ProAgri Zambia 16

ProAgri technology for the farmer

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The war against fall army worms Soil shouldn't gasp for air Visit us at Agritech Expo 2017 Czech Pavilion

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Letter from the Editor

T

he green soy bean and maize fields are a pleasure to look at and the prospects for satisfactory yields are promising, but something is missing. A farmer I recently talked to, pointed out the monotonous agricultural landscape in Zambia. It struck me when I recently travelled a long distance through the countryside.

Where are the commercially cultivated maize, sunflowers and sorghum? Although the emerging farmers are putting in a lot of effort to plant maize, they might also throw in the towel due to the regulated low prices.

If the farmers in other African countries are able to cultivate a much wider variety of crops economically, shouldn’t our government look into the matter by creating a friendlier agricultural environment? Perhaps they could start by

deregulating the maize price…

Diverse agriculture is much more beneficial for obvious reasons. It barricades a farmer against focused pests or market fluctuations.

This month we are looking at the importance of air in your soil and how a full series of RovicLeers equipment can help a farmer to do improve soil cultivation and haymaking.

Our theme for the month is crop protection and AgriFocus has the right products to save your harvest from fall army worm. Locusts are another serious potential pest. Make sure you have the right spraying equipment to knock them out.

Farm smartly!

Du Preez de Villiers dupreez@proagri.co.za

The Czech tractor manufacturer, Zetor, has been building rugged and dependable tractors for 70 years. They are making a grand entrance in Zambia soon with their partner in Zambia, AgriServe Agro. Call Willem van Zyl at +26 096-562-0775 to find out more.

ProAgri technology for the farmer

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Office no. 3 Fens Investment Building Lusaka Show Grounds

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

Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved. No material, text or photographs may be reproduced, copied or in any other way transmitted without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or of the editor. We recognise all trademarks and logos as the sole property of their respective owners.

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

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

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

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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

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Content

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

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

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Handling of beef cattle: Part 6

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Fall army worm: A very dangerous pest

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Locusts: The next evil

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AgriFocus: We supply everything the farmer needs

Enquiries Lize du Plooy > +27 12-803-0667 lize@proagri.co.za

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Vitamech: The Macdon Flexdraper recovers your whole yield

Engela Botha > +27 12-803-0667 engela@proagri.co.za

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SOIL: The farmer’s most important asset Part 13

Accounts Ronel Keet > +27 12-803-0667 accounts@proagri.co.za

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RovicLeers sets the standard for making hay and cultivating soil

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

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The ETG/Zambian Fertilizers Chemicals distribution network

Business manager George Grobler

ProAgri Zambia 16

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martly Farm s

Melissa Pols > +27 83-748-3413 melissa@proagri.co.za Design Esta van Niekerk

February 2017

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Alberto Zemba + 26 096 945 8876 +26 097 172 0550

Info@agriserveagro.com / +26 096 976 7272 www.breedingimpulszambia.com

Rene Summers +26 096 346 9213

Visit us at Agritech Expo 2017 Czech Pavilion

How to handle your beef cattle Part 6: Loading ramps and dipping This is the sixth part in our beef cattle handling series and this month we look at loading, offloading ramps and hoof lifting equipment. We thank the ARC-Institute for Agricultural Engineering in South Africa who made their manual on handling facilities available to the readers of ProAgri Zambia.

Loading platforms

A loading platform must be designed in such a way that the cattle can be loaded fast enough so that the first animal does not get a chance to walk back.

The height of the loading platform is determined by the height of the back of the truck or transportation vehicle. As general directive, a height of 1,1 m to 1,2 m for trucks will suffice.

A loading platform which is built at a steep angle causes injuries, therefore, the gradient must not exceed 16°. This is equal to a one meter increase over 3,5 m horizontal distance or 1,1 m increase over 3,85 m.

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Loading platform floors can become very slippery and must therefore be made very coarse. A diamond pattern is recommended. The width of the loading platform is the same as that of a crush, which is approximately 750 mm. For the collection of cattle, a wider loading platform can be used.

Figure 1 shows the construction of a loading platform. Figure 2 shows the offloading platform.

Cattle are normally afraid of heights and a loading platform with a solid floor and solid sides gives the best results.

Loading platforms must however be provided with swing gates which can

swing open into the truck. This will prevent cattle from jumping off between the truck and the loading platform.

Telescopic sides which can be extracted into the truck are also suitable, but if they are bent by the cattle, they can impair the operation.

It is preferable that the top of the loading platform should be horizontal for approximately 1,5 m. A curved loading platform with an inner radius of 4,5 m gives better flow results than a straight loading platform. The loading platform must also have a catwalk on the sides on which the handlers can move to help with the loading process.

Additional equipment Tilting table This apparatus basically consists of three parts, namely the neck clamp, tilting crate and tilting mechanism.

