ProAgri Zambia 37

ProAgri technology for the farmer

Z a m b i a

No 37

Free

Haymakers survive winter

Bonnox makes good neighbours

High-tech irrigation control with

GRAIN HANDLING EQUIPMENT AUTOMATED SHEEP SYSTEMS WATER RESERVOIRS GRAIN DAMS SILOS

rsagrainstoragesolutions.co.za +27 (0)82 576 5057 | +27 (0)76 991 5208

Cover

Letter from the Editor

Agrico is following the tried and tested route of adapting to modern technology. Read more on page 21 about farmers who enjoy the fruits of their investments with the automation of their irrigation systems, as well as utilising cell phone management technology.

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019 is in full swing and more than ten percent of the year is behind us already! The year kicked off on a low note with the outbreak of fall army worm, especially in the Kitwe region.

The good news is that the Ministry of Agriculture started to distribute pesticides against this devastating creature in all ten provinces. Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Michael Katambo, announced that 41 666 litres of the chemical were procured and effectively distributed in proportional quantities to the most affected areas.

The political side also shows positive movement. An important meeting between the ZNFU President, Jervis Zimba, and the Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Michael Katambo, was held recently to discuss the difficult road ahead.

The two parties agreed to create a platform for regular discussions to stay on the same page regarding policy and decisions. A number of urgent issues were raised by Jervis during the meeting: The upliftment of maize exports is crucial, especially before the new marketing season. Late payments to farm-

Content

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ers who need funding by government also have dire effects on their ability to produce enough food. Farmers need more accurate forecast and market data in order to make better decisions.

Imports of competitive agricultural products hamper local production.

Farmers are struggling to orientate themselves in a climate of inconsistent government policies and face financial uncertainties when extra costs are imposed by new legislation.

Honourable Katambo voiced his commitment to work with the farmers and to enable the farming sector to speak as one.

This month we look at the process of haymaking. We are also very excited about the progress in the macadamia industry. Tiger Feeds, Bonnox, Agrico and Novatek also give an insight into their exquisite products.

Farm smartly!

Du Preez de Villiers dupreez@proagri.co.za

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32

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Take the stress out of weaning

8

Aerators in fish farming; a new trend in aquaculture systems

13

Tiger Feeds: Technical services guarantee favourable results

15

Plantation farmers depend on Bonnox

16

Sheep farming made easy: Part 13: Shearing sheds

21

Pineapples thrive under Agrico’s pivots

22

Macadamia nuts: The key to diversification

27

The operation and application of hay rakes and hay tedders

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Make more from your crops: Processing of oil seeds: Part 13

36

Spray to protect your crops: Part 13

ProAgri Zambia 37

ProAgri technology for the farmer

Z a m b i a

Nangwenya House No. 7352 Nangwenya Road Rhodespark +26 (0)96-216-9801 www.proagri.co.za Copyright Š 2019. 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 General Manager and Distribution Zambia Quintus Grobler > +26-(0)96-216-9801 (WA only) South Africa + 27-078-978-6339 quintus@proagri.co.za Reporters Annemarie Bremner > +27 82-320-3642 annemarie@proagri.co.za Benine Ackermann > +27 73-105-6938 benine@proagri.co.za Senior Production Manager: Zainab Pandor > +26 (0)97-769-9786 zainab@proagri.co.za Marketing Manager Diane Do Nascimento > +27 82-555-6866 diane@proagri.co.za Marketing Xander Pieterse > +27 79-524-0934 xander@proagri.co.za Tiny Smith > +27 79-531-0024 tiny@proagri.co.za Anelda Strauss > +27 76-687-4419 anelda@proagri.co.za Gerhard Potgieter > +27 74-694-4422 gerhard@proagri.co.za Design Christiaan Joubert > christiaan@proagri.co.za Enquiries Engela Botha > +27 12-803-0782 engela@proagri.co.za Accounts Ronel Schluter > +27 12-803-0782 accounts@proagri.co.za Business Manager George Grobler

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Take the stress out of weaning

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ProAgri Zambia 37

N

oseRings to wean calves have been around since 1997, when Dick Richardson of Vryburg came up with the concept to reduce costs from loss of production due to stress. It soon transpired that NoseRings offer several additional advantages, such as easier management of grazing planning, larger and fewer herds, and easier single herd management. If you don’t have to separate your weanlings from the cow herd, it simply makes herd management so much easier.

Trial results – extensive cattle operation In 1998 a trial was conducted on an extensive beef operation near Kimberley, weaning 1 500 calves. NoseRings were fitted to calves, and they were then allowed to stay with their mothers.

Results showed that calves and cows continued to grow during the weaning process. More specifically, heifer calves that were weaned with NoseRings and then left to run with their mothers until the bulls were put into the herd, weighed 30 kg more than their conventionally weaned counterparts.

This could mean the difference between bulling heifers at 15 months instead of at 18 months! With oxen, this extra gain can be translated into finishing earlier and weighing more.

Cows putting on condition through the

weaning period means having cows in better condition at calving and thus higher conception rates the following season.

Feedlot trial results In 2000 a trial was conducted by a major feedlot organisation to determine, amongst other things, the impact that weaning with NoseRings would have if fitted for two weeks prior to the calves being trucked to the feedlot.

The results from these trials were also significant.

A trial group of 51 calves was weaned with NoseRings two weeks prior to being transported to the feedlot. The average weight at weaning was 251 kg. When this group was weighed at the feedlot after transportation and a two-day stabilisation period, the average weight of the weaners was 254 kg – an average gain of 3 kg or 1,2%.

Of this group, 29% (that is 15 animals) had to be treated for various ailments during their time at the feedlot. These 15 animals required 20 treatments, which means they responded to treatment quickly.

The control group of 49 calves was not weaned prior to being loaded to the feedlot. The average weight before being loaded was 250 kg. When this group was weighed at the feedlot after transportation and a two-day stabilisa-

ProAgri Zambia 37

tion period, the average weight of the weaners was 239 kg – an average loss of 11 kg or 4,4%. Of this group 61% (that is 30 animals) had to be treated for various ailments during their time at the feedlot. These 30 animals required 63 treatments, which indicates chronic conditions (all had to be treated more than once).

Growth in the feedlot with the trial group was as follows: • The average daily gain improved by 156 grams per day • Standing days were reduced by 16 days.

• Mass loss from travelling stress and the two-day stabilisation period was eliminated as compared to 4,4% loss on wet weaned calves.

Testimonials All across the country there are farmers who swear by the NoseRing, despite the fact that most recognise that it is not totally fail safe. The number of problem cases, they agree however, pale in comparison to the advantages they gain by using this nifty weaning device.

JD van der Vyver farms on Brandwag in the Vryburg district: He has been using NoseRings for many years. One of the most important advantages, he finds, is that it becomes very easy to wean selectively.

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“If you want to, for example, wean a first calver’s calf a little earlier to give the mother a bit of a break, you just apply a NoseRing and leave the calf with its mother. In addition, the NoseRing gives you the flexibility to further wean selectively according to birth date. Over a calving season of three months, there is a huge difference between the first calves and the last ones. The NoseRing makes it possible for the last calves to also reach the ideal weaning weight.”

JD says he had good seasons when he had extra grazing. In those cases, he was able to leave the calves in the herd for another month or two to gain extra weight.

“My experience is that you don’t have any weight loss during weaning with the NoseRing on the one hand, and on the other, that you have the flexibility to increase your profits in some years by not having to sell your calves when the market is flooded by other sellers.

I am very excited about the NoseRing.”

According to Alison Oates of the farm Oatesdale near Harrismith in the Eastern Free State, the NoseRing is incredibly handy with out of season calves.

As these calves are usually marketed on their own, or in very small batches, the NoseRing gives one the freedom to leave these calves in the cow herd until the prices are acceptable. In addition, she says, you need a very good kraal if you want to wean in the traditional manner, which costs a lot of money to erect. The NoseRing offers an alternative in addition to the very obvious advantages of reducing stress.

Owen Taute of the farm Grysrand in 4

the Vryburg area says the NoseRing offers options that he would not have had otherwise.

“During good seasons I sell my bull calves directly from their mothers at around 8 months of age and keep about 90% of my heifers. These heifers I wean in the cow herd with NoseRings.

This reduces my management considerably, as I don’t have to provide for a separate herd.

“When, however, it is a difficult year and I want to wean early to help the cows, I wean the whole lot but keep them in the herd for a good 6 weeks.

Only then I take the bull calves away.”

Owen says there is another instance where NoseRings come in very handy, and that is with diarrhoea. When a young calf has diarrhoea, he treats the calf with antibiotics and puts in a nose ring for about two days. The calf can drink water but cannot suckle. After two days the diarrhoea is cured and he takes the nose ring off for the calf to start suckling again. Problem solved in 99% of the cases, he says.

Piet van der Linde of Tweefontein, also in the Vryburg area, has been using NoseRings for many years. The main reason, he says, is that he does not experience broken fences as with the traditional way of weaning.

