ProAgri BNZ 14

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

No 14

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Letter from the Editor

E

arlier this month I spoke to an executive from an irrigation company.

He said: “Farming is easy. You just add water.”

This might be an over simplified view of the very dynamic and ever-changing agricultural industry, but there is some merit in the statement. According to research done by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Africa can increase its agricultural productivity by at least 50% if the continent develops its irrigation potential. These findings were published in 1997, which begs the question: Why has it not happened yet?

Unfortunately, it is not as simple as just adding water. In order for Africa to fully develop its irrigation potential, certain key elements need to be addressed. First, Africa cannot be seen as a whole. There is a worrying trend of generalisation when it comes to Africa.

Some researchers and organisations tend to view Africa with a “one size fits all” approach. Africa is as large as it is diverse, and each region should be handled according to its own unique circumstances.

For a large-scale irrigation project to be viable and sustainable, the following aspects need consideration: • The availability of water for agriculture.

Irrigation needs to be effective especially in times of drought. The farmer needs to have a secondary source should the river dry up – which is a common occurrence in some regions.

• Adequate infrastructure. Irrigation systems need pipelines and electricity in order to function. In remote areas there are innovative solutions for electricity supply such as solar panels and other forms of renewable energy.

• The private sector. Irrigation companies in Africa are not in short supply.

Farmers are generally spoiled for choice. A positive effect of the highly competitive irrigation market is that prices are reduced in order to be more

affordable than the competition. Secondly, the irrigation systems tend to be of high quality.

• The financial sector. Irrigation systems are an expensive investment. A positive observation that we have made in the industry is that banks and development corporations are getting on board with irrigation companies to help the farmer finance his or her irrigation projects.

• A flexible supplier. Irrigation companies need to realise that not every farmer in Africa can afford, or actually needs, a giant 90-hectare centre pivot. The majority of farmers in Southern Africa are small-scale farmers, wanting to expand their businesses. The good news is that for these farmers there are many options to choose from. From mini centre pivots that are driven by solar power, or a diesel generator, to micro or drip irrigation.

• Government involvement. The world’s population is expanding, which means that there is increasing pressure on the environment, and on the agricultural sector to increase production. Governments need to play a pro-active role in securing future water supply and macro-infrastructure to enable farmers to work their lands.

Once all of these aspects are in place and working together, there can be a noticeable improvement in agricultural production in Africa. ProAgri and Agri4all will keep the farmers up to date with the latest irrigation technology on the market. Remember to get your free copy every month, visit our websites www.proagri.co.za or www.agri4all.com.

Also find us on Facebook where we have expanded to include Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique. We are now active in 9 SADC countries. 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 3. Keep your borehole investment safe with Carl Hamm technology 4. Goat production guide Part 3: Keep your goats and your budget healthy 7. Ctrack Freight & Transport Index returns its best quarter yet 9. Reinke makes rain in the desert 10. How to handle your beef cattle Part 13: Manure handling practices 13. Dip easily, dip today, dip with Tal-Tec. 15. Invest in your growth with Valley Irrigation 17. United Fertiliser: Increase the efficiency of your crop production 19. Orion Irresistible Pecans: The pecan nut trees that thrive in Sub Saharan Africa 25. Making profit from poultry Part 7: Identify and prevent heat stress 27. Pig production guide Part 7: Create new possibilities with waste management 31. Irrigation made easy part 7: Scheduling according to weather conditions 35. Protect your crop Part 2: Use the correct nozzles 39. Bayer shapes the future of agriculture through innovative products 43. Agri4all.com: All your agricultural needs on one convenient site

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

Cover Protect your borehole investment with the latest Carl Hamm technology.

Read more on page 3.

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

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ProAgri BNZ 14

Keep your borehole investment safe with Carl Hamm technology. Don't throw money into the water Factors in safe water abstraction installations

Selecting components based purely on a pressure rating is very dangerous and you could possibly lose your equipment. Carl Hamm considers every variable.

by Jaco Cilliers

B

uying the cheapest products is often the most expensive option. Many companies offer cheap products that might end up costing you your borehole.

Chris Munnick, CEO of Carl Hamm SA, explains: “People only take the pressure into consideration when choosing the pipes that they attach to their borehole pump. This can be fatal for the borehole. If the weight of the water, pipe, cable, pump, and motor

For your own risk management the supplier must sign off the design incorporating: • Pump shut valve pressure • Pump and motor weight • Cable weight • Pipe and coupler weight • Water weight • Surge • Safety factor between 2 and 3

are not also considered, the coupling can fail, which means that all your expensive equipment will drop into the borehole.”

This is why Carl Hamm provides a

unique water abstraction solution to every client. They ensure that all the variables are taken into consideration and then multiply the results by two to three times to ensure safety.

During the development of the ZSM coupling that joins the pipes, every stress point is identified and thoroughly tested to minimise accidental failures.

Carl Hamm specialises in industrial applications as well, and installs borehole water abstraction systems varying between 50 mm and 1 400 mm in size.

One of the reasons for Carl Hamm’s success is the ZSM connection coupling that they use, along with the quality of the pipes that can withstand pressures of up to 150 bar.

For more information on the products and services that Carl Hamm can provide, contact Chris Munnick on +27(0)10-900-2005 or send an e-mail to chris@carl-hamm.co.za. Visit their website at www.carl-hamm.co.za.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

3

Goat production guide Part 3: Keep your goats and your budget healthy B

uying good quality feed is a lot cheaper than buying good medicine.

The first line of defence against disease is the quality and quantity of feed that the animals are given. Good feed ensures that the animal remains in a good condition and strong enough to combat infections and illness. But what makes a good quality feed?

Obviously, the farmer needs to ensure that the feed contains enough proteins and other nutrients, but the feed also needs to be consistent. This is often neglected. Sudden changes in the composition of the goat’s diet can lead to diarrhoea, which can lead to other diseases in the flock.

Goats can be kept healthy by: • Ensuring that they have access to enough feed of the correct quality.

• Ensuring they have access to clean water.

• Following a vaccination programme against common diseases.

• Keeping internal and external parasites under control.

Providing the goats with sufficient feed is vital to keep them healthy. Goats do not always get all the required nutrients from foraging in the field and should receive an additional high protein feed to supplement their diet.

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• • •

Keeping sick goats separate so that disease does not spread to healthy goats.

Making sure that any goats introduced into the flock are disease-free.

Sheltering goats from adverse weather.

Animals that do not spend too much of their energy on getting warm or staying cool are better enabled to recover from disease. It is therefore wise to provide sick animals with shade and shelter from wind and rain to keep them warm and comfortable.

If a goat does get sick it needs to be treated. It is essential to keep record of goats that you treat because if a particular animal gets sick often, it should be culled as it is a weak individual costing you money and also passing on bad genes to the next generation.

A sick goat shows the following symptoms: • It will appear dull and listless.

• It may have obvious symptoms of sickness such as coughing or diarrhoea.

• It may not follow the rest of the flock when they go out to graze.

• It may have an abnormal temperature – either too high or too low.

One sick animal can contaminate healthy animals. This can result in the sick animal getting re-infected after it has recovered. Sometimes when a farmer has many sick animals, or a neighbour has sick animals, it means that the occurrence of disease in the area is very high. It is extremely difficult to keep individual animals healthy when there is a lot of disease around. Farmers who are aware of common diseases in their area need to think strategically about how to combat these diseases as a community rather than trying to just keep their own animals healthy. This is also true of parasites that cause diseases, like ticks and worms. If some animals have a lot of ticks or worms, it is difficult to stop the ticks and worms spreading to all the animals in a herd.