The neck clamp opens the entire width of the crate and has a head piece on which the animal’s head rests after it has been tilted. The tilting crate has two straps that pull the animal tight and gates that swing open. The floor plate also swings open to make the animal more accessible. The tilting February 2017

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mechanism consists of the differential of a motorcar, fitted with pulleys and a crank handle. One person can therefor tilt the animal. The only disadvantage of tilting an animal is that as soon as the animal has regained its balance, it starts panicking. Gestating cows can injure themselves and even abort.

Hoof lifting crate

The apparatus basically consists of three parts, namely a neck clamp, crate and hoof lifting mechanism. The neck clamp is designed in such a way that it can open the entire width of the crate from the bottom to the top. The crate consists of a framework of steel pipes and angle iron with a broad band made of hessian sacking that supports the animal while being handled. The hoof lifting mechanism lifts the animal’s hoof to the back so that the hoof may be clipped. Uses of the hoof lifter are as follows: • Castration of calves • Dehorning and dosing • Branding or freeze branding • Application of ear tags • Ovum (egg) flushing and embryo transplantation • Heart-water blood administration

Figure 1: Loading platform

Benefits of the hoof lifting crate: • The animal remains standing upright. This means that gestating cows can be handled safely.

• The apparatus is adaptable.

• The apparatus can be easily moved and transported.

Next month we shall look at dripping facilities.

Published with acknowledgement to the AR-Institute for Agricultural Engineering for the use of their Beef Cattle Handling Manual.

Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information.

Figure 2: Offloading platform

NoseRing

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Tel: +27 (0)53 927 4999 Cell: +27 (0)82 459 9451 E-mail: judy@nosering.co.za www.nosering.co.za

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Tilting table February 2017

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Bok Barnard: Rieme Smith: Bertus van Zyl: Niel Marais:

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+27 82-223-4890 +27 82-902-7707 +27 84-563-1647 +27 82-442-2478

www.vanzylstaal.co.za info@vanzylstaal.co.za

February 2017

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BEEF FEED Concentrate:- Hitech Feedlot 50 Complete:- Complete Feedlot finisher There are 2 feeding options for feedlot cattle:

1. Feeding a concentrate:

100 kg Hitech feedlot 50 900 kg Grain (Maize or maize Bran will do)

2. Feeding Complete feed Feed 10 kg /animal/day

Please note that it takes 7 days for an animal’s rumen (stomach) bacteria to adapt from a high fibre to a high energy ration. This process must not be rushed. The adaptation guidelines below will assist with the changeover: Day 0-4: 2 kg concentrate (complete mix)/ animal/ day Day 5-6: 4 kg Day 7-8: 6 kg Day 9-10 8 kg Day 11-14: ad lib The cattle entering the feedlot at 250 kg should gain around 1,4 kg/animal/d. If they are kept in the feedlot for 3-4 months than the average finished weight should be around 430 kg. You can feed the same ration throughout, either the Hitech feedlot finished feed or the Complete beef finisher.

AFRICA FEEDS LTD T/A Tiger Animal Feeds Reg No 36327 TIGER ANIMAL FEEDS PO Box 31712, Lusaka Zambia www.tigerfeeds.com

Switchboard: 0967 790404 Orders: 0966 763650 Nutritional Helpline: 0967 991847 Chicks: 0967 855495

Visit us at Agritech Expo 2017.

Czech Pavilion

Willem van Zyl

Willem@agriserveagro.com

info@agriserveagro.com

+26 096 562 0775

+26 096 976 7272

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We distribute 10 000 copies to farmers and the agricultural community every month.

Contact our Zambian oďŹƒce: Quintus Grobler: +26 (0)96-216-9801 quintus@vanetechnology.com Or our representatives in SA: Xander Pieterse: +27 79-524-0934 xander@proagri.co.za Stefan van Wyk: +27 82-381-7563 stefan@agritrader.co.za Melissa Pols: +26 (0)83-748-3413 melissa@proagri.co.za Tiny Smith: +27 79-531-0024 tiny@proagri.co.za

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Just look:

Boom options:

Easy to use.

Simple to service

• PRO booms: compact, vertically folded booms from 12 to 24 m with anti-yaw device • Eagle booms: Simple, strong, horizontally folding booms from 18 to 21 m with self-stabilising trapeze boom suspension and non-directional spring loaded break-away

RANGER 2500

• 2 500 ℓ tank • Strong frame with a high absolute clearance, but low centre of gravity • Diaphragm pump – reliable, high capacity, easy to service • Axle adjustable from 1,5 to 2 m • SelfSteer coupled to 3-point hitch for better tracking on headland – can be equipped with slope correction • Manifold: All primary functions grouped together in easy-to-reach positions • TurboFiller – fast easy filling and mixing, even for powders

Barry Hutchinson +260 96802 2320 Chinso Chipopola +260 96940 7424 BHutchinson@bhbw.co.zm

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February 2017

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Fall army worm:

A very dangerous pest T

he agricultural industry faced a lot of disasters lately, such as the drought, but there is a new evil named the fall army worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) or FAW. This pest may bring about severe consequences if it is not controlled immediately. The fall army worm is a foreign worm and it is regarded as the most dangerous worm that can cause food shortage.