“With the NoseRings I don’t even know I am weaning, so easy and laid-back everything goes. I keep the weanlings with their mothers for about a week before I take them away without too much weaning shock. Ideally, I then keep the bull calves separate from the heifer calves. The type of season will determine exactly how long I keep

the bull calves, but the aim is to keep them until August, when there are very few other calves in the market. This is when the prices are usually significantly higher than in April or May, when most calves are in the market.”

NoseRing

®

• Wean with ease • No stress • Next to the mother

Whole Concepts cc PO Box 1806, Vryburg,8600, South Africa

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

NoseRing is available at Livestock Services. Visit them at Pamodzi Highway, off Nangwenya Road, Showgrounds, or call them at 254024, 254497 and 254498 or 0975-474119 and 0969-635407.

ProAgri Zambia 37

ProAgri Zambia 37

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ProAgri Zambia 37

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E-mail: info@neriainvestments.com

www.neriainvestments.com

THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE MIXER FOR THE MOST EFFECTIVE MIX

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ProAgri Zambia 37

Fouzia (+27) 011 864 1601 fouzia@drotsky.co.za

Francesco (+27) 083 267 3286 francesco@drotsky.co.za

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Aerators in fish farming; a new trend in aquaculture systems

by Kanyembo Robert

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ProAgri Zambia 37

Kanyembo Robert, Aquaculture Research and Development Manager at Novatek Fish Feeds, shows the results of their exquisite feed.

Aquaculture in history quaculture, which is the growing of aquatic organisms and plants, was first coined in China before BCE 1 000.

The Zhou dynasty that ruled China from 1 112 to 221 BCE and the then described as a politician, Fan Li (BCE 500), cultivated carp (Cyprinus carpio) in freshwater for food. The fish (carp) was a symbol of good luck and fortune. However, during the Tang dynasty (BCE 618), the then Emperor Li banned the use of carp in fish farming and as food because his name means ‘carp’. To continue with the new way of having fish regularly available, fish farmers had to look for alternatives. They resorted to using other species in the Cyprinidae family where the most cultured fish species belong to, such as Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis andersonii, Oreochromis macrochir, Oreochromis tanganicae and Tilapia rendalli to mention but a few.

During this era, the first integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems emerged, as well as the first form of mixed fish farming known as polyculture.

As civilization spread, the art of aquaculture reached Europe, where it was first practiced in Rome. The Romans were lovers of seafood such as oysters and crustaceans. They adopted the Assyrian kind of swimming pools called vivaria, where they farmed fish and crustaceans caught in the lagoons. Their guests could choose from the pools (fish pond) the kind they liked. These vivaria were commercialised by the Monastic Orders and Aristocracy in the Middle Ages as they were the main users of freshwater, due to the fact that they monopolised the land, forest and water courses.

During the Renaissance period, several treaties were agreed and published that provided in-depth detail in technique in pond construction and management, choice of species, their diet and their disease. However, carp still

A

dominated the artificial ponds of Eastern Europe. Artificial breeding was first discovered in Germany, brought about by the diminishing fish population in the natural water bodies.

To run the clock much faster, fish farming was first introduced to Africa by the Anglo-Belgian colonists. They introduced the art of fish farming for leisure fishing, as food and also as a way to control the spread of malaria (Cyprinidae ate malaria mosquito eggs and larvae).

During the 1950s, the fish feed industry revolutionised aquaculture. Today we have several stock feed producers in Zambia, producing a wide range of animal feeds and fish. Novatek Animal Feeds is by far the biggest feed producer in Zambia, providing fish farmers with 12 different types that follow different stages of fish development.

Novatek provides fish farmers with the cheapest, high quality fish feeds on the market, produced in conformity to international standards. That is why Novatek Animal Feeds exports products to the Great Lakes regions, Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana, Angola, the Congo, and new markets that are opening up daily.

The feed industry supported the new technologies that were developed in the 1970s, like cage culture practiced in open systems. Aquaculture has reduced pressure on capture fisheries (natural rivers, lakes and oceans) and has provided employment for many in the value chain. Aquaculture is deemed the fastest growing industry in the world. The largest aquaculture producer in the world is China, and Egypt is Africa’s biggest. Nigeria is the largest catfish producer.

Aerators; the new trend in aquaculture The new technology - cage culture - developed in the 1970s, was a milestone in fish farming. Fish cages had the capability to hold a lot more fish per cubic

ProAgri Zambia 37

metre than a conventional fish pond.

They had a much higher stocking density and fish grew faster than in ponds due to the fact that they had enough oxygen as they were afloat with constant circulation of freshwater. Fish cages are mostly found on rivers, lakes and oceans, which are basically open systems. In an open aquaculture system, the rate of water exchange is extremely high and likewise is the rate of oxygen.

Oxygen availability in open systems can be as high as eight mg/ℓ. This, coupled with water temperatures of about 28˚C, can promote faster growth of fish.

Owing to the fact that open systems are mostly shared water bodies, they are governed by bilateral and domestic laws. To set up a cage on a lake, one needs an environmental impact assessment issued by environmental management agencies. To get one costs money and time. With the demand for fish and fish products on the increase, necessitated by the increase in human population, aerators were introduced in closed systems to help improve yields per square metre. Closed systems include fish ponds, reservoirs, fish tanks, aquariums, dams, etc.

One might ask, what are aerators?

An aerator is a device that helps with the introduction of oxygen into an aqua-ecosystem or a body of water. In a closed aqua-system like a fish pond, oxygen demand might surpass the supply, depending on the number of fish per square metre, the size of the fish, temperature and time of the day. Oxygen demand is greatest during the night, owing to the fact that natural oxygen production seizes as photosynthesis seizes, while all aquatic biota consumes oxygen. Aerators therefore help to cushion this deficiency.

Aerators on an irrigation dam at Novatek Chiawa Aquaculture Research and Development Fish Project on the Zambeef Estates in Chirundu, Southern Zambia.

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Jan 19

Novatek Animal Feeds Zambia Novatek Animal Feeds Zambia

orders@novatek.co.zm orders@novatek.co.zm Orders: 09780978 779 779 134 134 Orders: salesmanager@novatek.co.zm salesmanager@novatek.co.zm 09780978 779 779 017 017 Sales Manager: Sales Manager: fish.ta@novatek.co.zm fish.ta@novatek.co.zm 252 252 522 522 Aquaculture Consultant: Aquaculture Consultant: 09710971 nutritionist@novatek.co.zm nutritionist@novatek.co.zm 09740974 779 779 068 068 Nutritionist: Nutritionist: or 0978 09780978 779 779 038/038/ 136 136 or 0978 594 594 225 225 Technical Lines: Technical HelpHelp Lines:

FiSHFiSH PrePre Starter 40% Starter 40%

FiSHFiSH Juvenile 45%45% Juvenile

38% 38%

Jan 19

Ÿ Fish FryFry Mash 45% Ÿ Fish Mash 45% Ÿ Fish Juvenile Crumble 45% Ÿ Fish Juvenile Crumble 45% Ÿ Fish Pre-Starter 40% Ÿ Fish Pre-Starter 40% Ÿ Fish Starter 38% Ÿ Fish Starter 38% ŸFish Grower 32% ŸFish Grower 32%

ŸFish Finisher 24% ŸFish Finisher 24% ŸFish Pond 18% ŸFish Pond 18% ŸFish Green Pond 15% ŸFish Green Pond 15% ŸFish Broodstock 38% ŸFish Broodstock 38% ŸFish Post Hatch 45% ŸFish Post Hatch 45%

FISH FISHFEED FEED

A member of the Zambeef Group of Companies A member of the Zambeef Group of Companies

Importance of aerators The main purpose of aerators in aquaculture systems is to infuse oxygen into the water. The movement of water in an aqua system helps oxygen to diffuse into the water. There is a restriction on the flow of water in a closed system. This affects the rate of oxygen diffusion into the water as well.

With an aerator, it helps with the circulation of water to aid the introduction of oxygen into the system. Aerators have been incorporated in a new aquaculture development trending as Reticulation Aquaculture Systems (RAS). RAS are specialised aquaculture systems that are often utilised in fish tanks and aquariums. It is a new commercial trend of fish farming in tanks, enclosed in tunnels. It uses less water and land compared to fish ponds. In a RAS, the same water is used. Bottom water is sucked into the mechanical filter where coarser materials such as fish faeces and left-over fish feed are physically removed. The water then moves into a second filter called a bio-filter in which nitrogenous wastes are digested by bacteria, and then moves back into the main tank where it is oxygenated by aerators.

Adequate aeration helps in raising the stocking density per square or cubic metre in an aquaculture system. The conventional stocking rate in a fish pond is three to five fish per square metre and five to eight fish per square metre with frequent water exchange. With an aerator, you can stock between eight to twelve fish per square metre, or even higher. The same principle applies in increasing stocking density in a cage system.

