MATTER v2 by vianroos

M�TTER v� lU m e

EdI To R'S LET T E r MATTER V2 is the second portfolio overview of the past few years of my work. In the past two years I made a mindshift to discarding overthinking and over-doing a design. I am not one for catchphrases or slogans, so my style is not summed up as one. I live in Pretoria and work in Johannesburg, and get to work with a fold up bicycle, making my life just a bit more interesting and terrifying at the same time. The idea for MATTER V2 was to use more clean and structured design and in some cases just ignore the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;set rulesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of design and leave it to what ever happens. So, I truly hope you enjoy it.

VIAN ROOS

volume 2

CØ n tent selected –

To fIND An ALTERNATIVE – getting OUT OF THE RUSt –

the letter –

featured photography –

6 10 16 26 28 30 34 36 38 42 46 50 52 5 9 24 25 33 37 41 49 56

– a perfect cover story – juice it up

– new & home – farming to

– the afrikaner embrace the future – The Long drought – the farmer who prizes his potatoes

– The Bigger Pictuere

– – – – – –

bacchanal Wine Endangered wildlife trust subscribe TGIS binnekring Hortus Capensis | The Bathurst show Farmer’s weekly focus list – Arentina tour – UIF – black swan

Published January 2014 by Vian Roos The small print: all works in this publication is owned by vian roos unless stated otherwise. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means. All Farmer’s Weekly material (Covers, editorial features and advertisements) and ijusi material (Logo and name) is copyright protected. Contact vian roos on 084 702 6306 or skryfbehoeftes@gmail.com or visit www.behance.net/vianroos.

life is too short to have bad taste Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.

selected

S� LEC TE� UYSBERE CHRISTMAS CARD Every year the Uysbere Staatmakers are treated to an original, posted Christmas card straight to their doors. The 2013 card for the Uysbere was inspired by deep blues and crisp white. The card was the last design for 2013.

september2013 MA

23 24 25 26 november2013

30 MA

6-8 PD: voorslagkamp 6-8 volwasse opleiding veldkamp 20-24 pd: venterskroon gebiedskamp

TRANSVAAL 2013 CALENDAR What is a year without a personal calendar? The 2013 calendar showcases highlights of the Tranvaal Voortrekkers’ chapters with photographs. The same size as a CD booklet, the calendars can be kept with the educational material written on the CD it came with or displayed on your office desk.

21-24 PD: Oewer gebiedskamp 1 2 3 22-28 VK: WilgeDraai Gebiedskamp vk: nakupi, PD: oostelike gebiedskamp

Die voortrekkers transvaal

RTREK

oktober2013

DIE

A N S VA A

2013

L 7

11-12 19

Vlotvaart cq hou koers

dievoortrekkerstransvaal

11 12 13 Die voortrekkers transvaal 18 19 20 25

desember2013 MA

SO 1

31 16 geloftedag

VIAN Formally default design, vian is the latest re-design of a personal brand, the lettering of the logo is a cleaner version of the previous vianroos logo. The diamond icon is inspired by colour and hide the name vian inside.

selected

XTATIES Xtaties is the abbreviation of Transvaal Staatmakers. Designed to celebrate life and the exciting experience it gives a person to live to his or her full potential.

Mike

368 Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall 2196 PO Box 1797, Pinegowrie 2123 Tel: 011 889 0836 Fax: 011 889 0862 farmersweekly@caxton.co.za www.farmersweekly.co.za

FARMER’S WEEKLY MEDIA CARD

Burgess

The media cards were designed for the staff journalists of Farmer’s Weekly Magazine to identify them at meetings and conferences. Staying true to the brand, the card has a clean and clutter-free design.

Journalist

082 319 1657 Michael.burgess80@gmail.com www.farmersweekly.co.za

GARSVALLEI KOOK SHIRT This post box red shirt is to show off and stand out in a mass of other shirts designed to be worn for two days at the start of each year.

Ny lo N VaNdal The first colorways of the all-nylon Dunk were gifted to artists at the Coachella music festival and were introduced to retail later that year as the Vandal Dunks. New colorways are still dropping every couple of months, and are a must cop if you don’t have a pair.

NIKE CATALOGUE 2012

W est G ucci

Although only a conceptual brochure for the Nike Dunks Catalogue, it was designed to excite and intrigue the viewer to buy into the Nike brand and its 2012 colour pallet of natural yellow, green and brown.

The “Gucci” colorway is that of a coveted Nike SB sample from a Team Manager Series that never went into production. Clark Kent resurrected the colorscheme for his forthcoming East/West battle with Eddie Cruz of UNDFTD.

P h ar r el l W il l i am s Fans of N.E.R.D and Hypebeasts (can we call people Hypebeasts before that site started?) creamed their skinny jeans waiting in line for Skateboard P’s dunks. Hype aside, they’re sick, and if you have a pair on ice, you’ll be good even if your 401k is lookin’ lean.

ta lo Ne w Du Nk s ca 2 0 12

gu e

selected

SUIKERBEKKIES For Grade 1 girls the only colour that matters is bright pink! For the Suikerbekkies Voortrekker girls’ team, the design idea was to simply use pink and keep it playful.

VAN ZYL & SMIT WEDDING Turquoise, red and flowers were the inspiration for what was to be the Van Zyl & Smit wedding invitations. For this crazy day of hairspray, dresses and a stepmother, something needed to be simple and calming.

