AgriProbe Vol 18 No 3

the SCENE

by Darryl Jacobs, darrylj@elsenburg.com

It is so good to be alive! I wonder how many of us are celebrating that today.

The past 18 months have seen unprecedented changes in how we live, how we think, and how we should behave, both on our own and around other people. And each of us, I am certain, has been affected by the loss of loved ones, whether it be family, friends, or colleagues. At the same time, the country has experienced extreme weather events, while two of our sister provinces suffered the disgrace of being the centre of an attempted uprising. Our third issue of the 2021 AgriProbe has been crafted against this backdrop.

But despite this, in this edition of AgriProbe there is much that will delight, inform, educate, and inspire you. We celebrate the department winning silver at the Premier’s Service Excellence Awards for its One Home, One Garden project, which encourages households and communities to take control of their food security needs. Indeed, the projects around food security in the Elsies River community, the implementation of the food garden at Van Wyksvlei Primary School in Wellington as part of our Youth Day activities, and the article on how the

department was able to bring relief to wine tourism workers, are all examples of how this AgriProbe may inspire you.

We share news about the commissioning of the Ebenhaeser Irrigation Scheme, and the extent to which the Holsloot weir restores ecological infrastructure. And given the impact of climate change on our sector, we share information on how natural resource management is central to a climate-resilient agricultural sector.

In summary, I want you to allow yourself to be inspired, informed, and uplifted. Our agricultural sector remains the real source of hope for a flagging economy, rampant unemployment, and growing inequality.

Let us celebrate being alive by continuing to make a meaningful difference in our society.

Thank you.

EDITOR

Mary James (021 808 5008) maryj@elsenburg.com

CHAIRPERSON

Dr Ilse Trautmann (021 808 5012) ilset@elsenburg.com

SECRETARIAT

Gizelle van Wyk (021 808 5022) gizellevw@elsenburg.com

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Ashia Petersen ashiap@elsenburg.com

Vusumzi Zwelendaba (021 808 5226) vusumziz@elsenburg.com

Riaan Nowers (021 808 5194) riaann@elsenburg.com

Maritjie Cornelissen (021 808 5497) maritjiec@elsenburg.com

Brighton Shumba (021 808 5384) brightons@elsenburg.com

Dr Lesley van Helden (021 808 5017) lesleyvh@elsenburg.com

John Constable (021 808 7763) johnconstable@elsenburg.com

Arie van Ravenswaay (021 808 5085) arievr@elsenburg.com

Daniel Johnson (021 483 3261) Daniel.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za

WOMEN’S MONTH 2021

OOver the past two years I have had the honour of meeting many remarkable women: remarkable because they have not allowed their circumstances to define who they are; remarkable because they have grabbed every opportunity as a stepping stone to create opportunities for themselves and others.

This Women’s Month I share the stories of six such women.

Berene Sauls from Tesselaarsdal in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hermanus, in the Overberg started her working career as an au pair when she joined Hamilton Russell Vineyards in February 2001 at the age of 19. Fifteen years later, she owns her own wine business. With the expert help of Hamilton Russell Vineyards winemaker, Emul Ross, and the Hamilton Russell team, Sauls initially focused her production on Pinot Noir since the climate and soil type is best suited to this cultivar. She named her wine “Tesselaarsdal”, honouring her past.

Men should become champions of social change

by Minister Ivan Meyer

Today, Berene continues to grow her wines, now producing a Chardonnay together with her acclaimed Pinot Noir.

Roosterkoek queen Tannie Poppie van As comes from the Karoo town of Laingsburg and has become a national treasure for her lovable personality and delicious roosterkoek, a local delicacy made of dough roasted on an open fire. Tannie Poppie started her roadside roosterkoek stand to earn an income and won the hearts of passers-by. It was not long before she became famous as she appeared on lifestyle TV shows, in magazine articles, and even in a documentary. Her supporters even included a group of Italian cyclists, who ended up inviting her on an Italian adventure.

Natasha Johannes started Garden of Hope in Mitchells Plain five years ago when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She needed to eat fresh vegetables as the cancer caused her to feel weak and tired. Motivated by the need to have access to nutritious vegetables she

turned a dumping site behind her house into a vegetable garden. The vegetable garden soon became her passion and her way of receiving and inspiring hope. She now teaches the community to grow its own vegetables.

Small-scale farmer Natasha Love hails from Ebenhaeser, in the Matzikamma Municipality. Natasha farms on two hectares and she produces Chenin Blanc grapes. The wine grapes are sold to Cederberg Cellar where it is processed, bottled, and exported to Sweden. With the support of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture she was able to establish her own vineyards. She currently has six thousand vines on these two hectares.

Ingrid Lestrade is the director at Middelpos Farm near Malmesbury and founder of the non-profit organisation (NPO), Inspire Children and Youth. A qualified attorney, bronze medallist in the 2016 Commonwealth Judo Games and four times South African judo champion, she teaches 47 rural farm children judo to help them feel safe, motivated to stay in school, improve their school marks, and inspire their parents to drink responsibly. She also helps 13 farm families to use the resources on the farm to break their generational cycle of poverty. She develops strategy, raises funds, implements, and markets activities for rural children, youth, and women on Middelpos and the surrounding farms, focusing on education, health, and economic development.

Alison van der Walt, a qualified psychologist specialising in industrial psychology, is the manager of the Genesis Hub in Vredenburg. Genesis Hub is a safe place for youth, where they do not only learn a technical skill in a specific area, but also learn to develop in all areas of life. Focus areas include urban farming, aquaponics, Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills such as coding and drone training, sanitary pad production,

cutting, measuring and trimming (CMT), and culinary skills. She describes her team as an amazing team and the reason for the Genesis Hub “making magic”.

These women are trailblazers and wherever they go they have made a difference. In many instances they have done so without any support. In others, they were lucky to have the support of a mentor.

This Women’s Month I urge our male colleagues to become champions for social change and gender equity as the battle for gender equity will be greatly advanced when more men do so.

Becoming champions of social change and gender equity requires men to join women in:

• becoming passionate about gender equity and the possibilities it offers society and the planet;

• upholding the vision and values of gender equity;

• advocating and supporting gender equity at every opportunity; and

• influencing others to become champions of social change and gender equity.

Let the men undertake to listen more, mentor more, teach more, and provide an enabling environment for women to flourish and reach full self-actualisation, because when our women flourish, society flourishes.

Minister Ivan Meyer and the roosterkoek queen, Tannie Poppie van As.