Another great importance of aerators is that they help break up thermal stratification in an aquaculture system. Temperature can cause a water body to form heat layers depending on weather, season and latitude. In a fish pond or pump-sump dam, temperature forms three basic thermal strata, namely epilimnion (upper), metalimnion (middle) and hypolimnion (bottom).

A thermocline, which is the metalimnion, is a thin but distinct layer between the epilimnion and hypolimnion in which the temperature changes rapidly with increase in depth. Depending on the season and depth, an aerator will help break the stratification formed by circulating the water in the system.

For example, if the period in state is summer, the upper layer (epilimnion) is warmer and this reduces the oxygen affinity to the water. In other words, when water is warmer, the rate of oxygen dissolving in water by wind, waves and turbulence reduces because oxygen dissolving in water is directly proportional to temperature. An aerator would then mix the warmer upper water with the cooler bottom which then lowers the temperature in the entire system. The reduction in water temperature will increase the oxygen affinity to water. The availability of oxy-

gen in the aquatic system promotes rapid fish growth and the general health of the system through proper water chemistry or water quality.

Conclusion Aquaculture has become a way of life for many people, providing employment and a cheap source of protein.

It has evolved a great deal to now being run as a business. With a business mind, time factors are important to meeting the deadlines. Providing supporting services in order to quicken the growth periods of fish and also prevent massive mortalities through oxygen deficiencies, aerators have been incorporated in fish farming enterprises. Aeration processes play a crucial part in a fish farmer’s setup, as it helps increase the stocking density of a growing system and improves the water chemistry of a production unit by encouraging aerobic bacteria to convert nitrogenous wastes such as ammonia and nitrites to less harmful forms such as nitrogen gas and nitrates. In the most recent developments in aquaculture, RAS have come to entirely rely on aeration systems. It is therefore important to have an aeration system as part of the aquaculture practice because it brings with it fewer risks of unexpected fish mortality due to reduced oxygen in the system. It also improves fish growth.

You can contact Wiehan Visagie at wiehanv@novatek.co.zm or MarnĂŠ Meyer at nutritionist@novatek.co.zm for any information on feeding and feeds.

A RAS - Reticulation Aquaculture System Aeration through aerators encourages the growth of aquatic microbial organisms. Aerobic bacteria consume ammonia, phosphates, nitrates and other nitrogenous compounds that help in maintaining a stable water chemistry. A stable water chemistry limits the growth of algae blooms that benefits from consuming the elements mentioned. Aerobic bacteria convert ammonia and nitrites into nitrogen gas and nitrates that are less harmful forms of nitrogenous breakdown.

ProAgri Zambia 37

Pond fish harvest at Chiawa Zambeef Estates on aerated ponds.

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Tiger Feeds:

Technical services guarantee favourable results in livestock business

by Given Hamanungu – Technical Advisor

All the members of the Tiger Feeds Training team are eager to empower their farmer customers.

F

or economic reasons, the critical value of applying evaluations of business policies and programmes is economic efficiency. Essentially, economic efficiency is attained when individuals in the society maximise their abilities, given the resources available in the economy. An increase in economic efficiency improves the wellbeing of the members of the community. Economic efficiency is about maximising the aggregate or collective wellbeing of farmers. This can only be achieved through technical services. Technical services strive to satisfy three components known as productive efficiency, allocative efficiency and dynamic efficiency.

All three these components are important to produce quality products.

Technical skills include training from specialised expertise in a specific field to enable farmers to carry out their tasks effectively and efficiently and to give them the ability to apply knowledge for better results.

Tiger Animal Feeds is committed to ensure better results on broiler management by offering technical services to customers. As we produce both chicks and feeds, it is our prime duty to ensure customers are equipped with all the necessary knowledge on how to rear broilers and many other animal ProAgri Zambia 37

species by technical services.

Photos below show Tiger Animal Feeds' technical team conducting training to equip livestock farmers with knowledge on good management.

Customers during and after training.

Visit Tiger Animal Feeds' main oďŹƒce or sales depots around the country for better technical services free of charge and keep abreast of progress in livestock management information. Contact Given Hamanungu, Technical Advisor, at +26-097-540-3834 or givenhams@gmail.com for more information.

13

We

with the punches...

How good is your “defence”?

hingejoint®

ringlok®

Prevent Poor imitations and buy directly from the only bonnox factory, situated in sunderland ridge, centurion only a bonnox invoice will serve as a certificate of authenticity.

zane@bonnox.co.za • gerda@bonnox.co.za • linda@bonnox.co.za

076 169 9068

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081 865 4543

www.bonnox.co.za

072 704 8764

ProAgri Zambia 37

Plantation farmers depend on Bonnox

by Du Preez de Villiers

Sarel Swart, Manager of JJ Timbers, recently embarked on a serious project of erecting Bonnox fences to keep stray animals from the district out of his blue-gum plantations.

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rops that take 25 years before they can be harvested have a long period of vulnerability and should therefore be properly protected. If this product is as valuable as timber, the plantation farmer must have eyes in the back of his head to ensure that he will gain a proper harvest... or he can be wise enough to protect his plantations with Bonnox fencing.

Sarel Swart is the Manager of JJ Timbers, the forestry department of Busby Saw Mills near Piet Retief. Since he joined the company 26 years ago, they were using Bonnox to protect their valuable assets against stray animals. A goat will always try to go through a fence.

The goats from the adjoining communities cause big problems when they enter the plantations, and game such as duiker also sometimes get a craving for a tender young blue-gum tree.

“However, the main threat for a young plantation remains goats,” Sarel claims. They simply devour the young trees. After 25 years, when you harvest your trees, you definitely don’t want to see that you only have 50% or

30% of your plantation left. The risks are too high not to fence in.”

They recently had to erect a new fence and Bonnox was the first choice.

Sarel says: “To us plantation owners, Bonnox is no stranger. I have never heard a bad word about Bonnox anywhere. The Bonnox fence on the farm is very old, but still shines like new, and it still does its work properly. It is a superb fence to contain cattle and less labour is needed, while it can be erected quicker. To tie each separate wire of an ordinary fence demands lots of time and labour. And in the final instance, all revolves around costs.”

Sarel says you must protect the young trees at all costs for the first two or three years. This will ward of most of the danger, but stray cattle and larger game will still be able to damage the trees, therefore the best solution is to erect a dependable, permanent fence – Bonnox.

Sarel uses treated posts from their own saw mill for the corner posts, supports, and droppers. “We use 75 to 100 mm wooden posts and thin-

ner poles from 25 to 50 mm thick for droppers. 7 droppers are used every 20 metres. You must plan carefully to provide for roads and gates so that you can enter the camps easily to fight fires and to remove logs with big trucks.”

Recently, Sarel erected 4,5 kilometres of the 900 mm high close mesh range, and soon he will erect three to four kilometres more on another farm.

The goats cannot jump over the fence, but wherever they find a ditch, even as shallow a 15 cm, they crawl under the fence. To prevent this by keeping the fence on the ground, they stack rocks or drive in short stakes to which they tie the wires.

Fence thieves are another problem Sarel has to cope with, but Bonnox offers a degree of confidence. “Thieves show certain tendencies,” he says.

“Presently, they concentrate on stealing barbed wire and steel posts.

Wooden posts and plain wire are the safest option, as they have less scrap value. Moreover, it takes a long time to cut through Bonnox.” Bonnox offers the best of both worlds and it is a proven fact the Bonnox effectively keeps animals in or out.

Bonnox’s wide range of products makes it very versatile and offers a solution for every problem.

A goat on the other side of a Bonnox-fence is a good goat. They cannot jump the fence or crawl underneath to cause damage on this side.

ProAgri Zambia 37

Call Bonnox on 012-666-8717 or 076-169-9068, or send an e-mail to gerda@bonnox.co.za, linda@bonnox.co.za, or zane@bonnox.co.za. Also visit their website at www.bonnox.co.za to get acquainted with their wide range of products and useful information.

15

Sheep farming made easy Part 13: Layout of handling complexes and shearing sheds

D

uring the shearing season, the shearing shed is a busy place. Frustration levels can easily run high when things don’t go according to plan. A farmer is therefore obliged to design the shearing complex with every possible factor in mind.

We thank the ARC - Agricultural Engineering in South Africa for making their manual on sheep production and facilities available to the readers of ProAgri Zambia.

As discussed previously, the layout of

different handling facilities varies a lot.

In general, distinction can be made between rectangular and non-rectangular facilities. In this article, a number of typical existing layouts are discussed according to the aforementioned articles.

54 800 mm 14 100 mm

Loading platform

Dripping pen

Gates are 2 400 mm except where indicated otherwise

Double working alley Preholding pen

Dip 1 000 mm 1 200 mm

3 000 mm

Holding pen

1 000 mm 3 000 mm

24 400 mm

Crush 900 mm Pre-holding pen

3 000 mm

3 000 mm Figure 1: Typical rectangular handling complex.

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ProAgri Zambia 37

Double working alley • Dip

Crush • Holding pen To shearing shed

Holding pen

•

Figure 2: Typical non-rectangular handling complex.

