ProAgri Zambia 13 - November 2016

ProAgri technology for the farmer

Z a m b i a

Novemver 2016 Nr 13

Free

MacDon FlexDraper increases your harvest Animal feed: Boost your production with quality

AGRICO

Irrigates for profit

he big question we are tossing around is whether the new Trump presidency will have the same generous attitude towards Africa as the Obama administration. In the run up to the election, Trump made it clear that America’s interests regarding foreign trade should come first when he takes over the reins.

In principle there is nothing wrong with that, but the 16 year old AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) agreement, which secured duty free access, benefitted Sub-Sahara Africa significantly. The USA offered a lot of support in establishing export quality standards and they got the short end of the stick from inception. Although the negative trade

Cover

Letter from the Editor

T

balance for the USA dropped from $52 billion in 2011 to $2 billion in 2015, it is still something that might bother Trump.

Last year Obama renewed the agreement for another ten years, so perhaps there is nothing to worry about.

But we should see this uncertainty as an opportunity. We are in the fast lane when it comes to producing desired products instead of pity-products. If we can keep up our productivity and quality, we shall soon be in a position to pull our share of the strings handed to us.

While the first rains are starting to fall in the north, other farmers are entrusting their last seeds and fertiliser to the soil and waiting eagerly for the season to start. It is still early and we have about three weeks left before the raining season will really start.

This month we have paid visits to well-known agricultural companies to see the exciting things they are doing to the benefit of farming in Zambia. We visited the first GSI silos in Zambia on Wangwa farms as well as the Klein Karoo Agri seed filling plant in Chisamba. Novatek invited us to see for ourselves where their thousands of tonnes of animal feed are produced. Our beef cattle handling, poultry and soil series are still bursting with valuable information that can be used on a day-to-day basis.

Agrico recently took over their agent in Lusaka to launch a fully-fledged branch in Zambia. Their pivot systems are made in Africa for African conditions and on top of that they offer exceptional after sales services all over the country. Look on the back cover at all the solutions Agrico has to offer.

ProAgri technology for the farmer

Z a m b i a

Office no. 3 Fens Investment Building Lusaka Show Grounds

+26 (0)96-216-9801 www.proagri.co.za

Copyright © 2013. All rights r­ eserved. No m ­ aterial, text or p ­ hoto­graphs may be r­ eproduced, copied or in any other way t­ ransmitted without the written consent of the publisher. O ­ pinions ­expressed are not n ­ ecessarily those of the publisher or of the e ­ ditor. We recognise all trademarks and logos as the sole property of their r­ espective o ­ wners.

ProAgri shall not be liable for any errors or for any actions in reliance thereon.

Farm smartly!

Du Preez de Villiers dupreez@proagri.co.za

ProAgri Zambia Editor Du Preez de Villiers > +27 82-598-7329 dupreez@proagri.co.za

5

11

15

General Manager Zambia Quintus Grobler > +26 (0)96-216-9801 quintus@proagri.co.za

19

Reporters Annemarie Bremner > +27 82-320-3642 annemarie@proagri.co.za Benine Cronjé > +27 73-105-6938 benine@proagri.co.za Marketing Xander Pieterse > +27 79-524-0934 xander@proagri.co.za

25

Content

21

29

35

Stefan van Wyk > +27 82-381-7563 stefan@agritrader.co.za

5

Soil: The farmer’s most important asset: Part 10

Tiny Smith > +27 79-531-0024 tiny@proagri.co.za

9

ETG-Zambian fertilisers is a stone’s throw away

Melissa Pols > +27 83-748-3413 melissa@proagri.co.za

11

Harvest more with a MacDon FlexDraper

15

GSI offers next level grain storage

19

K2 Agri provides the seed to make the farmer grow

21

Animal feeds: Novatek maintains both quality and quantity

25

Animal nutrition: Biomin has the guts to be pioneers

29

How to handle your beef cattle: Part 3

Distribution Du Preez de Villiers > +27 12-803-0667 dupreez@proagri.co.za.co.za

35

Get ahead with good brooding practices: Part 4

Business manager George Grobler

!

martly s m r a F

Design Esta van Niekerk Enquiries Lize du Plooy > +27 12-803-0667 lize@proagri.co.za Accounts Ronel Keet > +27 12-803-0667 accounts@proagri.co.za

ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

1

SOIL: The farmer’s most important asset PART 10: SOIL WATER (II) Martiens du Plessis, Soil Scientist, NWK Limited & Prof Cornie van Huyssteen, Lecturer: Soil Science, University of the Free State

Soil is the most fundamental resource for the farmer, without which food and natural fibre cannot be produced. This article forms part of a series to highlight this resource.

T

he movement of water in soil is of great importance in spreading the water throughout the soil profile and making it available to plants. In the previous article the energy state of water in soil was discussed. In this article the soil water constants and the hydraulic flow of water in soil are discussed.

The soil water constants The amount of water in a soil profile is always changing and yet, by definition, there are a few limits in soil water management which are of great importance to the soil user.

Saturation point When the soil is excessively wetted through heavy rain or irrigation, it often happens that almost all the air in the pores is forced out and replaced by water. This is regarded as the maximum water capacity of the soil. When this condition takes place over a long period, the soil is regarded as saturated or “water logged”. The matrix water potential = 0 kPa and the osmotic potential is dependent on the salt concentration. The water potential is therefore at its highest. In a well-drained profile the water will flow freely downwards due to the gravitational potential. (FIGURE 1a).

a

b

Drained upper limit (DUL) of available plant water (Field water capacity) Following rain or irrigation the water will initially move rapidly and later more slowly downwards due to the gravitational force, until this movement becomes insignificant. In sandy soil, it happens after about two days, in loam after about three days, and after about four to five days in clayey soils. At this point it is said that the soil has reached the drained upper limit (DUL) of available plant water. In the past, the term field (water) capacity was used to describe this.

At this stage the water has drained out of the macro pores and air is once again drawn in from the atmosphere (FIGURE 1b). (By the way, this is the most powerful form of natural soil aeration). The micro and capillary pores are still filled with water. The matrix potential at this point will vary between -10 kPa for sandy soils and -30 kPa for clay soils. For calculation purposes, this point is accepted as the uppermost limit of plant available water. Over time, water will move very slowly, under capillary forces, towards drier parts of the soil profile, with a lower matrix potential.