LAPPIES INVITATION An invitation designed to celebrate the 80 years of Frikkie Labuschagne’s life.

LUNSKLIP 2013 SHIRT Lunsklip Camp, the third shirt in a series of South African monuments and statues. The 2013 shirt celebrates the life of Paul Kruger. The shirt is part of the 2013 theme of Lunsklip Bou or ‘Build’

Snellen Chart 20/100 - 20/10

It’s not a test, it’s a reality www.ewt/org.za

cover feature

a Per Co V s ToRY 10

cover feature

feCt V E r Y

A cover page is there to intrigue and trigger the curiosity of your reader, with the use of one photo to reval just enough, so that your magazine wins the all-important lift-of from the shelf.

words VIAN ROOS, covers Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weekly

cover feature

Issue 26, 10 October 2013, Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Weekly

cover feature

feature

JUICE it uP “ijusi aims to explore personal stories by South African graphic designers around the idea of ‘what makes me African - and what does that look like?’” - Garth Walker. Started in the Durban-based design studio of Garth Walker, the first issue appeared in 1995, and today ijusi is a fundamental part of the South African design and art landscape. It has been amazing to be published in three ijusi’s during the last two years, making it even more fun and challenging for the next issue.

words, photography & illustrations VIAN ROOS ijusi copyright to MISTER WALKER 2013

April & Septemb bottled desire

MKF 85010 (LC)

feature

URBAN CITY Driving around in Pretoria city central is surprisingly pleasant. This man-made jungle started growing in the 1800s, but most of it was constructed between 1920 and 1980. Urban city published in ijusi #26 Afrika Typografika 3 is to showcase African typographic, the crazy, dangerous and cool that set us apart of the rest of the word. Urban city is inspired by the self-made signs of the small spaza shops to the large corporate billboards decorating the city. What is important is that these have colour which sets Pretoria apart from all other cities.

ber

APRIL & SEPTEMBER ijusi #27 The LP Vinyl Cover is themed on the 33PRM LP Cover. The inspiration for April & September is form a photograph taken in 2006 at the Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum of the Antique Perfume Bottles Display. It took the better part six years to find a project in which to use the photo, and A&S bottled desire cover was the perfect place for this photo. This was more suited to the project medium than to find a medium for a project.

TATTOO In some circles tattoos are still one of those taboo subjects. You either love them or hate the idea of having an image permanently inked into your skin. The Tatoo issue, ijusi #28 allowed you to design the ultimate tattoo you always desired, without the pain of a needle. Bidsprinkaan or Praying Mantis (Mantodea) is a spiritual creator in South African tribal culture and today still creates an interest if one lands on you. Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is used to steer away from the stereotypical springbok, usually depicting the wildlife of South Africa. Being South African means having your own identity, the idea of the two animals was to show South Africa in a way that is not stereotypical.

mo re ch ďż˝ice Get matter on your ipad

3D mobile mapping

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company 4/57 Leander Rd, Olympus, 0184 | Tel: 012 991 3624 | Fax: 012 991 6998 info@tgis.co.za | www.tgis.co.za

23 JULY 2013

PlanetGIS 4 & Mobile data logger A quick introduction to whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new on PlanetGIS 4 and the link with the Mobile data loggers.

Assetrix &

Mobile data logger Introduction to 3D Mobile Mapping and using Assetrix and Mobile data loggers to get the most out of your data.

SASGI 2013 VISIT US AT THE

TGIS STAND

corporate

T� �IND AN AL TER NATIVE “We are a bunch of young and fresh minds; we want something not yet seen.” A designers dream job. Risk Strategy Auditors Consultants or RSA brand identity was designed around everything an auditor company’s brand typically looks like.

design by vian roos

corporate

2013-08-05 To: Mr Jason Banks

Letter of thank Then writing a thank you letter, keep your letter simple and focused. Single space your letter and leave a space between each paragraph. Left justify your thank you letter. Use a plain font like Arial, Times New Roman, or Verdana. The first paragraph of your letter should thank the hiring manager for taking the time to interview you. The second paragraph of your thank you letter should include the reasons why you are a strong candidate for the position. List specific skills that relate to the job you interviewed for. If there is information about your qualifications that you wish you had mentioned during the interview, but didn't get a chance to discuss, use the next paragraph to explain. In your closing paragraph, reiterate your appreciation for being considered for the job and let the hiring manager know you are looking forward to hearing from him or her soon. Best Regards,

Ewan Venter Managing Director

(+27)12 484 0948 22320806@nwu.ac.za www.rasconsult.co.za

Ewan Venter

North West Universitrty Potchefstroom 2520

Managing Director

071 484 0948 22320806@nwu.ac.za North West University Potchefstroom

corporate

Louwrens Zeeman Sel. 083 236 5605 Email. ledapb@mweb.co.za ........................................................... 103 Terrace Road, Sebenza, Edenvale Tel/Fax. 011 609 3906 Tel. 011 452 1863 / 2262 www.ledapb.co.za

WE WORK WITH ALL MAJOR INSURANCE COMPANIES

....................................................................................... 103 Terrace Road, Sebenza, Edenvale ledapb@mweb.co.za www.leadpb.co.za

P.O. Box 1942, Edenvale 1610 Tel. 011 452 1863 / 2262 Tel/Fax. 011 609 3906

WE WORK WITH ALL MAJOR INSURANCE COMPANIES

.......................................................................................