Ticks are common disease carriers.

This is why animals often get sick in early summer when there are a lot of ticks. Once the animal’s immune system is used to the ticks again, the animal can fight the tick diseases.

Livestock owners in areas where the heartwater disease occurs must be very careful about buying animals from other areas, because if they come from areas that do not have heartwater, the animals’ immune systems will not recognise the disease and cannot protect them. The animal’s immune system is influenced by the diseases that the animal has been exposed to. If an animal was exposed to a disease

and managed to survive, the natural immune system will fend off future infections of the particular disease.

One way of getting an animal to have contact with a weakened form of the disease without killing the animal, is vaccination. Some vaccinations must be given every year while others need only be given once in an animal’s life.

Another way for the animal to develop its immune system is through the infant animal being born with some of its mother’s immune cells. Infant livestock also develop stronger immune systems if they suckle their mothers very soon after birth to drink the first milk called colostrum, which is filled with the mother’s immune cells (antibodies).

Vaccination Farmers need to be aware of common diseases that affect goats in their area and then follow an appropriate vaccination programme. Vaccination is only possible for certain diseases. With these diseases, you can give the

healthy animal an injection that will prevent it from contracting a particular disease. This is different to treating an animal once it is sick.

One of the key vaccines you can give a goat is Multivax P • Multivax P will control Pasteurella (lung infections), pulpy kidney, tetanus, and black quarter.

• Young goats can be injected at 4 to 5 months and again at 5 to 6 months of age.

• Adult goats: Can be treated annually at the onset of the rainy season, and followed up with a second treatment after 4 weeks.

Other vaccinations should only be given if a problem is positively identified by a veterinarian or animal health technician, for example: enzootic abortion, Brucella melitensis (also commonly called CA).

In the next edition we shall discuss common diseases that goat farmers should be aware of.

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

Taking care of goats’ hooves is important to keep them strong and healthy.

Perform regular inspections so that any problems can be rectified. Pay attention to the goats as they walk. Limping goats should be treated to prevent foot rot and other hoof diseases.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

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ProAgri BNZ 14

Ctrack Freight & Transport Index returns its best quarter yet T

he South African Logistics sector has just completed its strongest ever quarter of growth to date. As it often happens, the biggest decline was followed by the highest growth. With September being the end of the third quarter, Statistics SA is expected to release the updated GDP figures soon, and all indications are that it will show the strongest growth per quarter in our lifetime. Sub-Saharan Africa will follow closely in these footsteps.

In June 2020, the Ctrack Freight Transport Index showed that the logistics sector recorded a decline of 17,6%, compared to the previous quarter, while the growth over the second quarter has improved with 11,8%. According to the Ctrack Freight Transport Index, only two subsectors recorded a decline. Those were Pipelines, which is the smallest subsector and Storage, which is historically very difficult to predict.

“The Ctrack Freight Transport Index has been recording these trends for a considerable period of time and we have never seen such growth and recovery, which is excellent news for the economy,” Hein Jordt, Managing Director of Ctrack SA, says.

Freight transport tracks the economy in the near real-time, and shows that the third quarter GDP will be the highest on record too. The Ctrack Freight Transport Index has a very close relationship with GDP, and is also strongly correlated to the coincident index.

This is of course why we now expect the strongest GDP on record for South Africa and many other countries too.

While this recovery might seem remarkable, one must remember that if your turnover is cut by 50% from R1 000 to R500 in one year and you get a 50% increase on the R500 turnover the next (year two), your turnover is now only R750, which is still 25% lower than in year one.

However, this does not take away from the strength of the bounce or the

behind the same quarter last year. A complete recovery is only expected in a year’s time.

The recovery in the road transport sector may be due to the move towards courier type transport, however long-distance freight transport was at a similar level in September as it was in September 2019. That being said, September 2019 featured plenty of strike action and was also a weak economic

Table 1: The Ctrack Freight Transport Index measured changes record-breaking nature of the recovery, but it does indicate that everything is not back to normal yet. With normal meaning the logistics sector returning to where it was before the slowdown in mid-2019.

The effects of the second wave of COVID-19 are yet to be seen, however now it seems to have hit Europe the hardest. China has recovered and is growing strongly, while indications are that the recession in the US was not as bad as feared.

“We expect some negative effects, but we believe that they will not be as devestating as those of the first wave,” Hein says.

Internal sectors are faring better than those with a bigger foreign trade factor.

The Ctrack Freight Transport Index covers six sub-sectors in the logistics arena. They all behave differently, particularly during a world-wide crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Land based transport shows improvements Rail and Road recorded similar increases of 16% and 16,8% compared to the previous quarter. While both major forms of land transport report disruptions, such as border delays and illegal strike action, they are both only 7%

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

quarter for the overall South African economy.

Pipelines reported the biggest decline at 38,7% quarter on quarter.

This is due to the storing of massive amounts of fuel during the second quarter and it may be another month or two before we see quarterly increases again. With many motorists still not driving due to widespread work from home policies, fuel usage remains below par (apart from diesel for trucking which is close to normal).

“South Africa is on the verge of climbing on the economic recovery train with companies keen to recover losses and restore their turnover figures. However, if business and the public do not continue to adhere to the basic hygiene and protection guidelines, we could be back into lockdown before we know it. Companies that barely survived the first lockdown will be sent off a cliff in a second round, and the economic consequences will be significantly more severe if this happens,” Hein says.

Become part of a winning team.

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patrickellis@reinke.com ProAgri BNZ 14

Reinke makes rain in the desert

by Jaco Cilliers

N

amibia is known for its magnificent red dunes and pristine coastline.

Normally, people associate the country with the fishing industry that is the economic heartbeat of many coastal villages.

Livestock is one of Namibia’s main agricultural export products, despite the country being very arid. The challenge is to produce enough feed for the livestock industry to survive. Many farmers have opted for irrigation solutions to feed their livestock.

Reinke provides tailor-made irrigation systems to suit the needs of the individual farmer. One farmer that can attest to this fact is Danie Prinsloo from Maltahohe district in Namibia.

Danie farms with Dorper sheep and boer goats, and needed irrigation on his pastures. Danie uses a borehole to extract water from the underground water source on his farm. “We installed a 6-hectare pivot on the farm to irrigate the pastures and ensure that the plants perform their best all year round,” says Danie. Pivots are not cheap, but they are a necessary investment for any farmer who wants to expand his farming business. “The investment was worth every cent,” says Danie.

“Every farmer should consider a Reinke pivot for his farm. It allows you to ensure that your livestock will have enough feed all year round by regularly giving sufficient moisture to gain optimal growth,” Danie added.

Agriturf is part of Reinke’s dealership network in Southern Africa and provides irrigation services to the farmers of Namibia. The team from Agriturf had to get creative with the installation on Danie’s farm due to the fact that there is no electricity available near the pivot. “We designed a solar system to power the Reinke pivot and it is working like a charm,” says Marco de Wet, Business Manager of Agriturf. The solar system was designed so that the power generated by the solar panel is

The 6-hectare Reinke pivot was erected on Danie Prinsloo’s farm in Namibia. It was the first Reinke pivot that was powered using only solar power. delivered directly to the pivot. There is no need for expensive batteries for the system to work properly.

Danie explains why he chose a Reinke pivot in the first place. “When comparing cost and quality, Reinke was by far the best value for money.

Second, I really liked the design of the pivot. It is made from durable, lightweight material and has a lower centre of gravity. The management system is simple and effective.”

Danie further explains that the maintenance needed on his Reinke pivot is minimal. Gearboxes need to be serviced on a regular basis as required, and the pivot is lubricated regularly.