Tenth international symposium on irrigation of horticultural crops

OAn expert group of about 120 international and South African irrigation and horticultural scientists will be warmly welcomed on 29 January 2023 to a four-day symposium at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study conference centre.

According to the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, the symposium will provide an excellent opportunity to highlight the rich diversity of irrigated horticultural crop production in the Western Cape and South Africa.

Meyer: “The Western Cape offers excellent local research on water use and measures to increase water use efficiency, modern irrigation technologies and practices, lessons learnt from the 2015–2018 drought, and world-leading understanding of climate change risks and adaptation”.

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) will be the primary host of this prestigious symposium of the International Society for Horticultural

Science (ISHS). Partners include the Southern African Society for Horticultural Science (SASHS), water research institutions, commodity organisations for fruit, wine, and vegetables, and key role players in the private sector.

Prof Stephanie Midgley, climate change and risk assessment expert of the department, is the nominated overall convenor, supported by two coconvenors from Stellenbosch University and the University of Pretoria, and a committee of local and international scientists.

Midgley: “The department’s researchers will contribute presentations on several key projects, including FruitLook, a satellite-based online irrigation decision support tool”.

“The symposium will also allow the department’s research staff and local students to engage and collaborate with international experts from countries such as Spain, Italy, and the USA”, concludes Midgley.

DoA scoops silver at the WCG’s Service Excellence Awards

by Robyn Carstens, robync@elsenburg.com

From left to right: Vusumzi Zwelendaba (director of APSD), Dikeledi Pitso (district manager of APSD Cape Winelands), Michael Mackenzie (CASIDRA), Malebogo Phetlhu (senior agricultural advisor at APSD Cape Winelands), Jerry Aries (acting chief director of APSD) and Adriaan Conradie (acting director of APSD).

TThe Western Cape Government (WCG) celebrated its top employees and teams of 2020 at its annual Service Excellence Awards. In each of the seven categories, winners from the 29 nominees received a gold, silver or bronze award.

The Department of Agriculture (DoA) scooped a silver Service Excellence Award in the “Lead Programme/Project” category, which awards a team for cost-saving, improving the lives of citizens, and having a positive impact on service delivery.

The DoA’s winning project, One Home, One Garden, under the Programme: Agricultural Producer Support and Development (APSD) aimed to reach poorer households in COVID-19 hotspot areas across the Western Cape, through the establishment of food gardens. During the period 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020, 2 436 household gardens were implemented across the eight districts.

This intervention provided beneficiaries with the opportunity to become food producers, enabling them to progress to subsistence farmers and eventually, smallholder food producers. Support was provided in the form of different types of vegetable seedlings, seed, compost, garden equipment, grey water systems, and fertiliser, or chickens with feed.

Mr Jerry Aries (acting chief director of APSD, WCDoA) who accepted the award, was extremely proud of the team’s achievement. “Our team set out to provide beneficiaries with practical advice on the production of home-grown food as well as recognise the advantage of nutritious and fresh food for their families, thereby realising food security”, he said.

APSD continues to improve the lives of citizens with continuing follow-up support to established food gardens. The One Home, One Garden project hopes to reach many more citizens in the years to come.

APSD’s acting chief director, Jerry Aries (on the right), accepting the “Lead Programme/Project” silver award from Premier Alan Winde (on the left).

OOR DIE MIKROFOON

MIKROFOON D

deur Eloise Pretorius, eloisep@elsenburg.com

Die afgelope maande op RSG Landbou was beide bevestigend en bevredigend. Met trots het ons verneem dat ons Vrydag-program by die oggendskof ingesluit word, met talle nuwe luisteraars in dié gewilde tydgleuf. Bevredigend, want stories van hoop en inspirasie stroom steeds in, selfs teen ’n groter pas as ooit vantevore. Pandemie of te not. Suid-Afrikaners se vasbeslotenheid om na mekaar om te sien en steeds verbete teen ’n onsigbare vyand te bly veg, is iets wat telkens in RSG Landbou na vore kom.

’n Voorbeeld daarvan was die storie van Isa Basson, uitgesaai in April en steeds beskikbaar op elsenburg.com Isa moes in 2010 ’n vriendin help wat gesukkel het om kop bo water te hou met haar ingelegde vrugtebesigheid. Min het sy geweet dat dit haar lewe op ’n heel nuwe, onverwagse roete sou plaas. Sy vertel op ons program waarom sy positief is oor landbou, en hoe sy en haar gesin heelparty inperkingsuitdagings

die hoof gebied het. Sy vertel ook wat haar toekomswense is, en hoe ’n mens nooit moet ophou glo in jou landboudrome nie.

Dr. Andri Manderson het gedurende Mei luisteraars bekoor met haar nederigheid en medemenslikheid. Like Mountains is ’n onderneming wat vlugtige olies uit inheemse gewasse onttrek, en onder haar leiding is hulle besig om berge te versit. Graag wil

Isa Basson

ek jou nooi om na ’n merkwaardige storie te luister wat op 1 en 8 Mei uitgesaai is, waarin hoop en die opheffing van veral vroue-kleinboere die hooftema is. Andri het aanvanklik tuinbouopleiding gedoen om mense te help met huishoudelike voedselsekerheid. Nou is sy besig met ’n grootskaalse projek om organiese vlugtige olies te onttrek uit plante wat op marginale grond verbou word. Dit het al werk verskaf aan 24 mense en bied plattelandse vroue ook die kans om self te boer. Oor die naam van die onderneming, Like Mountains, is daar ’n wonderlike staaltjie te vertel oor een van haar ander groot passies, naamlik joga. Sy deel ook haar ongewone storie oor ’n onderskeidingstydperk wat sy in die Ooste deurgebring het.

Die Fair Cape-groep se melkery is nou amptelik die eerste melkery in Afrika wat volkome op sonkrag staatmaak danksy sy nuwe sonplaas, een van wyle mnr. Eduard Loubser se laaste baanbrekersprojekte by dié groep. Die sonplaas bestaan uit 64 tafels op die grond met 1 536 sonpanele, 16 omsetters en 776 kragoptimaliseer-

ders. Na beraming sal dit jaarliks byna 1 027 MWh krag verskaf en 19 681 MWh oor die volgende 20 jaar. Die sonplaas sal die groep se koolstofspoor ook aansienlik verminder. Sedert dit op 15 Maart vanjaar in werking getree het, werk dit volgens mnr. Louis Loubser, bemarkingsdirekteur van Fair Cape Dairies en een van die vyf Loubserbroers wat aan die stuur van die Fair Cape-groep staan, “soos ’n droom”. Die voordele vir die omgewing oor die langtermyn is deur ’n begeesterde Loubser op RSG Landbou van 29 Mei verduidelik. Intussen het ander landboumaatskappye by die groep aangeklop om hulle eie sonplase op te rig ná die uitsending.