corporate

get ting oUT OF THE RUďż˝T New owner, new approach, new ambitions, new look? Yes! After the LEDA Company was bought by a new owner, the first change he made was to rebrand with a more modern, and clean design for the company image, steering as far away as possible from the typical panelbeater company.

design by vian roos

digital

ne� & h� me 30

digital

The redesign of Die Voortrekkers marketing website was done as a conceptual exercise, but the site did go live and is running. Adventure and young-hearted fun was used, but as it would most probably be the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents visiting the website, it kept a formal structure, using a simple grey background with bright colours, patterns and photographs of Voortrekker children.

words & html coding VIAN ROOS

digital

visit the site: www.voortrekkers.org.za/bemarking

Kom wees meer Lunsklip Voortrekker Kamp

feature

it's down ea r Th 34

feature

t� Sitting in a desk-job in Johannesburg and working on editorial pieces showcasing the South African agricultural landscape, you sometimes long to kick off your shoes.

words by VIAN ROOS

the farmer, while still showing his or her focus and passion for the business and farm. Farmer’s Weekly magazine is over 100 years old and spans generations of farmers, but is today embracing the future by going digital and creating a digital community to grow the Farmer’s Weekly brand, while never forgetting the joy of walking barefoot on the land.

Working on Farmer’s Weekly’s layout is an interesting balance between editorial copy and design creativity. Farmer’s Weekly sets a standard which aims to be as close as possible to a photo-journalism magazine, but remaining a distinctive business magazine. Although the magazine does not employ professional photographers, its journalists manage to capture the ‘real’ farm life, offering a glimpse into the everyday life of

newsletter

t�e le††e r The first Farmer’s Weekly Magazine digital newsletter called for a clean and stream-lined design, staying true to the magazine and its new digital footprint.

html coding by VIAN ROOS

where town & country meet

5 – 7 April 2013 046 625 0759 | www.bathurstshow.co.za

TARGET YOUR MARKET

PRECISELY WE FOCUS ON YOUR SEGMENT – YOU HARVEST THE PROFITS! Throughout the year, Farmer’s Weekly runs a series of special supplements focusing on specific segments in the agricultural industry. These feature practical advice from leading farmers and experts and take an in-depth look at the outlook for the specific sector. Where relevant, the supplement also provides information on industry events and copies of Farmer’s Weekly are distributed at the event itself.

REMEMBER THESE DATES! FEBRUARY

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Education

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PLEASE CONTACT A SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOUR WEEKS AHEAD OF PUBLICATION DATE: Justice Malinga: 011 889 0859 Francois Jansen van Rensburg: 021 530 8600 Noni Twala: 011 889 0830 Meshack Leshabane: 011 293 6004

LIVESTOCK

Afrikaners

The Afrikaner embraces the future SA cattlemen increasingly recognise the Afrikaner’s competitive advantage, says Barry Steenkamp, co-owner of the Palmietkuil Afrikaner herd in the Vredefort area of the Free State. Annelie Coleman paid him a visit.

he Afrikaner was a popular breed in the early days of cattle farming in South Africa and Afrikaner genetics form the basis of many of today’s synthetic breeds. The introduction of cattle breeds from abroad and the development of synthetic breeds led to a gradual decline in the numbers of Afrikaner cattle. However, with the focus of beef cattle shifting towards adaptability and productivity, father and son team Dirk and Barry Steenkamp see this hardy breed as the breed of the future.

“The Afrikaner is as competitive today as it was in its glory days,” says Dirk, whose father and grandfather were also Afrikaner breeders. The Steenkamps run Afrikaner, Bonsmara and Santa Gertrudis cattle, as well as grow maize, on their farm in the Vredefort Dome area in the northern Free State. The Afrikaner component produces 43% of the livestock turnover in the business. “We farm three breeds so that we use the right breed for the right job, so to speak,” Barry explains. “As a theoretical example,

48 | farmer’s weekly | 1 NOVEMBER 2013

ABOVE: The Palmietkuil Afrikaner farming enterprise is based on maximum meat per hectare, says Barry Steenkamp. PHOTOS: ANNELIE COLEMAN

for maximum milk production we would use Holsteins, for the highest butterfat content, Jerseys, and for smaller-framed animals, Dexters.” Barry says that the future of beef farming lies in using the right breed for the conditions. “No single breed can outperform all other breeds. A breed’s performance should be evaluated in terms of the conditions the animals are kept in, supported by EBVs. Breeds perform differently in different conditions. There’s no breed that performs best in

all traits such as maternal behaviour, temperament, growth, walking ability, mobility, hardiness, resistance to disease and parasites, adaptability and fertility. So if need be, a cattleman should be prepared to keep more than one breed on his farm.”

PLANTS, TERRAIN AND TEMPERATURE

“We need to know the areas we farm, and the strengths and limitations of the cattle,” stresses Barry. “A farm can contain bushveld, rocky outcrops and grass plains. To us, it makes sense to use three

• Palmietkuil runs 40%

And your worst? “To make the classic ‘quantityover-quality’ mistake when selecting animals for future breeding.”

Afrikaners, 30% Bonsmaras and 30% Santa Gertrudis.