Apart from that it simply does what it is intended to do: keeping that pas-

tures wet and growing Danie’s profit.

The service that Danie received from Reinke and Agriturf was exceptional.

“Marco and his team were always available when I needed them,” says Danie.

The lockdown did not have any effect on delivery time.

“We keep Reinke spares in stock here in Windhoek, so we were not really affected by the borders being closed,” Marco explains. “We provide our customers with the best service and products, and Reinke pivots are simply the best,” says Marco.

Reinke prides itself in the innovative design of the pivot structure to cut down on maintenance and operational costs, and to increase the lifespan of the irrigation system. They do not merely supply the pivots, but their network of dealers is also involved in the planning and design of each pivot to ensure that it meets the needs of every individual farmer.

Danie Prinsloo could not be happier with the feed he is able to produce for his sheep and goats with the help of his Reinke pivot.

Contact Patrick Ellis, Director of Reinke South Africa, on +27(0)83326-9058 for any further enquiries, or send an e-mail to patrickellis@reinke.com.

The 6-hectare Reinke pivot was delivered and installed on Danie’s farm in January this year by the team from Agriturf.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

9

How to handle your beef cattle Part 13

Manure handling practices Regular manure removal can increase profits.

W

e have reached the last article in our beef cattle handling series, and this month we look at waste management. A farmer can prevent many diseases and animal stress if the manure is removed regularly. Proper design of the feedlot will make this process easy and inexpensive.

Beef cattle produce about 63 kg of wet manure per 1 000 kg live mass per day. Natural processes of evaporation and biological breakdown processes decrease this mass to about one tonne of solid manure (at 40% moisture) from each animal that remains in the feedlot for 150 days.

Quantities to be removed vary from 60% of this average figure, depending on the ration, number of cattle per square metre, feedlot surface, cleaning procedure and many other factors.

The tempo of manure removal from a feedlot is determined partly by climatic conditions, comfort of the animals, available labour, as well as water and air pollution. As a rule, manure is usually removed when cattle are withdrawn from a specific holding pen.

Seen from an environmental view10

point, a continuous aerobic breakdown of manure in a feedlot is preferred. By keeping the moisture content of the manure at 25% to 50%, dust control and aerobic breakdown of the manure will be encouraged and odour problems will be limited. This means that the manure will have to be wetted. To prevent odours during the cleaning action, only the top layer of manure must be removed if possible, so that an aerobic layer of manure is still present.

Equipment used for manure removal vary according to the size of the feedlot, the distance to transport the manure and the actual time that the equipment is to be used. A front or rear mounted grader blade, combined with a tractor, can be used for piling the manure into a heap. A blade mounted to the rear of a tractor will simplify the scraping around posts and fences.

Depending on the size of the enterprise, a tractor mounted or self propelled front loader, or a telehandler can be used to load the manure onto the manure wagon or trailer for removal.

Piling up of manure into heaps of 1,5 m high in pens, is seen as an

interim step of manure collection. It promotes drainage of the areas surrounding the piles, and provides a dry resting area for cattle during long wet periods. Further drying and breakdown also occur during manure storage. This manner of piling of manure will cause odour problems if not removed within four to five days. This is, however, acceptable, as the odour problems do not last long.

Run-off control Run-off at feedlots must be restrained by means of weirs and no contamination of public water is allowed. It is generally accepted that, if less than 12 mm of rain has fallen on a feedlot area, the area contains 12 mm of moisture, except if there was precipitation during the preceding 72 hours. The earth beneath the manure layer is compacted by trampling, which allows very little water to penetrate the layer of manure.

The quantity of solids carried away by run-off comprises less than 10% of the manure produced by the cattle.

The total solids carried away annually from an open beef cattle feedlot to

ProAgri BNZ 14

end up in manure storage dams, can be calculated by accepting a total solid concentration of 1,5%.

Fly control at a feedlot The basic requirement for fly control is to get rid of the cause of the flies. This can be done as follows: • Design the feedlot in such a way that thorough drainage takes place, especially beneath fences or near water troughs where animals do not walk often. An increase in flies will not occur on surfaces trampled by animals.

• Remove manure five days after the animals have been vacated to control the larvae phase.

• Chemical control must be performed strictly according to prescription.

Bait and spraying of poison will control the mature flies.

Operation costs The profit margin of a feedlot is currently described as sensitive and risky.

The level of management must be extremely high. It is understandable why good management is of cardinal importance, because irrespective of the capital costs of the enterprise (land, housing, transport, water supply and manure handling), figures have shown that losses regarding operational costs can undeniably be attributed to low turnover relations, poor control over mechanical processes, mortality figures, poor market strategies, as well as poor feed management.

It is therefore recommended that the most economical infrastructure is created to remain cost effective.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

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Published with acknowledgement to the ARC Agricultural Engineering for the use of their Beef Cattle Handling Manual.

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ProAgri BNZ 14

Dip easily, dip today, dip with Tal-Tec with 34 jets, and the semi-portable and mobile spray races both have 24 jets, spraying from all four sides to ensure the dip gets onto the entire body of the animal.

The dip mix is recycled as the dip runs back into the tank through a sieve, and therefore you can dip up to 300 cattle with 1ℓ of dip. Cattle can be dipped as often as your programme calls for at minimum cost and using minimum labour while still achieving maximum results.

Tal-Tec has three different cattle spray race models: • Static – is installed by cementing it into the floor • Semi-portable – is moveable, but does not have wheels • Mobile unit – has wheels but is not roadworthy

The semi-portable cattle spray race drenches the cattle in dip fluid through 24 jets, ensuring that no parasite can hide in any hard to reach place.

Tal-Tec livestock spray races increase productivity while reducing cost

L

ivestock carry parasites. This is an inconvenient fact, but a fact none the less. Parasites live on livestock and are the vectors of various diseases. To keep your livestock happy, healthy, and profitable you need to dip them regularly, especially during the warm and wet summer months. The process of dipping livestock can be costly, labour intensive and time consuming – unless you own a Tal-Tec livestock spray race.

With your Tal-Tec spray race dipping your flock or herd of livestock becomes quick, easy, and effective.

It is particularly important to know which ticks are in your area before dipping your animals and which dip is mostly used in your area. You will be able to get this information from your vet. The dip ratio is vital to ensure the best results from your dip. Because of the small volume of dip required to operate a spray race, it is feasible to

NEW

The new sheep spray race has 15 jets spraying from the sides, top, bottom and one at the back to spray under the tail. prepare fresh dip for every dipping to ensure the best results.

The cattle static spray race is built

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

The semi-portable and mobile spray races must be empty when transported. The Tal-Tec static spray race is the most effective model and has been developed and produced for the past 46 years.

The new sheep spray race has up to 15 jets spraying from the sides, top, bottom and one at the back to spray under the tail. It works with a solenoid that is triggered by a sensor once the sheep walks past it. The dip sprays until the sheep moves past the sensor. As soon as one sheep exits the spray race it is ready for the next sheep.

The sheep dip is mixed with water at the recommended ratio. The solution is then sprayed onto the sheep under high pressure in order to penetrate the wool and onto the skin.

Remember to always follow the instructions on the label of the dip. If dip is applied incorrectly, it can either cost a lot of money and not yield any results, or it may cause health risks to livestock.

The spray race sprays between 2 and 3 litres of the dip solution per sheep and is equipped with a 12 V rechargeable battery for powering the sensor and solenoid valve. It can also be connected to an electrical outlet by using the charging cable provided. The sheep spray race is easy to use and operate.

