MATTER volume 3 Vian Roos Portfolio
Vian Roos’ work is inspired by the everyday and ordinary life stories of South Africa’s people. He avoids styling photos, aiming to rather capture moments. He focuses on South African landscapes, buildings and the everyday activities of people. He finds it extremely important to keep his photographs as authentic as the moment in which they were captured. Vian grew up in Bethlehem in the Free State, but currently lives in Pretoria. He is the art director of Farmer’s Weekly magazine and holds a BA Honours (Cum Laude) in Graphic Design from the Design School Southern Africa.
CONNECTED No one relationship is similar to another. And it is not supposed to be. CONNECTED is a photographic series by Vian Roos that explores the different ways in which couples have relationships. The portraits work in tandem with text with the aim of evoking the core human emotion of love, and to investigate how couples view connection and togetherness. Anneli Groenewald, who collaborates with Roos, provides text that documents and contextualises the realities of the relationships behind each image. In the process, the collaboration works to undermine prejudices towards so-called ‘non-traditional’ relationships. Photographer & conceptual developer: Vian Roos Text: Anneli Groenewald Producer: Eugene Smith CONNECTED was exhibited in July 2017 at the vrynge festival that forms part of the Vrystaat Arts Festiva.
To view the full series of CONNECTED: behance.net/vianroos
Vrystad (Free State + City) is a photography collection. This series of photographs tell the stories of towns in the free state. Each town has a unique story and the vrystad series seeks to capture the character and sense of each place (genius loci) in every town. The photos also represent a journey through the free state and a search for that moment that represent the uniqueness of each town, where under the surface of each photo lies a deeper understanding of the moment. Vrystad was exhibited in July 2016 at the vrynge festival that forms part of the Vrystaat Arts Festival and later exhibited in September 2016 at ‘Inextricable’ part of Urbanflo’s Digital: Diasora series in Brighton, United Kingdom.
To view the full series of Vrystad: behance.net/vianroos
NAMIBIA A mini photo series taken on a trip throught the norhern parts of Namibia landscapes. The camera used is a Pentax K1000 with black and white Ilford Delta 100iso film, editid done digitaly.
To view the full series of Namibia: behance.net/vianroos
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ENTREPRENEUR BRINGS FIBRE-SPEED INTERNET TO ISOLATED FARMS SERVING AGRICULTURE SINCE 1911
REDUCE CLIMATE RISK WITH OFF-FARM DIVERSIFICATION
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farmer’s weekly magazine Vian is currently the art director of Farmer’s Weekly magazine, a news and business magazine focusing on the agricultural industry of South Africa. The magazine prides itself on good journalism and an accurate portrayal of the news in the industry. In 2014, Vian started his honours in graphic design. The focus of his research was on the development of a sustainable design strategy for the magazine and designing a model to determine the relevant aspects of a magazine as a brand.
Research paper: Guidelines for a sustainable design strategy, available on request.
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USING STUD BREEDING PRINCIPLES FOR COMMERCIAL BEEF PRODUCTION SUCCESS
SA WOOL INDUSTRY FACES RESEARCH VACUUM, WARNS EXPERT
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CAPITALISING ON CHINA’S THIRST FOR WINE A NEW STRATEGY FOR SA
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From the Editor
Swiss farming: not as easy as it looks On first impressions, it is difficult not to be envious of the Swiss and begrudge them their seemingly easy lives. It is one of the most peaceful and prosperous countries is the world, the scenery is achingly beautiful, and even the livestock wear jewellery too expensive for me to afford. But then one comes across farmers like the Theiler family. The Theilers live high up in the Alps in the Entlebuch Biosphere in central Switzerland, and have farmed here for three generations. When I visited them as part of a tour for agricultural journalists (see pg 20), the family was preparing for the annual Alpabfahrt, the descent from the Alps, when livestock and people move from the mountains to the valleys for winter. The women in the family were singing folk songs while braiding flower wreaths for the cows, and Josef Theiler, who retired from managing the farm some years ago, was polishing the fancy bells that the cows wear on special occasions, and some of the younger boys were washing the cows. But as Reto Theiler, who took over the farm from Josef, spoke about life on a Swiss alpine dairy farm, I learnt that all is not perfect in this piece of heaven. Swiss farmers might not face the type of political, environmental and security challenges that make farming in South Africa a pursuit only for the brave, but our farmers will be able to relate to some of the economic difficulties that threaten the sustainability of Swiss family farms. Due to the altitude and gradient of the land, the scope for mechanisation is limited, and much of the hard work has to be done by hand. The cost of farm labour is prohibitively expensive, and as a result, most of the work gets done by the family. These challenges, and the cost and availability of land, mean that it is impossible to farm on a large scale. Family dairy farms in Switzerland average just 24ha, and farmers keep about one cow per hectare. Economies of scale in this type of farming set-up mean that traditional alpine family dairy farming is simply not globally competitive or economically sustainable. According to Markus Ritter, president of the Swiss Farmers’ Union, other challenges facing the country’s farmers include the loss of productive land to urbanisation, cheap food imports, and a generally low income compared with the rest of the population. But what Swiss farmers have that South African farmers sorely lack is the overwhelming support of the public. In a recent referendum, 78,7% of Swiss people voted in favour of a proposed Constitutional amendment to ensure food security throughout the country’s agricultural value chain. This includes protecting local food production and prioritising sustainable farming practices. Perhaps the Swiss have grasped what the general public in many other countries fail to understand. This, according to Peter Moser, the head of the Archives for Agricultural History in Switzerland, is that agricultural policy affects not only farmers, but each and every citizen. FW
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Denene Erasmus Editor 4
farmer’s weekly
EDITORIAL TEAM
EDITOR Denene Erasmus (denene@caxton.co.za) MANAGING EDITOR Janine Ryan (janiner@caxton.co.za) ART DIRECTOR Vian Roos DESIGNER Louis Kruger CHIEF COPY EDITOR Paul Sulter COPY EDITORS Julinda Schroeder, Aneshree Naidoo DIGITAL EDITOR Sindira Chetty (sindirac@caxton.co.za) TECHNICAL EDITOR Chris Nel (chris.nel@vodamail.co.za) MECHANISATION EDITOR Joe Spencer 083 233 0370 (jspencer@mweb.co.za) TRAFFIC CONTROLLER Sarah Rossouw OFFICE ASSISTANT Prenusha Moodley
EDITORIAL HEAD OFFICE
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NORTHERN REGION Gerhard Uys 011 889 0849 (gerhard@caxton.co.za) Siyanda Sishuba 011 889 0788 (siyandas@caxton.co.za) CENTRAL REGION Annelie Coleman, Bothaville 082 862 9897 (ann@btbits.co.za) Sabrina Dean, Bloemfontein 082 222 9172 (sabrina@caxton.co.za) KWAZULU-NATAL Lloyd Phillips, Mooi River 084 505 9343 (phillips01@telkomsa.net) Fax: 086 512 7222 WESTERN CAPE Jeandré du Preez, Cape Town 021 001 2432, 078 422 2441 (jeandred@caxton.co.za)
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MARKETING MANAGER Reinhard Lotz 011 889 0990 (reinhardl@caxton.co.za) MARKETING COORDINATOR Melanie Olivier 011 889 0886 (melanieo@caxton.co.za) Copyright © 2017 Farmer’s Weekly and Caxton Magazines. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed by contributors, columnists and correspondents do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly. DISCLAIMER. While due care is taken to ensure accuracy, Farmer’s Weekly is not liable for any errors in product listings or availability, pricing or any other information that was checked and has changed since going to print.