• Each breed’s

TOP LEFT: The Steenkamp family. Front from left: Barry’s mother Miekie and wife Mari-Lise. Back from left: Dirk, daughter Marieke and Barry.

different breeds because of environmental diversity on our farm,” says Barry. The soil varies from sandy to sandy loam to heavy clay and there are rocky outcrops in the hills of the Vredefort Dome. Temperatures range from -6°C to 43°C and the average annual rainfall is 575mm. The area represents elements of two veld types: Bankenveld (Acocks) and Cymbopogon-Themeda

veld (Acocks) with Eragrostis plana and red grass (Themeda trianda) as dominant grasses. The Steenkamps stock at 4,5ha/ MLU to 6ha/MLU. Afrikaner cattle graze the hilly part of the farm during summer and utilise maize stover in winter. These animals are suited to the steep hills and koppies of the Vredefort Dome, according to Barry. “The cattle can climb the steep hills without

TOP RIGHT: As protection against predators, Palmietkuil Afrikaners are not dehorned. ABOVE: Dirk and Barry Steenkamp see the Afrikaner as an efficient and competitive beef cattle breed. ABOVE LEFT: Well-known Afrikaner stud breeder Martin Ras, from Hoopstad, inspects Palmietkuil’s Afrikaners.

strain and make the best use of grazing.” says Barry. “We can use the farm’s full potential.” Afrikaners easily walk the 6km between watering points when required to do so. Some camps have wetland areas but water is supplied mainly by boreholes. The breed’s hardiness, thick skin, short-haired coat and parasite resistance make it ideal for the more rugged areas of the farm.

AFRIKANERS ARE SUITED TO THE STEEP HILLS AND KOPPIES OF THE VREDEFORT DOME

FAST FACTS

FW ASKS

What was your best decision? “To continue a family tradition of breeding good quality, economically sound animals.”

characteristics are used to maximise return on investment.

• The Afrikaner stud is a

long-term investment in good genetics.

tick-borne diseases such as anaplasmosis and three-day-stiff sickness. “We inject the herd with Multimin and products containing avermectin, a broad-spectrum anthelmintic with insecticidal properties, twice a year,” explains Barry. “In winter, animals are treated with pour-on pesticide, and in summer they’re spray-dipped when necessary.” Cattle have a phosphate lick in summer, and a protein lick in winter, while young animals have access to a production lick.

PROTECTIVE INSTINCTS

Afrikaners have an “The Afrikaner’s strong inherent resistance to ticks maternal and herding and endo-parasites, which instincts are invaluable means less dipping and treatment against CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 1 NOVEMBER 2013 | farmer’s weekly | 49

LIVESTOCK

Afrikaners

to us,” says Barry. At night, the cattle form a dense group to defend their young against predators. “This makes herd management easy. Afrikaner cows also form nurseries where a few cows look after the calves while the rest of the herd is out grazing. They won’t leave the calves until the herd returns.” A few years ago, a leopard killed several calves on the farm. Only one was an Afrikaner calf, however, due to the protective nature of the Afrikaner cows. The rest were Bonsmaras.

AN AFRIKANER COW, SEPARATED FROM HER CALF, WALKED 22KM TO FIND IT “One reason we prefer horned Afrikaners is that the horns help in defence and keep predators at bay. “On one occasion when we moved the herd about 22km away by truck we inadvertently left a calf behind. Its mother walked back during the night and was reunited

with her calf in the morning,” recalls Barry.

FEEDLOTTING

Dirk started a feedlot on the farm in the 1980s. Barry feels that many feedlotters harbour misconceptions about the feedlot performance of Bos indicus breeds. “Feedlotters don’t consider the fact that Afrikaner weaners in a 90-day feedlot cycle bring in income four times a year, compared to three times a year for weaners that have to stay in the feedlot for 120 days,” he explains. “The Afrikaner has a competitive feed conversion rate (FCR), but it is not profitable to keep an Afrikaner in a feedlot beyond 90 days because by then it has grown out. Quick turnover helps cash flow.” Weaners of all three breeds are put through the feedlot before being sent to slaughter. The Steenkamps also supply Afrikaner beef to a local butchery at a premium price. The meat is highly soughtafter because of its exceptional marbling and tenderness.

ABOVE: Reproductive efficiency is a primary focus on Palmietkuil. Cows are expected to wean a calf every year. BELOW: In summer, the Afrikaner herd grazes the more rugged areas of the farm. In winter, all the cattle feed on maize stover.

BREEDING

For optimal productivity, bulls run with the cows year-round. Palmietkuil cows must wean a calf every year. “The profitability of any beef cattle enterprise depends on the number of calves born in a herd,” says Barry. “We maintain a ratio of between 20 and 60 cows per bull depending on age (of bull) breeding traits selected for and bull virility. Heifers are put to the bull at 12 months.” Virility is a strong trait in Afrikaner bulls. “One of our bulls had a take rate of more than 93% in a herd of 60 cows for four consecutive years. This keeps the investment cost in bulls low, and combined with the

Afrikaner’s longevity, increases the profit margin.” Dirk and Barry are in the process of registering an Afrikaner stud as an investment in and contribution to Afrikaner genetics and the breed’s development in South Africa. They are currently selecting animals for the stud from the existing herd. “This doesn’t mean that our breeding strategy will change in any way,” explains Dirk. “We’re committed to optimum meat production per hectare to realise decent profits. But the future looks bright for the Afrikaner. It was the breed of the past, and we think it’s the breed of the future.” • Email Barry Steenkamp at barrysteenkamp@ gmail.com FW

▪

To comment on this story, visit www.facebook.com/FarmersWeeklySA 50 | farmer’s weekly | 1 NOVEMBER 2013

27 April – 7 May 2014 Join Farmer’s Weekly on another tour of Argentina to learn more about this country’s agricultural sector. The focus this time will be on chicken and cattle production, mixed farming, no-till and sugarcane production and milling.