Rectangular layouts • The layout extends over an area of ± 1 350 m² and can be used for 1 500 sheep.

• The double working alley increases the flow tempo and the sheep can be handled successfully by one or more handlers simultaneously.

• The position of the dip is favourable if the dipping process is part of the handling process. If other handling actions take place and the sheep do not move through the dip, the movement of the sheep is hampered by the sharp turn the sheep have to make to the working alley.

• The capacity of the gathering pen before the double working alley is greater than the capacity of one of the alleys, but too small to fill both alleys. This surface can be made smaller or enlarged to better adjust to the working alley capacity.

• The holding pens before the crush or working alleys can be elongated slightly and narrowed to increase effectiveness.

The benefits of non-rectangular layouts above rectangular layouts include: • Movement of sheep is better because the same route is always followed, and corners are limited to the minimum.

• It is cheaper because the same pre-holding pen can be used for the crush, working alley, dip and shearing pen.

• Movement distances for the handler are shorter and therefore make handling easier.

Planning of this type of layout is, how-

ever, very important to ensure that the correct shape and dimensions are obtained.

Shearing sheds Shearing sheds form an integral part of the intensive production system, especially at current wool prices. The extra income obtained from the wool is determined by efficient facilities and handling of the wool. It is therefore important that the structure be placed correctly and be functional.

Regarding the specific placing of the structure, the distance that the sheep will have to move must be considered.

The facility will therefore have to be placed as close as possible to the housing and handling areas.

Most farms are already developed to some extent and existing buildings can possibly be adapted into shearing sheds, which can mean great cost savings for the farmer. It is however important that the existing buildings should be critically evaluated according to the following conditions or directives: • Height of structure: The minimum height of the structure must be 3 070 mm.

If the structure is lower than this, sunken pits will have to be used.

Sunken pits or sunken sheep exits are usually expensive and can be the source of many problems.

• Length of structure: A minimum length of 12 000 mm is required.

This length does not include the space needed to provide sufficient storage space for wool bales. The ideal would be that the structure should be long enough to provide

ProAgri Zambia 37

•

•

storage space for the wool as well as eliminating unnecessary shifting.

The width of the structure: The width of the structure depends on the number of shearing points and a distance of 2 320 mm plus 800 mm of free space is required per shearing point.

Lighting: Sufficient light must be available inside the building for the work to run smoothly. Artificial lighting, additional windows or transparent roof sheets must be considered if lighting is insufficient. Recommended minimum lighting values are 400 lux on the shearing floor, 600 lux at wool handling, and 200 lux for the wool press area. In order to calculate the Watts needed and globe specifications, the following thumb rule can be used: 10 lux = one Watt per 0,37 m² floor surface if the light source is two metres away from the object.

Ventilation: The activity levels in the shearing shed are high and good ventilation is necessary to create a comfortable work environment. The required ventilation will be determined by climatic conditions. Additional windows, wall and roof openings, sliding doors or fans can be installed to provide the necessary airflow.

Age of building: A very old building will necessitate more frequent maintenance and can become expensive in the long run. Some old buildings cannot withstand alterations easily, because of building material and construction methods.

Position of building: The building must be located to easily integrate with the rest of the facilities. Potential extensions will also determine whether the old building could be used or not.

Types of shearing sheds Three types of shearing sheds can be distinguished, namely: • Sliding chute shearing shed • Crush shearing shed • Feedback alley shearing shed Sliding chute shearing shed Sliding chute structures are the most popular type of shearing shed and have the following advantages: • Sheared and unsheared sheep are handled on different levels and therefore there is no crossing in the movement of sheared and unsheared sheep. The sheep flow is therefore fast and easy.

• The height difference of 800 mm between the shearing floor and the floor of the wool handling area makes the handling of the fleece easier and smaller bits are handled at a comfortable height.

The operation of this type of shearing shed is discussed according to Figure 3.

17

50 x 50 mm SA-pine slatted floor

A

B

S-

1

ga te

50 S- 0 m ga m te

Supply alley

Wool container

C

1 000 mm L&S-gate

Holding pen

D G E

100 x 22 mm Floor slat

F Shearing process

Figure 3: A diagram of a sliding chute shearing shed.

Sheep enter by way of the alley (A) This structure has the following through the sliding door up to the inadvantages: terior of the shearing shed. The sheep • The type of structure is compact are now guided from the alley (B) by and therefore requires less space means of swing gates, or lift-and-swing and lower construction costs. gates in the filling pens (C). The filling • The level on which the sheep are pens serve as reserve storage space made available to the shearer is for the gathering pens (D) and can be 600 mm above the shearing floor. considered as optional if the available The height is comfortable for the funds or space does not allow it. From handler and simplifies his task to the filling gate, the sheep move to the gathering pen where the shearer drags the sheep through the entrance door (E) onto the shearing floor (F). The Handling alley sheep is now sheared on the shearing floor and pushed 300 x 100 mm towards the sliding chute Stairs (G) to the underfloor area.

The sheared sheep then move through beneath the slatted floor, on which the unsheared sheep are waitHolding pen ing, to the outside where they are kept in collecting pens. Each shearer’s sheep is kept in a separate collecting pen to be counted later.

Crush shearing shed This type of shearing shed was developed from a conventional sliding chute shearing shed. Instead of having a back alley, filling pens and gathering pens, this shearing shed only has a crush from where sheep are taken for shearing.

18

speed up the entire process.

The profit in space means loss of space of a holding area and places a burden on the handler, because the crush must always be kept filled. This means that if any problems occur with the flow of sheep, the entire process will come to a standstill.

The operation of the crush shearing shed is discussed below in Figure 4.

Sheep crush

Shearing floor

Wool handling area

Figure 4: A diagram of a crush shearing shed.

ProAgri Zambia 37

Feedback alley shearing sheds With this type of structure, sheared and unsheared sheep are handled on the same level. This means that movement of different groups of sheep will cross.

This makes sheep flow more difficult and can waste time. With feedback alley shearing sheds, a larger slatted floor area is required for the same number of shearing points as with the two previous structure types, because the sheared sheep are also kept on the floor for some time.

Feedback alley shearing sheds have the following advantages: • Sheared sheep remain under shelter for a reasonably longer period, which is beneficial when shearing takes place during wet or cold conditions.

• The sheared sheep are visible to all the shearers and this can benefit the shearing standard.

• This type of shearing shed can be easily equipped in existing buildings, especially where height is a problem.

The operation of the feedback alley

Gathering pen

Filling pen

Holding pen

Feedback alley E1 Wool handling area

E

C

D

F Shearing floor

G

B

G1

H Figure 5: A diagram of a feedback alley shearing shed.

A

shearing shed is explained below according to Figure 5.

Sheep enter the shed by way of the walk-up alley (A), through the sliding door and move into the holding pens (B). By setting the gates at the holding pen (B) and the filling pen (D), a passage can be formed, which crosses the alley (C). Sheep move through here from the holding pen to the filling pen and then to the gathering pen (E).

As soon as the gathering pens are filled with sheep, the gates are closed and alley (C) is open again. The shearer now gets his sheep through the gate (E1) from the gathering pen (E) and shears the sheep on the shearing floor (F). The sheared sheep is then released in alley (G) where all the sheared sheep are gathered. When the alley (G) is filled with sheep, the gate (G1) is opened, and the sheared sheep then move out of the shearing shed along alley (C) and exit (H).

Next month we shall look at the different areas needed in the shearing complex. Published with acknowledgement to the ARC - Agricultural Engineering for the use of their Sheep Facilities Manual. Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information.

M ASSE Y F E R G U S O N 1 8 4 0 BA L ER EASY ON T HE ROA D. EASY IN THE FIEL D.

Wise Sibindi +26(0) 21 122 7497 / WSibindi@bhbw.co.zm

ProAgri Zambia 37

Barry Hutchinson +26(0) 96 802 2320 / BHutchinson@bhbw.co.zm

Kalunga Chilufya +26(0) 97 777 5837 / kchilufya@bhbw.co.zm

19

20

ProAgri Zambia 37

Pineapples thrive under Agrico’s pivots

by Du Preez De Villiers

Agrico’s pivots run shoulder to shoulder on Norsa, one of the renowned Rhodes cannery’s pineapple farms in Swaziland.

A

project away from your home country may sometimes be a risk, but presently, Agrico is making a mark on a pineapple farm in Swaziland.

The Rhodes Group, well known for their canning factories, last year embarked on pineapple production on the Norsa farm near Siphofaneni.

“Agrico already had pivots on the farm for a previous cassava project, and that is how we came to know them,” says Genesi Langwenya, the Rhodes Group’s General Manager for pineapple farms.

“We decided to continue using Agrico’s services. In July last year, we began planting pineapples and Agrico erected more pivots as the farm expanded. Fourteen pivots are running already, and four more are in the final phase, but we are still clearing land for more pineapple fields that will need pivots,” he said.