Lower limit of plant available water (Permanent wilting point) As the plants draw water out of the soil and water evaporates from the surface of the soil, the matrix potential gradually decreases. At a certain point, the plants cannot extract sufficient water from the soil and begin to wilt during the daytime because the atmospheric demand is higher than the rate of water availability to the plants, but the plants may recover at night. A few days later, the plants will even wilt during the night and at this point the soil is regarded as having reached its lowest level of plant available water. In the past the term permanent wilting point was used to describe this. The matrix potential is now about -1 500 kPa and the water which is now still in the soil, is present only in the smallest pores and as a very thin layer covering the soil particles. It is no longer available to the majority of plants because the forces holding the water in the soil are too great for the plants to overcome. In sandy soils, there is hardly any water, but it is more significant in clayey soils!

Hygroscopic point When the soil is further dried out by the atmosphere (at 98% humidity), it later comes into balance with the atmosphere and does not dry out any further. The soil moisture content is now at its hygroscopic point with a matrix potential of about -3 000 kPa. Even at this point there is still a quantity of water in the soil. Sandy soils then have very little water, while clay can still hold a significant amount of water. The water is stored in the soil within the clay platelets and is actually not in a liquid state but gaseous.

Plant available water The water available to plants represents the difference between the drained upper limit and lower limit of plant available water. It differs significantly between soils and can be deduced from the clay content (TABLE 1).

c

FIGURE 1: Schematic representation of soil at (a) saturation point, (b) drained upper limit (field capacity) and (c) lower limit (permanent wilt point) of plant available water.

ProAgri Zambia 13

Silt &clay content (%) 0-5 5 - 10 10 - 15 15 - 20 20 - 25 25 - 30 30 - 40 40 - 50 50+

Field water capacity (mm/m) 70 150 160 180 200 220 240 260 270

Permanent wilt point (mm/m) 40 50 50 60 80 100 130 160 200

Plant availability water (mm/m) 30 100 110 120 120 120 110 100 70

Table 1 November 2016

5

Water

Soil column

Flow rate = Saturated hidraulic flow

FIGURE 2: Schematic representation of saturated flow through a soil column.

Types of water movement in the soil The hydraulic conductivity of a soil is its ability of water to move under the influence of the driving forces or the soil’s ability to allow water to flow through it. The hydraulic conductivity (or flow) takes place through waterfilled pores and along films of water.

The hydraulic conductivity is for that reason dependent on the moisture content of the soil. The greater the water content of the soil, the greater the hydraulic conductivity and vice versa. It therefore means that the water flow is highest directly after wetting and thereafter it gradually decreases as the soil dries out. The forces that determine the flow rate are gravity and the matrix potential.

Saturated hydraulic conduction ability The highest hydraulic conductivity of a soil will be at saturation. A layer of water on top of the soil surface will increase the flow due to a positive matrix or pressure potential. This is illustrated in FIGURE 2 as the rate at which water flows through the profile, and is measured at the bottom of the profile. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of a soil is an indication of hours

hour hours

hours

a

b

FIGURE 3: Schematic representation of water movement in (a) sandy and (b) clayey soils.

how quickly the soil will drain following heavy rains or irrigation. The higher the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil, the quicker excess water will flow through the profile.

Any factor that influences the size and arrangement of the soil pores, will influence the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil. In sandy soils, the pores are larger and the resistance to water flow is relatively small, and for that reason the water will flow rapidly through the profile (FIGURE 3). When sandy soil is compacted, for example by vehicles in a road or via plough compaction, the pores are reduced in size and the flow of the water becomes slower (for example standing water on a farm road after a rain shower). In a clayey soil the pores are smaller (although far greater in number) with the resistance which is now relatively high and again the water will flow more slowly through the profile.

Interestingly, is that the flow through a pore with a 1 mm diameter = the flow through 10 000 pores of 0.1 mm.

This simply emphasises that the flow rate is mainly determined by the number of larger pores in the soil.

wilt. In the case of clayey soils, this point will be reached quicker than in sandy soils and drought symptoms are more quickly visible in the clayey soils.

On the drier side of the spectrum the picture is turned around and the flow in the clayey soils is quicker than in sandy soils and clayey soil can keep plants alive longer than sand (although under constraint).

Unsaturated flow As soon as a soil has been excessively wetted after heavy rain or irrigation and allowed to drain to the drained upper limit, hydraulic conductivity due to gravity is very low and the matrix potential is the dominant driving force.

Movement under saturated conditions is rapid and mainly downwards with little lateral movement. Under conditions of unsaturated flow, the water flow is much slower and the movement can be upwards, downwards or laterally. Matrix potential and moisture content differences are now the main driving forces and therefore unsaturated flow becomes increasingly slower as the soil dries out.

The unsaturated flow is of particular importance to the soil user, as it is the main method causing water movement from the wetter parts, further away from the plant root, to the drier parts surrounding the root. In a sandy loam soil, the flow under unsaturated conditions is between 1 and 2 mm per day for a soil which is close to the lower limit. It is a rate that will supply enough water to the plant roots. As the soil gets drier, the flow rate is reduced to a point where water movement is so slow that the water does not reach the plant root quick enough and the plant begins to

SUMMARY Water movement in soil is of extraordinary importance to the farmer, as it is the method that determines the provision of water to plants. Various soil types react differently where water retention and hydraulic conductivity are concerned. With the planting of crops in various soils, the farmer must keep the behaviour of the soil in mind, as it can have a significant impact on the sustainability of the farming enterprise.

In the next article in this series, the behaviour of water in soil will be discussed further.

Movement of water vapour Soil pores that are not filled with water are filled with air. Normally the humidity of the soil is about 98% (high vapour pressure). When the soil close to the surface is dry, the humidity there can decrease due to evaporation (lower vapour pressure) and water vapour will move from the higher vapour pressure area (soil) to the lower vapour pressure area (atmosphere).

This movement of water vapour in soil is of minimal significance in agriculture. The quantity of water in vapour form is about 15 litres/ha in the upper 15 cm of the soil layer, compared with 375 000 litres/ha water in the liquid form at the lower limit of plant available water.