Jeugmaand het vanjaar vir etlike hoogtepunte gesorg. Louw de Wet is die sesde geslag van die familie De Wet, wat op die plaas Retreat in die Robertson-omgewing boer. As die jongste toevoeging tot sy boerdery se vrugtemandjie het hy in 2016 met draakvrugte, of vuurvrugte, soos hy dit

Dr. Anri Manderson

noem, begin eksperimenteer. Die behoud van die nageslag en gemeenskap is die dryf vir sy menswees. Boer-wees. Om te hoor hoe hierdie 32-jarige pa van ’n dogter en seun ander begeester, was onvergeetlik. Besoek gerus die departement se webtuiste om miskien hierdie uitsendings met iemand anders ook te deel, of om weer self daarna te luister. Verder het ons ook kennis gemaak met ’n jong plaasbestuurder van Ruiterbos in die Wes-Kaap. By die

onlangse Giant Pumpkin-kompetisie op Heidelberg in die Wes-Kaap het Willem le Grange ’n nuwe rekord opgestel. ’n Bielie van ’n pampoen wat die skaal laat kreun het met ’n volle 867,5 kg, het le Grange met die louere laat wegstap. Hy vertel hoe veral sy ervarings op die rugbyveld hom aangespoor het om groot te droom.

In nóg ’n sprankelende program het ons ook gaan aanklop by bekende kletsrymer

Early B. Hy is nie net besig om die land aan die brand te sing nie, maar volgens hom is dit juis die boere van die Oos-Kaap, waar hy grootgeword het, wat hom bly inspireer. Hy droom self daarvan om dalk in die toekoms ’n lappie grond iewers te kan bewerk. Hierdie begaafde woordvoerder van hoop (veral vir ons jeug) is nóg iemand wat sy bydrae op ons Jeugmaand-programreeks gemaak het.

Onthou om Vrydae om 5:40 en Saterdae om 11:45 in te skakel vir onvergeetlike stories van hoop en inspirasie. Op RSG

Landbou bly dit ’n voorreg om aktief betrokke te wees by die storie van landbou. Om mense se lewens aan te raak met sulke inspirerende stories is iets waarop ons departement trots kan wees, en waarop daar voortgebou moet word.

“Sien” jou weer binnekort op die radio!

Louw de Wet

Early B

Willem le Grange AP

Besonderse prestasie val nagraadse student te beurt

deur dr. Johan Labuschagne, johanl@elsenburg.com

RRuan van der Nest, student aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch se Departement Agronomie, het onlangs die besonderse prestasie behaal deur as wenner van die gesogte Junior Kaptein Scott Gedenkmedalje in plantwetenskappe aangewys te word. Hierdie medalje word elke jaar deur die SuidAfrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns toegeken vir die beste meestersgraadverhandeling in plantkunde of dierkunde (afwisselend elke tweede jaar), ingedien by ’n Suid-Afrikaanse universiteit. Hierdie jaar was dit plantkunde se beurt, en in ’n uitsonderlike gebeurtenis is twee meestersgraadverhandelinge in plantkunde vanjaar met die medalje beloon nadat die beoordelaars beide as uitmuntend beskou het.

Ruan se studie, getiteld “Liming strategies for barley and canola production in no-tillage systems”, het gehandel oor die opheffing van grondsuurheid deur bekalking en die reaksie van gars en canola daarop. Onder studieleiding van dr. Pieter Swanepoel (Universiteit Stellenbosch), met medestudieleiers drs. Johan Labuschagne (Wes-Kaapse Departement van Landbou) en Ailsa Hardie (Universiteit Stellenbosch), het Ruan ’n belangrike bydrae gemaak tot die kennisbasis om grondsuurheid onder

bewaringslandboutoestande te bestuur. Aspekte rondom die vorm, fynheid en suiwerheid van kalk is bestudeer, asook hoe verskillende grade van grondversteuring die effektiwiteit van bekalking beïnvloed. Verder is ’n uitgebreide studie uitgevoer om die grade van grondsuurheid en die mate van pH-stratifikasie in die graanproduserende streke van die Wes-Kaap te bepaal. Die tesis is beskikbaar op die webtuiste van die Universiteit Stellenbosch by: library.sun. ac.za. In die April 2021 uitgawe van SA Graan het ’n opsommende artikel onder die titel “Stratifikasie van grond-pH in die Wes-Kaap ondersoek” verskyn. Die artikel kan ook direk op SA Graan se webtuiste gelees word by sagrainmag.co.za/magazine.

Ruan van der Nest

Daniël van der Merwe verwerf doktorsgraad in skaapvoeding

DDaniël van der Merwe het in Maart 2020 tydens die inperking sy PhD in skaapvoeding aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch verwerf. Sy studie is by die Departement van Landbou op Elsenburg uitgevoer. Die mikpunt van die studie was om ’n besluitnemingsondersteuningstelsel op te stel om die ideale slagmassa van die lammers van die verskillende skaaprasse te voorspel. Hierdie stelsel kan op die voerkraalafronding van lammers toegepas word.

In die proefskrif is wiskundige modelle ontwikkel om groei, voerinname, rugvetneerlegging en wolgroei, sowel as vleis-, wol- en leergehalte-eienskappe van lammers van verskillende skaaprasse te beskryf. Die rasse wat by die verskeie

studies ingesluit is, het bestaan uit ooie en ramme van Dohne Merino, Dormer, Dorper, Meatmaster, Merino, Namakwa Afrikaner, Suid-Afrikaanse Vleismerino (SAVM) en Witdorper.

In die onderskeie studies is die lammers grootgemaak onder optimale groeitoestande vanaf geboorte tot en met die ouderdom van een jaar. Die modelle en resultate wat in die bogenoemde studies verkry is, kan gebruik word om simulasies van voerkraalsituasies van verskillende skaaprasse uit te voer en die moontlike uitkomste te voorspel. Ideale slaggewigte vir die lammers, in terme van die markspesifikasies of optimale winsgewendheid, kan dan bepaal word

deur prof. Ters Brand, tersb@elsenburg.com

om die produsente te help met die besluitneming. Die resultate dui ook op die produkkwaliteit van vleis, wol en leer van die verskillende rasse, wat die produsent sowel as die verwerker kan help om te besluit oor die geskikste bemarkingstrategie vir optimale winsgewendheid.

