Reinke makes rain in the desert
by Jaco Cilliers
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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.
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