References Bennie, ATP. 1981. Soil Science 354. Soil and Water Management. Unpublished class notes for GKD354. University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.

Bennie, ATP. 1985. SA Coop, Vol. 5, Nr. 1 Brady, NC. 1990. The nature and properties of soils. 10th ed. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York.

Brady, NC. and Weil, RR. 2002. The nature and properties of soils. 13th ed.

Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

Van Huyssteen, CW. 2009. Soil Ecology.

Unpublished class notes for GKD214.

University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.

For further information, please contact: Martiens du Plessis: martiens@nwk.co.za Cornie van Huyssteen: vanhuysteencw@ufs.ac.za ProAgri Zambia acknowledges Grain SA for the use of this series which originally appeared in Afrikaans in SA Graan/Grain.

ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

7

ETG-Zambian fertilisers

ProAgri Distributor

is a stone’s throw away B

eing one of Zambia’s leading suppliers and distributors of agriculture input commodities, ETGZamfert has a wide distribution network that covers most parts of the country with depots in more than 23 locations throughout the country.

The supply chain covers the Southern, Lusaka, Central, Copper belt, Eastern and Northern provinces with each province having no fewer than three depots where products and services are accessible to farmers.

This chain of distribution and services makes it easier for small-scale farmers to obtain not only products, but also extension services for a team of qualified officers who are ready and mobile to assist all our farmers.

This extended network includes regional managers who oversee the day to day activities and stock movements of the company in that particular province, while the depot managers provide information and products to the farmers at their depots.

The extension officers visit clients to provide advice and training on products and general farming principles.

Quality products and streamlined extension services make ETG one of the most reliable partners for any farmer in all agricultural matters.

Call +260-974-772-838, or send an e-mail to sales.zam@etgworld. com to claim your share of ETG’s outstanding products and services.

Visit their helpful website at www.etgworld.com for more information.

Below is our Branches Details; Southern Province Designation Contact Details Email Sinyinda/ ETG Kalomo Regional Manager - South 096-769-3481 mwendabai.sinyinda@etgworld.com ETG Kafue Depot In-charge 096-769-3379 etg.kafue@zamfert.com ETG Mazabuka Depot In-charge 096-769-0685 etg.mazabuka@zamfert.com ETG Monze Depot In-charge 096-769-4113 etg.monze@zamfert.com ETG Choma Depot In-charge 096-769-3035 etg.choma@zamfert.com ETG Kalomo Depot In-charge 096-769-2717 etg.kalomo@zamfert.com ETG- Farmarama- Choma Depot In-charge 096-910-0475 farmaramachoma@yahoo.com Eastern Province

Soyab/Chipata Regional Manager Eastern Province 097-620-4909 soyebmulla73@gmail.com ETG Chongwe Depot In-charge 096-769-4086 etg.chongwe@zamfert.com ETG Petauke Depot In-charge 096-769-3366 etg.petauke@zamfert.com ETG Katete Depot In-charge 096-769-2996 etg.katete@zamfert.com Central / CB Province ETG Chibombo Depot In-charge 096-769-4248 etg.chibombo@zamfert.com ETG Kabwe Depot In-charge 096-769-3303 etg.kabwe@zamfert.com ETG Kapiri Depot In-charge 096-769-4154 etg.kapiri@zamfert.com ETG Luyansha Depot In-charge 096-769-3998 etg.luyansha@zamfert.com ETG Mpongwe Depot In-charge 096-769-2955 etg.mpongwe@zamfert.com ETG Mumbwa Depot In-charge 096-769-2880 etg.mumbwa@zamfert.com ETG Ndola Depot In-charge 096-769-2940 etg.ndola@zamfert.com ETG- Farmarama- Kapiri Depot In-charge 097-977-0481 farmarama.kabwe@yahoo.com ETG- Farmarama- Mumbwa Depot In-charge 097-400-0697 farmaramamumbwa@yahoo.com Muchinga / Northern Province

Geofrey/ ETG Mpika Regional Manager- M&N 096-769-4496 geofrey.mushibwe@etgworld.com ETG Mkushi Depot In-charge 096-769-2896 etg.mkushi@zamfert.com ETG Serenje Depot In-charge 096-769-3899 etg.serenje@zamfert.com ETG Mpika Depot In-charge 096-769-2892 etg.mpika@zamfert.com ETG Kasama Depot In-charge 096-769-2922 etg.kasama@zamfert.com ETG Mbala Depot In-charge 096-769-4174 etg.mbala@zamfert.com ETG Chinsali Depot In-charge 096-769-3465 etg.chinsali@zamfert.com ETG Isoka Depot In-charge 096-769-2882 etg.isoka@zamfert.com

ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

9

Harvest more with a MacDon FlexDraper Throughout the growing season a farmer does everything in his power to establish a successful crop. When it is finally time to reap the benefits of all the hard work, a solid, reliable and efficient harvesting partner is needed. The MacDon FD75 FlexDraper is such a partner.

“W

e have drastically improved our combine’s capacity with the smooth and constant feed coming from the FlexDraper,” says Rassie du Toit from Mkushi. He says with an auger one tends to get clumps of material being fed into the combine, but with the draper the material flows evenly and gently into the machine.

Pieter Janse van Rensburg from Mpongwe agrees: “I will never again use an auger feeder – the feed from the draper makes all the difference.

You can also see better because there is nothing blocking your view.”

Rassie and Pieter have both been farming in Zambia for many years and they put a high premium on the reliability of equipment.

Pieter says he is impressed with the strength and sturdiness of the header: “It is built to last!”

He says any machine that he buys must be easy to handle, easy to maintain, able to do the work it was designed for throughout the whole season, and it must improve his yield.

The MacDon FD75 FlexDraper does it all...

The MacDon FD75 FlexDraper recovers more soy beans because it diminishes losses due to jumping pods, and its groundhugging

Rassie du Toit from Mkushi Farming Block reaping the benefits of a well earned successful harvest. ability even efficiently picks up wheat that has fallen down.

Rassie says it is wonderful to see how neatly the MacDon cuts even crop that is lying down. He ascribes it to the constant small clearance between the reel and the cutter bar. A small critical gap between the reel fingers and the cutter bar is maintained at all times, even when in full flex.