Inligting uit hierdie tesis, sowel as drie ander tesisse waarvan die werk ook op Elsenburg en by die Universiteit Stellenbosch gedoen is, word tans gebruik om ’n praktiese rekenaarmodel te ontwikkel. Die skaapprodusent kan hierdie model gebruik om te bepaal hoe lank hy sy lammers van die agt rasse, sowel as sekere terminale kruisrasse, ná speen op die winsgewendste manier moet voer.

Sodra die model voltooi is, sal dit gratis aan skaapprodusente beskikbaar gestel word. Sewe wetenskaplike publikasies is reeds in erkende internasionale wetenskaplike

joernale uit die werk gepubliseer, wat op sigself ’n uitsonderlike prestasie is. Daniël is tans voedingskundige by Kemin Industries onder die herkouer-platform. Die navorsingsprojek is finansieel ondersteun deur die navorsings- en tegnologiefonds van die Nasionale Navorsingstigting van SuidAfrika, Cape Wools SA sowel as die WesKaap Landbounavorsingstrust. Die vleiswerk is ook ondersteun deur die South African Research Chairs Initiative in Meat Science onder leiding van prof. Louw Hoffman. Die Wes-Kaapse Departement van Landbou het finansiële ondersteuning verskaf, asook die fasiliteite om die werk uit te voer. Die werk is onder die studieleiding van prof. Tertius Brand, spesialiswetenskaplike van die Departement van Landbou op Elsenburg en buitengewone professor aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch, uitgevoer. AP

’n Groep nagraadse studente van die Universiteit Stellenbosch wat hulle studies by die navorsingsafdeling van die Departement van Landbou op Elsenburg onder leiding van prof. Brand uitgevoer het of tans uitvoer. Van links: Prof. Tertius Brand, Anieka Muller, JP van der Westhuizen, Johanet van der Merwe, Waldo van Rensburg, Colette Engelbrecht, dr. Daniël van der Merwe en Leanne Jordaan.

More than just farming: LIFE AFTER BREXIT

by Dr Dirk Troskie, dirkt@elsenburg.com

LLiving without European Union (EU) subsidies has been a recurring question asked by farmers in the United Kingdom (UK). The first time the author encountered the question was during a “Farming without subsidies” conference in New Zealand in 1993. The main message was that the Kiwis farm as they play rugby: ruthlessly, while using the limits of the (international trade) rules to their own advantage. The second time was during the 10th congress of the International Farm Management Association (IFMA) in 1995 at Reading in the UK. At this event, the UK farmers had a blasé attitude: we do not need the subsidies, but as they are available, we will take them, thank you very much (or “skep as dit pap reën”). This seemed to occur with regularity during several subsequent IFMA congresses and only started to change significantly at the 21st IFMA congress in Edinburgh in 2017. A detailed account of the observations from this congress appeared in the March and June 2018 editions of AgriProbe In summary, the average UK farmer had high hopes of favourable trade relations with the EU being maintained (subsequently proven to be not as straightforward as expected). Farmers had to accept that the subsidies under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU would be replaced by a different policy focused on environmental matters. In response, UK farmers are “Brexit-proofing” their operations in the following ways:

• Becoming bigger

• Farming with free energy (wind and water)

• Focusing on people (tourism)

• Diversifying into less disruption-vulnerable farming enterprises

The Roggeveld escarpment: seeing the Tankwa Karoo National Park from above.

Source: Sandra Troskie

The series of papers concluded with the observation that demonstrating how farming without subsidies can be done, could become a farming tourism activity for South African entrepreneurs. These trends were recently confirmed by The Economist (2021). The number of farming units in England has declined by 20% over the past decade as smaller farms merge into bigger ones. Furthermore, 65% of farms in England now do more than just grow crops or raise livestock; this has increased from 58% in 2013. Some of the new activities are natural extensions of existing farming activities (e.g. home deliveries of farm products or milk-vending machines in town) whereas others open the farm gates to tourists. A farm in Wiltshire provides accommodation in log cabins, yurts, and bell tents and allows activities such as yoga, wild swimming, and sheep herding, which is apparently quite popular among young professional people. Another opened an outdoor theatre. Others share the unique elements of a particular farm such as speedboat trips on a local lake. Several farms are responding to more recent trends, often associated with, or in reaction to, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). For instance, one farmer is creating a natural burial site, and another provides connectivity, and allows longerterm residents to do professional work from the farm.

Many of these initiatives should ring a bell to the South African ear; we are experiencing similar trends for reasons of our own (a topic for a paper of another day). In several cases farmers are starting to think differently

SOURCES

about the potential of their farmland and how to put it to multiple use to generate various income streams. A good example is a recent visit to a farm in the Roggeveld where the author was welcomed by the farmer using the words, “feel free to walk or drive anywhere on the farm and follow the signposts to the magnificent view from the escarpment. Tonight, I will show you the stars” (the view and the stars being two unique characteristics of this farm). A previous generation would never have uttered these words, having grown up in an environment where “jy kannie vreemde mense op die plaas toelaat nie! Hulle sal net die drade plattrap en die hekke ooplos …”. Or is this wat the long-term future of farming is truly all about? Not only being a cultivator of the land, but being an entrepreneur with a farm as primary asset?

The Economist. 2021. Why farms are moving into solar energy, campsites, and natural burials. The Economist, Jun 12th (2021) edition.

Troskie, DP. 2018. Brexit as seen by UK farmers (Part 1): AgriProbe 15(1):24-27

Troskie, DP. 2018b. Brexit as seen by UK farmers (Part 2): AgriProbe 15(2):28-31

AP

The number of farming units in England has declined by 20% over the past decade as smaller farms merge into bigger ones.”

