thank the South African Department of Agriculture for the information provided to the readers of Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe in this series of articles. For more information, visit their website at https://www.daff.gov.za/.

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Farm faster with Veloce, the high-speed disc harrow A

ll the advantages of conservation agriculture may be enjoyed if the right disc harrows are employed. These advantages include high quantities of crop residues in the soil, counteracting erosion and increasing the organic material in the soil. The plant material on the surface is cut and mixed with the soil, causing an increase in microbiological activity, biodiversity, and organic matter. Thereby the structure and water holding capacity of the soil is greatly improved. If you want to reap the benefits of these implements, you need to look no further than Maschio Gaspardo. Maschio Gaspardo is a global leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery, and offers a wide range of disc harrows. This includes equipment for minimum tillage to manage the crop residues and prepare the seedbed in one single pass. The range of disc harrows includes three different models: Veloce, UFO Tzar and Admiral, for tractors ranging between 50 kW and 335 kW. The VELOCE is a very versatile and robust machine, and it allows you to operate in all working conditions. Surface residue is cut and re-mixed with the soil to create an optimal environment for the development of micro-organisms and the improvement of soil fertility.

Maschio Gaspardo’s wide range of tillage products will ensure that you have the right implement for the job that will suit the capability of your tractor. The VELOCE can be used with a wide range of tractors from 50 to 240 kW. The fixed frame mounted version is available with a working width from 2 to 4 m, while the folding and semimounted versions are available from 4 to 7 m. Thanks to the high ground clearance and the wide spacing between the discs, an optimal soil flow is assured in all working conditions. In addition, working speeds between 12 and 15 km/h are easily reached, with operational efficiency and ensuring significant energy savings. The 510-mm high-resistance boron steel discs spaced 25 cm apart and staggered on the two rows, guarantee an optimal flow of soil. Available with 15 or 9 caps, they allow working the first 10 cm of the soil. Each disc is mounted on its own independent silent block suspension to guarantee rigidity and an adequate ability to absorb the roughness of the soil, allowing a vertical excursion of 10 cm. The hub of each disc is equipped with a special SKF ball bearing, insulated from dust, mud, and dirt by means of a

Maschio Gaspardo disc harrows work fast to save time, fuel and money. screw-on cover and a special gasket. This guarantees minimum maintenance and high reliability. For more information, visit the website www.maschio.com or contact your local Namibian dealer Golden Pastures Agri Trading CC on +26481-790-4197, or send an e-mail to namritter@googlemail.com.

Version (frame)

Tractor power (kW)

Working width (cm)

Transport width (cm)

Working depth (cm)

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200 fixed

50 – 55

200

203

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250 fixed

60 – 67

250

255

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300 fixed

75 – 82

300

1 965

350 fixed

90 – 97

350

345

2 170

400 fixed

104 – 112

400

405

2 405

400 folding

90 – 120

400

300

3 140

500 folding

112 – 150

500

300

3 660

600 folding

134 – 180

600

300

4 060

500 semi-mounted

120 – 164

500

300

5 620

600 semi-mounted

150 – 193

600

300

5 930

700 semi-mounted

180 – 238

700

300

6 110

* refers to ring roller version ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

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Saving Namibia’s livestock industry - Part 8:

Farming in the age of smart phones A

s we live in a time of innovative and exciting electronic and technological development, the increase in business being conducted by means of today’s variety of mobile phones is not surprising. In this regard, Steve Carver presented an interesting and enlightening presentation at the Rangeland Forum in 2018. The following is a summary of Steve Carver’s presentation: “Mobile phone technologies are presenting farmers with unprecedented opportunities to run their operations more productively and increase their income. It is radically changing the face of the world.” – Steve Carver, founder and chairman of Win:Win Earth pointed out the benefits of using technology for farm management and linking stakeholders in the industry to the farmer. He explained that an industry platform would give farmers access to 35 years of satellite-based records for weather conditions and temperatures. It would also assist with crop and input choices, decrease risks, increase yields and revenues, and provide access to communications, technical advice, and crop insurance. “Precision farming, the way we farm, the inclusivity of farmers and the inclusivity of women in farming is happening through mobile phones. It is one of the most important things in creating prosperity for residents of Africa.” Grassland management “The management of grasslands to ensure the regeneration of highquality grass for cattle to feed off can be achieved through Google Internet of Things.” Steve explained that the ongoing movement of cattle and the management and timing of when to move them away from certain grazing areas is critical for the sustainability and productivity of grasslands. To this end, an App on mobile phones will give farmers information such as the location and stress levels of the animals. This data can then be downloaded onto a computer, for which a platform is created to enable farmers to manage their rangeland from anywhere. Micro-jobbing Steve stressed the importance of mobile phones in micro-jobbing, microlearning, and micro-financing. With the concept of micro-jobbing, people in remote areas can use a dynamic mobile platform that allows them to complete tasks. They are then rewarded for their efforts through a verification system.