The MacDon reel offers four adjustable cam positions, allowing you to select the setting that best suits your harvest conditions. Positions 1 and 2 are for fair harvest conditions with ripe, standing crops and no green weeds or undergrowth. Positions 3 and 4 allow you to put the reel in front of and below the cutter bar for lifting downed and low podding crop. You can also use the header tilt and fore-aft reel positioning for even more aggressive action when required.

Following contours is no problem.

Rassie says because it is a mechanical action and not hydraulical, reaction to contours or uneven terrain is immediate. Skid plates instead of sensors are being used and even in its fully flexed position an even cutting height is maintained.

The MacDon FD75 is a floating, three-section flexible header with a split reel allowing the entire header frame, cutter bar and reel to follow ground contours as a unit. The whole width of the 13,7 metre head is fully utilised.

Pieter says it is also very easy to change from full flex to a solid bar and back. “It is a matter of loosening two latches and moving two steel bars.”

According to MacDon’s experienced developers, the 5 Series Drapers are designed to provide smooth, consistent heads-first feeding to the combine, even in the most challenging harvest conditions. Feeding crop heads first is the best way to get the best performance out of your combine - burning less fuel and taking less time to process means getting the crop off quicker and more efficiently.

Pieter says they have experienced

this first hand. He says the window period for harvesting is often very small with imminent rain or soya pods threatening to pop, and you cannot afford to waste time.

With a higher yield and shorter working time, the MacDon FlexDraper may provide just the cutting edge to a farming enterprise to put money in the farmer’s pocket!

Pieter Janse van Rensburg from Mpongwe says with the MacDon FlexDraper he can fully utilise the small window period they have for harvesting.

To find out more about the excellent range of MacDon equipment please call Jurie Swart at +27 83375-8840, 021-907-8000 or Louis van der Merwe at 072-626-8409, or send an e-mail to jurie@vitamech.co.za.

ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

11

ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

13

Get your copy of

ProAgri Z a m b i a

at one of these outlets

14 November 2016

ProAgri Zambia 13

“I have been dealing with GSI for sixteen years now and they constantly develop new and better designs and innovations.”

- Peter Luyt

T

he first GSI silo in Zambia was erected on Wangwa farms, just north of Chisamba. The owner, Peter Luyt, was so impressed with this American company that he became a director of GSI Zambia and twelve years later, he also still remains a very proud GSI farmer.

“16 years ago I bought three 1 000 tonne silos from another company and soon realised that I needed a drier for my maize and soy beans. This is how I came to know GSI. Ten years ago I ordered another three 1 000 tonne silos, but this time from GSI and five years ago I erected three more 2 250 tonne GSI silos,” he says.

Today, Peter has a total storage capacity of 14 000 tonnes, but the end is not in sight.

Peter has a wide variety of operations on his farm, including poultry, a dairy and tillage, but Wangwa farms is especially known for the outstanding pig genetics they offer to small, medium and large scale farmers in Zambia.

Peter is a firm believer in mixing his own rations, as well as sourcing the raw materials from his own fields.

He uses soy, maize and wheat for the various feed rations and he sells he remainder in bulk in town.

His first three GSI silos had conic floors because, in those days, it was preferred since it offered extra volume.

The last three silo floors are flat to effect proper aeration underneath and because it entails less civil preparation work. He chose the fine sieve floor in order to keep a wide variety of grains.

Peter uses only GSI grain-moving

GSI offers next level

grain storage

by Du Preez de Villiers

Peter Luyt, owner of Wangwa farms, is the proud and contented owner of six GSI silos.

equipment and he prefers chain conveyors. With his next expansion, GSI will make it possible for him to install reversible chain conveyors underneath his silos in order to empty silos for fumigation or to convey grain into other silos.

Next year he wants to expand his storage plant with 12 more GSI silos to hold another 30 000 tonnes. This will be sufficient to support all his latest developments and to smoothen out bottlenecks and transport.

In the new development, the soy silos with the oil expeller will stand one side and the maize and wheat silos will also have a designated area. This will cut back on handling costs and ensure outstanding quality of the soy cake. Peter will then be able to draw the different grains to his feed mixing plant without bottlenecks.

Maintenance of GSI installations is a breeze and Peter’s team is well trained to perform this important task.

“Between crops, we open up all the chain conveyors, strip down, clean out, blow out and reset the tension of the chains. A maintenance team of three guys are based here permanently for the day Peter prefers chain conveyors to augers since they to day dedicated last much longer on his farm.

This GSI dryer is used to dry maize and soy beans. maintenance. I can service my own silos and we buy the spares in advance and keep it in the spares room,” he says.

Peter holds back his wheat for approximately seven months until the price is right to sell. “Sometimes I hedge 50% and sell the rest as the season goes on.”

GSI offers all farmers brilliant solutions to their grain storage challenges. For more information, contact Lanus Meyer at Lanus@gsiafrica.co.za or call him at +27 82-327-0082.

ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

15

LUSAKA

KITWE

E-mail: saro@saroagri.co.zm

E-mail: info-kitwe@saroagri.co.zm

Plot no. 5284 Buyantanshi Road P.O Box 35168, Lusaka, Zambia Tel: 241477, 845675, 096 500 0051 Fax: (260) (211) 846224, 846225

Plot no. 4013 Mutentemuko Road Heavy Industrial Area, Kitwe - Zambia Tel: (260) (212) 210793/94 Fax: (260) (212) 210795

MKUSHI

P.O Box 840238 Mkushi Turn off Mkushi Zambia Tel: (260) (215) 352569 Fax: (260) (215) 352568 Cell: (260) (979) 343330, (973) 654518 E-mail: saromkushi@zamtel.co.zm

LIVINGSTONE

P.O Box 60010 Plot no. 1015 Chifubu Road Tel: 021 332 2992 Cell: 097 339 4547 /097 779 7962 /095 579 7962

18

October 2016

ProAgri Zambia 12

K2 Seed provides the seed to make the farmer grow

By Du Preez de Villiers

by Du Preez de Villiers after germination. A special dose of stem borer insecticide is applied since it is a big problem in Zambia,” Japie du Plooy, Plant Manager and Distribution Officer, says.

“The maize seed varieties we bag here are the KKS501, KKS505, KKS603, KKS607, and KKS609 series.”