“The reason why we prefer pivot irrigation is that pivots are far more effective than water cannons. Pivots demand far less labour than water cannons and use water more effectively.

Moreover, the farm is very hilly and Agrico’s pivots handle slopes very well,” Genesi said.

Although the Usutu river runs along the farm’s border, they are subjected to restricted water allocations, but with Agrico’s pivots, they will easily stay within their quota.

Pineapples do not require that much water (70 to 80 mm/month), but it is extremely important that the water is delivered at regular intervals and evenly (with a high uniformity). This is where pivots outperform any other irrigation system. You can easily change the water application according to your crop’s needs and the coefficient of uniformity is very high.

Agrico also expanded the pump stations in the river and at the storage dams supplying the various pivots.

They also laid the main and secondary supply lines to every pivot.

Mduduzi Sibandze is the Farm Operational Manager and he uses Agrico’s most advanced data and web control system to communicate with

Jerrad van Staden, Construction Apprentice from Agrico; Mduduzi Sibandze, Rhodes Group’s Farm Operational Manager; Jan van Staden, Construction Contractor; Sicelo Sibandze, Rhodes Group’s Field Preparation Controller; Morne Maas, Agrico’s Project Manager; and Genesi Langwenya, Rhodes Group’s General Manager for pineapple farms, are all looking forward to a long and fruitful co-operation contract.

ProAgri Zambia 37

Mduduzi Sibandze, the Rhodes Group’s Farm Operational Manager, shows how he can easily control the pivots from his cell phone. the pivots. From his cell phone, he can switch pivots on or off, change the speed and regulate water application.

Accurate scheduling For accurate irrigation scheduling they now placed probes under each pivot.

These probes can be integrated with the web control system to make sure that exactly the desired amount of water is applied.

Although the water from the river is clean enough for pivot irrigation, blockages of the sprinklers may sometimes still occur, but they are easy to remove by simply opening and cleaning them.

With micro or drip irrigation proper filtration would have been needed with the added disadvantages of losing pressure, wasting water with back flashing and increased danger of blockages.

Agrico high clearance pivots are used. Should the plans change, they can easily switch over to the production of taller crops such as sugarcane.

According to Genesi, Agrico’s service is superb: “When you embark on a new project, you will always experience teething problems, but with Agrico you can sit around a table and solve matters. We can discuss our concerns for the future with them. That is why we are fully satisfied with their expertise, service and support,” he said.

Agrico is always ready to help the farmer. Call Alfred Andrag on 082-824-1214 or 021-950-4111 or e-mail Alfred.andrag@agrico.co.za for more information.

21

Photo: popsugar.com.au

Macadamia nuts: The key to diversification

by Salim Dawood

22

ProAgri Zambia 37

Mark Hanssenkamp of RedSun Hortitech in South Africa delivered a very informative talk on macadamia production at Fringila Lodge in Chisamba.

A

macadamia is a tasty and very nutritional nut that was originally and indigenously grown in Australia.

There are several varieties of macadamias, although only two are edible.

Over the last 20 years, the macadamia has grown in popularity mostly for its high protein and fat content. Many that desire to adopt an exclusive vegetarian diet see the macadamia as a suitable and worthy replacement of the meat products and food.

China and Europe have established themselves as the largest markets for macadamia nuts. Currently, South Africa is raking in millions of dollars as the largest exporter of the nut, but the demand is overwhelming. For Zambia, the crop is relatively new with farmers only resorting to it now. The South Af-

rican macadamia growers have looked to their Zambian counterparts to join in growing the crop.

Peter Deary of North Route Nursery recently mobilised Zambian farmers from Chisamba, Mpika and Mukushi to meet and discuss the opportunities that come with growing macadamias.

About 40 farmers gathered at Fringila Lodge in Central Province in December for a two-hour presentation by Mark Hanssenkamp of RedSun Hortitech in South Africa.

In his presentation, Mark explained to the farmers that macadamias are a very expensive commodity which conceived a global and competitive industry. He said with understanding of how to grow, market and deliver a quality final product, macadamia was a

profitable crop that would stand in well for the current cash crops which were “failing”. He said globally, macadamia production had been increasing over the previous ten years.

“Australia and South Africa are the top producers,” Mark said. “In 2017 they were responsible for over half of the worldwide macadamia production.

Kenya, the USA and China followed within the 8 to 11% range. The rest of the producing countries accounted for less than 10% each.”

Mark urged the farmers to familiarise themselves with the market trends and the long-term market drivers. “We see the future market driven demand as being of the greatest significance in determining how we will produce our macadamias and cultivars to be selected.”

Macadamia trees take five to seven years to grow and harvest from the time of planting.

South African macadamia growers are reaping huge profits, growing it on large scale along with their Kenyan and Chinese counterparts. In fact, South Africa has raked in millions of dollars of forex being the largest exporter of the nuts.

Mark said South African growers earn up to R375 000 of profit from a hectare of macadamias, but he stressed the need for the Zambian farmers to form research groups to share notes on the crop and avoid mistakes that their South African counterparts had made in the past.

Xander Gordon is a Chisamba-based farmer who attended the presentation which he found informative and insightful. “We need to form societies and get the system working,” he commented afterwards. He planted more than a thousand trees the week before and hopes to reap the benefits when the time comes.

Peter Deary is pleased that Zambian farmers have started to meet to discuss the opportunities of macadamia production. He believes that farmers will increasingly replace unprofitable crops with macadamia nuts.

Farmers from all over Zambia attended the macadamia talk to familiarise themselves with this high-value crop.

ProAgri Zambia 37

23

YOUR VISION, SN 501234

SPEC

IAL

2011 John Deere 9770 STS Combine E6478/D 2480 R 1 450 000-00 +VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525 SPES S CIALE IA AAPNEB ODL

KROONSTAD 2014 John Deere S 660 Dual E 573, R 429 R 2 600 000-00 +VAT Johan Swart - (+27) KRO ls 083 648 7724

SN 501299

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KOPPIES

KROONSTAD

SN 501056

our passion.

SPES S ECIALE IA AAPN BODL

BOTHAVILLE

SPES S ECIALE IA AAPN BODL

SN 501283/4

UGIE

PARYS | BOTHAVILLE

2009 John Deere 9670 Combine E3412/R2027 R 1 280 000-00 +VAT Jaco Harmse - (+27) 072 854 9302

SN 501366

SPES SP CIALE IAL AANEB OD

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SN 501218

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PARYS

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2016 Case 6130 Combine E2409/D1846 R 1 850 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

2014 Case 6130 Combine E 2375 R 1943 Hrs Good condition R 1 650 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

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KROONSTAD

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SN 501257

HERTZOGVILLE

SPES S CIALE IA AAPNEB ODL

HERTZOGVILLE

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SN 501271

SPEC

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SN 501324

2014 Claas Lexion 780 Combine 1628 HRS R 4 500 000-00 + VAT Kwek Dietrichsen - (+27) 083 235 5313

SN 501306

SPES S ECIALE IA AAPN BODL

KROONSTAD

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John Deere 694 5 Row P/Head Header R 60 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

John Deere 608 C 0,91 P/Head

John Deere 894 0,9M P/Head

R 300 000-00 + VAT P Swart - (+27) 083 648 7724 Johan

R 170 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

SN 501197

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SN 501176

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KROONSTAD

BOTHAVILLE

KROONSTAD

LICHTENBURG

KROONSTAD

2017 John Deere 9570 RX Tractor 1638 HRS R 5 800 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

2014 John Deere 9560 RT 4360 HRS Great Condition R 3 300 000 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

2014 John Deere 9560 RT Tractor 4440 HRS R 3 300 000-00 + VAT P Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

2016 John Deere 8370R IVT, 1325 HRS, Auto Trac SF 1 R 2 900 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

2014 John Deere 8345 R 1500 HRS R 3 000 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

SN 501035

SN 501296

SN 501221

SN 501404

SN 501244

KROONSTAD

BOTHAVILLE

VILJOENSKROON

WOLMARANSSTAD

KROONSTAD

2017 John Deere 6195 M Tractor 1515 HRS R 1 530 00-00 + VAT Louis Stroebel - (+27) 079 097 0714

2017 John Deere 6150 M Cab Auto track ready R 1 360 000.00-00 +VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

John Deere 608 C 0,91 P/Head Header R 350 000-00 + VAT JP Smit - (+27) 076 532 8923

2012 John Deere 8310 R with Auto trac sf 1 & 2630 screen R 1 850 000 + VAT Theuns Botha - (+27) 073 107 6481

2002 John Deere 8420 Auto trac sf 1 with gs 1800 screen 5992 HRS R 800 000.00 + VAT

JP Smit - (+27) 076 532 8923

2007 John Deere 7730 MFWD CAB Tractor, 7600 HRS R 600 000-00 + VAT JP Smit - (+27) 079 097 0714

2011 John Deere 608 C 0,91 P/Head & Kart and 2 complete units R 360 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

Prices are subject to change without prior notice and based on availability of stock! All prices are excluding VAT Office : (+27) 056 216 0700 Theuns Botha : (+27) 073 107 6481

Fax : (+27) 086 554 1757 E-mail : theuns.botha@senwes.co.za

Paseka Maqaza : (+27) 083 700 7525

10th box 197, Industria, Kroonstad, 9500. Coordinates S. 27° 40.17 E. 27°12.93 24 Str nr. 9, PO

E-mail : paseka.maqaza@senwes.co.za

ProAgri Zambia 37

YOUR VISION,

our passion.