35 years of satellite records of weather, temperatures

Decreased risks for agripreneurs and buyers

Assistance with crop and input choice

Direct link to market and opportunities

Offline capability, data driven growing and harvesting advice

Increased yields and revenues

Traceability and transparency

Task and reward based micro financing Crop insurance

Agripreneur microlearning

Poverty to prosperity mapping

SDG impact tracking

Steve Carver illustrated the crucial role of cellular phones and an industrybased platform to transform the agricultural sector in Namibia. A task & reward platform (micro-jobbing)

Earn as you go

Win:Win Earth, for example, designed an App for 6 500 small-scale producers of chilli plants for the Tabasco product. Through mobile phone photographs, producers are able to show evidence of the work they have done. Money is then transferred to them via their phones from the manufacturers. “This system also ensures traceability of the product. Today’s consumer wants authenticity, fairness, and trust. They also want to know that producers benefit from their purchases. It is not only about the product anymore; it is the stories about the product that are becoming valuable.” The illustration above demonstrates how the simple task management and reward incentive platform works. Earn and learn “We discovered that education is more important than money for the young herders in northern Namibia. They want better jobs and better lives.” According to Steve, the majority of the herders come from Zambia. They

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

are also the lowest income earners in the country because of their illegal immigrant status. These workers can learn and, at the same time, earn money through incentive programmes. Additionally, their observations could be valuable for conservationists. They can, for example, report on snares and elephant and predator movements to create an animal warning system, as well as provide information on cattle. In this way, they can play a dual role in assisting with conservation as well as herding cattle. Eye in the sky Another powerful tool that can be used, especially in conservation, is the American military intelligence tool, Eye in the Sky, which picks up data from mobile phones. For example, if a mobile phone owner goes off a road for more than five minutes, alarms will go off, alerting conservationists of possible poaching activity. Another way to use mobile phone information and social media in conser31

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• • • • • • •

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A tunnel covered with plastic / net Fish cages for the different sizes of fish Wicking beds for rooting crops, such as onions, beetroot, potato’s, carrots, ginger, etc. Training and consultation Transport to site and installation

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vation is by pulling together a series of photographs, taken by different people, of the same animal. Tracking animals becomes unnecessary because they can be geo-located on a map. In this way, information of an animal can be pooled and used. Harvest Plus After trials and projects which looked at using technology to increase yields and revenues of small-scale farmers, mitigate risk, improve food security, and achieve sustainable farming communities, were conducted in Mozambique and Malawi with approximately 30 000 farmers, Win:Win Earth developed a model called Harvest Plus. This model is a web-based IT system and knowledge management platform that combines the critical aspects of the smallholder agri-business model and provides a dynamic, knowledgerich environment and system for all stakeholders and partners to interact in. The system includes technical data on soils, weather conditions, evapotranspiration, training, grower details, financial modelling, crop insurance, markets and pricing, communications, strategic analysis and reporting, and corporate social responsibility. The system receives and combines live and updated satellite information, as well as data from leading international and research institutions, to allow for ‘real time’ analysis, scenario

planning, forecasting and decision making, pre-planting and planting, and decision making support during the growing season. Feedback loops and data management through simple practical steps make it a powerful and dynamic business tool. In addition, Harvest Plus provides farmers with a platform to address, manage, monitor, and report on major areas and challenges. This platform is important for farmers as it can assist them with achieving food security, increasing productivity and incomes, mitigating risk at multiple levels, managing social and environmental projects, and ensuring successful and sustainable farming. By using Harvest Plus, farmers can correct input package selection and plan timely planting, which can result in significant maize yield increases of up to 50%. “An advantage of Harvest Plus is that it picks up conditions that are not detectable with the naked eye through technology. For instance, it was found that marijuana plants have