After every bag is filled, it is stitched closed and provided with a label on which all the relevant information about the seed is printed.

For efficient distribution, K2 Seed divided the country into four areas, appointed to four area managers.

Each of the area managers identify and contract four or five agents with their own distribution points. Each area has two extension officers on motorcycles to organise farmers' days and to assist the farmers with training and after sales services.

From the colouring plant, the seed goes to K2 Seed is also audited on a the filling plant where it is packed in five, regular basis and every section of ten and twenty-five kilogram bags. their plant is certified. On top of that, the Seed Controller Certifica “K2 Seed puts a strong focus on our tion Institute (SCCI) has to issue a social responsibility and besides the germination certificate for every lot of school for 300 students on the farm 800 bags leaving the plant. under my wife’s management, we also create job opportunities by keeping our K2 Seed’s top quality seed is operations labour friendly. We have 45 within your reach. Contact Kevin employees in the plant, eight extension Kleemann-Wright at officers, and eight employees in our kevin@seedmarketing.co.za or head office in Lusaka,” Kevin says. +26 097-776-2111 or A couple of contract farmers help +26 021-184-0965.

Kevin to multiply the different cultivars on their farms. The harvested seed is then transported to the K2 Seed treatment and filling plant in Chisamba.

No drying is necessary. When the maize cobs arrive at the plant, the workers manually remove all the bad kernels from every cob before it is sent to the thrasher.

After thrashing the dust is removed.

The next machine in the production line is a gravity table which separates the light and heavy seeds. The heavy seeds are send to the colouring plant and the light seeds are taken away to be used for commercial purposes.

“The seeds are coloured with our own green brand colour which is mixed on site. We include insecticides and Japie du Plooy is very proud of the fungicides for the critical first few days K2 Seed brand.

After the cultivation of superior seed cultivars, the effective multiplication and distribution of that seed are the next vital steps in the fight against famine and poverty.

F

ive years ago, the prominent seed company from South Africa, KLEIN KAROO Seed Marketing (K2), approached Kevin Kleemann-Wright to extend their operations into Zambia.

Since K2 Seed is one of the few companies that offer the whole agricultural seed range and since Zambia allows almost any crop to grow to its full potential, he saw this offer as a brilliant opportunity. He proceeded with the operation and became the Director of K2 Seed Zambia. K2 Seed started to import heirloom seed from their cultivation plants in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

On their 80 hectare farm in Chisamba, K2 Seed performs a wide variety of trials and demonstrations to proof the value of their products. With more than 400 seed lines, the farm can really become a beehive of activity.

Japie du Plooy, Plant Manager and Distribution Officer, and Kevin Kleemann-Wright, Director of K2 Seed Zambia, standing in front of unprocessed seed received from their contract farmers.

ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

19

18

November 2016

ProAgri Zambia 13

Animal feeds: Novatek maintains both quality and quantity

by Du Preez de Villiers

12 500 tonnes of animal feed are moved out of the Novatek Warehouse in Lusaka every month.

F

rom zero to 150 000 tons of high quality animal feed per year in eight years is quite a feat to boast about.

This is the exciting growth figure of Novatek Animal Feeds in Lusaka, and they are still growing between 10 and 15% per year!

However, volumes are not their only aim. They see themselves as a high quality feed producer with the ambition to sustain agriculture in Zambia by developing the country’s animal feed market.

Today, Novatek has a 20 tonne per hour mixing plant in Lusaka, and another 5 tonnes per hour mash plant (without pilling capacity) from where they are supplying the whole country.

This factory is running at full capacity.

Two years ago they erected another

“Our latest exciting development is fish feed production, and our one year old plant in Lusaka is pushing full production since the first day it has been commissioned. We have opened an R&D plant on the Zambezi River and we intend to develop the fish food market across the whole country,” Christiaan says.

When the plant started off a year ago, its fish feed production capacity was 350 tonnes per month and they had to run on maximum capacity from day one. Last month they add another mixing plant and now they are extruding pellets at maximum capacity of 750 tons per month. Today they are the volume leader in the country.

Over the years, Novatek established their goat, sheep and beef feed market, which is mainly dealings with concentrates, because farmers have access to raw materials and prefer to mix the rations themselves. They also produce pig feed, but 70% of their output is poultry feed for broilers and layers.

Novatek’s main nutritionist and feed formulator is the General Manager, Walter Roodt. Johan Wolhuter, who is based at the new Chambatata feed mill in the Copper Belt, is in charge of ruminant feeds.

“We are a production plant as well as a wholesaler, and we have 91 independent distribution points all over the country. We also supply directly to big farmers who buy more than five tonnes of feed per month,” Christiaan says.

Novatek’s strategy is to drive a brand which farmers may trust as one of consistent quality and a stable price.

For more information, contact Christiaan Engelbrecht at 0026 097-877-9052 or send him an e-mail to sales@novatek.co.zm.

Arond Banda and Jackson Kombe are fish feed plant operators. This extruder was commissioned in October and had to deliver on full capacity from day one to meet the demand.

Christiaan Engelbrecht, Commercial Manager, and Steven Ngoma, Stock Controller, in front of the main 20 tonnes per hour mixing plant of the Novatek factory in Lusaka.

20 tonne per hour plant in the Copper Belt, which is now in the commissioning phase. Christiaan Engelbrecht, Novatek’s Commercial Manager, says: “This plant is conveniently situated between our soy bean producers, which means our raw products as well as a significant part of our market are next door. We plan to produce 10 000 tonnes of feed per month for this area.”

Novatek’s raw products are maize, maize bran, wheat bran, soy beans and soy cake, which are delivered at their plants. The wide variety of additional nutrients are imported mainly from South Africa, Brazil and China.

ProAgri Zambia 13

Lucky Chisala, Production Checker; Watson Lungu, Lab Technician; Davison Zulu, Lab Sampler; and Tulumbe Cheelo, Assistant Quality Controller make sure that every batch of feed conforms with Novatek’s aim of top quality.