SN 501387

SN 501389, 390

SN 501382, 384

SN 501383,7,8,9

SN 501384

HERTZOGVILLE

KROONSTAD

KROONSTAD

HERTZOGVILLE

KROONSTAD

2x 2011 John Deere 6630 PREM CAB Tractor, 6607, 6850 HRS R 547 840-00 +VAT Theuns Botha - (+27) 073 107 6481

2x 2008 John Deere 6630 STD CAB Tractor, 7000, 7000 HRS R 406 600-00 +VAT Theuns Botha - (+27) 073 107 6481

2008 John Deere 6630 4X4 PREM CAB 7957, 6800, 7579, 6510 HRS R 560 000-00 + VAT Johan Swart - (+27) 083 648 7724

2008 John Deere 6630 4X4 STD CAB 7000 HRS R 449 400-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 441 0271

SN 501339

SN 501376

SN 501350/1

SN 501379, 385

SN 501341

ALIWAL NORTH

KROONSTAD

KROONSTAD

KROONSTAD

KROONSTAD

2x 2012 John Deere 6430 4X4 O/S Tractor, 6850, 6636 HRS R 331 700-00 +VAT Theuns Botha - (+27) 073 107 6481

2014 John Deere 5725 4x2 Tractor

R 230 050-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 441 0271

SN 501300,301,302

2011 John Deere 6630 PREM CAB Tractor, 6800 HRS R 547 840-00 +VAT Johan Swart - (+27) 083 648 7724

2018 John Deere 6125 M CAB Auto track ready R 1 260 000-00 + VAT Nelis van Heerden - (+27) 072 322 1006

2012 John Deere 6630 4x4 O/S Tractor 6785 HRS R 380 100-00 Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

SN 501400,401

SN 501403

SN 501405

SN 501142

HARTSWATER

HARTSWATER

HARTSWATER

KROONSTAD

2x 2017 John Deere 5090 E Tractor 1603, 1412 HRS R 374 500-00 + VAT Eddie Fryer - (+27) 079 418 8488

2017 John Deere 5090 E Tractor 1267 HRS R 369 150-00 + VAT Eddie Fryer - (+27) 079 418 8488

2x 2009 John Deere 6603 4x4 Cab 8142,6957 HRS R 290 000-00 + VAT Jaco Harmse - (+27) 072 854 9302

2017 John Deere 5082 E Tractor 1537 HRS R 321 000-00 + VAT Eddie Fryer - (+27) 079 418 8488

KROONSTAD

2015 John Deere 5076 E1808 R 345000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

3x 2016 John Deere 5075 E Cab 54 Kw 961, 506, 998 HRS R 330 000-00 + VAT Kwek Dietrichsen - (+27) 083 235 5313

SN 501380,381,386,391

SN 501294

SN 501342, 343, 344

SN 501368

SN 501241

KROONSTAD

EAST LONDON

KROONSTAD

KROONSTAD

PARYS

4x 2012 John Deere 5425 4X2 Tractor 3900, 3693, 5364, 4231 HRS R 181 900-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

2013 John Deere 5503 4x4 Tractor 1549 HRS R 262 150-00 + VAT Roy Moorcroft - (+27) 084 491 7343

3x 2012 John Deere 5403 4X2 Tractor 7646, 8732, 5788 HRS R 130 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

Case STX 600 QUAD TRAC Est 1555 hrs Excellent condition!

R 4 000 000-00 + VAT JP Smit - (+27) 076 532 8923

2014 Case STX 600 QUAD TRAC 4326 HRS R 2 621 500-00 + VAT Wessel de Wet - (+27) 079 665 1450

SN 501042/48

SN 501048

SN 501028

SN 501096

SN 501409

KR KROONSTAD BULTFONTEIN

ALIWAL NORTH

KROONSTAD

BLOEMFONTEIN

KROONSTAD

2 x 2016 Case JX 90 4X4 , 1191, 1106 HRS R 290 000-00 +VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

2014 Case JX 90 3223 HRS R 273 800-00 + VAT GJ Pretorius - (+27) 072 862 8738

2009 Case JXT 75 4WD O/S R 120 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

2016 New Holland T8.390 4320 HRS S

2008 New Holland T8040 TractorS

R 1 500 000-00 +VAT Dries van Schalkwyk - (+27) 082 829 7576

R 450 000-00 +VAT Jannie Vergottini - (+27) 079 739 7406

Prices are subject to change without prior notice and based on availability of stock! All prices are excluding VAT Office : (+27) 056 216 0700 Theuns Botha : (+27) 073 107 6481

Fax : (+27) 086 554 1757 E-mail : theuns.botha@senwes.co.za

Paseka Maqaza : (+27) 083 700 7525

10th Str Zambia nr. 9, PO box 197, Industria, Kroonstad, 9500. Coordinates S. 27° 40.17 E. 27°12.93 ProAgri 37

E-mail : paseka.maqaza@senwes.co.za

25

YOUR VISION, SN 501419

KROONSTAD

our passion.

SN 501418

SN 501313

SN 501318

SN 501243

BOTHAVILLE

KROONSTAD

EAST LONDON

EAST LONDON

2015 Massey Ferguson 7615 4WD Cab Tractor, 8706 HRS R 791 800-00 +VAT JP Smit - (+27)ls076 532 8923 KRO

2015 Massey Ferguson 7614 4WD Cab Tractor, 8525 HRS R 727 600-00 + VAT JP Smit - (+27) 076 532 8923

2004 Massey Ferguson 460 DT Tractor, 5301HRS R 208 164-22 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

2014 Landini Globalfarm 105 4WD O/S Tractor, 4831 HRS R 203 300.00 + VAT Roy Moorcroft - (+27) 084 491 7343

2014 McCormick Dmax 115 5235 HRS R 400 00-00 + VAT Roy Moorcroft - (+27) 084 491 7343

SN 501356

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SN 501311

SN 501322

SN 501207

BOTHAVILLE

KROONSTAD

UGIE KR

BOTHAVILLE

KROONSTAD

2016 John Deere 4030 R S/Sprayer 9199 HRS R 3 780 00-00 + VAT JP Smit - (+27) 076 532 8923

SN 501060

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2013 John Deere 4630 N 4017 HRS R 1 300 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

2009 John Deere 4730 S/Sprayer R 1 177 000-00 + VAT JP Smit - (+27) 076 5328923

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John Deere 7200 5 Row, 6Vt P/ R 100 000-00 +VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

SN 501049

SN 501106

SN 501165

SN 501276

UGIE

KROONSTAD

KROONSTAD

KROONSTAD

John Deere 1750 8 Row 0.9m PL Planter Plateless flow - Contact Drive R 180 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

John Deere 1750 8 Row Plateless flow - Contact Drive R 180 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

John Deere 1750 5 Row, 1,5 P/L Planter R 100 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

SN 501199

SN 501200

SN 501207

SN 501396

SN 501177

EAST KR LONDON

UGIE KR

KROONSTAD

KROONSTAD

KROONSTAD

John Deere MP 25, 4 Row Planter R 73 466-20 + VAT Roy Moorcroft - (+27) 084 491 7343

2005 John Deere 1750 6 Row, 0,91M VD Planter R 117 700-00 + VAT GJ Pretorius - (+27) 072 862 8738

John Deere 7200 5 Row, 6Vt P/L Planter R 133 750-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

John Deere 1750 5 Row 1,5 m V/L Planter R 133 750-00 +VAT Theuns Botha - (+27) 073 107 6481

2015 John Deere 1725 16 Row 0,76M Ins Bins Planter R 700 000-00 +VAT Theuns Botha - (+27) 073 107 6481

SN 501251

SN 501254

SN 501122

SN 501348

SN 501406

KROONSTAD

ALIWAL NORTH

KROONSTAD KR

HARTSWATER

LICHTENBURG

Kuhn Maxima 8 Row 0.9m Planter Vacuum, dry R 240 000-00 +VAT Theuns Botha - (+27) 073 107 6481

Gallignani GACH32 Baler Like new R 200 000-00 + VAT GJ Pretorius - (+27) 072 862 8738

John Deere 623 Round Baler Good condition R 230 000-00 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

John Deere 1750 8 Row 0.76 Vacuum Dry Contact drive R 230 000-00 +VAT GJ Pretorius - (+27) 072 862 8738

2018 JCB 531-70 Telehandler Loader 6 HRS R 1 140 050-00 + VAT Eddie Fryer - (+27) 079 418 8488

2017 John Deere 2122 6 Row No-till planter R 125 750 + VAT Paseka Maqaza - (+27) 083 700 7525

2018 JCB 410 CASE Skidsteer Loader 6 HRS R 135 000-00 + VAT Jannie Vergottini - (+27) 079 739 7406

Prices are subject to change without prior notice and based on availability of stock! All prices are excluding VAT Office : (+27) 056 216 0700 Theuns Botha : (+27) 073 107 6481

Fax : (+27) 086 554 1757 E-mail : theuns.botha@senwes.co.za

Paseka Maqaza : (+27) 083 700 7525

10th box 197, Industria, Kroonstad, 9500. Coordinates S. 27° 40.17 E. 27°12.93 26 Str nr. 9, PO

E-mail : paseka.maqaza@senwes.co.za

ProAgri Zambia 37

The operation and application of hay rakes and hay tedders

by GJ Stoltz (Reg Eng Tech)

H

ay had to be raked with crude hand tools until the early 1800’s, when the horse-drawn sulky rake was developed.