6 OCTOBER 2017
BY INVITATION
Black youths must be made aware of agri sector careers In his BCom Hons research paper, Mlungisi Mama examines why so few black youths are interested in agriculture as a career. His conclusion is that they believe the sector comprises little more than farmers and farmworkers, and are unaware of the job opportunities available in various agricultural disciplines. Rectifying this will demand an education campaign run jointly by several government departments. The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly. Mlungisi Mama is currently studying towards his MCom in agricultural economics at Stellenbosch University. Email him at Mlungisi.Mama@pic.goc.za.
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The unemployment rate among the youth (between the ages of 15 and 34) in South Africa is 43%. Yet young people in South Africa, and indeed all over the world, appear to show little interest in agriculture. In South Africa, there are an average of 15 571 vacant positions for professionals in the field of agriculture every year. Despite this, fewer than 3 000 students graduate each year to fill these positions (Kriel, 2015). What I have stressed in my paper is that there are meaningful, well-paid professional jobs in agriculture such as agricultural economists and agronomists. Yet the majority of black youngsters are unaware of them. Most think that the only options available are as farmworkers (earning a minimum wage) or farm owners.
per month for their first formal jobs. This is reduced to R500 in the second year on the job, and falls away in the third year. The scheme effectively introduces a twotier labour market, which makes it cheaper to employ young workers without actually reducing their wages (Steyn, 2015).
COMPARATIVE SALARIES
A farmworker may earn R2 420 a month as a minimum wage, while, for example, a taxi driver will earn R2 872, a hospitality sector entrant R2 751, and an entry-level mineworker, R6 000. Black youngsters will thus not be interested in entering the sector if only farmworker jobs at a minimum wage are on offer. On the other hand, they do not enter the professional
AFTER SEEING ELDERLY, SMALL-SCALE FARMERS STRUGGLE TO MAKE A LIVING, BLACK YOUTHS HAVE A NEGATIVE PERCEPTION OF THE SECTOR Black youngsters simply do not realise the potential that exists in the sector, and therefore do not take up agriculture-related studies. Yes, access to education is a problem for many, but even when they do gain access, few consider agriculture-related studies. At the University of Stellenbosch, for example, the number of black students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture is on average only slightly more than 20 per annum, compared with about 140 white students per year. This indicates that the white students see the potential and value that the sector offers. The number of black students currently pursuing a BSc in agriculture may tell a different story, but the bottom line is that the sector needs to be promoted among black youths in South Africa because these numbers are by no means an accurate reflection of national demographics. The youth wage subsidy provides employers with an employment tax incentive (ETI). This consists of a subsidy of up to R1 000 per month for employing people aged between 18 and 29 who earn less than R6 000 and more than R2 000
agricultural sector either, mainly because they do not have the required qualifications because they do not pursue the necessary studies. Exposure is therefore key. From a questionnaire I circulated to obtain empirical evidence for my paper, it was evident that respondents in the farming areas of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape were more willing to pursue a career in the sector. Respondents in Gauteng (Johannesburg), however, were more interested in pursuing careers in the financial services sector.
A VERY DIFFERENT VIEW
Negative perceptions of agriculture play a major role in the choices of black youths. After witnessing the elderly suffer in the rural areas while farming livestock and vegetables, they see little potential in the sector. The sector is also not viewed as ‘glamorous’, in contrast with professions such as accountancy, where one wears a suit and works in a smart office. What the majority of these youths do not realise is that a professional such as an agricultural economist can indeed work in a stylish corporate environment.
Maize is the most important field crop produced in South Africa, and the maize milling industry offers a number of professional employment opportunities. The industry also has strong links throughout the economy, both upstream to the input industries and downstream to the milling, animal feed and food processing industries. As white people have traditionally been more exposed to agriculture, due to their extensive control of the sector, many farmers encourage their sons to study farm management and then return to run the family farm. To ensure that black youths overcome the obstacles they face with regard to meaningful participation in the agricultural sector, a policy intervention meeting involving
the Department of Communications, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Department of Education would need to be convened. The lack of awareness and education difficulties (black youths not enrolling for or failing to complete agriculture-related studies) will need to be addressed in such a meeting. A joint effort by these departments would go a long way in ensuring that black youths are made aware of the opportunities in the agricultural sector, and will result in them participating in a meaningful way. From my survey, it is clear that black youths – male and female – share the view that the sector does not have the potential to provide them with meaningful employment. FW
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13 OCTOBER 2017
farmer’s weekly
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LIFESTYLE Real Cooking for Real Men
Lonely Hearts LIFESTYLE To make the magnificent sauce for four diners, you will need:
The Hitching Post
1 onion 3 cloves of garlic One tiny red chilli with pips 2 cans of tomatoes 2 tablespoons tomato concentrate 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 teaspoons dried tarragon 3 tablespoons capers 200ml white wine 50ml red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil PLUS Either 4 chicken breasts or 400g angel hair pasta
One recipe, two completely different meals
C D Parsons, 2195
Styling: Ailsa Uys Photo: FJ Potgieter
This story addresses the primary need of domestic dinner time: how to introduce variety into the family menu without spending the rest of your life chained to the stove. The answer is to use this superb sauce on either grilled chicken breasts or your chosen pasta.
1
Begin with the sauce. Drain, then chop the canned tomatoes. Crush, peel and finely mince the garlic. Peel and very thinly slice the onion. Drain the capers. Select a heavy-based frying pan and bring the butter and olive oil mixture up to medium heat. Add the sliced onions and minced garlic, and sweat these gently until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the chopped tomatoes plus the tomato concentrate.
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Stir well to dissolve the concentrate. Pour in the wine and vinegar, then add the tarragon, drained capers and optional baby chilli. Stir to distribute the ingredients evenly, then bring briefly to the boil. As soon as this is achieved, reduce the heat to a light simmer, fit the lid and let the contents cook for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Remove from the heat and reserve for later in the proceedings.