November 2016

21

Animal nutrition: BIOMIN has the guts to be pioneers

The team of experts at the Gut Congress were: Albert Janse van Rensburg, MD, Biomin SA; from Biomin Austria: Dr Paolo Doncecchi, Global Head of Gut Performance Product, Dr Istvan Csutoras, Product Manager in the Competence Center of Phytogenics, Dr Daniel Petri, Global Product Manager Microbials, Dr Kovács Attila, Global Product Line Manager Acids and in the middle front, Dr Hilde Van Meirhaeghe Belgium, Poultry Consultant for Vetworks.

H

ealthy animals are happy animals that perform better and thereby put more money into the farmer’s pocket.

BIOMIN is a leading company focusing on health in animal nutrition and produces feed additives, supplements, functional feeds and premixes to improve animal health and performance.

BIOMIN released several exciting new products, concentrating on poultry, at their recent “Gut Congress”. The star of the show was PoultryStar® with its catchy slogan:

Healthy gut, strong chick!

PoultryStar® is a well-defined, poultryspecific, multi-species synbiotic product that promotes a beneficial gut microflora through the combined action of carefully selected probiotic microorganisms and prebiotic fructooligosaccharides.

What are the main benefits?

• Fast establishment of beneficial gut micro flora • Re-establishes bal- anced gut microflora during post-antibiotic application • Reduces bacterial enteric pathogens • Improves weight gain • Improves feed conversion • Decreases mortality • No negative side effects The science behind PoultryStar® The probiotic strains patented by BIOMIN were thoroughly investigated and isolated from the guts of healthy birds, for excellent host adaptability and efficient use in poultry. The strains were specifically selected for their abi-

lity to maintain a healthy gut microbial population under challenging environmental conditions.

The prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were tested in BIOMIN’s laboratories for their ability to selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial microflora in the large intestine, thus improving host health.

Another product that was introduced is Digestarom® which was developed to improve digestion for improved feed efficiency by combining unique flavouring properties with biologically active properties. Digestarom® is suitable for use in poultry, pig, ruminant, fish and shrimp feed as well as companion animal diets.

It is a unique blend of herbs, essential oils and functional flavours proven in science and practice.

Biotronic® was another dish on the healthy animal menu and it provides the solution for dynamic acidification.

Biotronic® Top line boosts antimicrobial activity of organic acids and phytochemicals against gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.

With Biomin® Permeabilising Complex, it can be added into compound poultry, pig, calf and fish feed. Biotronic® Product line improves feed and water hygiene, through the reduction of pH and buffer capacity, and the control of gram negative bacteria.

For more information, please phone Albert Janse van Rensburg on 018468-1455 or 083-409-5315; or visit www.biomin.net.

CARDINAL WEIGHBRIDGE COMPANY Cardinal Weighbridge Company - AFRICA -

AFRICA

CWCSA THE AFRICAN LEADER IN ROAD AND RAIL WEIGHING CWCSA is a manufacturer and supplier of concrete and steel weighbridges for Axle and Gross Vehicle Mass Weighing of ANY Road trucks, Dumper trucks, Front-end loaders and Train trucks.

Weighbridge sizes range from 3m to 33m

Contact us at sales@cwcsa.com www.cwcsa.com ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

25

26 November 2016

ProAgri Zambia 13

K89

K925

K20

K120 K140 K65

K227

K168

K360

K45

K350

K163

K172

K80

ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

27

Our contact details: www.breedingimpulszambia.com breedingimpulszambia@gmail.com www.breedingimpulszambia.com Willem van Zyl +260 (0)96 562 0775 willem@agriserveagro.com Copperbelt, Central-, Southern- & Western Province: Alberto +260 (0)97 172 0550 Breeding Impuls Zambia specializes in reproductive services and products for dairy and beef cattle. We specialize in AI, synchronization, pregnancy diagnosis by sonograph, semen and AI equipment sales.

Based on our international experiences we created a “breeding manual” to help farmers to choose the right breed to achieve their goals. Semen is imported from different countries over the world, to provide the best genetics for a reasonable price.

Our Services: • Artificial Insemination • Pregnancy diagnosis (palpitation, sonograph) • Synchronization Our Products: • Liquid Nitrogen • Bull semen:

- Dairy semen: Fleckvieh, Holstein-Friesian, Jersey

- Beef semen: Fleckvieh, Simental, Aberdeen Angus (red, black), Brahman, Boran, Brangus, Bonsmara, Tuli • Synchronization hormones (Syntex) • AI equipment: “Liquid Nitrogen For Sale Liquid Nitrogen flasks, AI kits, AI guns universal, minicutters, tweezers, sheaths, thaw units, thaw monitors, gloves, lubricants, disinfectants

10

October 2016

ProAgri Zambia 12

How to handle your beef cattle Part 3: Crushes and calf separation gates

The secret behind effective beef cattle handling entails more than just able herdsmen. Mechanics and steelwork are also very important in making stock farming a pleasure. This is the third part in our beef cattle handling series, and the ARC-Institute for Agricultural Engineering in South Africa has made their manual on handling facilities available to ProAgri Zambia so that our readers can benefit from their research and knowledge.

I

n the third delivery of the beef cattle handling series we are looking at various crush constructions as well as separation equipment for calves.

Crushes with V-shaped solid sides have the best flow of cattle and an advantage is that calves cannot turn around in these types of crushes.

The sides of these crushes are usually solid to prevent cattle from getting injured by the poles as a result of the limited walking space.

For cleaning purposes and easy drainage, the solid sides should not reach the ground. The opening must, however, not be too large, as the cattle can injure their hoofs. An opening of 50 mm should be sufficient.

The disadvantage of crushes with solid sides is that the cattle cannot be handled from the side. These crushes are also expensive to erect and a catwalk has to be erected, from which the cattle can be monitored or driven.

A catwalk is a raised platform on which the handlers walk, as shown in Figure 9.

A further disadvantage of V-shaped sides is that when an animal falls or

lies down in the crush, it wedges itself in. The animal can then only be lifted with great effort.

Box-type crushes with vertical sides are a variation on V-shaped crushes.

It has basically the same benefits and disadvantages as the V-shaped crush.

Crushes with vertical, transparent sides are relatively cheap and easy to build. Cattle are handled with more ease and there is still an effective flow of cattle. Calves, however, turn around very easily in this crush.

In feedlots, crushes are used daily and a more durable crush is therefore justified. The cattle are approximately the same size and the width of the crush can be adapted accordingly.