The other worm related to FAW is the Africa army worm and it has caused severe damage to crops in the beginning of December in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Burundi and Malawi. The worm was originally responsible for major losses in South America and was seen for the first time in 2016 in West and Central Africa.

African army worms are common on the continent of Africa. An outbreak of the African army worm towards the end of 2012 contributed to an 11% reduction in Zambia’s maize production. The fall army worm grows to a similar size of about 4 centimetres.

Farmer Godwin Mukenani Mwiya first noticed FAW in his maize field south of Lusaka, Zambia, towards the end of December 2016. Two weeks later, he had lost half his crop to the worm. This worm then already invaded more than 10% of farms in the country.

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says the effects of the FAW could be devastating if its spreading isn’t controlled.

The Regional Interagency Standing Committee for Southern Africa, which includes the United Nations, said in a report that about 32 million people in

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Photo – D van Heerden, Syngenta the region with a population of 236 million are food insecure from June 2016 to March 2017.

Scientists think the pest flew over the Atlantic Ocean from South America to Africa. In Zimbabwe, the caterpillars had already invaded seven of the eight provinces where maize is grown.

“If FAW is not controlled in the countries affected, it will have devastating effects not only in those countries, but neighbouring countries too,” said David Phiri, who co-ordinates the FAO’s operations in Southern Africa, where maize is a staple food. It has already moved to South Africa.

“FAW are actually flying over great distances as moths. We don’t know exactly how they behave in Africa, but it seems that the adults lay eggs directly on the maize and larvae develop in maize plants. They don’t walk in great numbers (so far),” says Jan Hendrik Venter, Scientist Manager at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Plant Health Early Warnings Unit in South Africa.

They will probably pupate and develop into adult moths if they are not killed. “Depending on the pest they will either complete another life cycle and cause more damage or will overwinter or simply die off.”

The usual pesticide, pyrethroid, does not kill the FAW. Farmers should use the Interim Pest Guide (use link at the end of this article) to control the worms, but “preferably when the maize plant is fairly young as the larvae go deep into the plant where pesticides cannot reach them.

“There are registered pesticides for African Army Worm, but nothing is registered for FAW, since this is the first emergence of this pest in Africa. Pesticide suppliers should urgently apply for emergency registration,” says Jan Hendrik.

The practice of digging ditches around fields work very well for the Africa army worm, but not at all for the FAW. The fall army worm feeds on various crops. “FAW has a wide host range, but

by Benine Cronjé if it is indeed FAW doing the damage in South Africa, it has only been collected from maize, but more on sweetcorn, maize for seed production and small scale production,” says Jan Hendrik.

Scientists from the ARC (Agricultural Research Council) and the North West University in South Africa also collected samples for identification. The insect must complete its whole life cycle before a positive identification can be made. The life cycle of a fall army worm from egg to adult takes 24 to 40 days, depending on weather conditions and food.

Because the worm is still new to everybody, its possible long term effects cannot be determined yet. It can migrate from one place to another.

“There are thousands of insects not known to occur in South Africa yet and any one of them may enter the country at any time. Some may be agricultural pests. It is difficult to speculate. Good communication is essential to collectively combat these types of pests,” says Jan Hendrik.

The interim pest guide to control the worm is available here: http://www.grainsa.co.za/upload/ Interim%20pest%20guide.pdf

Zimbabwe and Zambia are still trying to contain the outbreak.

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Locusts: The next evil

by Benine Cronjé they are out of control,” says Moses.

He explained that if the locusts were allowed to reach the fourth and fifth stages of their development, there would be a serious outbreak. Although larvae have only affected 1 600 hectares in January, all the threatened countries must get rid of them immediately.

“We could intervene by beginning to spray the areas near the fields to contain the problem and prevent them from spreading,” Moses said.

He also said that areas will be marked by a helicopter as soon as the resources are available.

President Edgar Lungu from Zambia has already asked the Ministry of Finance to release K1 million to stop the destructive pests and combat the plague, but it is not clear if the money has been released already.

South Africans are scared that the red locust may travel to their country as well.

A close-up picture of the red locust.

D

rought, fall army worm and now locusts. They are in Southern Africa and can cause severe damage to crops.

Countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa are struggling with the fall army worm that came from America. Swarms of locusts will just be another blow to farmers in the region while they also have to overcome the effects of the worst drought. All this will have an enormous effect on food security. The locusts are currently breeding in Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique.

“Already there are 50 red locusts per square meter in an area of 76 000 hectares in the Kafue Flats in Zambia and the amount of US$1 million (K10 million) was urgently required to completely wipe out the locusts before they

spread,” said Moses Okhoba, Director of the International Red Locust Control Organisation for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCO-CSA).

Heavy rains in that area have complicated matters for IRLCO-CSA scientists who were sent to the Kafue Flats to assess the extent of the outbreak of locusts.

If they are not controlled, they can develop into swarms of 40 million that would destroy maize fields in their way. “If you have a locust plague, the situation will be ten times worse than the fall army worms. You do not want to see a swarm of locusts in your field because you will have nothing left to harvest. We need to contain them before they fly. The moment they fly,

More about this pest The red locust (Nomadacris septemfasciata) is common in Sub-Saharan Africa. The name refers to the red colour of its head, thorax and legs. It is sometimes called the criquet nomad in French, due to its movements in the dry season. Their primary food source is grain, so grassy lowlands are their prime habitat.

A swarm of 40 million insects can devour 80 000 tons of crops per day and they can travel as far as 20 to 100 kilometres in a single day depending on wind. The red locusts and the African migratory locusts are breeding at a very rapid rate. Depending on when they hatch they can spread to all the countries in the region.

The red locust is a great danger for crops in Zambia

Photo – D van Heerden, Syngenta ProAgri Zambia 16

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AgriFocus: We supply everything the farmer needs

by Benine Cronjé

The AgriFocus team, based at their head office in Lusaka, are ready to assist any farmer who is serious about controlling insects and weeds.

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griFocus Zambia offers a wide variety of chemical and biological integrated pest management (IPM) products for farmers. They serve both smallholders and large-scale farmers, and focus on long term relationships with their customers.

All their suppliers are carefully selected for their good reputation, and they promote safety and environmental protection in the use of their products.

They regard the health of their employees and customers as very important.

They are also an active member of CropLife Zambia.

“The mission of AgriFocus is to offer only the best products and services,”

says Adolph Sailas Musonda, Technical and Business Director for AgriFocus in Zambia. “We take great care to supply very good quality products on the Zambian market.

“We focus on insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and inoculants, biologicals and fertilisers.

When dealing with AgriFocus, farmers benefit from more than 100 years of agrochemical experience.

“I have 30 years of experience in the agricultural industry. I started as a farmer and after that began in an agribusiness. The people in our business also bring value to our products.”

“When you visit our farmers, they will tell you our products are very good. They tell us they have never seen products like ours. We always want to provide the best solution that will help farmers achieve profitability,” Adolph said.

Agrifocus Ltd has been taking the lead in introducing an integrated pest management approach of controlling pests, which will lead to the reduction in the frequency of using Agrochemicals.

"We feel that this will help protect consumers who will eat products that are safe."

Last year there was a tomato problem in Zambia and this year it was the fall army worm (FAW).

"We are presently testing pheromones to give an early warning system to farmers Adolph Sailas Musonda is the Technical and as well government in the Business Director of AgriFocus. He offers a control and prevention of perfect solution for fall army worm and bollfall army worm (Spodoptera worm with his products, Biotrine Biological frugiperda). Our products, Insecticide and Recharge.

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Biotrine Biological Insecticide and Recharge, are targeting FAW, through a preventive and curative (control) programme. You can spray it on the ground in the field to control all the pests, and you can even spray it as a foliar spray to control fall army worm in the funnels of maize,” Adolph says.

"These products also form our basis for an Intergrated Pest Management tool in tomatoes."

"Our mission as Agrifocus Ltd is to provide high quality crop productivity, animal productivity and environmental health pest protection solutions to our customers in a responsible manner," Adolph says.

AgriFocus offers a wide variety of chemical and biological integrated pest management (IPM) products for serious farmers.

Contact AgriFocus on +26 (0) 21-184-6289 or send an e-mail to info@agrifocuszambia.com for more information. You can also visit their website at www.agrifocuszambia.com for their complete product guide.

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Vitamech: The MacDon FlexDraper recovers your whole yield

by Du Preez de Villiers

The WakaWaka-team behind the smooth operation of the MacDon FlexDraper is Adrian Brown, farm manager; Lloyd Mutemakawa, maintenance mechanic; Boniface Chiyunga, maintenance mechanic and Moses Tembo, driver.

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fter Newton Young saw pictures and videos of the MacDon FlexDraper FD70 in action, he immediately knew that this header was the solution for his farm.