With Tal-Tec Livestock spray races you will be able to dip your animals with ease, with minimum cost and minimum labour. For more information, contact Tal-Tec on+27(0)12250-2188 / +27(0)66-2997939, send an e-mail to sales@taltec.co.za, or visit the website www.tal-tec.co.za 13

DON’T REPLACE, RE-PIPE

Namibia

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

Botswana

Zimbabwe

Landline Kevin Williams

Gary Grubb Larry Noble

Ross O Donoghue

14

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ProAgri BNZ 14

Invest in your growth with Valley Irrigation

by Jaco Cilliers

A

centre pivot can outlive a farmer if it is built using superior quality material, has a robust design, is well maintained and is reliable. These are all qualities that farmers have become accustomed to from Valley Irrigation.

Valley pivots enable the farmer to ensure that his crops will be successful year after year.

Hannes Schutte from Sudami 13CC Farm outside Groblersdal in South Africa acquired his first pivot in 1998.

Since then he has installed a pivot every second year, and today he is the proud owner of 11 pivots.

“The pivots pay themselves in about two to four years depending on the crops planted and the size of the pivot,” explains Hannes.

Valley enables the farmer to ensure success with his cash crops by eliminating the risk of drought. It is not a cheap investment, but it is an inevitable one for any farmer who wishes to expand his cash crop business.

22 years later, the first pivot that Hannes bought still operates on the farm. “Valley provides a good quality product, but the secret lies in taking care of your investment,” says Hannes.

“Farmers like to apply fertiliser and other chemicals through their pivots.

With Valley’s galvanised iron pipes, this is not a problem. But it is still better to flush the system with clean water after chemicals were applied. This is how I have treated my pivots, and why they still look and work like new pivots even after 22 years,” Hannes explains.

There are certain parts of the pivot that have to be checked regularly, for example the sprayer heads and nozzles. Wheels and tyres also have to

Hannes's Valley pivot irrigates 90 hectares and has worked season after season without failing once for the past 22 years.

Valley Irrigation uses high quality galvanised iron and a sturdy structural design to ensure longevity in their pivots.

Jannes van Niekerk and Jimmy Ludwig (Loskop Valley Besproeiing), Hannes Schutte (owner Sudami 13 cc Farm), and Cobus Vermaak and Francois Griesel from Valley Irrigation South Africa with a pivot that was erected in 1998. be checked often. “If a tyre goes flat without noticing it in time, you will lose the whole wheel as well,” explains Hannes.

Apart from the regular checks, he services the gearboxes and driveshafts before the beginning of every season.

This ensures that Hannes will not have to worry about breakages and unproductive time.

Valleyfication of ordinary pivot Hannes’s 11 Valley pivots range from 1,7 hectares to 90 hectares in size. “On one farm, we inherited another type of pivot, but over the years I have replaced parts of this pivot with Valley parts,” says Hannes.

Jimmy Ludwig from Loskop Valley Besproeiing in Groblersdal has worked closely with Hannes to develop the infrastructure on his farm. Over the years, both Jimmy and Loskop Valley Besproeiing played a pivotal part in the success of the Sudami farm. “Valley builds lasting relationships with their growers by ensuring that the after sales service matches the longevity of the pivots,” says Jimmy.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

The various types of control systems that Hannes uses to keep track of the operations of his pivots are all very user friendly. “Even the oldest pivot was installed with a system that I could pre-programme for two weeks in advance. This was leading edge technology at the time,” says Hannes.

Francois Griesel explains how Valley Irrigation has kept the leading technological edge in the irrigation market over the years. 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 and monitor his pivots accordingly from wherever he may find himself at the moment.

This enables him to exercise full control over the irrigation on his farm,” Francois says.

Apart from the user-friendly management systems that keep Valley Irrigation on the leading edge of irrigation technology, the company also builds strong, robust structures that withstood many storms. Their superior quality galvanised iron, along with a durable structural design, puts Valley Irrigation in a class of their own. “Since I have installed the first pivot on this farm in 1998, not one pivot has fallen over, and we have had some serious storms during this time,” says Hannes.

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 irrigation systems, as well as the 365™ options, contact Francois Griesel at Francois.Griesel@Valmont.com, or +27(0)67-412-9089.

15

GENUINE BALING PERFORMANCE FOR GENUINE FARMERS

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL JOHN DEERE DEALER FOR MORE DETAILS

United Fertilizers:

Increase the efficiency of your crop production

by Maksim Poltoradnev

I

f we consider fertilisers in African crop production, they are the second most important factor after water.

This is not surprising, since the soils of many regions are poor in organic material and/or consist of an insufficient nutrient composition. Therefore, these soils cannot fully provide plants with necessary nutrients in a quantity sufficient for healthy development and high productivity.

The consumption of fertiliser in SubSaharan countries remains the lowest in the world today. The most striking example is the comparison of total imports of nitrogenous and potash fertiliser in Africa and Latin America.

All 55 African countries import about 2,6 million tonnes of urea and 1,3 million tonnes of potassium chloride per year, compared to the 33 Latin American countries who import 10,2 million tonnes and 12 million tonnes per year, respectively. On average, an

African farmer applies about 16 kg of fertiliser per hectare. For comparison, in South Africa, which is characterised by the most developed agriculture in the region, this figure is about 60 kg/ ha, in the USA it is 140 kg/ha and in Germany, it is 190 kg/ha.

What is the reason for low consumption of fertiliser in African countries?

Like agriculture in general, the problem is complex. The set of reasons can be divided into two large groups, namely those caused by external factors and those caused by human factors. The farmers name lack of access to educational and advisory services, limited funds, supplier distrust, lack of a market for finished produce and low commodity prices, as being major discouragements to investment in fertiliser.

Equally important is access to reference information, professional agronomist advice and training programmes.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

In Africa, the official distributor, United Fertilizer Company Limited (UFCL), exclusively represents the interests and products of URALCHEM and Uralkali. UFCL positioned themselves not only as supplier of fertiliser, but also as a versatile partner that you can count on, with whom you can effectively do business, build long-term relationships, and with whom any product that is new to the market can be promoted along the supply chain. They actively communicate with all players in the agricultural market, including importers and distributors, producers of seeds and crop protection companies, research, non-profit organisations, and, of course, farmers.

The UFCL marketers, along with the commercial team, are directly involved in discussions on ways to increase the efficiency of agricultural production.

They share developments in the field of balanced plant nutrition, one of the prerequisites in achieving high quality and quantity yields, using their rich positive experience in Africa and other regions of the world like Southeast Asia, China, India, Latin America, and Europe.

More information on field tests is coming up in next issues and on their website, www.ufertilizers.com.

17

18

ProAgri BNZ 14

Orion Irresistible Pecans:

The pecan nut trees that thrive in Sub Saharan Africa

T

he pecan industry has a rich and stable history, and the future looks even brighter. Since the 1800s it has shown steady growth, but since China entered the market, that steady growth skyrocketed.

Over the last decade, more and more farmers started planting pecan trees with the hope that they will get a piece of that success. The industry is still in its adolescent phase and continues to establish itself. Much research must be done for further development.

China's interest in pecans acted as the first catalyst to the increased plantings, but the financial opportunity that followed proved to be the most significant stimulus. Farmers who struggled to make a living off traditional row crops turned to permanent crops as a solution to their financial woes.

The boom in nut prices in recent years is expected to continue as consumers opt for healthier foods. This convinced more and more farmers to replace their crops with pecan trees.

While pecan farming can be a lucrative venture, aspiring growers must begin with a solid foundation.