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

different chemical compositions at different altitudes,” Steve explained. Steve concluded his presentation with the following wish: “We hope that our products will contribute to improved food security, economic growth, increased incomes and rural resilience, thereby positively impacting on the lives of millions of Africans.” The conclusion: If done correctly, improved rangeland management can make the livestock industry more resilient, more profitable for the farmer, healthy for the consumer, good for the Namibian economy, and good for the planet. *The National Rangeland Management Policy (NRMP) was approved in 2012. In 2014, the NRMPS Project was commissioned in support of this policy under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF), to address the declining natural resource base in Namibia. Extract from Reviving Namibia’s Livestock Industry, Regenerative livestock production trends, Key profit drivers, Case studies and recommendations, NRMP Best practice strategy document (revised edition from 2012 NRMPS), Based on Namibia Rangeland Management Policy (NRMP): A 2019 Edition.

Omaruru

Outjo

Rehoboth

GrĂźnau

Keetmanshoop

Gochas

Aranos

Gobabis

Stampriet

Omitara

Hochfeld

Grootfontein

Mariental

Hardap

Windhoek

Otjiwarongo

Ondangwa

Photo: Pixabay.

Irrigation made easy Part 6: Scheduling of water usage I

t is crucial to irrigate your crops on a daily basis to keep the upper zone of the soil wet. This is the region where the roots will not have to work hard to suck up water to the plant, where it enables all the chemical growth processes to occur. Productive plant growth will largely depend on how hard roots must suck to draw water from the soil (see Figure 1).

A single bubble of air in the straw will break the suction. The plant will try to suck up water through a broken straw, but will only suck up air.

Hard enough to suck water up a straw to a height of 2 m: Water is freely available to the plant. It is easy for the plant to find and suck up water. The plant will grow well, with no stress.

Hard enough to suck water up a straw to a height of 4 m: The plant must work harder to draw up water. Some energy may be diverted from leaf or fruit growth to sucking up water.

Hard enough to suck water up a straw to a height of 6 m: The plant must now start to work even harder to get water. Growth will slow down and the plant could wilt in the heat of the day.

Hard enough to suck water up a straw to a height of 8 m: It is very difficult for the plant to suck up water needed to survive. Growth will stop and the plant could die in hot, dry conditions.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

Plant production depends largely on how hard the root system must work to extract the water that the plant needs from the soil. Soil attracts and holds water molecules close to the surface of particles. The plant needs to work hard to draw off the water that is held close to the surface of a particle in the root zone. Irrigation systems are designed so that normally only 50% of the water that can be held in the soil profile is drawn off by the plant. The suction force needed to draw off this quantity of water is normally between 5 and 6 metres (or about -50 to -60 kPa). Much of the water held in the soil is not readily available to the plant. Scheduling describes the management of irrigation applications, supplying the correct quantity of water, at the right time, to ensure that enough water is freely available to allow the plant to grow and prosper. Scheduling involves 35

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the planned replacement of water that has been drawn off by the crop in the soil profile. Various methods can be used to schedule irrigation.

Determining soil moisture content by drying soils 1.

Using a fixed irrigation cycle Early in the season, enough water is applied to fill the soil profile with water. It is accepted that much of the water used by the plant will be provided by rainfall.

Use a soil auger to take a sample of soil from the plant root zone. Soil water and air

Weigh a 20 cm cake tin on a good scale.

Add about 100 g of moist soil from the sample.

Soil and water

Dry soil

The seasonal estimated irrigation requirement (crop usage, minus effective rainfall) is divided into daily or weekly increments. Fixed quantities of water (about 20 to 30 mm/week) are applied on a fixed cycle. It is assumed that temporary supply shortfalls during periods of peak demand will be met by water stored in the soil profile at the beginning of the season. A fixed irrigation cycle can work well for several crops. Specific crops do, however, have critical growth stages. For example, any water stress in maize during the critical tasselling period will result in a significant reduction in crop production. A common mistake is to over-design the fixed cycle application, rather than to make provision for an additional irrigation at critical growth stages. In most cases where a fixed irrigation cycle is used, the crop is over-irrigated. Water, energy, labour, and fertiliser are then wasted, and crop production can also be lower.

Add 50 mm methylated spirits to sample.

Burn off the meths and soil moisture.

Weigh the dry soil.