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DAVID BASCKIN
I am an attractive, well-groomed, intelligent widow, looking for a friend or more of 80+ who has more or less the same interests, is solvent and knows how to treat a lady. I’m still very active and enjoy socialising. I enjoy cooking and love good music, good books and animals. I don’t smoke or drink, have a good sense of humour, and love to have fun. I enjoy studying family history. If you live in Gauteng and have high standards, I’d like to hear from you. I’d prefer that you don’t smoke or drink. A photo would be appreciated. I don’t care whether you have good looks, as long as you have character.
two of butter and olive oil mixed in equal quantities and bring this up to one level above medium heat. Lightly salt and pepper the fillets, then add them to the hot butter and olive oil mixture. Turn them frequently to take advantage of the heat while avoiding the risk of burning them; every 60 seconds is my preference. Stab the breasts with a skewer to check if they are done. The juice must run clear. Reduce the heat to just below simmer, pour in the sauce and use the residual heat of the pan to finish the cooking. A couple of minutes should do it. Serve, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and rejoice in the love and admiration of your family. • David Basckin is a freelance journalist and videographer. Email him at farmersweekly@ caxton.co.za. Subject line: Real cooking. FW
3
If you are serving the sauce with pasta, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta for the time suggested on the package. The sauce works outstandingly well with all versions of pasta, so feel free to deviate from angel hair pasta. Alternatively, if planning to make the chicken breast option, choose skinned and deboned fillets. Again, select a heavy-based frying pan or castiron skillet. Add a tablespoon or
4
5
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I am a widower in my seventies, looking to communicate with that special lady who is in a similar situation to me, is reasonably fit, and is prepared to join me in a permanent relationship. I enjoy travel when I can, especially when visiting my family and friends. Life offers many enjoyable moments; what better than to share them with someone you care for?
Capricorn, 4240
Retired lady of 74, medium-built, brown hair and eyes, non-smoker of sober habits, attractive with a very good body that nature loved. Looking to meet a man of similar tastes from the countryside or coast. Would like to have a permanent relationship; could relocate if required. I’m a retired counselling psychologist and still highly active in my field. Looking forward to meeting my soulmate.
Somewhere In Between
6 OCTOBER 2017
I am a 53-year-old, white widow with no kids. I’m a born-again Christian who doesn’t smoke or drink. I love dogs, the outdoors, camping, country life, cooking and watching rugby and cricket. Looking for a white man between 53 and 60 years old who is financially secure, of sober habits and who knows how to spoil and treat a lady. He should also love dogs. No chancers.
Bridgemar
Blonde, blue-eyed, 66-year-old, divorced novice writer and poet is seeking the man of her dreams. He must be neat and tidy, in his late 70s or even early 80s and can even be disabled. I’m a kind, loving, loyal woman with loads of love to give. I want an older man because older men give true love without thinking the woman is a punch bag. My dream is to publish four novels and a poetry book and it would be great if I had someone to share in my dreams by helping me publish my first book and then reaping the rewards with me. I’m tired of being lonely. I’m a one-man woman and will always be true. This is a rare opportunity; take a chance and write to me today.
Cinderella
How to place a post: The service is free, confidential and open to those over 18. Posts or replies cannot be written on behalf of someone else, and you must supply a pseudonym. Posts must not exceed 50 words and your address must be legible. Sign with your name and surname. Send your post to Hitching Post, PO Box 1797, Pinegowrie 2123, or fax 011 889 0862, or email hitchingpost@caxton.co.za. How to reply to a post: Send a response in a sealed, SA stamped envelope and write the pseudonym of the person to whom it should be sent on the front cover. Place this into a second SA stamped envelope and send it to Hitching Post, PO Box 1797, Pinegowrie 2123.
6 OCTOBER 2017
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FEATURE Cattle Production
Small-herd stud farming is BIG business in Canada
run a slightly larger herd of 150 head of Charolais, of which 120 are stud animals. This farm is different to the other two in that the family has planted 2 600ha to malting barley, wheat for ethanol production, and canola, and they farm full time. All three families show their stud animals.
Small commercial beef producers and stud breeders make up a large and valuable part of Canada’s cattle value chain. While in Alberta, Gerhard Uys, who recently visited Farm Fair International, a Canadian agricultural show, visited three farming families that run small, profitable commercial herds.
COPING WITH THE COLD
Amongst the greatest challenges these farmers face is the cold. Temperatures in the area can reach above 30˚C in summer, with an average temperature of 22˚C. In winter, however, cold snaps, which can last up to three days, can cause temperatures to plummet well below -40˚C with the wind chill factor. Winter temperatures average -15˚C. This extreme cold is challenging, and one such challenge is keeping the water from freezing. On the Knots farm, water is drawn from a borehole 2,4m deep. The natural heat of the soil prevents the water from freezing, but once exposed to the outside air, the water freezes instantly. To solve this problem, the water is piped into a heated, insulated container that keeps it fluid, even on days with temperatures of -40˚C.
F
CANADA Ardrossan Calgary Ottawa
FAST FACTS
• A large part of Canada’s beef and stud industry is run by producers with herds that average only about 70 animals. • Canadian stud breeders export semen and embryos to many countries. • The cattle industry thrives despite the bitter cold; temperatures can plummet to -40˚C with wind chill.
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8 DECEMBER 2017
ather-and-daughter team Greg and Kelsey Knot, of the farm 4K Land and Cattle Co. in Ardrossan, Alberta, Canada, run a small Red and Black Angus herd of about 40 cows. Seven of these are stud animals, and the remainder are commercial. Although the operation is small, it contributes to the genetic base of commercial breeders in Canada, and is a reflection of a large and productive part of the the country’s cattle industry. While Canada has many commercial farmers who farm 800 or more head of cattle, almost half of the 15 million beef cattle in the country are in herds that average 70 breeding cows. Most of these herds are run by farmers who have full-time, off-farm jobs. Kelsey, for example, is an agricultural specialist at an accounting firm, and takes care of her stud animals in her free time. A similar pattern is evident on two other farms in the district. A short drive away, Barrie Przekop and his daughter, Dacie, run about 100 red and black Simmentaler stud cows on their farm, Lake Bottom Cattle Co. They also have a small number of commercial cattle. Barrie has a full-time job on the oil fields, but works there only every alternate week, giving him time to look after his cattle. Dacie manages the cattle full time. On the Kay-R Charolais Ranch in Waskatenau, Kasey and Arlana Phillips, their son, Kord, and Kasey’s father, Clinton,
HEALTH
OPPOSITE PAGE: Clinton Phillips and his family run a mixed farming operation in Alberta, Canada. This comprises a 120head Charolais stud herd and 2 600ha under malting barley, wheat for ethanol production, and canola. PHOTOS: GERHARD UYS
To see more photographs of this Canadian tour, visit: bit.ly/2hWRfGn.