WakaWaka Ranch is one of the veteran farms in the Mkushi farming block. 30 years ago, Newton Young began clearing the first bushes to prepare fields for planting. He gained experience in dry land production before he employed pivot irrigation after electricity arrived in the area. “It was tough times and a roller coaster ride, but it turned for the good and it is always fun,” he says. Today he is also one of the directors of Barclays.

“Currently the soy bean price is very low. I get $350 ex farm in Mkushi whilst the transport cost to Lusaka or Copperbelt is $30,” he says. Therefore, Newton has to make sure that his combine recovers every single soy bean.

That is one of the reasons why the MacDon’s FlexDraper header is one of his most important implements. Newton bought his 10,6 meter FlexDraper three seasons ago and it is still working like new to fully recover his soy bean and wheat harvests.

Instead of forcing the material with an auger to the inside of the combine, a MacDon FlexDraper is using draper belts, a patent which is very beneficial for two reasons: The soy beans and wheat kernels do not bounce back

The three sections of the MacDon FlexDraper are hugging the surface to harvest the crop efficiently. off the header, and the material is handled smoothly and carefully, which is extremely important for this fragile commodity.

Other suppliers offer a more fully flexing header, but this option was not necessary for Newton’s conditions. He is fully satisfied with his header’s ability to avoid rocks, stumps and ploughing into the soil: “The three sections of the FlexDraper are relatively short and fully able to go over anthills remnants and contours while still cutting the crop at the base. “When the flex runs out at full deflection, the header can also tilt to keep following the ground contours.

Because it is built in three sections, the

The MacDon FlexDraper enables your combine to gulp down your valuable harvest for maximum profit.

ProAgri Zambia 16

header is also more robust than a full flex head,” he says.

When Newton changes over to wheat harvesting, he simply has to lock the header from flex to rigid position if required and change the angle of the fingers on the reel. “It is a very easy and quick adjustment,” he says.

According to Newton one of the FlexDraper’s major benefits is its gentle, neat handling of material.

All the stalks gently fall down on the draper in the same direction, and are moved smoothly and uniformly to the combine’s feeder house with the least force or manipulation. This results in improved thresher efficiency, longer thresher life, higher speeds, and lower fuel consumption.

The reel is also well designed to pick up heavily lodged crops. “We are able to extend the reel forward and down into the crop and lift it up into the header, so even when it is really flat I can pick up everything. Therefore our yield will increase and not decrease as with previous headers.”

MacDon design has incorporated many clever applicable features. They also designed a very efficient stone trap for collecting stones up to fist size.

The stones drop into a channel behind the knives and stay there until the driver can dispose of them where they can do no further harm.

The FlexDraper uses mechanical springs instead of electrohydraulic sensors to mitigate the soil surface and keep the header at the desired pressure and flex, therefore the reaction time is much quicker and there is less to go wrong. This is another benefit, as the combine’s hydraulic system is not working hard, thus saving fuel and wear and tear.

Jurie Swart and Louis van der Merwe from Vitamech are the guys who will put you on track with the magnificent MacDon FlexDraper. Call them on +27 83375-8840 or +27 72-626-8409 or send an e-mail to jurie@vitamech.co.za.

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PART 13: AIR IN SOIL Martiens du Plessis, Soil Scientist, NWK Limited & Prof Cornie van Huyssteen, Lecturer: Soil Science, University of the Free State

density measures the ratio between the pores and solid particles (See Part 5 in this series). Soil air and water are found in the pores. They are mutually exclusive, therefore water will drive the air out of the soil.

Soil is the most fundamental resource for the farmer, without which food and natural fibre cannot be produced. Because plant roots respire, the quantity of air in the soil is extremely important. Informed management of the factors responsible for the quantity and composition of the air in soil is therefore essential for the prevention of plant damage due to flooding. In this issue we discuss the importance, composition and movement of air within the soil.

P

lant roots and micro-organisms within the soil respire – they therefore need an electron acceptor during the oxidation of hydrocarbons to obtain energy. Plant roots and aerobic micro-organisms use oxygen, while anaerobic micro-organisms can use other elements such as nitrate (NO3), manganese (MnO2) and iron (Fe2O3).

Plant roots and aerobic micro-organisms thus use oxygen (O2) during respiration, while carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced. Should the oxygen concentration in the soil become too low, or the concentration of carbon dioxide become too high, the plant roots and micro-organisms cannot respire and they will die.

Composition of soil air The CO2 concentration in the soil is normally eight times higher than in the atmosphere, while the O2 concen-

Gas exchange The excess CO2 in the soil needs to be exchanged with the O2 in the atmosphere. This process is known as gas exchange. In dry soil, almost all the pores are filled with air and gas exchange can take place easily.