Cattle are basically only handled in the working area and the crush only serves as an inlet channel. A V-shaped crush with solid sides is therefore recommended for feedlots.

Commercial and stud farmers sometimes want to handle the cattle in the crush themselves and for this purpose a crush with vertical sides is preferable. A separate calf entrance can also be built.

This simplifies the handling of calves.

1332

915 300

914 1500

860

1100

1220 400 600

1220

430

400

800 500

430

250

600 500

Figure 9: Various crush constructions

Where crushes are used regularly, the ground surface tends to become trampled to form a hollow ditch. Such a crush surface makes it difficult for cattle to stand, causing them to become very uncomfortable and anxious. The ground surface should be refilled regularly so that it remains level.

A cement floor with a rough surface is a better alternative for a crush floor.

It is easier to be kept clean and does not become trampled. The floor can be made slightly convex, so that the cattle trample the manure out themselves.

However, care should be taken to ensure that the hoofs of the cattle do not slip in under the solid sides and get stuck there.

The width of a crush must be determined very carefully, as cattle turn around much easier if the crush is too wide. There are no fixed rules on the width of a crush, but normally the inner dimension should be approximately 750 mm. In the case of exceptionally large stud bulls, the crush can be constructed slightly wider.

As the cattle arriving at feedlots are fairly young, the feedlot crushes can even be as narrow as 620 mm. Figure 10 shows the measurements of a practical crush. The upright supporting poles must be spaced approximately 1,5 m apart.

The question remains whether calves should be handled together with large cattle. The general tendency these days is to handle calves separately from large animals. The reason is obvious, as calves sustain fewer injuries and handling is fast and easy when they are handled separately.

Two calf crush constructions are possible. The crush for large cattle

ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

29

30 November 2016

ProAgri Zambia 13

50 mm pipe

0.45

0.75

20 MPa Concrete slab

0.90

1.1 0.8

1.1 0.66 1.70

1.5

0.5

0.33

0.1

0.0

2.5

0.25 0.0

0.40

0.6

Cattle Crush

Crush for calves

0.50

Figure 10: Practical crush specifications must be built in such a way that it can be adapted to handle calves, or a portion of the main crush must be designed so that it can easily be adjusted to handle calves. Figure 11 shows the typical construction of such a crushdecreasing unit.

The other possibility is to erect a separate crush especially for calves.

Figure 10 shows practical measurements for a calf crush. The lower 300 mm of the calf crush should be solid, because calves can easily poke their legs through the sides of the crush and break them. Calves are also not as tame as adult cattle because they are not as used to handling as large cattle.

A great problem with the handling of calves is the separation of a cow from her calf without disturbing the flow of cattle. In a V-shaped crush the calf can, however, be easily separated from the cow, because the V-shaped crush forces the calf to walk ahead of or behind the cow. The calf can then easily be headed off with a gate. Figure 12 shows such a calf drafting race. Figure 13 shows a calf drafting race in a crush

Calves

750

Portable unit

500

500

Crush

400 400 300

750

250 250

Figure 11: Crush decreasing unit with vertical sides.

Another method of separating calves from cows is to build a portion of the crush with vertical poles spaced approximately 350 mm apart, as shown

Calf crush

Drafting gate

Large cattle

450

Crush

Figure 12: Calf separation gate Crush

Separation portion for calves Flow direction

Figure 13: Calf separation gate in figure 14. The calf is then driven through the vertical poles to stand outside the main crush in a small pen. The separation process must be undertaken calmly, or else the mature cattle may injure the calves while they are moving out.

When a cow and her calf are separated, the calf must remain as close as possible to the cow, or she will search for her calf and this causes a delay in the crush. The calf crush must therefore not deviate too sharply away from the main crush.

Where cattle are being driven into a crush, handlers should be standing on only one side of the crush, on the opposite side of where the cattle’s heads should be. The reason for this is that cattle show a tendency of moving away from people. The application of this principle will help to make the cattle stand at an angle in the crush for inoculations and gestation examinations, because each animal will tend to place its head behind the rump of the animal in front of it.

Cattle tend to strain backwards in the crush when they are handled intensively. This causes unnecessary injuries and can be easily prevented by placing a one-way gate in the crush. Figures 15 and 16 shows the construction of such a gate. The height of the gate can be adapted to the average height of the cattle by adjusting the chain.

Such a gate can be affixed every three metres in the crush.

Next month we shall take a look at swing gates and mobile crushes.

Published with acknowledgement to the ARC-Institute for Agricultural Engineering for the use of their Beef Cattle Handling Manual. Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information.

Figure 14: Separation unit for calves ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

31

Emulating mother hen: An analysis of common brooding practices Part 4: Monitoring your chicks for the right temperature Dr Oscar Blanco (BVSc, PhD)

L

ast month we discussed the second last part of the series, namely ventilation, curtain management and the benefits of temperature record keeping. This month we complete the series by taking a closer look on how to utilise your thermometer and what to look out for when monitoring your chicks for thermal stress.

It is advisable to have at least one thermometer inside the house (or more for bigger houses), always at chicken height.

Reading and recording the temperature at least twice a day would be a good practice. Checking the brooding temperature during the night is very relevant, since normally the coldest temperatures are recorded at that time.

A step forward will be to place a minimum and maximum thermometer (MMT), which will allow you to know every morning what the minimum and maximum temperatures for the last 24 hours were. The above recommended daily readings can also be done with the same MMT. The possibilities for recording temperatures are very wide. A daily recording sheet is usually sufficient, however big operations are currently using miniature temperature data loggers. Such devices are able not to only measure temperature, but to also store the records every specified time span (for example every 5 minutes); such information can be downloaded to a personal computer and visualised in the form of graphs. The cost of this technology has dropped in the latest years; however, it may still be a bit too expensive for smaller producers.

Measuring the temperature of the floor may be a bit more complex. The medium to large size enterprises use infrared thermometers, a sort of gun with a beam of infrared light that will return the temperature of the floor when the beam is directed towards it.

However, this technology may not be feasible for smaller-scale farmers.