While the cold presents difficulties, it also provides livestock with some health benefits. For example, parasites, such as ticks, cannot survive in these conditions, and are therefore a relatively small problem for these farmers. However, humidity is problematic, and while producers generally follow standard vaccination programmes, they have to work particularly hard to manage the challenges associated with humidity. One such problem is lung issues that may arise from the humidity when cattle are kept in barns for too long. Kasey says that health management is his main
challenge, with pneumonia his chief concern. While he keeps his cows in barns during calving, he moves them out a day after. However, portable shelters are used to protect the calves from the worst cold. According to Kelsey, E.coli can become a problem when rain and snow combine, especially during calving. The Knots also vaccinate against black leg, a clostridium disease found in soils in the region. These bacteria can survive extreme temperatures, and wounds on cattle or other animals provide the ideal conditions for these bacteria to reproduce. Once in the animal’s bloodstream, they produce toxins that can kill within hours. Kelsey says that moving cows out to pasture and onto either dry ground or straw helps prevent many types of infections, particularly black leg.
GRAZING AND FEED
The Knots run cattle on 48ha, and lease out 194ha to grain producers. Most of the veld on their farm comprises the palatable Timothy bromegrass, which contains sufficiently high levels of protein that keep their cattle in good condition. Some lucerne-type grasses also occur naturally. In winter, the cattle push the snow aside with their snouts and feed on the grass under the snow, but Greg and Kelsey supplement their cattle with hay throughout winter. On the Phillipses’ farm, cattle graze natural veld in summer, and feed on hay and barley silage in winter. “On our pastures, we need about 1,6ha to sustain a cow/ calf pair for the summer. There’s a lot of grass while summer lasts. We have about 120 frostfree days a year,” says Kasey. For the remainder of the year, the Phillips family relies on swathe grazing, barley silage and hay. (Swathe grazing is similar to standing hay, but the grass is cut before winter and allowed to fall over). 8 DECEMBER 2017
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THE FARMER’S WEEKLY TOUR TO
FRUIT LOGISTICA 4 – 11 FEBRUARY 2018 IN GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS
Join the Farmer`s Weekly tour to Berlin, Germany, to attend the Fruit Logistica show at the Messe Berlin showgrounds, one of the world’s leading trade fairs for the fresh produce sector. Fruit Logistica is an all-in-one platform, providing visitors with a global industry forum and marketplace, as well as a source of new ideas and inspiration. The show includes daily conferences and demonstrations, with experts from the import/export, production, wholesale and retail trade, packaging and labelling, transporting and handling sectors. More than 70 000 visitors from 130 countries are expected to attend. Make sure you’re amongst them! Apart from visiting the show and sightseeing in Berlin, the Farmer`s Weekly tour includes visits to markets and farms in and around Berlin, plus a two-day visit to Amsterdam in the Netherlands to visit markets, processing factories and farms to experience the best of the regional produce.
Important information:
The final date for applications is 4 December 2017. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required by 22 November 2017 to guarantee your booking. The final date for payments is 14 December 2017. Any application and/or payment submitted after 29 November 2017 will result in a price increase without assurance of availability of the same flights and hotels as the rest of the group. Visa applications must be submitted by 16 January 2018. Farmer’s Weekly and Boland Travel will provide information on the visa application procedures after registration.
APPLICATIONS DATE EXTENDED The final date for applications is 4 December 2017 PACKAGE A: Berlin and Fruit Logistica
PACKAGE B: Berlin, Fruit Logistica and the Netherlands
R26 500 + VAT (R30 210) per single person
R38 500 + VAT (R43 890) per single person
R23 850 + VAT (R27 189) per person sharing
R35 850 + VAT (R40 869) per person sharing
Packages include:
• Economy class return flights from OR Tambo International Airport to Schiphol and Tegel airports; • Airport taxes for OR Tambo, Tegel and Schiphol airports; • Travel insurance (travel and medical insurance are compulsory for visa applications); • Three nights’ accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Berlin, including breakfast; • An additional two nights in Amsterdam in a 4-star hotel, including breakfast (Option B only); • Airport transfers abroad; • Entrance to the Fruit Logistica show and use of the facilities in the international lounge, including snacks and drinks; • Daily shuttles from hotel to showgrounds at Messe Berlin; • Transport to and from port, farms and consumer markets; • Farewell drinks.
Above package prices will be calculated based on the premise that at least 15 people will be attending.
Packages exclude:
• Visa application fees. However, Farmer`s Weekly and Boland Travel will offer support in this regard; • Lunch and dinners; • Local transport not included in the programme; • Personal expenses; • Domestic transport within South Africa.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS: Marianna du Plessis 063 076 9135 | africa@caxton.co.za
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE AND PAYMENTS:
Yolanda Barkhuizen at Boland Travel corporate1@bolandtravel.net
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farmer’s weekly rebranding Prior to 2014, the magazine did not have a cohesive brand identity, the notion was: ‘If it has red and the logo in it, you can do what you want’. 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
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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.
When Vian became the art director, his first priority was to create a cohesive brand that can be used for advertising in Farmer’s Weekly itself as well as external advertising and social media. In 2016, he was tasked with the redesign of the magazine’s layout for its 105th anniversary. This included working with a now established brand, while retaining the heritage of the magazine, bringing it up- to-date with publication trends in the ever-changing industry.
CROPS Aquaponics
Realising a dream with urban aquaponic farming Louis and Nadine Kuys produce a range of colourful leaf vegetables in an urban aquaponics system in Vredenburg on the West Coast. Keri Harvey visited Forest Friends Aquaponics to learn more.
Aquaponics is Louis and Nadine Kuys’s passion, and daughter Ellie already loves her greens. PHOTOS: KERI HARVEY
F
or years, Louis and Nadine Kuys toyed with the idea of producing their own nutritious food and living off the grid. This, however, was not possible on their 45ha farm on marginal land near Hopefield in the Western Cape. Finally, in early 2016, they sold the farm and bought a house with 1ha of land in the small town of Vredenburg, closer to the coast. Here they decided to break new ground with an aquaponic farming venture. “We always wanted to do tunnels, but Hopefield is just too hot, so we decided to try urban farming because our market is all around us in town,” explains Louis. Louis has been researching and planning aquaponics systems since 2014. While investigating a new filtration system for a water feature, he stumbled upon the aquaponic concept, which is a system in which aquaculture and hydroponic farming methods are combined. He built his first aquaponic system using a reusable bulk industrial container that measured 3m x 4m. “We grew a ‘forest’ in there: thyme, tomatoes, artichokes, strawberries, dill, fennel, oregano, sweet peas, peppers, turnips, okra and beans.” After this initial venture, Louis felt confident enough to expand the system with a professionally built tunnel system.
“We plant densely, with around 36 plants/ m², which means we currently have between 3 000 and 4 000 plants in the tunnel,” Louis explains. As strong wind is a constant feature of the West Coast, the tunnel system has been designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 120km/h, he adds.