Pecan nut farming is a long-term investment, dependent on the producer making the correct choices early in the business. Choosing the right location, cultivar and land preparation technique are crucial to ensure orchards function optimally from the start, and that the return on investment is maximised.

One of the biggest challenges facing potential pecan farmers is the long wait for a return on investment. It takes six to eight years for a tree to

start producing, and around 10 years until a farmer can start turning a profit.

Orchards expected to bear fruit for multiple generations require perfect planning. Any shortcuts taken in the beginning could cost the farmer for years to come. Farmers considering nut farming must order trees timeously as plant material is scarce nowadays.

Trees are ordered by cultivar and then the nurseries start to propagate them accordingly.

While pecan trees like dry conditions, they also require wet roots, and prefer short, cold winters and long, hot summers. Pecan trees need 285 days a year for growing, with warm nights.

The trees can handle frost, as the low temperature ensures the tree goes into complete dormancy, which ensures even growth in spring.

High-humidity areas are susceptible to scab, therefore farmers in such areas should invest in tolerant varieties.

While pecan trees can grow in shallow soil, the soil should be between at least 100 to 150cm deep for commercial production.

Choose your nursery with care Farmers must source quality trees. Before placing an order, farmers should ask where the nursery gets its rootstock or seed and whether it can guarantee that the variety is pure. Since there has been a shortage of trees, many new nurseries have popped up that are not accredited.

South Africa did not lag behind, and many pecan farms and nurseries sprouted all over the country to supply

Orion Irresistible Pecans take care to breed and grow exquisite quality pecan trees.

The orchards on Orion Irresistible Pecans nursery farm are sprayed with zinc and foliage nutrition. the industry. Some of these nurseries export their young trees to other Sub Saharan African countries. Orion Irresistible Pecans is one of those.

This nursery farm is accredited with all the regulatory bodies, and is located between Wesselsbron and Bothaville in the Free State province of South Africa.

They have over 8 000 trees in their orchard and the nursery offers four varieties - Choctaw, Navaho, Sutex and Wichita. They supply bagged trees in different sizes.

Orion Irresistible Pecans’ bagged trees are grown and prepared in the nursery and are ready to be planted. This method holds many benefits: • The replant success rate is higher • The health, quality and variety are already visible • It reaches the production stage faster Pecan farming is an expensive and long-term investment. If done properly, it could ensure an income for many generations to come. In the US, there are productive orchards over 100 years old.

Jaco van Zyl, owner of Orion Irresistible Pecans, is proud of these bagged small trees, ready for shipment.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

Order your trees before it is too late. Contact Hannes van Zyl at +27(0)82-572-5635 or e-mail hannesvanzyl.hvz@gmail.com, or hannes.vanzyl@orionirresistiblepecans.co.za. Visit their website at www.orionirresistiblepecans.co.za 19

20

ProAgri BNZ 14

Stretch water and reduce costs with Agrico

by Du Preez de Villiers

soon as the water level in the borehole becomes too low. It switches the pump back on as soon as it is safe again. This ensures that the pump never runs dry and never gets damaged.

The pivots and drip irrigation have different and specific pressure and flow needs. These are met by using pumps with variable frequency drives (VFDs) to regulate the pump’s delivery. VFDs ensure that the irrigation is always efficient and without any energy wastage due to unnecessary high pumping

or computer, Rynier can monitor the water levels over time. This enables him to plan his irrigation schedule in advance. This app is integrated with Agrico's systems, which streamlines the management process. He can adjust the water supply and turn pumps on and off remotely. The app also records electricity consumption, which is very convenient for expense calcula-

Water level and litres pumped daily Click and drag in the plot area to zoom in 8

6

4

0

Kilo liters pumped (kl)

desperate water shortage handicapped Beerseun Farm’s irrigation operations outside Tzaneen in the northern part of South Africa up to a year ago. But it took a dramatic positive turn when they employed the best technology and equipment they could lay their hands on, to get the maximum out of the water at their disposal.

Today, they plant sweetcorn, green beans, pumpkins, brinjals, various cultivars of peppers, papayas, guavas, macadamia nuts, citrus and figs.

They mainly supply the retail market such as Freshmark, Woolworths and Pick n Pay, and will send their surplus products to the market. For Woolworths and Pick n Pay, they pack on the farm and will even stick on the labels for upcoming specials!

Beerseun has been working with Agrico for over 16 years now. Agrico equipment and systems can be seen all over the farm. Rynier Steenekamp, Production Manager, knows how to use every drop of the limited water supply, and Agrico understands and supports him all the way. "We have centre pivot, drip and micro irrigation, but I am in the process of phasing out the microirrigation systems, because the evaporation is too high. The drippers deliver the same volume of water, but place it directly on the ground, next to the plant,” he says.

His pivots are ideal to irrigate full surface areas very efficiently and with high uniformity. Care has been taken to choose the most efficient spray packages, with ideal droplet size, low pressure and at the correct height to minimise possible losses. He also runs the pivots at night to eliminate losses due to evaporation, and the drip irrigation during the day. This is done to utilise the boreholes optimally over 24 hours.

The farm's borehole capacity is under pressure. The boreholes take a long time to recover if too much water is extracted. Agrico worked with Rynier to devise a plan to make the best use of the limited water without damaging the boreholes or the pumps by running dry.

They purchased and installed a very nifty system that shuts down the pump as

Average Water Level (m)

A

On Beerseun Farm, Agrico's pivots work at night to limit evaporation, while their drip irrigation works during the day, enabling them to make optimal use of the erratic water supply from their boreholes.

No. kL pumped Ave. Water Level (pump on) Ave. Water Level (pump off)

2

4. Sep

6. Sep

8. Sep

10. Sep

12. Sep

14. Sep

16. Sep

18. Sep

20. Sep

22. Sep

24. Sep

26. Sep

28. Sep

30. Sep Highcharts.com

Graph 1: This graph, from the monitoring system, displays the water level over time of one of the Beerseun Farm boreholes.

Agrico installed this system for Beerseun Farm to ensure that their borehole pumps never run dry. pressure in the system.

It has been five years since Beerseun received proper rain and the river that flows through the farm does not always run. Efficient and precise management of the scarce water source is therefore essential.

Through an application on his phone

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

tions, reporting and budget purposes.

Agrico has a branch in Tzaneen, which is conveniently close by. They provide a seamless irrigation service, from designing complete irrigation systems according to the customers’ needs, providing the irrigation equipment and material, and including a very thorough after-sales service. To back up this dedicated service, an extensive range of parts are stocked and technicians are always on stand-by. Agrico's systems are supported everywhere in Southern Africa with local factories in South Africa, an own branch network as well as experienced dealers.

Agrico is always ready to help.

Contact Alfred Andrag at +27(0)82 824 1214 or +27(0) 21 950 4111, or alfred.andrag@agrico.co.za for more information.

21

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.

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ProAgri BNZ 14

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ProAgri BNZ 14

Making profit from poultry Part 7:

Identify and prevent heat stress

by Jaco Cilliers

S

ummer has arrived in Southern Africa and the temperatures are soaring. This can lead to high levels of discomfort, not only for humans, but also for animals and poultry in particular.

When temperatures are too high, poultry can suffer from a condition called heat stress. This can cause fatalities, reduced growth, and poor egg quality. Every farmer, especially emerging and small-scale farmers, should know how to identify, prevent, and treat heat stress.

Farmers should closely monitor their poultry for any signs that might indicate heat stress. These include: • Heavy breathing / difficult breathing • Pale combs / wattles • Lifting wings away from body • Lethargy • Diarrhoea • Seizures/convulsions Prevention is always better than cure.