Third, measuring cloacal temperature is recommended for the first four to five days. As stated above, values between 39,4°C and 40,5°C are indicative of thermal comfort. The temperature is measured by placing a Braun Thermoscan® thermometer on the opening of the cloaca. This type of thermometer is preferred because of the short time required to perform the readings, however its price can be also too high for smaller enterprises.

Although all these records are very useful, the ultimate way to know whether we are doing things properly, is by assessing the behaviour of the chicks.

Check the chickens!

The first thing you need to observe, is the distribution of the birds in the brooding area. If the chicks are huddling too close to the heat source and on top of the tray feeders, you may infer that they feel cold.

Alternatively, if they try to keep away from the heat source, moving against the walls of the house or of the brooding ring, it may be because they feel too hot.

Non-uniform distributions as well as birds against the walls of the house may indicate cold drafts affecting the birds.

Finally, you may also consider that the combination of air drafts and low temperature may occur.

One should aim at having chicks uniformly distributed throughout the brooding area; the birds should be engaged in different activities (for example eating, drinking, resting, et Chicks hurdling next to the wall is an indication that the cetera). A high temperature is too high.

A rectal thermometer is very popular since it requires a short time to give an accurate reading, and it is inexpensive. proportion of birds huddling together normally indicates low temperatures.

Panting indicates that the temperature is so high that the body temperature of the chicks have exceeded the maximum limit.

The level of noise produced by the birds is also an indication of thermal stress. Normally, birds that are comfortable produce little noise. As the chicks feel colder, more of them start chirping, louder and more frequently.

Finally, another quick way to assess whether the chicks are feeling cold, is by placing the birds' feet on the side of your neck. If the feet feel cold, then the birds most probably are also feeling cold.

Summary • Newly hatched chicks are unable to maintain their body temperature between the normal limits of 39,6 and 40,5°C. Therefore, they should be put in an environment that minimises heat loss.

• In order to help the birds to maintain their body temperature, warm and properly ventilated environments, as well as dry, warm bedding, should be provided.

• Inappropriate ambient and bedding temperatures have been related to health and performance issues during and after the brooding period.

• It is highly advisable to record air temperatures.

• The best way to know whether the chicks are comfortable, is to observe their distribution in the brooding area and their behaviour.

ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

35

Founded in 1962, Bonnox is the manufacturer and supplier of 70 top class different variations of full galvanised fencing to suit every farmer's need for either game and / or livestock. Many heights and patterns available: from 0,6 m to 2,44 m high.

Visit our website www.bonnox.co.za or e-mail our friendly sales team at sales@bonnox.co.za

Hydrautivity Zambia Limited Hydrautivity Zambia Limited is a company specialised in mobile line boring that serves the whole country. We operate with a unique electric driven line boring setup designed and built to improve efficiency.

The line boring machine can line bore from 38mm to 152mm in diameter. We also refurbish buckets, tapping out broken bolts, removal and fitting of pins and bushes.

To us customers are very important and every job will be finished to the tightest tolerances with perfect alignment while keeping down time and costs to a minimum.

For quotes/enquiries and bookings please feel free to contact us today.

Plot 8086 off Mumbwa Road, Chinika industrial area, Lusaka.

Mobile: +260 (0) 955 774714 or +260 (0) 966 450313 david_chirwa@yahoo.co.uk ProAgri Zambia 13

November 2016

37

Yieldingtree Pullet Rearers Limited Zambia’s Finest

POINT-OF-LAY PULLETS Available from our agents countrywide Mazabuka- H.S Supplies

0213-230-184

Monze- Kandondo Stores

0213-250-105

Choma- Arupee

0213-220-004

Livingstone-Gawula Agric

0213-321-441

Kitwe/Chingola-Pineland Ranch

0955-925-486

Ndola/Luanshya – Fisenge Group 0955-434-684 Chipata- Mr Sakala

0977-251-915

For Lusaka see address below Tel: 0211-220-020 or 55 Cell: 0967-289-765 Head office: 176 Luanshya Road, Lusaka

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Supply and Servicing of all your Poultry Production Equipment PPA can assist you with: • Poultry Equipment • Drinking Equipment • Ventilation and Climate Control Equipment • Layer Equipment • Broiler Equipment • Breeder Equipment • Servicing and support on all this equipment Gauteng office: Tel: 011-708-3094 sales@ppa.co.za

Western Cape office: Tel: 021-987-4831 ppact@ppa.co.za

Kwazulu-Natal office: Tel: 033-346-1941 angelique@ppa.co.za

Service support: Tel: 087-150-0050 service@ppa.co.za

www.ppa.co.za

38 November 2016

We love birthdays, especially our own (because that usually means being on the receiving end of lavish gifts).

But as a new ‘friend’ of ProAgri Zambia we are pleased to extend our congratulations to the publishers and editorial team on the first birthday of their new baby. We are sure it will grow to be as successful and relevant as its more grown-up sibling down south.

With best wishes from the Green Team at RGMotorsport; tuning, improving and upgrading 4x4s and bakkies of all shapes and sizes since 1992!

to advertise in

ProAgri technology for the farmer

Z a m b i a

Contact: Engela du Plessis +27 12-803-0667 engela@proagri.co.za OR Lize du Plooy +27-803-0782 lize@proagri.co.za

ProAgri Zambia 13

Torktek is one of the most advanced workshops in Zambia. We specialise in vehicle service, fleet maintenance, suspensions, diagnostics, auto electrics, dyno tuning and brake skimming.

The winner of the Elephant Charge 2016 a Toyota Surf from Sausage Tree was sponsored

by Torktek.

Our aim is to maintain our high quality of workmanship and to widen our services in the automotive industry. At the moment we sell good second hand Toyota vehicles.

Not only does Torktek already offers services to customers that never exist in the automotive industry of Zambia, but also ensures customer satisfaction and ensures the quickest turn around time possible.

Plot 7250 Mukatasha Road, Lusaka, Zambia

+260 972 141 685

cobus@torktekltd.com

OMKAR CONSTRUCTION LTD “We hire earthmoving machines and we do land clearance, bush clearance, fish ponds and all kind of construction works�

Plot No. 3064, Great East Road, Lusaka, Zambia, Opp. Engen Filling Station Cell +260-964444001

omkarconstruct@gmail.com 40 November 2016

or +260-976139794

ProAgri Zambia 13