FUNDING THE VENTURE
Forest Friends Aquaponics was started from scratch with money that Louis earned while working as a sub-sea inspection coordinator abroad. Farm manager, Ju-wanh Anthony, manages the day-today running of the farm. Nadine has a full-time job at Eskom, but helps out on the farm as well. The farm produces a variety of leaf vegetables that are sold in colourful, mixed packs. They include green and red oak leaf lettuce, cos and butter lettuce, beetroot leaves, fennel, dill, wild rocket, sweet rocket, basil, spinach, Chinese cabbage, and pak choi. The 30m x 10m aquaponic tunnel system has four rows of rafts (grow beds), each 28m x 1,2m in size.
FAST FACTS
• Louis and Nadine Kuys farm leaf vegetables using an urban aquaponic system in Vredenburg. • About 4 000 plants are densely planted in the 30m x 10m tunnel. • Production is kept as natural and simple as possible, and produce is marketed locally.
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farmer’s weekly
PRODUCTION PROCESS
While aquaponics is often perceived as complicated, Louis says that the system operates on very simple principles. Municipal water, which is pumped into a 5 000ℓ tank, is degassed using aeration to eliminate chlorine, as this kills both fish and bacteria. During the nitrification process that follows, the water’s pH drops naturally and has to be buffered to about 6,5 or 7 to enable the plants to absorb the nutrients optimally. “We use calcium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide to bring the pH back up to the desired level for the plants,” Louis explains.
TOP: These seedlings are ready to be planted into rafts. TOP RIGHT: Newly planted seedlings on one of the rafts. ABOVE LEFT: Louis with some of the plants in various stages of growth. ABOVE RIGHT: These packaged salad leaves are ready for delivery.
The actual production process starts with the tilapia in the tanks, which Louis sourced from hatchery owner, Nick James, in the Eastern Cape. The fish are fed high-grade fish pellets, which digest efficiently in the gut, he explains. The fishes’ waste is then broken down by nitrifying bacteria, initially into nitrites and subsequently into nitrates, that the plants utilise as nutrients.
WASTE CONVERSION
The waste is transferred to a filtration system consisting of a slotted clarifier that traps solid particles. Water flow is slowed down by changing the direction of flow. Water is transferred from the clarifiers to the plants in two steps. Firstly, sludge from the clarifier is piped to an offline aerobic mineralisation tank. Here, the solids are treated, mineralised and broken down by Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria into simple, usable plant nutrients. These are then passed through a tank filled with ‘bio-balls’,
15 SEPTEMBER 2017
15 SEPTEMBER 2017
New 2017 layout
BUSINESS
Smallholder Mechanisation
Smallholder mechanisation: shuddering to a halt, again using the machines, said the department had no set policy on how the tractors would be managed. Two months later, in his performance report to the PMG, he admitted that the tools for measuring the sustainability of projects were inadequate, and that the systems for verifying claimed figures needed to be strengthened.
BELOW: Entrepreneurs can offer services to smallscale farmers – ploughing, towing, hammermill operation and others. But the costs per hectare are considerable. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOE SPENCER
TRACTORS PARKED IN WAREHOUSES ARE BEING STRIPPED FOR SPARE PARTS. When asked if tractor usage was being monitored, he replied that a tender had been put out for an information system. Only once this was installed could DAFF
42 | farmer’s weekly | 10 MAY 2013
Old 2013 layout
keep track of what happened to the tractors after delivery. The progress of the mechanisation programme mirrors that of previous mechanisation programmes in South Africa and the continent. In what could be construed as political expediency, 29 new tractors and implements were handed over to the communities of Nkandla and Mlalazi by President Jacob Zuma near his Nkandla homestead in October 2010. Zuma and KwaZulu-Natal businessman Deedo Mzobe personally donated two and three tractors respectively. In February 2011, Bushbuckridge beneficiaries of the Masibuyele Emasimini project in Mpumalanga claimed that tractor operators were demanding bribes of up to R200 to plough
lands of non-beneficiary smallholders, while beneficiaries themselves waited up to two months to get their lands ploughed. Months later, more problems were reported: a lack of a service provider to ensure that tractors were available to farmers; less than 10% of the planned 80 000ha ploughed; fallow land ploughed regardless of ownership, merely so that targets could be met; 60kW tractors used to plough 1ha lands; and unmentored farmers growing inappropriate crops. Meanwhile, DAFF officials were unable to answer questions about alleged irregularities in the department’s procurement of tractors worth R50 million. In some cases, provincial departments of agriculture have been willing to trust municipalities to roll out their own mechanisation
programmes, and this has led to tractors simply standing in warehouses where they are being stripped for spares. In June 2012, Nala municipality in the Free State admitted that two of its tractors and a bakkie were still in their workshop after three years while four refuse removal tractors had been declared unroadworthy.
DRAWING ON PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE DAFF would have been well advised to establish why previous free-ofcharge mechanisation programmes for smallholders have failed in this country and all over Africa. Certainly one reason could be that ‘something for nothing is worth nothing’. The recipient does not own the item or service so cannot question the quality of services rendered, such as minimum depth or quality of ploughing, or whether the machinery is being looked after properly.
• Millions of rands
have been spent on mechanisation programmes, yet these have failed consistently.
FAST FACTS
n 2010, Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) announced that R50 million per province would be spent over the medium-term on a mechanisation programme for small-scale farmers. Since then, hundreds of tractors and implements have been deployed by the provinces. The success of these initiatives, however, is almost impossible to establish. For example, DAFF Director-General Langa Zita, when asked in March 2012 by the parliamentary monitoring group (PMG) about the poor maintenance of tractors and if DAFF had enough information on the problems of issuing and
COURTESY OF PETER HITTERSAY
The government’s mechanisation programme is doomed to failure unless it is project-managed properly and regard is given to the many difficulties of operating machinery in a small-scale environment, says Peter Hittersay, a consultant in agricultural mechanisation.
I
whose surfaces are coated with bacteria. Naturally occurring Nitrosomonas bacteria convert ammonia into nitrites, which are then converted by Nitrobacter bacteria into nitrates, before the water is pumped to the plants. In the second process, the clearer water from the top of the clarifier flows into a tank fitted with nets that trap more particles. Bacteria on the nets also mineralise the particles in anaerobic process. The water then passes to a degasser that enables the gases present – ammonia, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide – to escape from the water. After degassing, the nitraterich water is pumped into the raft beds from where it is taken up by the plants as nutrients. Finally, the filtered water is pumped back into the fish tanks and the process starts again. Tilapia, which keep the plants free of pests and the water clear of algae, are also kept in the rafts below the plants. Bloodworms, which occur naturally in the water and feed on algae,
• Incompetence and
corruption are the main reasons for this debacle.
• Without land tenure,
farmers cannot expand and buy tractors.