Iqhude Supply and Farming – from humble beginnings to a thriving family business

by Hennis Germishuys, hennisg@elsenburg.com

The beginning

Michael Mxokozeli started farming in 2006 in the Grabouw area with three pigs and 20 chickens. By 2010, he stopped farming with chickens, and focused on his pig production, which had grown to 32 pigs. In 2012, the farming business was registered as Iqhude Supply and Farming (Pty) Ltd, and the members included Mr Mxokozeli and four family members (two male and two female), who at the time were all youths. In 2013, he had 252 pigs, and encountered problems with the space required to grow his business. That year he met Francis Pratt, owner of Riverside Farm, located about 30 km outside Bredasdorp, who was putting his farm on the market. Michael approached the Landbank for a loan to

buy the farm, but unfortunately, he did not meet the requirements to obtain the loan. He then approached the Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs (DRDLR) for help with the purchasing of the farm. The DRDLR, however, requested him to register his company’s name on their database to become a candidate to be settled on a Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) farm. DRDLR then acquired the farm through the land reform programme under the PLAS. He was selected to attend an interview as representative of Iqhude Supply and Farming (Pty) with DRDLR, and he was chosen as a caretaker of the farm, where a one-year lease was signed in February 2016. Subsequently a 30-year lease agreement was entered into with DRDLR.

The resources (farm)

The farm of 1 238 hectares was previously owned by a commercial farmer, who farmed with livestock, flowers and game. The current commodities are small-grain production, sheep and wool, cattle, fynbos, and rooibos tea.

A river flows through the property and they have water rights. In winter they pump the water to a storage dam from where they can irrigate under gravity.

Diversified commodities

The farming operation is diversified, and includes sheep, cattle, dryland fynbos, irrigated fynbos, and rooibos. Until 2018, the enterprise focused on small-grain and livestock production, but it was decided to establish permanent pastures and fynbos under irrigation. In 2017 rooibos was established to move away from the vulnerability of cash crops like wheat, barley, and oats. The area is suited to fynbos and

rooibos tea production and this supports the farm’s financial viability. The permanent pastures are complimentary to the livestock enterprise in the dry season and help to sustain the cash flow during the year.

The learning curve

The rest of the members of the company studied at the Elsenburg Agricultural College and always worked on the farm during the college holidays. Phosiza Mxokozeli, Thandiwe Mxokozeli, Thamsanqa Mxokozeli and Simthembile Mxokozeli are all committed to make a success of the business. As far as training and capacity building is concerned, Thamsanqa has an animal production qualification from Elsenburg. He works and learns with Chris van Schalkwyk, whom they appointed as a business coach to support the project. Simthembile oversees the livestock enterprise, the financial records, and bookkeeping. The two female members focus on plant production, and their capacity-building career path will focus

on the fynbos and flower industries. Their plans are to get working experience in the fynbos production enterprise, working experience at the packers and processors, and a period of exposure in the Netherlands at the fynbos/flower markets.

A business coach option

Although they had a mentor, they also appointed a business coach who assisted them with planning and implementation, and cash flow projections. In the beginning, he worked full-time, but as their knowledge and experience grew, he was slowly phased out. Currently, they employ him for a few hours per week to help them. This has ensured that the business is growing continuously and is sustainable.

Iqhude Supply and Farming started from humble beginnings but has developed into a prosperous and sustainable family business due to hard work and family members believing in their abilities to grow the business. AP

BRINGING RELIEF to wine tourism workers

by Dr Dirk Troskie, dirkt@elsenburg.com

OOne can state with certainty that of all the industries in the South African agricultural sector, the wine industry has been affected the worst by COVID-19. Since lockdown started on 26 March 2020, wine exports were blocked for four weeks and the domestic sale of liquor was banned on and off over a period of 21 weeks. During a further nine weeks only off-site consumption was allowed, and for limited hours only. The result was that no on-site consumption – and hence liquor sales in restaurants – was allowed for 30 weeks since the start of the lockdown. As can be expected, this stop-start approach to liquor sales had an immense impact on the economy of the province and on the livelihoods of some of its citizens.

The average wine estate has three main streams of revenue: wine sales, some form of restaurant/tasting centre, and tourism activities. All three streams were severely disrupted by the lockdown regulations, with the result that wine businesses were experiencing serious cashflow challenges. As the wine tasting and tourism facilities were idle, the concern developed that wine

tourism workers would be the first to lose their jobs. As a result of these challenges, the wine industry, through Vinpro, approached the Western Cape Department of Agriculture for support and one of the options presented by the industry was a wine tourism workers support stipend (WTWSS).

The department considered this request favourably, not only from the perspective of individual wine tourism workers, but also because of the key role of the industry in the economy of the province. Wine grapes represent 50,3% of the 181 233 ha under fruit production in the Western Cape and the replacement value is R33,94 billion. Wine is the third largest export product of the Western Cape economy and contributes 6,5% to the value of exports from the province. The Department of Agriculture estimates that 45 610 people work in the primary production side of the industry and support the livelihoods of 228 053 people. Finally, the wine industry has strong linkages with the tourism sector because of its iconic nature and contributes to the Western Cape being an investment destination of choice.

As a result of the request and the importance of the industry, the department made R12 million available to fund the WTWSS. The key features of the stipend were as follows:

a) To prevent the loss of 1 333 wine tourism jobs.

b) To make funds available to all qualifying wineries in the Western Cape.

c) To allow wineries to claim for three months.

d) To make available a stipend of R3 000 per worker per month.

e) To enable wineries to apply on behalf of their employees, receive the funds, and pay the stipend to the affected employees.

f) Each winery was allowed to claim for a maximum of 10 employees (this was later increased to 20).

g) Vinpro collected and retained beneficiary information.

Vinpro administered the stipend and added some of its own funds as a top-up. In the end 1 362 workers working at 254 wineries received benefits from this initiative. The majority (66%) of the recipients were females and 55% were younger than 35 years of age. Finally, about half (48%) of the recipients were coloured, a quarter (25%) black and the balance (27%) white.

It was heart-warming to hear some of the responses from the wineries. Winery 1 commented that “… (the stipend) enabled us to keep people in employment and to

protect their livelihoods during these difficult and uncertain times. Winery 2 added that “the funding not only allowed us a breather, but also gave us hope in a hopeless time”. Winery 3 stated that “… the financing … enabled us to retain our personnel and not retrench any of our personnel …”. According to Winery 4 “It was not just about the money, but also the spirit in which this was done”.

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture is grateful that it could bring hope in the lives of people most affected by working in the industry during the pandemic.

Casidra’s newfound strategy points to a more relevant future

by Experience Matshediso, info@casidra.co.za

TThe Casidra Board of Directors recently appointed Stuart Symington as the new chief executive officer of Casidra. His skills make him ideally suited to the current challenges facing South Africa, where strategic insight, diplomacy, and the ability to execute decisions successfully are highly valued by the company. Finding innovative solutions to tough challenges underpins everything Stuart does. The board and the management team look forward to his leadership at the helm of the company.