Itinerary

Sunday 27 April • Arrive at Ezeiza International Airport, Buenos Aires. • Reception by Laurik International staff and transfer to hotel. • Evening in Buenos Aires. Monday 28 April • Travel to Gualeguay in Entre Ríos province to visit a mixed farm, with Herefords, maize and soya beans. • Travel to Concepción del Uruguay. Tuesday 29 April • Visit the Argentine National Agricultural Technology Institute to learn more

about the country’s broiler industry. • Visit commercial broiler farms. • Evening in Rosario. Wednesday 30 April • Short visit to Rosario harbour. • Visit the Aapresid for a presentation on the Aapresid philosophy and certification process on no-till. • Travel to Cruz Alta to visit the Pierobon no-till planter factory. • Evening in Venado Tuerto. Thursday 1 May • Visit the Pampa Humeda, Argentina’s

most productive crop-farming region. • Evening in Villa María. Friday 2 May • Visit a farm in the drier central parts of Córdoba province to see how effective no-till is on less-thanoptimal soils. • Evening in the city of Córdoba. Saturday 3 May • Travel to Mina Clavero to spend a relaxing day sightseeing in the Cumbres Altos, or Higher Hills. • Evening in Mina Clavero.

Sunday 4 May • Travel to San Miguel de Tucumán. • Evening in the city. Monday 5 May • Visit sugarcane farms and mills. • Evening in San Miguel de Tucumán. Tuesday 6 May • Flight to Buenos Aires. • Free day for shopping and exploring the city. Wednesday 7 May • Further exploration of Buenos Aires or a visit to the Tigre Delta crafts market. • Transfer to the airport for return flight to South Africa.

For more information and the terms and conditions, please visit www.farmersweekly.co.za. To reserve your place, phone XL Boland Travel on 021 872 1581. Optional add-on packages are available, such as the Iguazú Waterfalls, the glaciers at El Calafate, the wine-producing area of Mendoza in the foothills of the Andes, and San Carlos de Bariloche in Nahuel Huapi National Park.

FEATURE

Namibian Drought

THE LONG DROUGHT

Namibia is suffering its worst drought in 30 years. This is not only affecting grain and livestock production but has left 34% of the population, in southern Africa’s driest country, in need of urgent food support. Carine van Vuuren reports.

Kunene Province

Okahandja Windhoek

At the time of Farmer’s Weekly’s visit, grandmother Kariamakuju Kauta (55) and her family had enough food left for only a week, and they were already eating just once a day. They are from the Zemba tribe, originating from southern Angola. PHOTOS: JORDI MATAS

42 | farmer’s weekly | 23 AUGUST 2013

NAMIBIA

Veterinary Red Line

• Almost 46% of Namibian

households are classified as poor or severely poor.

FAST FACTS

he severe drought in Kunene province in northwest Namibia is turning into a matter of life and death. This is the second successive year that the region has not had enough rain, and is an already dry and impoverished area, where almost 46% of households are classified as poor or severely poor. Tueenmuine Mbendura, an elderly Himba woman from Omwangete village in Kunene, registered for food aid from the government three months ago but is yet to receive assistance. “The drought killed everything,” she says. “I can remember a big drought when I was young, but it was nothing like this. I’ve never seen a twoyear drought like this.” The men from her village have all moved away to try to find grazing for the remaining cattle. Mbendura and most of the people in her village live on one meal of watery porridge a day. The goats that remain are not producing milk, yet selling the livestock

• In many northern villages,

grandmothers keep their families alive on their old-age pension of N$500 (R500) a month.

is not viable either. The Himba are generally reluctant to sell their cattle, as the animals’ cultural worth exceeds their commercial value.

MANY PEOPLE IN NAMIBIA SUFFER FROM MALNUTRITION Given their poor state, they will earn their owners only a pittance anyway, even with the government marketing incentive of N$300 (R300) for cattle and N$70 for small stock. The government is also providing a grazing and transport subsidy for farmers to move livestock to areas where grazing is still available. During a visit to the area with Unicef in late

TOP: Two years of severe drought in northern Namibia is seriously affecting the semi-nomadic Himba community. This village is in Okangwati in Kunene Province. ABOVE: Otutati village near Opuwo is made up of about 50 households. They have not yet received any food aid from the Namibian government.

NAHAS ANGULA

EBBEN KALONDO

July, Farmer’s Weekly observed that in many of the northern villages, grandmothers like Mbendura were keeping families alive on their old-age pensions of N$500 a month. Only a few households received child support grants for orphaned or disabled children.

The Namibian government, which declared the drought a national disaster last month, has budgeted N$207 million for drought assistance, including food aid, livestock incentives and water provision. This figure is expected to increase significantly CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

23 AUGUST 2013 | farmer’s weekly | 43

FEATURE

Namibian Drought

to provide assistance with more boreholes and food aid. Last week, the government also lifted the nearly decade-old restriction on live sheep exports to South Africa. The local slaughter-toexport ratio of live sheep has been decreased from 6:1 to 1:1 for three months.