In the 1970s and 1980s, believing that they could make a positive contribution to agricultural development in Africa, international aid agencies provided literally thousands of tractors and implements to a number of countries under tied-aid government ‘ploughing fleet’ programmes. Broadly speaking, these were designed to provide primary tillage services to smallholders either free or at heavily subsidised rates. None of these programmes ended up providing sustainable mechanisation services; all that was left was broken-down, neglected machinery. In response to this, in the early 1980s,
a UK-based development could work. international One approach was to tractor hastily establish homeland manufacturer agricultural departments and an aid agency and parastatals, as well as PETER HITTERSAY pioneered ‘tractor a number of large farming rehabilitation’ projects. For the latter, TOP AND programmes. These they purchased thousands ABOVE LEFT: provided mandatory of large, inappropriate The Landini Solis 50 and rebuild kits and personnel tractors and implements. the Jinma 250, to train and manage local The Transkei, for example, examples of manpower to rebuild acquired 1 100 tractors and a practical, derelict tractors. implements directly from an affordable tractor ideal for By the end of 1992, Austrian manufacturer, while the small-scale they had put some 5 000 300 UK and Italian tractors farmer. tractors into operation and workshops in Bizana in 30 countries on three and Butterworth to maintain ABOVE RIGHT: continents. Africa, Malawi, them were provided by the A three-furrow Mozambique, Ghana, SA Department of Foreign 406mm Zambia, Eritrea and Affairs and Development mouldboard Ethiopia were some of the Aid for the government plough is a useful all-round countries that benefited. to provide free primary implement for There were several spinservices to smallholders the smallholder. offs: savings in foreign directly or through exchange as bulk part kits community initiatives. were cheaper to import Every one of these than new tractors; job mechanisation programmes creation; and skills transfer failed. There were many within the rehabilitation reasons for this: facilities and their local • Policymakers did not suppliers of tyres, batteries, have a true appreciation of and other spares. the complex problems of Despite its initial success, managing and operating this project, like the tractors and implements in others, failed to provide a small-scale environment. sustainable mechanisation • Far-off bureaucrats services to smallholders. made decisions that When the apartheid adversely affected the government created the day-to-day management homelands, it was anxious of mechanisation to show the international service provision. community that its system of separate CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 10 MAY 2013 | farmer’s weekly | 43
farmer’s weekly
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Sê
Vrystaat Landbou Desember December 2017 Die goeie nuus The good news
VRYSTAAT LANDBOU SÊ Vrystaat Landbou Sê is a biannual publication published by the agricultural assosiation, Vrystaat Landbou. The publication focuses on positive and uplifting stories in the Free State agricultural sector. Vian has been in charge of the design and layout of the publication since 2015.
Weervooruitsigte vir die somerseisoen JOHan Van DEn BErG klimatoloog van Santam Landbou
Na ’n relatief matige en droë winter word daar met groot verwagting uitgesien na die somerseisoen. Daar word dikwels beweer dat ons ‘altyd’ in die winter en lente darem so ’n bietjie reën kry in die somerreënvalgebied. As ons gaan kyk na die reënvalgeskiedenis vir ‘n paar plekke in die Vrystaat nl. Bloemfontein, Bethlehem en Bothaville dan is die waarskynlikheid redelik laag om ten minste 25mm reën te kry in hierdie maande (sien Tabel 1). So byvoorbeeld is die kans maar ongeveer 21% (2 uit 10 jaar) om meer as 25mm in September in Bloemfontein te kry, 17% (1 in 5 jaar) in Bothaville en omtrent F r e e S tat e ag r i c u lt u r e
Says
d e c e m b e r 2 0 17
30% (3 uit 10 jaar) vir Bethlehem. Die waarskynlikhede neem toe na Oktober en is ook beter meer na die ooste en noorde. Daar was min reën in die somerreënvalgebied in die winter en lente van 2017, en dus in die meeste gevalle meer normaal as abnormaal. Die groot vraag is wat gaan in die volgende maande gebeur? See-oppervlaktemperature in die Stille Oseaan neig tans na neutraal tot ’n effense La Niña, veral in die midtot laatsomermaande. Dit verhoog die kanse vir reën gedurende hierdie periode. Die beweging vanaf neutraal 12
Boere word aangeraai om vanjaar by die erkende plantdatums te hou.
tabel 1: Waarskynlikheid vir ten minste 25mm reënval volgens reënvalsgeskiedenis (%) periode
bloemfontein
bethelem
bothaville
35
29
20
Aug en Sep
39
52
26
Junie tot September
44
77
52
September
21
30
17
Oktober
58
79
73
Junie en Julie
tot moontlike swak La Niña-toestande van Oktober tot Februarie, is ‘n redelike sterk aanduiding van goeie reënval. Die kanse vir reën verbeter heelwat teen die tweede deel van Oktober maar veral in die eerste deel van November oor die grootste deel van die Vrystaat, Noordwes, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga en KwaZulu-Natal. Dit lyk egter asof die reënseisoen baie later gaan begin in die westelike dele van die land, wat veral die westelike en suidwestelike dele van die Noord-Kaap insluit. Afhangende van die moontlike ontwikkeling van ’n swak La Niñaverskynsel in die volgende maande
verskaf deur vrystaat landbou
kan dit egter goeie vooruitsigte inhou vir die tweede deel van die somer oor die westelike dele. Die reën wat aan die begin van Oktober voorgekom het in die somergraangebied, was ‘n teken dat die midsomerdroogte meer op die normale tyd rondom Desember/Januarie verwag kan word, maar dat die tweede deel van die reënseisoen vanaf middel Januarie 2018 weer kan begin. Dit beteken dat somergraanprodusente vanjaar ook meer by die erkende plantdatums moet hou. Graanproduksievooruitsigte lyk redelik goed vir die somerseisoen. 13
D e s e m b e r 2 0 17
v r y S ta at l a n d b o u
Sê
Dit is tradisioneel om die tyd van die jaar ’n vooruitskouing te gee van sekere aanwysers en bedrywe vir die volgende jaar. Die risiko bestaan egter dat ’n mens belangrike potensiële gebeure sal miskyk. Dit is dus beter om die uitgangspunt in te neem – gegewe waar ons tans staan – van wat die mees waarskynlike verloop van sake sal wees? Dan moet jy jouself altyd afvra, ‘watter moontlike gebeure kyk ons mis?’ Die bedoeling is nie om mekaar bang te praat nie, maar om ’n beredeneerde siening in te neem en om jou besigheidsbesluite daarop te baseer, maar hou altyd ’n plan B gereed. In terme van die benadering tot besigheid verskil landbou nie juis veel van ander bedrywe nie, buiten dat landbouers aardsoptimiste is en dan juis daarom geneig is om oor optimistiese sienings te koester. Dit is nie moontlik om al die scenarios en drywers, wat die markte bepaal, hier in diepte te bespreek nie. So die poging is gebaseer op my eie siening soos opgesom in Tabel 1 op die volgende bladsy. My uitdaging aan jou is om jou eie siening vir 2018 te toets en jou eie aannames krities te bevraagteken. Dan moet jy natuurlik besluite neem, gegewe die inligting tot jou beskikking! Die grootste fout wat baie landbouers maak is om te lank te wag om ’n aktiewe besluit te neem en dit uit te voer! Byvoorbeeld, gedurende die droogte het baie landbouers te lank gewag voordat hulle diere begin voer het of diere begin verkoop het. Baie mielieprodusente het besluit om nie hulle produk te bemark nie en stoor hul mielies – teen aansienlike koste – met die hoop dat pryse skerp gaan styg in 2018. Weervoorspellings dui baie sterk op ’n normale tot bo-normale somerreënvalseisoen, wat noodwendig groter oeste sal beteken en pryse afwaarts sal druk tensy iets onvoorsiens gebeur! Dit is egter ’n hoë risiko strategie! Die feit is ons in ‘n onstabiele omgewing leef, maar ons is beslis nie die uitsondering as mens kyk na wat in die buiteland aangaan nie – dink maar net aan Brexit in die Verenigde Koningkryk, die onafhanklikheidsstryd in Spanje, die bekgeveg tussen die VSA se Donald Trump en NoordKorea se Kim Jong-un, terreuraanvalle in verskillende lande, en so meer.