In wet soil, only the micro-pores are tration is only slightly lower (Table 1). filled with water and gas exchange can The pressure of water vapour in the readily take place through the macro soil air is about 100%, compared with pores. The wetter the soil becomes, the considerably lower and varying the fewer the air-filled pores and the values in the atmosphere. The nitroless they are linked together. This gen concentration is about the same leads to a decrease in gas exchange, in soil as it is in the atmosphere. The with a resultant increase in the CO2 higher CO2 and lower O2 concentration and decrease in the O2 concentration. is due to the constant use of O2 and These anaerobic conditions deaccompanying production of CO2. velop typically due to lengthy rains, Soil pores make up about half of over-irrigation, in low-lying areas in the volume of the soil, while the other the landscape (wetlands), or where half comprises the solid fraction (minimpenetrable layers occur in the soil. erals and organic particles). The bulk Under anaerobic conditions, anaerobic micro-organisms can use Table 1: Average composition of soil and other compounds such as atmospheric air NO , MnO , Fe2O3, SO4, Element Soil air (%) Atmosphere (%) and3 even 2organic material as electron acceptors N2 79,2 79,0 during respiration. ComO2 20,6 20,9 pounds such as methane (CH ), nitrogen oxide CO2 0,25 0,03 (NO), ethylene (CH2=CH2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) are then produced instead of CO2. These elements are harmful and even toxic for the majority of plants and are additionally responsible for plants dying under water saturated conditions.

Air movement in soil Air can move through the soil via diffusion and mass flow. Diffusion, the more important of the two, is movement from a higher to a lower concentration, until equilibrium is reached (Figure 1). Equilibrium is, however, hardly ever reached in the soil, because O2 is constantly used and CO2 is constantly produced. Oxygen will therefore move from a high O2 concentration near the surface of the soil (which is in contact with the atmosphere) to a low O2 concentration in the lower layers (near the plant roots), will diffuse from the lower levels to the soil surface.

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Diffusion takes place because of a difference in concentration (ΔC) over a certain distance (ΔZ). The greater the difference in concentration and the shorter the distance, the greater the diffusion. The difference in concentration divided by the distance ((ΔC/ΔZ) is known as the concentration gradient. According to Fick’s Law, the flow of gas (q) is equal to the concentration gradient multiplied by a constant (D).

This constant is known as the diffusion quotient of gas through soil. q = D ΔC ΔZ

The diffusion quotient of gas through soil is lower than in the atmosphere.

Firstly because air-filled pores only make up 15% in moist soils, compared with the 100% in the atmosphere.

Secondly, the gas molecules in the soil must follow a winding route (Figure 1). This winding route is about 1,5 times longer in soil than in the atmosphere and is known as tortuosity.

Mass flow is the movement of air from a higher to a lower pressure. Air pressure differences between the soil and the atmosphere seldom occur.

It can occur when the temperature

changes rapidly (e.g. during fires), the soil is wetted quickly, or when water is absorbed by plants or drains out of the soil. Air movement due to mass flow is therefore omissibly small.

The quantity and composition of soil air is therefore important because it determines the amount of oxygen available to plant roots for respiration.

The composition of soil air can change drastically as a result of changes in soil water content, bulk density and the activities of micro-organisms. The precise management of these properties is therefore essential in preventing plant damage.

sand grain sand grain

tr oo

t

sand grain

sand grain

sand grain

sand grain

pl

an

sand grain

sand grain

C sand grain

A Figure 1: A schematic representation of root respiration (A), diffusion (B) and tortuosity (C).

REFERENCES Bennie, ATP. 1981 Soil Science 354. Soil and water management. Unpublished class notes for GKD354. University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.

For further information, please contact the authors on: Martiens du Plessis: 072-285-5414 / Grain ProAgri Zambia acknowledges martiens@nwk.co.za SA for the use of this series which Prof Cornie van appeared Huyssteen:in051-401 9247 originally Afrikaans in / vanhuyssteencw@ufs.ac.za

SA Graan/Grain.

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Visit us at

Agritech Expo 2017.

Czech Pavilion

info@agriserveagro.com +26 096-976-7272 Willem van Zyl Willem@agriserveagro.com +26 096-562-0775

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RovicLeers sets the standard for making hay and cultivating soil

by Du Preez de Villiers The Kuhn Optimer + is working very hard on Wangwa Estates. It has to prepare the field for the maize, wheat, and soy bean planting seasons.

W

angwa Farms are very diverse and spectacular and this is the fourth consecutive month that we are writing an article on Peter Luyt’s operations near Chisamba.

Besides the combined Tilapia and pig farm, Wangwa is also big in soil cultivation and haymaking, for which RovicLeers supplies the full range of implements. They grow soy, beans, wheat and maize and bale the pastures for winter feed. They also bale some wheat straw for bedding for Peter’s horses. Denny Kennedy, Wangwa’s Crop manager, has a special place in his heart for the RovicLeers equipment he is using.