Most of the risks of heat stress can be prevented when planning to build the chicken coup. By paying special attention to certain aspects in and around the chicken coup you can ensure that your chickens will remain cool and calm throughout the summer.

Shade Build your chicken coup in a place where there will be shade during the day, especially in the afternoon when temperatures reach their peak. If you cannot use buildings or trees to provide shade, you should consider building a shade net structure to keep the coup out of direct sunlight.

Ventilation Chicken coups should be well ventilated in summer and well insulated in winter.

This presents a challenge. Farmers usually build screens on the sides of the coups that can be closed at night or during colder conditions and opened during the day. This will ensure that there is enough movement in the air to keep the chickens cool and comfortable.

Keeping your chickens cool and calm will increase their production and limit your losses. The best way to combat heat stress in poultry is to plan ahead and be proactive in prevention.

Space It is vital to not overcrowd the chicken coup. Chickens, like humans, give off body heat and just as you can become hot and irritable in an overcrowded place, so can the chickens. According to an American forum, the recommended space per chicken is 4 square feet, or in local terms, you can keep three chickens for every square metre in the chicken coup.

Water The availability of clean, cool drinking water throughout the day is vital to prevent heat stress. Farmers that have access to sufficient water can also install misting systems in the coups to keep the chickens cool. Just be careful not to make the chickens and the bedding too wet, as this can have a negative impact on the health of the birds.

Should you find that some of the chickens are showing symptoms of heat stress, the best way to treat this is by supplementing their intake of electrolytes. When the chickens overheat, their bodies lose electrolytes and

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

dehydration sets in.

A good tip is to mix electrolyte additives that are usually sold in a soluble powder with water and to freeze this mixture in ice cube trays. These ice cubes can then be added to the chicken’s drinking water to serve a dual purpose: It will provide extra electrolytes and keep the chickens’ drinking water cooler.

It always pays to be proactive. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and add the electrolytes to the drinking water when you know it is going to be a hot day.

Another helpful tip is to feed the chickens during cooler times of the day. Digestion creates body heat, so it would be best to feed the chickens early in the morning or late in the afternoons.

Keep the chickens safe and calm during hot periods. Do not let children or other animals like dogs chase them.

This will add to their stress and generate more body heat, which can cause them to die.

25

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Pig production guide Part 7: Create new possibilities with waste management A

n important operation on any pig farm is proper waste management.

The manure produced in the piggery can cause many problems if not managed effectively. If sound waste management principles are followed, it can increase the productivity and profitability of your pig farm.

During the structural planning of a new piggery, or the expansion of an existing structure, careful consideration must be given to the specific waste management system that will be implemented.

Farmers generally tend to dispose of the waste in a liquid or semi-liquid form, known as slurry.

There are two options for removing the waste from the pens easily and effectively. The housing can be constructed with a slatted floor that covers a storage lagoon where all the waste can flow into. Alternatively, the housing can be constructed with sloping floors that lead to waste channels. These channels flow into a waste storage pit away from the housing.

Regardless of the design, the princi-

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

ple remains that the waste should be drained away from the pigs to prevent infectious disease from spreading in the piggery.

During the initial planning as to the location of the piggery and its waste disposal area, the following aspects have to be kept in mind: • If more than 250 pigs (excluding suckling piglets) are being kept, it will be necessary to apply for an Environmental Impact Assessment on the proposed piggery and 27

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• •

•

•

provision for a proper waste handling system must be made. This depends on national legislation.

The prevailing wind direction must be considered to prevent bad odours which could be a nuisance for neighbours or nearby human dwellings.

The piggery and the nearby waste storage lagoon shall have no inlet and outlet to storm water facilities, and shall also not be situated in a floodplain or wetland area.

The soil type must be known to prevent contamination of underground water sources.

In order to convert manure into profit, farmers have two options. Farmers that have pastures can save money on fertiliser by spreading the slurry onto the pastures. Farmers can also use the slurry to produce biogas that will save energy costs.

Spreading slurry on pastures Slurry can be successfully utilised on a variety of pastures, including Kikuyu, Smutsvinger, Eragrostis, Fescue, Paspalum and Buffalo grass. These pastures are often used for livestock production. If the farmer intends to spread liquid slurry onto the pastures, the following aspects should be considered: • The total area to be irrigated, the right kW tractor and right slurry tanker/spreader.

• An appropriate secondary tractor in the case of a mechanical breakdown, mud congestions or an accident.

• A detailed record kept of the total quantity of slurry spread per hectare per month.

• Annual soil sample analysis of the camps that are irrigated as well as sporadic nutrient analysis of the pastures to determine trends, pH values, deficiencies, or excess levels.

• Regular monitoring of the water quality of adjacent boreholes.

Provided that the farmer keeps these aspects in mind, and applies sound management principles, using slurry instead of fertiliser will greatly decrease costs on the farm.

Producing biogas to save energy costs Energy shortages coupled with the escalating costs of energy and concerns about climate change, are creating new opportunities for piggeries to exploit biogas as a potential new revenue stream. Most of the energy available in piggery waste can be captured in the form of methane.

A bio-digester is a bioreactor in which pig manure and wastewater is contained, heated, and mixed with water. Microorganisms feed on the waste

Farmers can use the liquid slurry as a cheap, natural fertiliser on their fields and pastures to prevent the build-up of manure on the farm. Photo: lawncareacademy.com

and release biogas which is mainly methane (60 to 70%), and carbon dioxide (30 to 40%). Through a process of carefully extracting the carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, up to half of the mass of the waste can be converted into biogas.

A biogas power plant will allow the farmer to use biogas for the energy needs of his farm and save on energy costs in the process. Although there is an initial capital expense to set up a biogas power plant, the money saved over time will ensure that the farmer will be able to recover these costs.

This will allow farmers who are often subjected to an unreliable electricity supply to keep operating regardless of

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

the condition on the national electricity supplier.

ProAgri BZN acknowledges the contribution of the author, Mr Andrew Taylor, on Biogas Production and Slurry Management and Dr Danie Visser (Editor) for making the relevant information in the book: Modern Pig Production (2014) available to our readers in Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe. Source: Modern Pig Production (2014), published in association with Kejafa Knowledge Works. ISBN 978-06206112-3-7. pp 543.

29

Namibia

Dec em ber 20 20 AU CT IO N C AL E NDE R Suppliers of

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MAC AFRIC 45 cc 2-Stroke Petrol MAC AFRIC 45 cc 2-Stroke Petrol Chain Saw MSAWCH-045

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30

ProAgri BNZ 14

Irrigation made easy part 7:

Scheduling according to weather conditions I

f a farmer has access to a local weather station, or weather station data, calculated Penman-Montieth ETo (Evapotranspiration) values can be obtained. Penman figures are calculated estimates of the quantity of water that would be used by short grass.

The values are calculated from data on temperature, wind run, evaporation and sunlight hours.

Actual crop water usage for any crop will be directly proportional to Penman values.

Example: Cabbage need 75% of the Penman ETo from day 14 to day 70. Irrigation can then be adjusted to supply this calculated water requirement only.

Scheduling using tensiometers A tensiometer directly measures how hard plant roots suck to try and remove water from a sealed glass tube.

The tensiometer comprises of a glass tube that is filled with water, a pressure gauge that measures suction (negative) pressure, a porous ceramic block and a small reservoir of water.

The meter is placed in the field with the ceramic block in the centre of the root zone. A second tensiometer or wetting front detector can be installed below the root depth to indicate if any over-irrigation has occurred.