Rakes were developed to gather newly-cut hay into small piles, or windrows, to make hay collection easier.

Rakes lift mowed hay from the swath and place it in a loose, fluffy windrow with the green leaves inside, protected from the sun’s rays. The leaves retain their fresh, green colour, while the stems cure. Rakes are also used to windrow straw and crop residue for harvest or burning. Rakes are sometimes used to turn windrows for even exposure to the sun.

A swath is the strip of cut material left behind a mower, and a windrow is the strip of material left behind a rake.

Tedding indicates the spreading of the swaths left by the mower, or windrows.

These swaths, or windrows, are uniformly spread over a wide area in a fluffed-up state, exposing the material previously covered to the sun and wind to improve the drying rate.

We thank the ARC-Agricultural Engineering in South Africa for making their manual on rakes and tedders available to the readers of ProAgri Zambia.

Types of rakes Two types of rakes that are very popular on the Southern African market will be discussed in this article series, namely the self-rotating finger wheel and the rotor rake.

Self-rotating finger-wheel rake (see Figure 1): The rake is mounted on the three-point-hitch of a tractor. The finger-wheels have teeth radiating from a centre hub.

These long teeth flex along their entire length and float around obstructions that could break short, stiff teeth (see Figure 2). However, in windy conditions

When set for raking, the finger-wheel rakes move the hay along from one finger-wheel to the next (see Figure 3). Some models can be set to pass the hay between the individual fingerwheels, and by doing so the hay is spread and the windrows are demolished (see Figure 4).

Figure 2: Long teeth flex along their entire length. some finger wheels are susceptible to crop tangling and wrapping on the wheels, which results in poorly formed windrows. Severity of the problem is usually related to the diameter of the centre hub where the teeth are attached.

Windshields are available for some finger-wheel rakes.

Figure 3: With raking, the hay is moved from one finger-wheel to the next.

Figure 4: With spreading, the hay is passed between the finger-wheels.

With the big, round baler, and its wider windrow requirements, a fingerwheel rake can be extended by mounting two four-wheel finger-wheel rakes onto one frame in a V-formation. With this machine, the hay is raked from both sides to create a windrow at the centre of the rake (see Figures 5 and 6).

Figure 5: Two sets of finger-wheels mounted onto one frame.

Figure 6: A windrow is formed at the centre of the rake.

Figure 1: A self-rotating finger-wheel rake with six wheels.

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The finger-wheels, with readily attached spring steel fingers, are set at an oblique angle to the direction of travel 27

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ProAgri Zambia 37

and are caused to rotate by ground contact as the tines are pulled over the ground.

The four-finger-wheeled rake is very popular because of its relatively low price, simplicity of design and variety of functions.

As this rake relies on tine-to-ground contact to induce finger-wheel rotation, some contamination of the hay by soil and stones occurs. This can be aggravated by incorrect setting and control of the operating height which may exert too much pressure on the fingerwheel tines.

Although the finger-wheel rake is gentle in handling crops such as lucerne, it has a tendency to roll the hay and in crops such as eragrostis, roping may occur.

Planning and preparation: Planning for raking means to be ready when the hay is ready. Since a rake does not require much power, it is often used with an old tractor. This is acceptable, but be sure that the tractor is reliable because an hour lost due to a breakdown can cause hay to dry too much for raking.

Hook-up preparations: (Since specific procedures vary with each make and model, consult the operator’s manual for details).

• An 18-kW tractor can be used on a four-wheel rake and a 35-kW tractor on an eight-wheel rake.

• Move the tractor’s drawbar so that it will not interfere with the rake (see Figure 8).

• •

• •

• •

Adjust the wheel spacing on the tractor if necessary.

Add a nose weight to the tractor if it seems that the rake is very heavy and the tractor needs more stability.

Adjust the hitch-pin locations on the rake’s main frame to match the tractor’s three-point hitch.

Back the tractor into position and lower the draft links until they are approximately in line with the hitch pins.

Connect the draft links to the hitch pins.

Attach the tractor’s top link to the rake’s upper hitch point (see Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16).

Working speed The land speed is normally determined by surface conditions and also by the type of crop being raked. In brittle crops where leaf loss may occur, it may be necessary to work at a reduced speed. When raking lucerne, for instance, the land speed may vary between 6 and 8 km/h.

Direction of raking: The finger-wheel rake moves the hay from right to left but it is immaterial to which side the hay is raked. Where raking losses are high, it is recommended that the rake is operated in the same direction as that followed by the mower, as this may improve the raking action (see Figure 7).

Figure 8: The tractor’s drawbar can be moved either way.

•

Check and adjust the three-point linkage on the tractor for correct operation (see Figure 9).

Figure 10: Always attach the lefthand draft link first.

• • •

• •

Level the rake from side to side, using the draft links.

Adjust the tractor’s hitch sway blocks or stabilisers so that the rake won’t swing from side to side.

Raise and lower the rake with the three-point hitch to check for interference between the rake and tractor wheels as well as the tractor’s drawbar.

Readjust the hitch position if necessary.

Lubricate the rake as recommended in the operator’s manual.

Figure 7: The hay is raked from right to left.

Working widths: The working width of all finger-wheel rakes can be altered by changing the angle of the main frame to the direction of travel. Altering this angle also influences the distance the hay is moved from the swath. Some fingerwheel rakes can also be fitted with additional finger-wheels to increase the working width. The raking width of a rake with four finger-wheels will approximately be 2,5 metres and 5,4 metres for an eight-wheel rake. At a land speed of 8 km/h and a working width of 2,3 metres, a rake can do 1,6 hectares per hour.

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Figure 9: Check the three-point linkage for correct operation.

Figure 11: Adjust the height of the right-hand draft link until it matches the hitch pin on the rake.

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Troubleshooting: Problem The rake is missing, or skipping hay.

Probable causes Some of the finger wheels have broken teeth.

The rake is bouncing too much.

The tractor is travelling too fast.

Figure 12: If necessary, install bushes for a proper fit.

Problem Excessive tooth breakage.

Probable causes The tractor was driven backwards with the teeth touching the ground.

Figure 13: Install a locking pin to keep the draft link attached to the rake’s hitch pin.

Figure 16: Adjust the tractor’s sway blocks.

Too much weight is carried on the finger-wheels and the float spring must be adjusted.

•

The fields are too rocky or the terrain is too rough for the rake.

• • •

Tighten bolts and nuts to the recommended torques.

Replace damaged teeth.

Turn the finger-wheels to make sure they are turning freely.

When in the field, the float spring must be adjusted to avoid too much weight on the finger-wheels (see Figure 17).

Problem Hay is clogging on the finger-wheels.

Probable causes The field is too wet to rake and mud is clogging on the fingers of the finger-wheels.

The hay is caught in the coils of the fingers on the finger-wheels because the float spring must be adjusted to put less tension on the finger-wheels.

Table 1: Troubleshooting

Figure 14: Adjust the tractor’s top link to the correct length.

Figure 17: Using a scale to check the weight on the float spring.

Figure 15: Attach the tractor’s top link to the rake’s upper hitch point.

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Figure 18: Adjust the spring mounting clamp to rectify the weight on the finger-wheels.

Next month we shall look at the single-rotor rake. Published with acknowledgement to the ARCAgricultural Engineering for the use of their rakes and tedders manual. Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information.

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Make more from your crops Processing of oil seeds Part 13: Production of sunflower meal

By Theresa Siebert, Petrus Britz, Pr Eng and Agrelek

S

unflower meal is good source of protein but has limited application as human food because of the chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid content which causes an unappetising darkgreen discolouration of the products when the pH increases above a certain point. Milled sunflower seeds have potential use in bread, pastries, cake and as a thickener in various products, but finds its main application in animal and bird feed as a protein supplement.

We thank the ARC - Agricultural Engineering in South Africa who made the information available to the readers of ProAgri Zambia.

tant. Seeds may be spoiled by mould, insect damage or overheating during storage. This may lead to damage ranging from a moderate increase in free fatty acid content in the oil, to seeds that are thoroughly spoilt and unfit for processing.

against the overall investment costs.