At the start of the financial year, Casidra’s board and management held a strategic session with the aim of lifting its game and

reflecting on what it can improve to stay relevant. The company’s leadership had to think out of the box to determine how it could keep Casidra’s wheels rolling during a challenging time in its history. It was clear that our current business model would not be sustainable under the new “Covidian” order, and our planning to reinvent ourselves began in earnest. There is nothing like a crisis to bring about much-needed change.

Casidra needs to adapt its approach quickly to its primary mandate of “managing key projects to advance the quality of life of resource-poor people in rural parts of the Western Cape”.

Stuart Symington

management company in the Western Cape. There is a lot we can do to lift our game and we will start concentrating on that immediately.

Casidra will need to champion the implementation of a broader range of projects to stay relevant and financially sound. This will include stimulating economic development and job creation and addressing land reform initiatives.

Casidra’s renewed focus revolves around two priorities. Firstly, the organisation needs to improve its performance as a project

The second priority is to align our efforts more with our mandate, which is to involve ourselves in agricultural and economic development in the rural (non-metro) space in the Western Cape. Since Casidra is a Schedule 3D business-aligned, state-owned enterprise, we need to capitalise on this and inject much more commercial acumen into our business dealings with our principals and beneficiaries.

We will not be able to achieve all of this alone. We strongly believe in building key strategic relationships; most importantly, in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. We also want to extend our efforts in building public–private partnerships to deliver rapid and effective services to beneficiaries.

In summary, Casidra’s three strategic goals are the following:

1 Supporting the Western Cape Government in nurturing agricultural and economic development in the rural environment.

2 Facilitating the implementation of world class projects, focusing strongly on smallholder farmers.

3 Managing Casidra’s resources efficiently and effectively to achieve an unqualified financial audit every year.

Our newfound strategic objectives are:

1. To secure sustainable funding for the future of the business.

2. To provide world class service delivery to all our stakeholders.

3. To implement integrated IT systems to improve organisational performance.

4. To install a winning culture throughout the organisation.

5. To ensure that equity prevails in all its forms inside the organisation.

6. To exercise regular and impactful stakeholder engagements

With the correct goals and objectives envisaged with a new set of eyes, the company looks forward to getting to work and making a difference. AP

A SNAPSHOT ON ALMOND TRADE

by Nuhaa Sentso, nuhaas@elsenburg.com; Masego Moobi, masegom@elsenburg.com; and Ziyanda Hadebe, ziyandah@elsenburg.com

Almonds are one of the promising alternative crops for the Western Cape with numerous market opportunities. In 2017, the Western Cape harvested almonds on approximately 435,62 ha. The province is well positioned to support the development of the almond industry – especially in areas that do not experience late frost after July. The industry is likely to develop through the substitution of less profitable crops and more irrigation land that will become available (IDC, 2017).

World production of almonds stood at 3,5 million tonnes in 2019, with the USA having approximately 55% of production share.

South Africa is a small producer of almonds, with production averaged between 200 and 300 tonnes. Demand, therefore, outstrips domestic production.

South Africa is a net importer of almonds, with imports far exceeding exports by R256 million (average between 2017 and 2019)

Imports: R266,9 million (3 122 tonnes)

R10,98 million (179 tonnes)

There is potential to increase SA production of almonds by approximately 3 000 tonnes in order to meet domestic demand.

Some drivers that are more likely to increase almond production in SA

• Suitability of almond production in current and potential growing areas

• Increased global and domestic demands and

• Profitability of almonds.

Increase in consumer demand of almonds is largely driven by improved standard of living and health benefits of the nut.

Western Cape almond export

Ave 2017-2019

R845 thousand

HS 080211 Fresh/dried almonds in shell

R3,6 million

HS 080212 Fresh/dried almonds, shelled

Spain 44%

Namibia 40%

Maldives 5%

Mauritius 4%

Namibia 37%

Spain 16%

Botswana 15%

Netherlands 11%

Zambia 8%

Almond market access

• Exports of almonds to Southern African countries such as Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia take place at a zero applied tariff rate

• All European countries (in this case, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the Netherlands) do not impose import tariffs for South African almonds.

• Some leading global importers of in-shell almonds (080211) impose the following tariffs on South Africa: China 24%, Turkey 15% and India 9,2%

• Some leading global importers of shelled almonds (080212) impose the following tariffs on South Africa: UAE 15% and China 10%

• Importing countries have technical and phytosanitary requirements that need to be adhered to in ensuring market access for exporters.

• Some of these requirements are: product quality (such as colour, absence of any foreign matter, blemishes, maximum moisture content), labelling, and packaging specifications.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF MINISTER IVAN MEYER

Western Cape celebrates WORLD MILK DAY

OOn 1 June 2021, we joined the world in celebrating World Milk Day. We did this by saluting our dairy industry for providing milk to our people, growing our food basket, and contributing to South Africa’s economy.

The Milk Producers’ Organisation’s Dairy Market Trends of March 2021 shows dairy exports in 2020 reaching an all-time high. South Africa exported 460 million litres of milk. These recordbreaking exports happened despite the lockdown restrictions in South Africa.

The Western Cape accounts for 28% of milk production in the country. With respect to exports, the province is a net exporter of milk and cream.

Milk exports and cream have grown at an annual average growth rate of 9% in the past ten years.

Milk is rich in calcium, a mineral that promotes healthy teeth and bones. The use of milk in food and drink has been happening for thousands of years.

Milk is an integral daily part of most people’s lives, and there is an entire

industry built around it. It is an essential ingredient in dairy foods such as butter, cream, ice cream, and cheese. Milk is also an ingredient used in other foods, such as bread, cakes, cereal, desserts, and so much more. With more than 800 million people suffering from hunger worldwide, we must ensure that a glass of milk is accessible to people daily.

Minister Meyer observing milking time at the dairy parlour at Elsenburg on World Milk Day.

XHOSA SUMMARY

INTETHO ESESIDLANGALALENI NEPHUMA KWI-OFISI YOMPHATHISWA u IVAN MEYER

INTSHONA KOLONI IBHIYOZELA UMHLA WOBISI KWIHLABATHI

Ngomhla woku 1 ku Juni 2021, sizibandakanye nehlabathi ekubhiyozeleni Umhla Wobisi kwiHlabathi.