Tensiometer

Reservoir of water Pressure gauge Perspiglass tube Ceramic block

Soil, water and air

Placement of a tensiometer.

The water reservoir must be filled on a regular basis, and the cap sealed.

The tube section of the tensiometer must always be filled with water.

Suction pressure is read off the gauge provided and provides a direct measurement of how hard roots around the ceramic block are sucking

Image: grofit-ag.com

to draw up water from the soil.

The plant will always first use water that it can suck up easiest. If the soil profile is full, the plant will not have to work hard to get water and can concentrate energy on growth and crop production. If the soil is dry and the plant must suck hard to get water, it will start to wilt and may die. If the gauge reads (-) 50 to 60 kPa, then approximately 50% of the soil water has been used by the plant. In other words, the roots belong to a well organised trade union. If they have to work very much harder to get water, they will suck water at a slower rate and the plant will stop growing.

will be irrigated on that day is read.

The duration of irrigation for the day is read off a scheduling chart that was prepared prior to planting of the crop.

(Two examples are shown, for tensiometer readings of 30 and 50 kPa). Note: A separate scheduling chart is needed for each crop and soil type.

It can clearly be seen that if the tensiometer reads 30 kPa, the farmer should irrigate for a period of 4 hours.

Similarly, if a reading of 50 kPa is obtained, the stand time should be increased to 9 hours. Longer periods of irrigation will waste water and energy, and fertilisers will tend to be washed away below the root zone.

Next month we shall look at the maintenance of the tensiometer.

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.

Consider the following example: Maize is planted in a deep, well-drained soil that holds 120 mm/m water. The roots will extend to a depth of 1 m. A sprinkler irrigation system is designed to work on a 7-day cycle (see Pictures 2 and 3).

Sprinklers deliver water at an effective 6 mm per hour.

A tensiometer has been installed at each stand position of the first sprinkler in the block.

Each day the tensiometer that represents the area that Picture 3: A tensiometer in a maize field test.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

31

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ProAgri BNZ 14

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34

ProAgri BNZ 14

Protect your crop Part 2

Use the correct nozzles

G

ood crop protection starts with a good sprayer. Last month we discussed the parts of sprayers and what a farmer should consider when he buys a sprayer. In this issue we discuss different nozzles, and next month we compare costs of draw, hitch and selfpropelled sprayers.

Nozzle types

Various overseas companies manufacture a wide range of nozzles, each with its own purpose and application

Flat-fan nozzles

Flat fan nozzles are used on most farms for the broad cast or strip application of herbicide on well-prepared soil.

Broad cast application with flat-fan spraying Flat-fan nozzles are mounted evenly on the spray bar. The spacing of the nozzles depends on the specific spray angle of the nozzle and the height of the spray bar from the ground. The spray bar must be placed at a specific height above the ground so that a 30% overlap is obtained on the sides of the spray patterns between nozzles.

A code number on the nozzle indicates the spray angle and delivery volume of flat-fan nozzles.

For example, the number 80 in the code number 8004 on the nozzle, indicates that the specific nozzle sprays out the mixture at an angle of 80°. The last two digits in the code, namely 04,

Compiled by JP le Roux

indicate the delivery of the nozzle which in this case will be: 4 US gallon per minute at a pressure of 40 pounds per square inch.

Flat-fan nozzles with different spray angles and delivery volumes are available from suppliers.

Strip spraying with flat-fan nozzles (Evenly) Code numbers on these nozzles are followed by an "E". This means that unlike the ordinary flat-fan nozzles, equal quantities of the mixture are delivered across the entire spray width of the spray pattern of a nozzle and therefore do not allow for overlapping with other nozzles. The whole spray width is uniformly covered by the one nozzle.

The "E" type nozzles should not be used for broad cast applications.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

Cone type nozzles

Of the cone type nozzles, the following two are of great importance: Hollow cone nozzles As the name indicates, the spray pattern of this nozzle is in the form of a hollow cone. It is important to note the manner in which the nozzles should be assembled.

Hollow cone nozzles are suitable for the application of fungicides and insecticides, and also for foliar feeding of plants.

The fact that it sprays in the form of a hollow cone, results in different droplets reaching the target at different angles of incidence. In this way, better intrusion and covering are obtained in dense leaves. For example, hidden insects and fungi can also be targeted easier.

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ProAgri BNZ 14

Hollow cone nozzles are particularly suitable for the application of contact as well as systemic plant protection agents. The application of one, two or three nozzles per row and their placement will depend on the size of the plants as well as the density of the leaves.

Characteristics of hollow cone nozzles: • Droplets reach the target from different angles, which improves leaf wetting (especially in dense leaves).

• Fine droplets are usually formed, which improves invasion and wetting, but also increases the danger of drifting.

• Works at pressures of 300 to 500 kPa. Full cone nozzles By changing the core or swing plates of the nozzle, the spray pattern of a nozzle can be changed from hollow to full.

A full cone nozzle is suitable for the post-emergence control of weeds and insects in crops by broad casting or strip spraying.

This nozzle works at pressure levels of between 300 and 500 kPa. The follow-up spraying of weeds in standing maize is a good example of the use of full cone nozzles.

Full cone nozzles can also be placed right above the maize rows to wet a specific target on the plants, such as the cups of maize plants infected with maize stalk borers.

If the caterpillars have not moved too deep into the cups, they can be effectively controlled by correct placement of hollow nozzles over the rows and the application of enough spray to effect droplet formation inside the cups.

Flat fan

Hollow Cone

Full Cone

The nozzle tips look like this: Full Cone

Hollow Cone

Flat fan

Note The application of the right nozzles, the right placement, pressure, and delivery are aspects that farmers still largely neglect, and which will eventually lead to poor control and a waste of expensive chemicals.

When in doubt, ask an expert. A good harvest will compensate for any

trouble or cost to get the right advice.

Next month we shall discuss air assisted boom sprayers and compare the costs of hitch, draw and self-propelled sprayers.

We thank Koos le Roux, compiler of the Mechanisation Guide for the article.

Floodjet nozzles This type of nozzle can be used efficiently for herbicides that have to work in the soil and, to a lesser extent, for pre-emergence weed control. In other countries, the nozzles are used to apply liquid fertiliser, but they are mostly used in orchards in South Africa, especially for applications under the leaves of trees.

Properties of flood beam nozzles: • Work at low pressure of 100 to 200 kPa • Deliver large droplets with little drift • Relatively large nozzle openings that do not clog easily • Deliver a broad spray width

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

37

Zimbabwe 38

ProAgri BNZ 14

Bayer shapes the future of agriculture through innovative products

by Jaco Cilliers

I

mproving production and profits while minimising expense and effort is every farmer’s goal. Bayer understands this, and continuously develops products that will enable a farmer to achieve these goals.

That is why Bayer Zimbabwe introduced three new crop protection products to the Zimbabwean agricultural market during this year. These three products are specifically focussed on the tobacco and cotton industry and were brought to Zimbabwe after being applied successfully in other African regions.

With the introduction of SIVANTO Prime, Vayego 200 SC, and Tihan OD 175, the farmers of Zimbabwe will be able to effectively control sucking and chewing pests on their tobacco and cotton crops.

How does it work?

Each of these crop protection products was specifically formulated to target certain pests on crops such as tobacco and cotton. The reason for the specificity is to minimise the risk to beneficial insects such as bees. • Sivanto Prime was developed to target aphid infestations in tobacco crops. The active ingredient is Flupyradifurone, which was derived from the Asian plant, Stemona japonica. The SIVANTO Prime penetrates the xylem and the phloem of the plant cells. When the insect inserts its proboscis, it gives a bad taste and causes the insect to stop feeding quickly. Thereafter it affects the central nervous system

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

of the insect causing paralysis.