Landbou ekonomiese vooruitsigte vir 2018 PrOF JOHan WILLEMSE agrimarkconsultants.com
Een van die grootste risiko’s vir landboumarkte is die volatiliteit van die rand, wat ‘n direkte effek op alle bedrywe het. verskaf deur vrystaat landbou
F r e e S tat e ag r i c u lt u r e
Says
d e c e m b e r 2 0 17
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poLitieke ekonoMiese oMgewing
Ons bevind onsself in ‘n onstabiele politieke omgewing waar President Jacob Zuma en sy meelopers voortdurende poog om die ekonomie te ontwrig. Dink maar net aan die poging om die Reserwebank se doelwitte en beleidsrigting te verander; die pogings om kernkragkontrakte, wat die land nie kan bekostig nie, spoedig goedgekeur te kry; populistiese uitsprake oor eiendomsreg; en dan natuurlik die feit dat die meeste staatsondernemings in effek bankrot gesteel is en dat ons nie meer ruimte op die staatsbegroting het om hul van verdere geld te voorsien nie. Die feit van die saak is, Suid-Afrika is nie tans ’n aantreklike beleggings bestemming nie, met die gevolg dat kapitaalbeleggingsinvloei opdroog. Ons sien eerder ʼn uitvloei van kapitaal. Die effek hiervan is dat die rand se waarde erg bokspring. Die grootste risiko vir landboumarkte is die volatiliteit van die rand, wat ’n direkte effek op alle bedrywe het. Ekonome en ontleders is maar katvoet, maar vir ons doeleindes is dit die grootse risikos as volg; indien Zuma en sy meelopers die onderspit delf, kan die rand heelwat verstewig en meeste plaaslike kommoditeitspryse laat daal. Baie saailandbouers stoor hul mielies met die hoop dat die rand skerp gaan verswak, maar die risiko bestaan dat die rand eerder gaan versterk en dan sal mielie- en oliesaadpryse verder daal. Die rand het ook ‘n direkte effek op brandstofpryse, kunsmispryse en die van masjinerie.
Die grootste fout wat baie lanDbouers maak is om te lank te wag om ‘n aktiewe besluit te neem
saaibedrywe
Die weerkundiges is van mening dat ons ’n La Niña-fase en dus normale tot bo-normale reënvalseisoen kan verwag gedurende die tweede deel van die somer. Goeie weervooruitsigte, gekombineer met baie goeie verbeterings in produksietegnologie, het die opbrengspotensiaal van mielies en oliesade skerp laat styg. Die feit is dat die kanse baie goed is dat ons in 2018 goeie oeste gaan realiseer en dat mieliepryse 15
D e s e m b e r 2 0 17
25
D e s e m b e r 2 0 17
v r y S ta at l a n d b o u
Sê
Bloemfontein residents aim to improve farm security SaBrIna DEan
Nic Meyer, a former farmer who now lives in the city, says his concerns about the safety of his family members who are still farming prompted him and other city residents to get involved in organised farm patrols. Meyer says he and a group of residents living in a secure neighbourhood in Bloemfontein approached Free State Agriculture (FSA) to find out how they could get involved in the safety of local farmers. “Several of my friends, also former farmers, and I now live in town, but we know what it’s like out there for farmers who live in isolated rural areas,” he says. Meyer says more than 20 individuals are already committed to the initiative, and several meetings have been held with role players including FSA and the South African Police Service (SAPS). FSA’s Jane Buys says this initiative is just another way in which the organisation is trying to combat violence on farms, by improving the visibility and communication of FSA’s safety and security structures. Other initiatives include the blue/white light patrols, as well as the 16 farm watches that are now functioning across the F r e e S tat e ag r i c u lt u r e
Says
d e c e m b e r 2 0 17
Past issues
julie/july 2017
top leFt: Bloemfontein residents have voluntarily taken up the task of getting involved in organised farm patrols. top RiGht: Farmers who live in isolated areas are vulnerable targets for criminals. RiGht: More than 20 indivduals have already committed to the initiative. photos: farmer’s Weekly archive
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Vrystaat Landbou Die goeie nuus/The good news
province, serving about 30 rural towns. Buys says FSA is often approached by members of the public who want to get involved in programmes to improve farm security. She says FSA will test this new initiative over the next few months to judge its effectiveness and viability. This time of year, when farmers are planting, is the ideal time for communities to get involved as farmers are busy and the end of the year is traditionally a high crime period. “Farmers are out planting at the moment, they want to give their attention to farming, not patrolling,” she says. Meyer says it is important to get involved in a coordinated manner. “We are not going to go out and play cowboys and crooks. We are just going to give support to SAPS, and help create a crime deterring presence in the area,” he says. Meyer also says they are ready to go as soon as they receive feedback from the SAPS and organised agriculture. “If they want us to get out and patrol in an hour’s time or tonight or tomorrow we can be there. We are organised,” he says.
Sê
Vrystaat Landbou DESEMBER / DECEMBER 2016 Die goeie nuus / The good news
Sê
Vrystaat Landbou JULIE / JULY 2016
Die goeie nuus / The good news
v r y S ta at l a n d b o u
Sê
Sê
Vrystaat Landbou DESEMBER/ DECEMBER 2015 Die goeie nuus/ The good news
Vrysta Land
Die g
“Ons dae word dikwels gekenmerk deur die tragedies wat die wêreld tref, maar met vandag hoop ek gebruikers sal eerder positiwiteit na die wêreld kan kyk.” VANDAG Vandag (2017 edition) is an activity diary based on the idea that a simple act of happiness everyday might change your own perspective Vandag originated as a practical project for Vian’s honours degree in graphic design. The brief was to create a design item that would encourage the audience to interact with it. Vandag is published by Kraal Uitgewers in 2016.
Probeer elke dag invul, moenie ’n dag oorslaan nie.