ABATTOIRS HARD HIT The drought has had a ‘massive impact’ on the abattoir industry, says Ebben Kalondo, senior manager of corporate communication and public relations at Meat Corporation of Namibia Ltd (Meatco), Namibia’s largest meat processing company.

Meatco has stopped slaughtering sheep and will focus on cattle only. The drought has forced it to operate its Windhoek and Okahandja abattoirs on a rotational basis, resulting in more than 400 contractors losing employment. While the two abattoirs have the capacity to slaughter up to 180 000 cattle per annum, it is estimated that only 78 000 will be slaughtered this year. Last year, the figure stood at only 96 000. Kalondo adds that the drought has compounded the problems faced by the sector, such as the downturn of the economy in the EU and changing consumer

BELOW LEFT: Mbete Tjiposa gets a monthly government pension (N$500), which is only enough to buy 50kg of maize meal, sugar, salt, cooking oil and some ‘otjize’, a red powder mixed with cow fat for sun protection. BOTTOM LEFT: Tueenmuine Mbendura says that many years ago, the old men of the tribe would light a big fire to consult the ancestors about the rain. BELOW: The government has spent a significant amount of money on water infrastructure such as boreholes and water pumps, but food access is currently the main focus.

44 | farmer’s weekly | 23 AUGUST 2013

preferences there. The EU is the Namibian meat industry’s key export market. According to Kalondo, abattoirs like Meatco are struggling to buy enough cattle to operate at levels that will allow them to benefit from economies of scale, as farmers opt to sell weaners to South African feedlots, where the use of growth stimulants and steroids are not banned and the time period to get cattle to market is much shorter. In Namibia, cattle have to be raised on the veld and it takes about 18 months to get them to market.

EXPANDING THE FMD-FREE AREA TO THE NORTH WILL TAKE 20 TO 25 YEARS Angolans are also increasingly buying Namibian breeding stock. In the first six months of the year, more than 130 000 head of cattle were exported, compared with fewer than 50 000 in the same period the previous year. Kalondo explains that farmers “will need to be convinced to remain farming” and will need

government assistance to restock after the drought. This is expected to take three to five years. “We need to come up with a strategy that will keep people on the land,” she says.

THE NORTH

Harald Marggraff, manager of commodities at the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) explains that the impact of the drought has been bigger in the areas north of Windhoek and conditions are worsening. “Farmers are buying feed and grass and have sold large numbers of cattle,” he says, adding that the increase in weaner exports is expected to continue, as the season for sales typically starts now. South of Windhoek, widespread rains over the Easter weekend provided some support and the animals are still in relatively good condition. “Once it starts raining again, farmers will need a restocking incentive to build up their herds,” he says. Christie Viljoen, senior economist at NKC Independent Economists, points out that agriculture remains a crucial aspect of the economy, contributing 8% to GDP.

“This is, however, a skewed figure and doesn’t show exactly how important agriculture is. In Namibia, two thirds of people are dependent on agriculture for a living,” she says. “What makes the drought even more difficult is that Namibia is already dry. So any variation in rainfall hits hard.” The north is dominated by communal farmers, which contribute 30% of agricultural output, while commercial farmers are mainly located in the south. According to government data, maize production from communal farmers declined by 15,2% this year, while commercial output fell 53,3%. Production of mahangu (pearl millet), the staple food in the north, is down 41% from 2012. Grazing conditions have also been affected by veld fires and army worms.

FOOT-ANDMOUTH DISEASE

As the commercial herd is small and declining, addressing the foot-andmouth disease (FMD) problem is important to secure the future of the industry, explains Kalondo. Moving the veterinary red line, which separates the Ovamboland, Kunene, Caprivi and Kavango provinces from the rest of the country, further north will be a ‘massive operation’. A 100% vaccination rate will be required and the borders with Zambia, Botswana and Angola will have to be secured. The Caprivi is a high FMD risk area because of the presence of buffaloes, and disease control remains a challenge. Expanding the FMD-free area to the north will take 20 to 25 years.

HUNGER

In the short term, the focus is on mitigating the impact

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of the drought. The number of registered people who need assistance exceeded 460 000 at the end of July. By the end of July, only unfortified maize meal had been distributed. If the rains do come, it is expected that assistance will be needed until March next year, when the first harvests are expected. The country has sufficient maize stocks to last until December and is negotiating to buy multi-nutrient powder from South Africa, says MacDonald Kadratsa, technical advisor for disaster risk reduction in the office of the prime minister. Buying fish and meat from local producers is also being considered. Anecdotal reports suggest that some of the maize meal earmarked for poor households is being sold across the border in Angola. In the southern provinces of Angola bordering

ABOVE: About 29% of children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth as a result of malnutrition.

Namibia, it is estimated that the number of people in need of food assistance is about 800 000, while many struggle to find access to clean drinking water. The Namibian government has spent a significant amount on water infrastructure such as boreholes and water pumps, but access to food is currently the main focus. With a per capita income of US$4 700 (R47 000), Namibia is classified as an uppermiddle income country. This, combined with its small population of 2,3 million, makes it difficult to attract donors, says Micaela Marques de Sousa, Unicef representative in Namibia. International aid agencies such as Unicef and the Red Cross have issued appeals for drought relief.