7. Calculate the mass of dry soil only [mass – mass of pan only] 8. Calculate the mass of water removed [wet mass – dry mass] 9. Calculate the percentage moisture content of the sample

Example From laboratory tests: Dry density of soil = 1 600 kg/m³ Field capacity soil water = 133 mm/m From field test: Sample tin weighs = 138,5 g Wet sample plus tin = 236,7 g Dry sample plus tin = 229,9 g Dry sample = 229,9 – 138,5 = 91,4 g Water lost = 236,7 – 229,9 = 6,8 g Moisture content = (6,8 / 91,4) × 100 = 7,44% = (6,7 / 91) × 1 600 = 119 mm/m The plant draws up water through its roots and it passes through the leaves to the air

• Crop = Cabbage with 400 mm rooting depth. • Field capacity = 133 mm/m (given) • Readily available water = 66,5 mm/m (50%) sample moisture = 119 mm/m • RAW in sample = 119 – 66,5 = 52,5 mm/m • RAW in root zone = 52,5 × 0,4 = 21 mm If current plant water use is in the order of 7 mm per day, then irrigation is not needed for a further 21/7 = 3 days. The drying of soil samples can be a good and accurate method of scheduling. It does, however, require a good deal of measurement and calculation, together with a good understanding of the soil being tested and its properties.

Next month we shall look at scheduling according to weather conditions. 400 mm root zone The function of the first water application is to fill the soil profile with water. Photo: Pixabay.

0,4 x 119 = 48 mm water is in the root zone of the plant. 50% of this can be used (24 mm).

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

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.

ProAgri BNZ 13

Compiled by JP le Roux

Protect your crops 1:

What makes a good sprayer? O

ne of the most important weapons in the farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arsenal is a good herbicide. However, this will do the farmer no good if he cannot apply it to his crops effectively. Having the right tools for the job is of the utmost importance to ensure that you can protect your crops against weeds that can easily diminish your yields. There is a strong correlation between the efficiency of the herbicide and the efficiency of the mode of application. It is therefore important that the farmer uses effective spraying equipment and to calibrate the sprayer correctly. It is essential that the farmer has adequate technical knowledge of all the parts of a sprayer before he decides which one to buy. It will save a lot of time and money, and minimise wastage if the farmer understands the sprayer and knows how to operate it effectively.

Sprayer tank

The tank must be made of a material that cannot corrode easily. The inside of the tank should have a smooth surface to make easy and thorough cleaning and rinsing possible.

A tank with a recessed opening will limit spillage when it is refilled. The opening of the tank should be at least 250 mm wide to allow easy access to the working parts inside the tank. It is essential that the tank must have an outlet on the bottom to allow easy cleaning after use.

Filters

The quality of the filters will play a major role in limiting maintenance time and costs on the sprayer nozzles. The filters will prevent any particles from clogging the nozzles that can lead to uneven application in the field. A minimum of two good-quality filters is recommended to ensure smooth operation; one can be a suction filter and the other a flow-through filter. A screen should also be added to the inlet of the tank to catch any larger particles that may be in the water or crop protection product. Suction filters with screens finer than 100 mesh (around 200 mesh) can limit the flow of certain wettable powders, but is essential when smaller sprayers are being used. Although screens from 150 to 200 mesh can cause problems and uneven spraying by getting blocked partially without the operator noticing it in time, it is still better to use them and clean them regularly. It is easier to clean screens than blocked nozzles. Effective filters are essential for the effective operation of the spray system. Therefore, they must be cleaned regularly and inspected for damage. Use a filter that is easy and quick to clean, without having to take it apart. Certain filters only have a screw top than can be removed for cleaning.

Mixing

The sprayerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main and mixing tank must be rust resistant.

A mixer in the spray tank is essential to distribute the chemicals evenly through the water and to keep the solution in suspension, preventing the chemicals from settling at the bottom

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

and causing fluctuations in application quantities. For proper mixing in tanks holding less than 1 000 litres, there should be a separate pipe between the pump and the closing valve, situated in such a way that it continuously mixes the content of the tank. The open end of the pipe should be close to the bottom to prevent material from settling down on the bottom. For spray tanks larger than 1 000 litres a special mechanical mixer is recommended. It is essential for any tank holding more than 2 000 litres.