To make maximum use and profit from the capital invested in the processing machinery, processing needs to take place on a continuous basis, and this is only possible with a steady supply of properly stored seeds.

Sunflower meal can be fed to animals in different forms, like oilcake, meal and pellets. Photo: Alibaba.com Sunflower meal. Photo: ua.al.biz Harvesting and storage of sunflower seed The seed is harvested when the moisture content is approximately 10%.

To have seed available throughout the year, large quantities need to be stored. Proper storage is very impor32

The moisture content is the single most important factor for storing seeds. The moisture content must be below 10% throughout the entire storage period. If the seeds are harvested at a moisture content above 10%, the seeds should first be dried, and this adds to the processing cost.

The capital cost of proper storage may be substantial, but must be weighed

Separation of sunflower seeds The harvested seeds are contaminated with foreign matter that needs to be removed. The foreign matter includes metals, sticks, straw, animal residues, dust and stones.

Separation is performed using various apparatus and methods including: • magnets to remove ferrous metals.

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• •

•

•

metal detectors to detect nonferrous metals. de-stoners or a series of sieves (rotary or table sieves): coarse screens remove larger objects while fine screens remove particles smaller than the seed. disc separators remove unwanted foreign seeds as well as damaged, shrunken and broken sunflower seeds on the basis of their length. aspirators remove light, air-borne particles.

Sunflower seed Harvesting & storage Separation Cleaning Dehulling Soaking / steeping Milling Drying Metal detection Inspection

Proper cleaning will not only increase the processing capacity and improve the oilcake quality, but will also reduce the maintenance of the processing equipment.

Cleaning of sunflower seeds Unwanted materials adhering to the separated seeds are removed by cleaning through a combination of scouring and aspiration.

Scouring Abrasive treatment to remove dirt/soil and surface layers adhering to the surface of the seeds. The seed is moved within a chamber by rotors, to which beaters or pins are fixed, which rotate within horizontal cylindrical wire mesh.

Seeds enter one end and are thrown against mesh. Cleaning is achieved by friction of seeds against each other or against mesh. Dust and fine particles pass through the mesh screen and are collected separately.

Aspiration Aspiration removes particles loosened by scouring which are not removed from the seed during the scouring process. An air current is blown either through or over the seeds to lift off products which are lighter than the seeds.

De-hulling of sunflower seeds for processing De-hulling may be achieved in different ways. One method involves passing the seeds through a number of drumshaped chambers with revolving plates that impel the seed against the inner walls by centrifugal force. The hulls are loosened by the friction created, and separated by a combination of forced air and gravity.

The rubber roll hullers are a pair of rolls equal in diameter, which turn in opposite directions at different speeds.

They must be replaced every 100 to 150 hours. The rough seeds are fed into the nip. Pressure exerted and the gap are adjustable to ensure best performance of the equipment. It is a highly effective method and more than 90% of the hulls are removed.

The disc sheller uses abrasion by a horizontal abrasive wheel, covered with emery or carborundum, which rotates on a vertical axis below a stationary abrasive surface wheel. Rough seeds are added through an opening in the centre of the stationary top wheel.

Optimal hulling is achieved when the clearance between discs is slightly more than half the grain length.

The hulls are utilised in animal feeds as roughage, or for the manufacturing of chemicals, or as a substrate for yeast cells.

Steeping of sunflower seeds The seeds are steeped in a solution of 0,3 to 4% citric acid for 4 to 12 hours to soften them. Steeping is done in a series of tanks through which the steep water is pumped in a counter current.

The moisture content of the kernels increases rapidly to between 35 and 40% and then more slowly to between 43 and 45%.

Drying of steeped sunflower seeds (optional) The seeds may be dried to the required moisture content to suit the milling process. Drying is done in single or multi-phase conveyor dryers.

Milling of sunflower seeds Sunflower seeds are converted into meal with roller mills. These mills consist of numerous pairs of reduction rollers rotating in opposite directions at different speeds. Usually, 10 to 15 sets of reduction rollers are used. The crushing action of the rollers reduce the size of the endosperm, reducing some of them to the fineness of flour and at the same time flattening out the bran and germ-containing particles.

The stock leaving each pair of rolls is sieved. The sieved product is separated into two fractions - the finer and purer fraction that moves on to the next pair of rollers, and the coarser fraction that returns to repeat the process.

Particles are separated according to size by scalping, dusting and grading.

Sieves are used, the most common being the plansifters which are flat, rectangular, framed sieves held within

Packaging Labelling Sunflower meal Figure 1: Production process of sunflower meal.

Sunflower seed de-hullers.

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Next month we shall look at sunflower oil processing for the medium-scale producer.

Published with acknowledgement to the ARC – Agricultural Engineering for the use of their manuals. Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information.

Sunflower meal mill. Photo: abchansen.dk chests suspended on flexible canes in such a way that they can gyrate.

Drying of sunflower meal Steam tubes or louvre dryers are used, as well as single or multiple pass conveyor dryers. The final moisture content of the flour must be between 12 and 16%, depending on the requirements of the end user of the product.

Metal detection and inspection of sunflower meal The meal is then passed over magnets to remove ferrous metals and metal detectors to detect non-ferrous metals that may have been deposited by the processing equipment. The meal is also inspected to ensure that it adheres to the minimum predetermined quality standards required for further processing and eventually end use.

Packaging of sunflower meal Packaging is defined as the containment of a food product in a protective barrier for transport, distribution, storage, retailing and end use. The product must be packaged as soon as possible, because moisture can be absorbed, causing spoilage. The packaging should provide protection against moisture gain and insect infestation.

Legislation The processor should be familiar with and adhere to the laws and regulations applicable to the products manufactured, to ensure the safe and legal marketing of an oilseed product.

ProAgri Zambia 37

LITERATURE SOURCES 1. Anon. 1993. Oil Processing: Food Cycle Technology. Source Books: Intermediate Technology Publications.

2. Catsberg, CME & Kempen van Dommelen, GJM. 1990.

Food Handbook. New York: Ellis Horwood.

3. Fellows, P. 1988. Food Processing Technology: Principles and Practice. Chichester: Ellis Horwood, Ltd. 4. Gunstone, FD & Norris, FA. 1983. Lipids in foods. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

5. Jooste, C. 1998. Oliesade: Veel groter wins met nuwe proses.

Landbouweekblad.

6. Light, N. 1989. Longman Illustrated Dictionary of Food Science. New York: Longman 7. Nel, C. 1998. Agrival: Agrival@ netactive.co.za 8. Nickerson, JTR & Ronsivalli, LJ. 1982. Elementary Food Science: 2nd ed. Westport: AVI 9. Nwokolo, E. & Smartt, J. 1996. Food and feed from legumes and oilseeds. New York: Chapman & Hall.

10. Potter, NN & Hotchkiss, JH. 1995. Food Science. 5th ed.

New York: Chapman & Hall.

11. Raiken, MD, Kill, RC & Baker, C. (ed). 1998. Food Industries Manual, 24th ed. New York: Chapman & Hall.

12. Salunkhe, DK et al. 1992.

Word Oilseeds: Chemistry, Technology and Utilisation. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

13. South Africa - Agricultural Products Standards Act (No 119 of 1990) and regulations.

Pretoria: Government Printers 14. South Africa - Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (no 54 of 1972) and regulations. Johannesburg: Lex Patria 15. Van Wyk, A. 1989. Die veelsydige sonneblom. Suid-Afrikaanse Panorama: Vol. 34: # 6: pp 28 33.

Sunflower meal is packed in large or bulk bags to be handled quicker on a farm. Photo: resumeferico-foodproducts.com 35

Photo: storeplan.net.au

Spray to protect your crops

Part 13: Safety: Storage and disposing of chemical containers

Compiled by J Fuls (Pr Eng)

Y

ou can identify a neat and disciplined farmer by the way he manages his scrapyard and his waste. Empty chemical containers are a significant waste product. Since chemicals can be harmful to humans and animals, it is therefore even more important to discard empty containers in the right manner.

We thank the ARC – Agricultural Engineering in South Africa, who made this article available to the readers of ProAgri Zambia.

Handling spraying chemicals Always consider chemicals to be dangerous!

Consult your extension officer regarding the intended application and other safety aspects according to the label.

Store chemicals alone and away from children in a lock-up room or cabinet.

Be careful not to spill any chemicals.

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Clean your equipment properly after use and store it in the lock-up cabinet.

Take special care when disposing of empty containers.

Do not dump empty containers just anywhere. Children may find it handy to play with or to use as water containers.

Do not use empty containers for anything else.

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Empty the last chemicals into your sprayer and spray it out in the field.

ProAgri Zambia 37

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1

2

3

Rinse the empty container three times.

Now punch holes into the container and bury it well.

Next month we shall look at the special care we should take during spraying.

Published with acknowledgement to the ARC – Agricultural Engineering for the use of their manuals. Visit www.arc.agric.za for more information.

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