MALNUTRITION

Despite the country’s relative wealth, many Namibians suffer from malnutrition, even during

years of sufficient harvests. About 29% of children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth as a result of malnutrition, just below the World Health Organisation’s 30% threshold to be classified as a public health emergency. Nahas Angula, the current minister of defence, is an advocate for improved nutrition. With the negative effects of climate change on Namibia, where the northern areas are prone to droughts and flooding, the traditional way of life of many people is under threat. It is also difficult to implement sustainable farming methods. “In the long run, we must address the production systems. Let us focus on small-scale producers – improve their seed, soil fertility, farming methods and weed control,” he says. • Phone Ebben Kalondo, Meatco, on +264 61 321 6400 or Judy Matjila, Unicef Namibia, on +264 61 204 6253. FW

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23 AUGUST 2013 | farmer’s weekly | 45

CROPS

Potatoes

THE FARMER J WHO PRIZES HIS POTATOES

FW ASKS

A careful expansion strategy and optimum risk management has earned Johan van Zyl the title of Free State Potato Farmer of the Year in 2007 and 2013. Lindi van Rooyen finds out what it takes to stay ahead in the potato game. What was the biggest mistake you made in farming? “Expanding too quickly. Every time I expanded with too big an area, I was weaker because it was out of my management sphere. The business suffers because you don’t get around to doing anything properly.” What’s the best business decision you have made? “To plant my own trials. Now I can see first-hand what works and what doesn’t.”

ROTATING FOR A HEALTHY CROP

JOHAN VAN ZYL

Johan plants potato cultivars Up to Date, Mondial, Marquis and Almera. PHOTOS: LINDI VAN ROOYEN

60 | farmer’s weekly | 31 MAY 2013

ohan van Zyl seems unaffected by the number of awards he has won for his potato farming skills and says that growing potatoes is reward enough. “I don’t go on holiday a lot because I like farming potatoes so much that work is like a holiday for me,” he jokes. “For Johan, it’s potatoes first then family!” adds his wife Lizelle. “The secret to his success lies in his passion for the crop.” After farming with his father, Johan started farming independently in 1997. Today Van Zyl Boerdery in Warden operates on leased and owned land. He also plants maize and runs cattle, sheep and goats. Potatoes make up 90% of the farm income, while maize and livestock make up 5% each. Diversification improves cash flow stability and livestock can utilise the maize stover after harvest. Reluctant to accept praise, Johan credits much of his success to the people he associates with. “But good planning and God’s grace are also important. You can do what you like on a farm but if there’s no rain, then that’s how it is. At the end of the day, God decides.”

Johan plants his own potato trials on 30ha to test chemical applications, leaf nutrition requirements, fertilisers and cultivars. Although expensive, it is a necessary and valuable exercise, he maintains. Typically, potatoes are rotated on a land in a four-year cycle. After the potato season, maize is planted for two years. In year four, the land is rested and the soil grid-sampled and analysed. Nutrient imbalances are corrected and potatoes are planted again the following year. Lands are sectioned into four units so that there is always one potato section, two maize sections and a fallow section. This rotation minimises the risk of soil-borne potato diseases. To alleviate weather risks, Johan spreads the planting, as much as possible, across the Warden area. “I lease lands up to 50km apart,” he explains. “Hail and rain tend to be localised; I’ve seen one of my lands completely destroyed by hail and the next one entirely unaffected.”

• Johan leases potato lands across the district

FAST FACTS

to minimise the risk of hail and drought.

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CULTIVARS

Johan buys his seed potatoes from First Potato Dynamics, Western Free State Seed Growers’ Association, and GWK. He plants Marquis, Up to Date, Mondial and Almera cultivars. Almera, a quick-growing cultivar planted in late August, boosts cash flow as it is harvested in January, a quiet time in the business.

‘YOU NEED TO LEARN TO RIDE THE PRICE FLUCTUATION WAVE.’ Mondial, Up to Date and Marquis are planted between September and October. Fertiliser is applied to seed according to requirements determined by soil analysis and trial results. Johan explains that because fertiliser requirements vary from cultivar to cultivar trial results are crucial. After planting, Johan sprays herbicide to kill off weeds. Soil is ridged over the plant rows, more herbicide is sprayed and

fertiliser is spread. A month later, lands are sprayed for fungi and insects. Chemical spraying continues, in 10-day cycles, until March, when the temperature begins to drop to the point where insect activity is suppressed. Chemicals are withdrawn three weeks before harvest. Johan uses Syngenta’s potato pack, which satisfies his crop protection requirements. A consultant inspects the crop every two weeks for pests and diseases. “I’m very grateful to my input suppliers because if they don’t perform, then I’m gone,” says Johan. He averages a yield of 28t/ha to 32t/ ha. With the exception of Almera, the potatoes are harvested between March and September as market demand dictates.

AN ON-SITE COLD ROOM

The Warden area is very cold in winter and the soil acts as effective cold storage. Potatoes can be left in the ground instead of being harvested and stored in a cold room. “It’s my cheap cold storage

• The cooler Warden climate means

that potatoes can be left in the soil until they are needed instead of being harvested and packed in a cold room.

• Almera potatoes are harvested in January,

providing cash flow in a quiet month.