Oku sikwenza ngokukhahlela kwicandelo leemveliso zezobisi ngokunika abantu bethu ubisi, sigcwalise iimatyi zethu zokutya nokwenza igalelo kuqoqosho loMzantsi Afrika.

Ngo Matshi 2021, umbutho weemveliso zezobisi uphawule into yokuba Iimveliso Zezobisi Ezimarikeni zibonakalise ukuthunyelwa okukhulayo kweemveliso zezobisi kumanye amazwe, kumnyaka ka 2020 sishicilele amanani aphezulu ngeemveliso ezithunyelwe kumanye amazwe.

Ilizwe loMzantsi Afrika lithumele kumanye amazwe izigidi ezingama 460 zeelitha zobisi. Olu bisi lungaka nelingazange labakho kuthunyelo lobisi kumanye amazwe, siluvelisile nangona bekukho izithintelo ngexesha le “lockdown” kuMzantsi Afrika.

Intshona Koloni ivelisa ubisi olungange 28% kweli lizwe.

Ngokweemveliso ezithunyelwa kumanye amazwe, eli phondo lilo elithumela ubisi nocwambu ngobuninzi.

Ubisi nocwambu oluthunyelwe kumanye amazwe zikhule rhoqo kangange 9% kule minyaka ilishumi idlulileyo.

Ubisi lune “calcium” eninzi kakhulu, isimbiwa esinceda ukukhula kwamazinyo aphilileyo kwakunye namathambo.

Ukusetyenziswa kobisi ekutyeni nakwiziselo yinto ekukudala yenziwa kwiminyaka engamawaka-waka eyadlulayo.

Ubisi luyinto esetyenziswa phantse ngumntu wonke kubomi esibuphilayo, yaye kukho necandelo elipheleleyo leemveliso ezenziwa kwangalo.

Lukwasesona songo sibalulekileyo kukutya okwenziwe ngeemveliso eziphuma elubisini nezinje ngebhotolo, ucwambu, “ice cream”, nesonka samasi. Kumaxesha amaninzi, ubisi luba sisongo esisetyenziswa ekwenzeni okunye ukutya okunje ngesonka, amaqebengwana, ipapa yosana oluselula,izimuncu-muncu kunye nokunye okuninzi.

Ngaphezulu kwezigidi ezingama 800 zabantu abalala bengatyanga kwihlabathi liphela, kufuneka siqiniseke ukuba abantu bethu bayalufumana kangange glasi ubusi, imihla yonke. AP

Minister Meyer celebrates World Milk Day with a glass of milk.

Dairy cows being prepped to be milked.

Partnering for nurturing zero hunger Youth champions in Van Wyksvlei Primary School

by Vusumzi Zwelendaba, vusumziz@elsenburg.com

VVan Wyksvlei Primary School in Wellington, led by the principal, Mr Riaan Ross, and 41 educators, opened its doors for learning in 2015. Currently the school accommodates 1 097 learners from Grade R to Grade 7. The school is classified as one of the schools in the lowest 40% (Quintiles 1–3) due to poverty-related factors and this allows learners to enrol without paying school fees. Van Wyksvlei Primary School is part of the Partners for Possibility (PfP) programme by Symphonia for South Africa. PfP is a programme providing a platform for partnerships between business leaders and principals in under-resourced schools. This partnership includes facilitating and initiating

support to address priority needs in various areas of the schools. One of the priorities that the school has identified is the establishment of an organic vegetable garden.

On 3 May 2021, the first phase of the school’s organic garden was sponsored by Seed 2 Harvest Foundation and established by 20 learners from the school’s Growth Mindset Programme. This is an intervention strategy directed at learners to influence young minds with values to help them become more responsible. They learn that, despite hardships and beliefs about certain abilities that cannot be changed, hard work can develop those abilities and allow for positive change, learning, and development.

These learners were educated about the basics of organic gardening, to do the actual preparation of the area, to plant seedlings, and to maintain their garden. The purpose of the garden is to supplement the school’s feeding scheme with healthy and nutritious vegetables. It aligns with the department’s campaign, i.e. “One Home, One Garden”, which aims to promote and encourage communities across the province to establish food gardens in their homes. This is a drive our partners –such as Seed 2 Harvest Foundation – have embraced and taken further to help build a community of growers, young and old, from all walks of life. They can grow their own fresh produce using the innovative and affordable

organic food gardens starter kit, contributing to food security in villages, towns, and cities. The Seed 2 Harvest Foundation Organic Garden Starter Kit, which is applied in the school’s organic food garden, is their product. It enables a person to grow up to 30 m² of vegetables and herbs with a complete organic fertiliser and pest control solution, maximising the yield potential, and ensuring a bountiful harvest. It has a low cost and is sustainable.

Following the successful establishment of the first phase of this garden, the food garden was extended and launched about six weeks later. This was made possible by a partnership among:

Learners working in the new extended garden.

First-phase garden planted with organic vegetables.

Garden tools given to Van Wyksvlei Primary School.

New garden prepared and planted by learners.

• Van Wyksvlei Primary School;

• Seed 2 Harvest Foundation;

• media partner Paarl FM (who broadcast the event from the school);

• the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA); and

• various external sponsors.

The Seed 2 Harvest Foundation supported the garden with the Organic Garden Starter Kit, and the WCDoA assisted with:

• irrigation (water tanks and pump);

• infrastructure (fencing);

• equipment (garden tools); and

• production input (seeds, seedlings, compost, and fertiliser) to the value of R40 500.

The project will continue to receive support from the WCDoA through training, extension, and advisory services by the extension officers (Wellington and Stellenbosch) in the Cape Winelands district led by our District Manager, Ms Dikeledi Pitso.

The food garden extension and launch took place on 16 June, a holiday dedicated to the youth of South Africa and commemorated as National Youth Day. About 40 learners from Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 from the school, including members of the Junior City Council of Paarl and Wellington participated in the planting and establishment of the extension garden. The purpose of this initiative was to:

• reconnect the learners and educators of Van Wyksvlei Primary and the guests with nature;

• create awareness of good health;

• increase understanding of soil regeneration and natural organic farming practices;

• share education on nutrition; and

• grow their own organic food to ensure food security.

This is an example of a stakeholder partnership to tackle the challenge of food insecurity in our society. The partnership is an inspiring local initiative contributing also to the national agenda for food security. It promotes adequate, safe, and nutritious diets for those in vulnerable and impoverished communities without harming the environment. It is done by growing food as nature intended. It also encourages young people to develop a love for agriculture.

