Vinpro hosted an info session at Nampo Cape titled ‘Sensible Options for At present’s Farmer’, providing attendees a wealth of sensible, actionable recommendation to enhance their operations and cut back their dangers.
Photograph: Glenneis Kriel
Talking on the opening of the occasion, Vinpro Chairperson Anton Smuts careworn that agriculture’s future relied on collaboration and innovation: “To outlive, we want modern pondering, individuals who can adapt to altering local weather and market situations, and methods to enhance on what we have already got.”
He added that farmers’ attitudes and efforts would finally form the trade’s success: “You possibly can determine whether or not you need to maintain moaning and asking for assist from […] authorities or rise up and do one thing about your lot.”
Whereas he inspired farmers to discover new options, he warned towards speeding into untested concepts. “What works on one other farm or in a foreign country may not fit your situations.”
Andries Wiese, nationwide enterprise improvement supervisor at Hollard, shared steerage on fireplace preparedness and insurance coverage claims. He stated declare payouts had been depending on compliance with the Nationwide Veld and Forest Hearth Act (No. 101 of 1998).
Though becoming a member of a fireplace safety affiliation was voluntary, he added that farmers who selected to not wanted to strictly comply with all authorized necessities and settle for full duty for fires on their land.
Wiese inspired producers to familiarise themselves with their cowl and added companies. As an example, insurers within the Western Cape provided one free hour of helicopter firefighting to assist cease fires from spreading.
“This free hour can forestall injury and purchase time to make knowledgeable choices,” he defined.
Wiese suggested farmers to safe permits and comply with laws when burning firebreaks: “Within the Free State, for instance, there are solely about 21 days a 12 months when situations are secure sufficient [to burn firebreaks]. Mechanical or chemical strategies could also be safer options [for making firebreaks].”
He additionally advisable utilizing expert groups to burn firebreaks to enhance security and effectivity.
David van Schalkwyk, farm supervisor and viticulturist at Waterford Wine Property, shared classes from integrating cattle into the property’s farming system.
“Soil enchancment and regeneration had at all times been a precedence for us, however in 2022, we determined to finish the circle by introducing Dexter cattle,” he defined.
Dexters had been chosen as a result of they’re small, straightforward to handle, and fewer intimidating for employees who had beforehand solely labored in orchards and vineyards. The breed’s compact dimension additionally makes it simpler for them to navigate between vine rows.
The farm began with six cattle at a value of R40 000, investing in electrical fencing (R2 000), a water trough (R3 000), sheep gates (R2 500), and a neck clamp for dealing with (R15 000). Annual vet prices quantity to about R3 500 to R4 000, overlaying being pregnant assessments and vaccinations.
“Integrating cattle didn’t break the financial institution, and after simply three seasons, we’ve already seen important enhancements in soil life, modifications I solely anticipated in 10 or 20 years,” he stated.
Van Schalkwyk closed his speak with a quote from internationally famend soil well being advocate Ray Archuleta: “Soil with out biology is simply mud. Animals carry the biology.”
Robertson farmer JC Erasmus of JCW Boerdery shared insights into the Period trellising system.
Following devastating losses to frost about 20 years in the past, viticulturist Briaan Stipp prompt switching from vertical shoot positioning to a mechanical double-cordon system. To guage its potential, JC’s father, Hannes, and Stipp visited Australian farms that had been efficiently utilizing the system.
Impressed, Hannes launched and later tailored it into what’s now referred to as the Period system.
Key modifications included eradicating the decrease cordon and switching from 2,1m to 1,8m Class 3 poles. A gap drilled 7cm from the highest holds a cordon wire to assist vines, whereas a foliage wire connected to the highest protects shoots from wind injury. Vines are planted 1,4m aside, with inter-row spacing of two,8 m to maximise progress potential.
The system has confirmed extremely efficient in frost restoration. “In September 2018, frost destroyed 100% of our Colombar winery. After chopping again broken materials, the vines reshot and delivered 41t/ha. Our Pinotage, the place half the winery suffered 100% injury, produced 39 t/ha,” JC defined.
JC cautioned that the system solely succeeded if applied accurately: straight trunks and powerful root techniques had been important to assist heavy yields. Vines should not be planted too shut collectively to keep away from competitors. Mechanical pruning started in 12 months 5, shaping vines right into a compact field to keep away from yield losses of as much as 1,5 years. Pruning velocity ought to keep between 1,2km/h and 1,4km/h.
Moreover, the vines wanted optimum vitamin and irrigation. “If you would like a winery to hold excessive yields like peach bushes, it’s essential to feed and irrigate it as you’ll to get excessive yields from peach bushes,” JC concluded.