The pump determines the effectiveness of the sprayer and is therefore one of the most important components. The main tank and mixing tank should be corrosion and rust resistant. 39

Pump

The pump determines the effectiveness of a sprayer. Many pumps are available with different attributes for different purposes. Factors determining the choice of spray pump: • Volume needed per surface area • Pressure needed for reaching the target evenly • Even volume and spray pressure (essential for accurate application) • Resistance to wear and corrosion caused by chemicals • If there is wear or damage it should be easy, quick, and economical to fix the pump. • Service and ease of cleaning can be crucial, especially if different types of chemicals are being used. • Parts should be freely available. The following pump types are available: Piston pump A piston pump is possibly the most expensive, reliable, and versatile pump. It handles a high spray pressure and volume and can handle rough and smooth materials

It is only recommended for emulsifying concentrates because wear is an important factor with this pump.

Pipes

Always use quality pipes with smooth interior walls able to withstand the corrosive effect of herbicides. Inspect the pipes regularly and replace if needed.

Sprayer nozzles

The nozzle controls the quantity and the thoroughness of the application. Nozzle wear As nozzles wear out, the application volume changes and so does the spray pattern. Tests have shown that some soluble powders can wear out brass sprayers to such an extent that the volume can increase with as much as 24% after 500 hectares have been sprayed. Regular calibration and replacement of these types of nozzles are essential.

Make sure there are no blockages in nozzles. the precisely shaped opening of the nozzle. A good sprayer is a vital component for successful crop farming. With farmers leaning more and more towards minimum and no-till farming, a good sprayer can make the difference in making it work. In our next issue we shall discuss the different nozzles and compare the costs of self-propelled, trailed, and hitched sprayers.

Centrifugal pump Handles all sorts of materials, even rough, abrasive products. Can deliver high volumes at low pressure. Diaphragm pump Handles most types of chemicals. This pump is economical, effective, and also the most widely used spray pump. Please note: • Replace the diaphragms every season • Maintain the pressure in the pressure chamber according to specification

Use the correct nozzle for the chosen application.

Roller pump This pump is the cheapest, but it is not recommended for the spraying of soluble powders, because the rollers and roller chambers can be damaged. Sprayers should be checked regularly to ensure effective application of chemicals. Caring for nozzles Besides the normal wear/corrosion of nozzles by the chemicals, the spray pattern and delivery rate of the nozzle can be influenced by damaged nozzle openings. Damage normally occurs when a hard object such as a needle or a piece of wire is being used to remove a blockage from the nozzle. In no circumstances may a hard object be used to open a nozzle. Rather use a toothbrush or toothpick to clean Inspect all pipes regularly. ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

A quality mixer in the mixing tank is essential. Article written by Koos le Roux, compiler of the Mechanisation Guide. Contact him at +27 82-828-9531 or koosleroux@live.co.za.

ProAgri BNZ 13

by Jaco Cilliers

Bayer partners with emerging farmers to ensure increased profitability S

uccess is attained by people who work together. The English poet, John Donne, once famously said that no man is an island. People need each other in order to survive. It is no different with farmers. Successful farmers did not start out on a commercial scale. Through years of hard work, dedication and gaining expertise, their farms grew from small enterprises to the commercial operations they are today. Apart from the financial resources that farmers need to take their farms to the next level, they also need the knowledge to operate a commercial farm. Bayer realised that emerging farmers need knowledge and skills to help them succeed. Farmers and the companies that supply them need to form symbiotic partnerships to develop the farmer’s full potential, secure future food production and stimulate the economy. That is why Bayer launched the Weekend Farmer concept in Zambia in September this year. The aims of the project are to capture emerging farmer’s attention and to help them realise their full potential. According to Emmanuel Banda, Brand and Customer Activation Specialist for Bayer in Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Weekend Farmer concept will provide the emerging farmers with tailored solutions that can ensure profitability and sustainability. This will enable emerging farmers to generate employment within their communities and strengthen the regional economy. Emerging farmers are an extremely important and fast-growing segment in the agricultural industry of Southern Africa.

Bayer encouraged other industry specialists to join the project. “This is an ideal opportunity for collaboration between major agricultural companies to invest in their future clients,” says Emmanuel. Correct advice It is important that the information shared with the farmers is accurate and relevant to that specific farmer’s needs. That is why Bayer will be looking at specific value chains in order to bring the correct companies and farmers together, and to provide quality information and training. In doing so, Bayer will be able to provide the emerging farmer with the correct advice from across his specific value chain. Bayer will be able to provide the correct advice on the choice of seed and crop protection products, while other collaborators will provide information on soil testing, mechanisation, and marketing of the end product. This will empower the farmer to set up a sustainable and profitable business strategy that can help him to transform from an emerging farmer to a commercial farming business. All that farmers have to do to benefit from Bayer’s Weekend Farmer project, is to simply phone the project manager, Henry Mutelo. He is highly qualified and will be able to provide expert advice on the farmer’s needs. The farmer will engage with Bayer’s qualified and skilled expertise on the day to day management issues concerning his farm production activities. Bayer will provide the necessary technical information to help support