This ensures that the aphid will not be able to move to a different plant once it has come into contact with the active ingredient of SIVANTO Prime, thus limiting the spread of damage to the plants, as well as diseases that are carried by these pests from one plant to the next.

SIVANTO Prime works fast and has a quick feeding cessation effect on the insects. The results of tests showed a significant decrease of up to 99% in aphid activity within the first five days after initial application.

39

•

•

Vayego 200 SC proves to be highly effective in budworm control. It reduces plant damage as a result of lethargy, paralysis, rapid feeding cessation and eventual death. It is a plant mobile insecticide that is suitable for application by foliar spray against larval or adult pest stages, but also by drip/drench application.

Tihan OD 175 insecticide was developed as a sophisticated formulation that combines two modes of action. The benefits of the dual action include low cost of effective spraying and targeting both aphid and bollworm control to increase yield and quality. These active ingredients are Flubendiamide and Spirotetramat that specifically targets problem species without endangering vital beneficial insects such as bees. As a systemic insecticide, Tihan gives better and quicker protection against cotton plant tissue damage because the fast-acting formulation affects the neuro-receptors of the insects and causes immediate cessation of feeding pests. Another advantage of the Tihan OD 175 insecticide is that it is systemic and flexible in application; controls key adult and immature sucking pests; has a lasting residual effect which enables it to protect new shoots, and also kills the larvae of bollworms effectively.

How should it be applied?

SIVANTO Prime insecticide can either be applied as a foliar or as a drench application. Vayego 200 SC can also be applied effectively as either a foliar spray or a drench application. Tihan OD 175 can only be applied as a foliar spray.

What is the recommended application rate?

• The recommended application rate for SIVANTO Prime is 200 ml per 100 ℓ of water per hectare.

Therefore, on 5 hectares you will mix 1 ℓ of Sivanto Prime on 500 ℓ of water.

• The recommended application rate for Vayego 200 SC is 38 ml per 100 ℓ of water, making it an economical pest control product.

On a 5-hectare field you will therefore mix 190 ml with 500 ℓ of water.

• The application rate for Tihan OD 175 is 200 ml mixed with 100 ℓ of water per hectare, with the first application between 35 and 45 days after sprouting. Therefore, you will mix 1 ℓ of Tihan OD 175 with 500 ℓ of water to apply on 5 hectares.

application rate by the number of hectares to be sprayed. You also multiply the hectares with the quantity of water that is recommended by Bayer. Once you have mixed the correct quantity of water with the correct quantity of the product; you can spray it onto your crops. Depending on the size of your farm, it would be wise to have a large mixing tank so that you will be able to get a consistent mix with every application.

Can I use it on maize and vegetables?

Legislation dictates that an insecticide should be registered for use on specific crops against specific pests. This is in order to control the use of harmful chemicals and to ensure that pesticides are not overutilised and cause threats to people and the environment. In Zimbabwe, SIVANTO Prime and VAYEGO 200 SC have been registered for use on tobacco plants specifically, while TIHAN OD 175 was registered for use on cotton. However, in other areas of the world, these products have been used on a variety of crops including maize and various types of vegetables with great success.

Is it safe to use the crops after spraying?

Yes, provided that the instructions on

the product label are followed correctly. For each crop protection product there is a minimum time that must pass before the plants can be safely used by humans. This is normally referred to as the PHI on the product instruction pamphlet, and indicates the period that has to pass from the last date of application before the plants can be harvested safely. For example, the PHI for Tihan OD 175 is 21 days.

This means that three weeks should pass from the last application date until the cotton can be harvested.

Where can I buy these products?

Bayer Zimbabwe has six distribution points throughout Zimbabwe, and also supplies products to other distributors within the agricultural industry. These products are available from Bayer’s distribution partners in Zimbabwe.

For more information on how you can benefit from Bayer’s excellent range of seed and crop protection products, call Farai Munyanyi, Territory Manager for Zimbabwe, on +26-324-248-7221, or send an e-mail to farai.munyanyi@ bayer.com.

Company

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Phone

Acol Chemicals

670 Leyland Road, Harare

tsa@acolchem.co.zw

+263-772 233-037

Greenyard

Bayer Complex, Off Martin Road, Msasa, Harare

greengrow@africaonline.co.zw

+263-772-270-305

Omnia Fertilizer Company

8 Paisley Road, Workington, Harare

www.omnia.co.za

+263-04-748-740

Maguires

196 Harare Drive, Borrowdale, Harare

maguires@zol.co.zw

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To calculate the mixing rate for your farm, you multiply the recommended ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

41

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42

www.agri4all.com

ProAgri BNZ 14

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

by Jaco Cilliers

T

he world has changed, and the agricultural sector is no exception.

Farmers had to quickly adapt to the strange circumstances that dominated 2020. Shows, auctions and expos that were normally major events had to move to online platforms to conform to COVID regulations.

Agri4all is a website that was first launched in 2018. It enables the farmer to buy all the products and services that his farm needs without setting a foot outside of his own farm gate.

Agri4all is conveniently divided into separate categories namely: Equipment, Vehicles, Livestock, Auctions, Property and Other. It covers everything that any farmer may need on a single, convenient e-commerce platform that is powered by ProAgri Media.

The farmer is the target audience.

Therefore, only agricultural-specific products and services are being advertised. No more scrolling through endless pictures of irrelevant products when you are looking for something in particular.

Agri4all is the most populated website of its kind in Africa. It provides the best value for money to the advertisers, while the farmer has the widest variety of products and services to choose from.

Borders should not be trade barriers, and with Agri4all they certainly are not. Agri4all operates in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. To search within a certain country, simply select the country of your choice on the landing page.

There are plans in place to extend Agri4all’s African footprint even further in the near future.

When Agri4all penetrates a new

country, all the relevant agricultural businesses and organisations are approached to list their products and services on the website. This is often combined with a dedicated social media campaign that uses geotagging to ensure that the right products are marketed to the right users.

Farmers can get all the products they need simply by using their smartphones.

Any enquiries that a farmer might have can be left in the comments facility on social media. The advertiser will be informed and can contact the farmer directly.

Through various platforms that include online, social, and printed media, ProAgri Media and Agri4all reaches about six million people every month.

In order to ensure that the product reaches the farmer safely and in due time, several logistics companies have been approached for their services.

This includes cross-border logistics. It also provides the farmer with an opportunity to receive competing quotes that he can use to choose the option that will suit his needs as well as his budget.

Farmers themselves can use Agri4all to market their produce directly to the consumer without paying commissions to retailers and other middlemen.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 14

Agri4all is changing the way that farmers do business. It provides a safe and user-friendly trading platform where farmers can access products and services from the convenience of their own farms.

The products advertised on Agri4all are supported by editorial articles published in the ProAgri magazines and on the ProAgri website – www.proagri. co.za. The information in these articles enable the farmer to make informed decisions before spending his hardearned money.

To get the best products at the best price from the biggest agricultural e-commerce platform in Africa, simply visit www.agri4all.com. Remember to sign up for the free weekly newsletter to keep track of the latest product listings. Send an e-mail to nita@agri4all.com to receive the weekly newsletter.

To make use of the great marketing opportunities that Agri4all and ProAgri can provide, contact Diane Grobler at 082-555-6866 or send an e-mail to diane@proagri.co.za.

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Zimbabwe 44

ProAgri BNZ 14

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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.

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ProAgri BNZ 14

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ProAgri BNZ 14

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ProAgri BNZ 14