TOP LEFT: After being bagged on the land, the potatoes are offloaded at the packhouse. TOP: Potatoes are rinsed and lightly scrubbed before they are packaged. RIGHT: Johan’s potatoes are lifted mechanically and collected manually.

facility,” Johan quips. His workers count among his most important assets. “I have 300 seasonal workers and value them,” have more money,” Johan he says. “I’m worried explains. “Demand is lower about labour issues, but if in the middle of the month everyone mechanises and because budgets are tight.” workers are laid off, who He notes that while a will buy our produce?” higher price for potatoes Local labourers from would be welcome, Warden harvest and it would also reduce pack the potatoes. Most demand. “It’s important have been working for to learn to ride the waves him for years, some of the price fluctuations. as long as a decade. When a cultivar is short About 20% of the harvest on the market, I can is grown on contract deliver what’s needed and supplied to McCain because I have several and Nature’s Choice. cultivars in the soil.” “I send the balance to market at the end of the month when consumers CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 31 MAY 2013 | farmer’s weekly | 61

CROPS

Potatoes

MAKING IT PROFITABLE

Johan manages Van Zyl Boerdery with a carefully planned expansion strategy. “Ten years ago,” he recalls, “a speaker at a farmer’s information day said that to be sustainable, a farmer had to increase his turnover by 10% every year. I thought to myself, ‘this is impossible’. But I realised that I would stay behind if I didn’t grow. “Ten years ago, 20t/ ha of potatoes was a good harvest. Today one needs 28t/ha to break even. A packhouse costs millions to erect and it can’t be justified if you are a small potato farmer.” Johan notes that a farmer reaches a stage

62 | farmer’s weekly | 31 MAY 2013

when he can no longer grow horizontally, only vertically. “I would rather produce 5 000 bags of potatoes on 900ha than 6 000 bags of the same size on 2 000ha,” he says. He is concerned about the direction the potato market is taking. “Our industry is badly affected by cheap French fry imports. Many restaurants and takeaways that once bought fresh potatoes on the market now buy imported frozen chips. This obviously affects our farmers. “Potatoes SA and the farmers need to focus on marketing. If the per capita consumption of potatoes can increase by 3kg per year, the price

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: • Johan has contracted an Italian company to design attractive packaging that is convenient to carry. • Potatoes are sent to fresh produce markets in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Pietermaritzburg from Monday to Thursday. • Workers bag potatoes at lifting. About 300 seasonal workers harvest, sort and package potatoes. • Potatoes are bagged, ready to be marketed, in the packhouse.

that the producer receives will improve drastically. “Almera, for example, is a low GI potato. But few consumers are aware of this because of a lack of marketing. There’s a huge opportunity to educate people on different cultivars. “In European supermarkets, they don’t simply sell ‘potatoes’. They market them according

to the cultivar. This is the way to go here too.” Johan plans to expand his enterprise, but only after considering market needs and establishing which cultivars are in demand. Despite the challenges, he remains positive about the potato industry because, as he says, “people must still eat”. • Contact Johan van Zyl at Lizelle_vzyl@yahoo.com FW

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GETTY IMAGES

UIF ENHANCES POVERTY ALLEV I ATION SCHEMES In alignment with government programmes, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has established a unit called the Labour Activation Programme (LAP). The purpose of the LAP is to administer the funding of the Unemployment Alleviation Programmes. The current programmes connected to the LAP are ‘Training of the Unemployed’ and the ‘Training Layoff Scheme’. The focus of the former is mainly on UIF beneficiaries – people who contributed to the Fund while employed. However, a percentage of the people who never contributed are covered by the funding. The key deliverable on this issue is to enter into strategic partnerships with interested stakeholders to fund the training of the unemployed. The sourcing of potential learners is through the Department of Labour’s work-seekers’ database ESSA system and the UIF’s SIYAYA system. Work-seekers are encouraged to register on the ESSA system so as to stand a chance of being selected when these opportunities are identified. The focus of the Training Layoff Scheme is on employees who are still employed but who are facing retrenchments. Employers, employees and trade unions can approach the CCMA to make applications to participate in the Training Layoff Scheme. Instead of retrenching employees, an employer can opt to place these employees on the training scheme while the company seeks the help of Productivity SA and its turnaround solution package. Employers will need to prove their companies are in difficulty by providing financial documents to the CCMA. Employers and employees are encouraged to participate in the scheme and benefit in this government initiative to save as many jobs as possible. For more information on these programmes, please contact the call centre at 012 337 1680 or 0800 843 843 / 0800 UIF UIF (toll-free). Alternatively, visit the Department of Labour’s website at www.labour.gov.za.

THE UIF INTRODUCES NEW TOLL- FREE NUMBER The Unemployment Insurance Fund has enhanced its service delivery system by introducing a new toll-free number. The number is approved by Icasa, therefore it can be used by all clients to access UIF information and services free of charge. However, clients can still use the call centre number, which remains 012 337 1680.

The tolL- Free number is

0800 843 843 or 0800 UIF UIF

featured photography

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vian roos

featured photography

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TH� BI G GER P i C TurE With Photoshop and digital cameras, everyone is a ‘professional’ photographer nowadays, but they easily forget how to really get it right.

words & photosgraphy by VIAN ROOS

be developed. In a world of instant pictures this was weird to say the least. Eventually moving over to digital photography, I will never forget the thrill it was to work in film. Even today, excluding product photography, I tend not to look at the screen of the camera too often, as I feel it kills the technique of photography.

My first formal experience of photography was about five years ago when I started studying design. My first camera was my beloved Pentax K1000 36mm film camera. Learning photography with a camera weighing more than 700g excluding its lens was not only difficult, but thrilling as you only have 36 frames and then need to wait for the film to

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taken with film