Teken ’n prent of plak ’n foto van jouself hier.
Jy mag nie iets negatief skryf nie.
H O E VA N DAG W E R K
VA N DA G – B O E K
Welkom by jou eie VANDAG–BOEK.
Sommige dae vereis voorafbeplanning, so dit is altyd goed om vooruit te lees. As jy bang is om iets alleen te doen, kry ’n vriend om jou te help, jy sal nie na die tyd spyt wees nie! Gebruik #VANDAGBOEK as jy iets lekker daardie dag gedoen het en foto’s daarvan op sosiale media wil laai. Daar is ’n paar dae waarop jy iets op Facebook, Toeter of Instagram moet laai. Jy kan ook rookseine gebruik indien jy wil. Maar die heel belangrikste is dat jy vanjaar moet geniet! Die idee is om meer te doen as wat hier geskryf staan.
Naam: Telefoon:
Dit is die eerste dag van die jaar, so kom ons begin met die vyf goed wat jy nie hierdie jaar gaan doen nie.
Wees rustig, 2017 begin môre.
Geniet die laaste dag van 2016, want môre begin daar groot dinge.
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DESEMBER 2016 M D W D 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29
V 2 9 16 23 30
S 3 10 17 24 31
S 4 11 18 25
JANUARIE 2017 M D W D 2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
V
S
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
S 1 8 15 22 29
1
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5 Skryf die vyf goed neer wat jy nie hierdie jaar gaan doen nie.
01 J A N UA R I E
NUWEJAARSDAG
S O N DAG
OUJAARSDAG 2016
S AT E R DAG
31 D E S E M B E R
E-pos:
WA A R V O L G E N S E K E L K E DAG LEEF my manifes vir die lewe
v ia n roos
ANDERS wees oorspronklik en soek altyd vir daardie iets wat dit anders sal maak
WEGRAAK moet nie dat iets begin oorneem nie, as dit gebeur, raak weg en word weer rustig
goed GOED (things) is Vian’s personal manifesto and artist book. Using the phrase “Waarvolgens ek elke dag leef” (that whereby I live every day) is the book’s motto. Vian says he makes things and does things every day, and the words all have an importance in his life.
The 10 words translated from Afrikaans:
young honest small simple innovative meaningful excellence lost other love
OMO/RSA OMO is a play on words in which the 1994 OMO washing powder brand packaging was replaced with ‘RSA’ and adding the catchphrase: ‘Now you can mix your whites and colours’ making the comment that all south africans after 1994 elections can live together.
AFGOD Afgod translated for Afrikanns means a godlike figure or idol. “The three things you never speak of at a dinner party are politics, religion and sport”. using the quote as inspiration i identified nelson mandela as a political leader, angus buchan as religious figure and Joost van der westhuizen as sportsman. Vian’s opinion is that many south africans view these figures as godlike figures and the aim of the poster is it to make people and the media aware that they are seeing them as idols.
the only thing good separated is an egg The only thing good separated is an egg is a comment on the current state of South African society. we are divided by race, class, gender and so on, but at the end of it all, we are one nation and need to find a way of living together. it’s not like in baking where one must separate an egg yolk and white to make a lemon meringue.
iJusi Contributions Urban City Africa Typografika III (26) 2011 April & September LP Cover (27) 2012 Waterbok en Bidsprinkaan Tattoo (28) 2013 Camp David Pencil on Pretoria (30) 2015
To view the at the iJusi contribution: vianroos.co.za/ijusi
MKF 85010 (LC)
April & September bottled desire
inktober 2016 Reading and sunglasses from top glass makers and well known or iconic frames.
inktober 2017 Mountains that appeared in movies.
VIAN ROOS
Personal
Work Experience
Vian Mervyn Roos Name
Art Director – Farmer’s Weekly February 2014 – Present > Overseeing the design department to ensure the flow of work between myself, the designer and photo editor, as well as ensuring that all necessary work is completed. > Scheduling and managing the weekly and daily deadlines and time of the department to ensure that deadlines are met. > Finalising and signing off the magazine for print and digital issues. > Setting the magazine’s pagination in conjunction with the different departments. > Responsible for the look and feel, layout and design of the weekly magazine and its brand. > Layout of features and regular articles. > Designing advertisements and material for the magazine’s promotions, tours and conferences, as well as for advertisers. Referents: Denene Erasmus (Editor) denene@caxton.co.za
25 July 1990 Date of birth 90 07 25 5006 088 ID number Male Sex Code B Driver’s license Afrikaans (Home) English (Second) Languages
Part-time (contract position) Illustration Lecturer – Vega School July 2016 – Present > Lecturing final year design students on illustration. This module focuses on applying conceptual problem-solving and illustration techniques and skills. > Consulting with students to assist them in keeping to project requirements, deadlines and outcomes, and helping them improve relevant skills. > Working at open days to consult with prospective students and assisting with the application process. Referents: Twane Lottering (Academic Operations Co-Navigator) tlottering@vegaschool.com Graphic Designer – Farmer’s Weekly February 2012 – February 2014 > Responsible for the layout of features and articles, photo editing and designing advertisements for clients. (Promoted to Art Director) Referents: Denene Erasmus (Editor) denene@caxton.co.za
Contact +24(0) 84 702 6306 Cellphone skryfbehoeftes@gmail.com Email 180 Anna Wilson, Pretoria, 0186 (Willing to relocate) Address vianroos.co.za Portfolio @vianroos Instagram linkedin.com/in/vianroos LinkedIn
Qualifications
Achievements
Skills
BA Honours in Graphic Design 2014 – 2015 IIE The Design School Southern Africa, Pretoria
2017 CONNECTED at Vrynge, Vrystaat Arts Festival.
Creative direction. Creative strategy. Critical thinking. Project and time management.
BA Graphic Design 2009 – 2011 IIE The Design School Southern Africa, Pretoria Matriculated 2004 – 2008 Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool, Bethlehem
2016 Sep Vrystad at Inextricable (Brighton, UK). 2016 Jul Vrystad at Vrynge, Vrystaat Arts Festival. 2016 Student Achievement Award for BA Hounours in Graphic Design. The Design School Southern Africa. 2015 Special Mention for Best Layout. Caxton Magazines Excellence Awards. 2014 Designer of the Year. Caxton Magazines Excellence Awards. 2011 Finalist in Student Catagory: Package Design. 33rd Loerie Awards. iJusi contributions: 2016 Zuma’s oath, iZuma (31). 2015 Camp David, Pencil on Pretoria (30). 2013 Waterbok en Bidsprinkaan, Tattoo (28). 2012 April & September, LP Cover (27). 2011 Urban City, Africa Typografika III (26).
Brand guardian. Print and digital publishing. Teamwork. Photography. Graphic design. Illustration. Typography. Lecturing and teaching.
INSTAGRAM @vianroos behance vian roos ONLINE vianroos.co.za