Soil cultivation “Every year we alternate soy beans and maize as summer crops and we always plant wheat in the winter,” Denny says.

Between the maize harvest and wheat planting, Denny does the following land preparation: He mulches

the maize stubble with a Kuhn RM480 shredder with a working width of 4,8 meter, but it folds up to a neat 2,5 meters when transported. The shredder only needs 129 kW to do the job.

After the shredder, they broadcast the fertiliser and add 10 mm of water.

“Then we send through the Optimer +, a big disc harrow, to cultivate, to mix the organic matter with the soil and to form a fine, firm seed bed with the roller at the back. I want my clods to be very fine and the Optimer + is fantastic in giving me exactly what I want. It is so solid and fine that I struggle to see where I’ve planted,” he says.

Following the winter wheat, they use the Rovic Shearer nine tine chisel plough, which works a depth of 400 mm. A 200 kW tractor is more than enough to do the job. Every year they apply the chisel plough on 30% of the planted area, followed by the Optimer + The balance of the planted area is zero tillage.

With equipment from RovicLeers there are no weak links in any farming operation. Phone Victor van der Berg at +26 (0)96-3853388 to find out how it will benefit your farm.

The Krone Bigpack 12130 square baler doesn’t play around when the haymaking season is upon Wangwa farms.

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Haymaking March is haymaking month and Denny uses two Kuhn FC 302RG mower conditioners with cutting widths of three meters. The free swinging flail fingers bruise the grass to remove the moisture in next to no time. When there is sufficient sunshine, Denny sends in his Kuhn SR 110 speed rake to create neat, straight windrows for the balers to do their job. “We have two Krone Comprima round balers and we have made over 60 000 bales between the two already. They need between 75 and 92 kW to work effectively,” he says.

“Wangwa acquired the big brother, the 12130 4X4, in the BigPack-series.

It makes high density, super large, square bales which are up to 25% denser and heavier. The chamber is big enough to spit out bales of 120 cm by 130 cm and does that without having to stop. “When I use the speed rake for the Bigpack, I have to use both wings to create one big windrow to cater for the baler’s enormous appetite.”

The Krone balers lubricate themselves automatically, saving much time and effort.

All the necessary netting and twine to keep the balers rolling are supplied locally by Afgri.

“Dawid Lombaard from RovicLeers is my mainstay when the season is upon me, and he is only a phone call away. I appreciate his services and RovicLeers even invited me once to go visit their factory in Cape Town,” Danny says.

Denny Kennedy, Crop Manager of Wangwa Farm, with the 9 tine RovicLeers Shearer that works 400 mm deep.

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ETG/Zambian Fertilizers Distribution Network: Products and services where the farmer needs them

An ETG depot in Chibombo district

Being one of Zambia’s leading suppliers and distributors of agriculture input commodities, ETG-Zambian Fertilizers has wide distribution network that covers eight provinces in the country, namely Eastern, Southern, Lusaka, Central, Copperbelt, Northern and Muchinga, where we have set up depots in 23 district locations.

W

ith a supply chain that covers all the main towns accessible by good roads, ETG has set up depots strategically so as to service farmers efficiently.

With these depots dotted along the main road network, farmers are guaranteed that products and services are within easy reach.

Here are some competitive advantages that farmers gain from ETG Depots: • Countrywide distribution within easy reach of farmers.

• Each depot delivers products on time, and is well stocked at all times. This helps the farmers to complete their routine farming activities without delays.

• A wide range of products is available under one roof. This makes planning easy and saves time, as farmers will spend less time on the road travelling long distances to search for products.

• Each depot has now been provided

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with a point of sale machine. This means that every farmer that is registered with the Ministry of Agriculture under the Farm Input Subsidy

Programme can walk into any of our depots with their E-Voucher visa cards, swipe for the products of their choice, collect their purchased items immediately and head back to their work with no delays.

• All depots have well-trained depot managers, sales assistants, and extension officers with great customer service skills. Farmers visiting our depots enjoy a friendly environment and the exchange of product knowledge.

• All farmers visiting our depots enjoy the services of an extension service team that can help tackle the different challenges farmers face in their fields. This team can provide the agronomic information farmers need to help them to cope with the different challenges each farmer might be facing.

With all these quality products and streamlined agriculture services, ETG is one of the most reliable and knowledgeable partners for any farmer.