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

Farmers in Zimbabwe who want to benefit from this program can contact the Bayer office in Harare. your farm and can also help you manage the financial aspect of your farm production by providing the best farming solutions to suit your needs. Bayer will give guidance and follow-up support to make your farming investment grow. For more information on how you can benefit, phone Farai Munyanyi, Territory Manager for Zimbabwe, on +26-324-248-7221, or send an e-mail to farai.munyanyi@ bayer.com. 43

Zimbabwe 44

ProAgri BNZ 13

Fert Seed & Grain Ltd MONO AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE (MAP-11 N:52P) SuperFert Mono Ammonium Phosphate is a perfect basal dressing fertilizer that is rich in phosphorous (52%P) and nitrogen (11 % N) to support young plants and promote quick root formation. Improved nitrogen levels also support chlorophyll and photosynthesis in young plants, at the critical stage when its genetic potential is established. Nutrient requirements vary at different stages of plant development, which is why applying the correct fertilizer at the right time will improve your yield, thereby providing the needed food security at household level. At Fertilizer, Seed & Grain Ltd, we encourage feedback from our farmers so that they can share their experience with our SuperFert fertilizer blends. We wish to thank all our esteemed customers within and outside Zambia for trusting SuperFert as their preferred fertilizer of choice.

SUPERFERT THE FORMULA FOR SUCCESS +260 977 610 498 | +260 973 848 229 +260 973 782 627 marketing@fsgzambia.co.zm sales@fsgzambia.co.zm

+ 263 78 271 5320 Zimbabwe@meridian.africa 74A Kew Drive, Highlands, Harare, Zimbabwe

Omnia Fertilizer Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd 8 Paisley Road, Workington. Harare P.O. Box BW736 Borrowdale. Harare Tel: +263 242 781 246, 781 291, 781 304 FCT: +263 782 709 240 / 241 / 242 +263 772 142 707

PFUMVUDZA maize pack

1 plot t n a l p o t 2 Packs feed your that can r 1 year Family fo 63ha. .0 on only 0

ar o w h , A Z D PFUMVU tsa mhuri u hwekug

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

PACK CONTENTS Maize Seed

1kg

Grain Blend

OmniBoost

1kg

Ammonium Nitrate 8kg

K-Humate

1Litre

Lime

8kg 6kg

2 PACKS = 1 PFUMVUDZA PLOT 45

SOLAR

• Rust resistant • No glass, no breakage • Easy to install • No copper, no theft • Ideal for farm labourer cottages

Low Pressure Non Electrical Solar Water Heater

I M P ROVI N G LIFE

R4500* Until 31 October 2020

www.crestsolar.co.za • 0861 086 001 Frame excluded (for display purposes only).

ProAgri BNZ 13

Plant equipment / Truck Sales / Transport • Diesel fix Decontaminate • Mining equipment • MB Crushing Buckets and attachments • Plant Trucks

SOLD 2008 Bell 315 SJ:

2014 Hitachi Zaxis 200:

2011 Bell HD1430R:

•

Transmission refurbished

7 500 hours

8 800 hours / Working near PMB

R 360 000 excl. VAT

R 755 000 excl. VAT

R 980 000 excl. VAT

2015 Komatsu WA320-6:

Bell B20B:

2007 Komatu PC200-7:

•

9 650 hours / new tires

Working on site in Durban

10 300 hours

R 1 050 000 excl. VAT

R 275 000 excl. VAT

R 500 000 excl. VAT

Swift tri axle:

Komatu D85EX-21:

New Mahindra SX-90 4WD:

R 235 000 excl. VAT

•

Cross border transport & delivery

R 695 000 excl. VAT

± 16 000 hours / Fully refurbished / new final dives, engine, blade side plates, undercarriage

Earth master back hoe loader 4.5L / hour fuel

R 735 000 + VAT •

With aircon

R 755 000 + VAT

We also offer: Repairs and maintenance, Diesel /petrol / hydraulic solutions Karl Steyn

karlsteyn9@gmail.com / 072 017 7927 dorotheasteyn7@gmail.com / 064 517 2632 ProAgri BotswanaAdmin: / Namibia076 / Zimbabwe 13 418 7558 Location: Durban, South Africa

•

With 6 in 1 bucket and valve

R 775 000 + VAT 2 000 hour OR 1 year warranty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF85E41P1YE https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CHNT5YRhGwg https://karlsplantfinder.wixsite.com/earthmoving

Patrick Moonga

Rhino 300

Rainmaker 200

Lusaka

Mobile: +260 (0) 978 386660 Office: +260 (0) 211 241286 moonga@saroagri.co.zm

Rainmaker 200 4x4

Clubman 100

Greenkeeper 200

Sportsman 120

The most versatile irrigation system on the market www.rotrixafrica.co.za

Cane Master 300

Hose Master 50/100

The Baler-Wrapper for True Professionals

REEFER/ REFRIGERATED CONTAINERS Why bale silage? BEST FORAGE QUALITY COST EFFICIENT & EASY TRANSPORT INTENSELY INCREASE MILK & MEAT YIELD

Higher profit with Göweil through Film binding, Superb Cutting Quality & Maximum Bale

Density

Baler-Wrapper Combination

Your Contact: Pierre Payré E-Mail: pierre.payre@goeweil.com Tel.: +43 7215 2131 46

G-1 F125 Kombi

www.goeweil.com 48

OPTIMAX COOLING +27 747238627 sales@optimaxcooling.co.za Plot 10, Garsfontein road, Mooikloof, Pretoria East

ProAgri BNZ 13

ONE RTK GUIDANCE SOLUTION FOR YOUR ENTIRE WORK FLEET Improve the efficiency and accuracy of your current fleet with modular RTK guidance systems that can be fitted to a wide range of old and new agricultural machines. The system can easily be moved between machines to provide a one-size-fits-all RTK guidance solution for your farm.

RTK NTRIP guidance system

RTK local guidance system

RTK autosteer system

• • • • •

• • • • • •

Drive straight lines with RTK accuracy Reduce overlaps and missed spots Work at night and with low visibility Save 10-15% of your input costs Ideal for farmers with free local NTRIP (RTK signal) providers

Higher accuracy manual guidance Achieve up to 1 cm accuracy with RTK Work at night and in low visibility Save 10-20% of your input costs Ideal for farmers without local NTRIP (RTK signal) providers

Hands-free parallel lines driving Achieve up to 1 cm accuracy with RTK Work at night and in low visibility Save up to 30% of your input costs Increase your farm’s productivity Pays back from 10 ha

Reduce costs, eliminate overlaps, reduce crop damage, save fuel, improve efficiency, reduce task duration, extend the workday, maximise field potential, keep record and improve yields

Contact us for more information +27 (0)82 619 5026 | enquiries@agtech-africa.com ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 13

Weather Station Your Eyes in the Storm (and Everywhere Else).

Namibia

Access to accurate weather data is one of the best ways to ensure increased yields.

Botswana Cobus Vermaak Marnus Boshoff

+27 82 450 8823 +27 83 701 3605

Zimbabwe Landline

+263 430 5728

View weather data anytime, anywhere via the web or mobile apps from AgSense from Valley.

Wind direction

Wind speed

Temperature

Humidity

Solar Radiation

Rain

Andre Haasbroek +2783 458 7999 Janine Kotze +264 61 228 061

Kevin Williams Gary Grubb

+263 772 601 791 +263 772 601 195

Larry Noble

+263 772 601 792

Ross O Donoghue

+263 772 419 410

valleyirrigation.com

ProAgri BNZ 13

ProAgri BNZ 13

Articles inside

Protect your crops Part 1: What makes a good sprayer?

Irrigation made easy Part 6: Schedule water usage

Saving Namibia’s livestock industry Part 8: Farming in the age of smart phones

Poultry production guide Part 6: The correct steps in the slaughtering process

Everything the farmer needs: The Adendorff tool range is endless

Pig production guide Part 6: Proper housing for proper growth and proper profits

Gain full control over your pivots with Valley’s 365™ platform

SOIL: The farmer’s most important asset Part 10: Soil water (ii

Goat production guide Part 2: Goat breeds, management of does and bucks, and

Ctrack Always Visible: Gain full control over your fleet

How to handle your beef cattle Part 12: Feedlot office complex, workshop