Depots and contacts S/N Southern Province Contact Details Regional Manager 096-769-3481 1 ETG Kafue 096-769-3379 2 ETG Mazabuka 096-769-0685 3 ETG Monze 096-769-4113 4 ETG Choma 096-769-3035 5 ETG Kalomo 096-769-2717 6 ETG- Farmarama- Choma 096-910-0475 Eastern Province Regional Manager 097-620-4909 7 ETG Chongwe 096-769-4086 8 ETG Petauke 096-769-3366 9 ETG Katete 096-769-2996 Central / CB Province Regional Manager 096-428-9513 10 ETG Chibombo 096-769-4248 11 ETG Kabwe 096-769-3303 12 ETG Kapiri 096-769-4154 13 ETG Luyansha 096-769-3998 14 ETG Mpongwe 096-769-2955 15 ETG Mumbwa 096-769-2880 16 ETG Ndola 096-769-2940 17 ETG- Farmarama- Kapiri 097-977-0481 18 ETG- Farmarama- Mumbwa 097-400-0697 Muchinga / Northern Province Regional Manager 096-769-4496 19 ETG Mkushi 096-769-2896 20 ETG Serenje 096-769-3899 21 ETG Mpika 096-769-2892 22 ETG Kasama 096-769-2922 23 ETG Mbala 096-769-4174 24 ETG Chinsali 096-769-3465 25 ETG Isoka 096-769-2882

Email ID mwendabai.sinyinda@etgworld.com etg.kafue@zamfert.com etg.mazabuka@zamfert.com etg.monze@zamfert.com etg.choma@zamfert.com etg.kalomo@zamfert.com farmaramachoma@yahoo.com

etg.chongwe@zamfert.com etg.petauke@zamfert.com etg.katete@zamfert.com akhil.patel@etgworld.com etg.chibombo@zamfert.com etg.kabwe@zamfert.com etg.kapiri@zamfert.com etg.luyansha@zamfert.com etg.mpongwe@zamfert.com etg.mumbwa@zamfert.com etg.ndola@zamfert.com farmarama.kabwe@yahoo.com farmaramamumbwa@yahoo.com geofrey.mushibwe@etgworld.com etg.mkushi@zamfert.com etg.serenje@zamfert.com etg.mpika@zamfert.com etg.kasama@zamfert.com etg.mbala@zamfert.com etg.chinsali@zamfert.com etg.isoka@zamfert.com

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There is only ONE Bonnox Producers of HINGEJOINTÂŽ fencing Our trademark, beware of imitations!!

zane@bonnox.co.za | gerda@bonnox.co.za | linda@bonnox.co.za zane@bonnox.co.za | gerda@bonnox.co.za | linda@bonnox.co.za www.bonnox.co.za | 012-666-8717 www.bonnox.co.za

Christo Kloppers, Managing Director Gourock Agri Supplies LTD, Tel: +26 097 309 2271, Skype: christo.kloppers

GOUROCK AGRI SUPPLIES LTD

SERVICES OFFERED: • Tarpaulins • Grain Handling Equipment • Grain Storage equipment • Silo Complexes • Protective Clothing • Agricultural Crop Chemicals • Water Storage • Construction of Sheds

“Your partner in grain handling and storage” “Delivering the complete package for all your grain handling and storage needs” We thank you for taking the time to review our profile and look forward to building a lasting, mutually beneficial business relationship with your organisation

Kloppers

Construction and grain Storage solutions

Kloppers Construction and Grain Storage Solutions was established in 2014 with the aim of providing construction solutions for a wide variety of projects, ranging from paving, residential homes, commercial buildings, warehouses as well as civil works.

Lusaka based, the company is ideally positioned to offer its services throughout Zambia.

With over 17 years of experience in the construction industry, the management of the company prides itself to be able to offer quality workmanship at affordable prices.

For quotations or general information please contact Werner Kloppers on:

Cell: +260 974 374581 ProAgri Zambia 16

E-mail:werner@kcgss.com February 2017 39

Livestock feed and handling equipment For all your farm requisites since 1968

Make money with Moringa For more than 4 000 years the Moringa plant has been used in the East for its health and nutritional properties, and it is now possible for farmers in Zambia to benefit from planting Moringa commercially on contract.

• Plant Moringa plants on contract for Moringa4all • Guaranteed repurchase of processed product • Seed and all necessary equipment can be provided • Each contract is uniquely negotiated • Harvest every six weeks throughout the year • Seed production also possible

• Moveable ca le pens • Self feeders • Bale loaders and forks • Spray races • Scales and neck clamps • Land rollers • Hay ring feeders • Drinking troughs • Calf l ng devices • Loading ramps e-mail info@nmreng.co.za / Web page www.nmreng.co.za Factory: 033-263-1056 / Fax 086-548-4790 Cell: 082-871-0123

Plants do well in warm, frost-free and humid regions

info@moringa4all.co.za

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Pay K4999 per month in 3 installments or pay only K7250 in 2 months Plot 8480, Lumumba Road (opposit RTSA) Light Industrial area Cell: +260 211 289 322, 0964061413, 0971115648, 0965583699

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