Towards the end, learners received goody bags with information on landcare, how to prepare the soil and plant the seeds and seedlings, a soft drink, water, seeds, seedlings, and fertiliser. The main aim was to encourage learners to practice what they have learnt and start their own household food gardens at home. Finally, while launching and extending the school food garden, “One Home, One Garden” drive was also promoted among the stakeholders present. As a result of this initiative, 20 more schools have shown interest in starting their own food gardens.

Stakeholders during the launch and extension of the food garden.

SmartAgri article series: Natural resource management central to climate-resilient agriculture

by Prof Stephanie Midgley, stephaniem@elsenburg.com

Article 1

TThe Western Cape climate change response framework and implementation plan for the agricultural sector (SmartAgri plan) provides a roadmap for agriculture that is low-carbon and resilient to climate change. In this new series in AgriProbe, the SmartAgri plan is unpacked into its core elements, structured around four strategic focus areas (SFAs) (Figure 1). Some of the active projects led by the various programmes of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA), and additional priorities will be highlighted.

SFA1 covers the production system – viewed holistically and including the means of production (land/soil, water, energy, labour) – and the whole value chain. It is production-orientated and speaks to agriculture as an economic sector providing revenue and livelihoods, while caring for natural resources. The spatial focus is primarily the farm and the landscape that it operates in. The actors are the farmers themselves and the supply chain, with government being responsible for overall land-use and water planning.

This article highlights the first two objectives of SFA1:

Promote climate-smart soil and landuse management practices

Soil and land use are managed according to agri-ecological principles that take climate change into account:

• Increase the conservation agriculture (CA) adoption rate across all commodities and farming systems.

• Scale up promotion of soil fertility management best practice in cultivated lands.

The

VISION

Leading the Way to a Climate Resilient Agricultural Future for the Western Cape

GOAL

To Equip Agriculture to Respond to Climate Change Risks and Opportunities Through Innovation, Leadership and United Strategic Action

Promote a climate-resilient low-carbon production system that is productive, competitive, equitable and ecologically sustainable across the value chain

Strengthen effective climate disaster risk reduction and management for agriculture

Strengthen monitoring and data and knowledge management and sharing, and lead strategic research regarding climate change and agriculture

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 1 2 3 4

Ensure good co-operative governance and joint planning for effective climate change response implementation for agriculture

• Restore ecological infrastructure in vulnerable landscapes to improve landscape productivity and the climate resilience of ecosystem services, while creating jobs and supporting socioeconomic development.

• Integrate and optimise land-use planning at provincial and local level to protect agricultural land that holds long-term agricultural and food security value in the face of climate change.

For the first three activities, substantial progress has been made by agronomists in the WCDoA’s programme Research and Technology Development Services (RTDS), and

the LandCare sub-programme within the programme Sustainable Resource Use and Management (SRUM). Personnel from extension and advisory services of the programme Agricultural Producer Support and Development (APSD) promote best practice CA and soil fertility management. However, much work still needs to be done

Figure 1: The vision, goal and strategic focus areas of the SmartAgri Plan.

climate change response framework for the agricultural sector of the Western Cape, showing the Vision, overall Goal, and four Strategic Focus Areas

across all the activities to scale them up to all parts of the province and all farming systems. Solving the challenges of climate-smart landuse planning must remain a priority.

Promote effective, efficient, and sustainable management and use of water

Water is managed and used sustainably and equitably in support of increased resilience to climate change:

• Manage and maintain agricultural water infrastructure to reduce water losses and risk, and investigate the feasibility of new water infrastructure in areas of greatest need under climate change.

• Strengthen equitable water access for agriculture through forward-thinking licensing that incorporates climate change.

• Increase effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural water use by promoting watersaving irrigation systems and scheduling, and the ever-increasing use of FruitLook;

• Promote sustainable and compliant groundwater use and management for agriculture through a better understanding of the groundwater system and safe abstraction rates, monitoring, and land management to increase infiltration.

• Strengthen integrated catchment management (including clearing of invasive alien species and riparian protection and rehabilitation) for increased water flow and flood attenuation, through job creation and farmer incentives.

• Enhance the quality of agricultural water use by reducing agriculturally generated pollution and strengthening natural water services provided by healthy ecosystems.

The Western Cape government has invested substantially in restoration and maintenance of critical agricultural water infrastructure in the Olifants River system.

Together with the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, the Ebenhaeser Irrigation Scheme of the West Coast district was commissioned on 12 June 2021. This provides water security to farmers (supported by APSD extension services) in a climatically challenging region, where reliable access to water is essential to increase agricultural production and sustainable jobs. The FruitLook webbased decision tool (SRUM) helps farmers to use water more efficiently and now covers most irrigation areas and many rain-fed farming areas. LandCare (SRUM) is scaling up its invasive alien vegetation clearing programme, and rehabilitating cleared areas using indigenous species, helping to increase water flow and quality. Groundwater use and management must receive further attention.

In the second article we will focus on climate-resilient on-farm technologies and genetic material for crops and livestock.

For more information on the SmartAgri plan, scan the quick response (QR) code

ELSIES RIVER YOUTHS FEED THE FUTURE

by Robyn Carstens, robync@elsenburg.com

At the beginning of South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown, when poverty hit the country harder than ever, two brothers from Elsies River inspired hope by planting a food garden – rooting out some social ills of a community with high levels of crime, gangsterism, and unemployment.

With two spades and a few seeds, Geronimo and Valentino de Klerk replaced a dumping site in the backyard of the Trinity Place Court flats D1–12 with their Feed the Future garden.

The space is now flourishing, and the fruit and vegetables harvested there provide

much-needed sustenance for those who do not have an income to buy food. The brothers also support feeding projects in and around Elsies River.

Another advantage for the community is that the wall built to enclose the garden now also protects the community from criminals who previously used the open space as an easy smash-and-grab escape route. Some young people volunteering in the garden are rehabilitated themselves.

A strong collaboration with Cape Townbased NGO Reconstructed Living Labs (RLabs) further assists the youth volunteering in the garden to earn Zlto rewards. Zlto is RLabs’ initiative to get young people involved in their communities as a stepping stone towards employment. The rewards they earn allow them to buy vouchers for airtime, groceries, clothing, bus tickets, and electricity.

The programme Agricultural Producer Support and Development (APSD) (formerly known as Farmer Support and Development) of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) recognised the food security efforts made by these young citizens and invited the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, to visit the youths’ garden in recognition of their exceptional intervention.

The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the work of the youth team and to help them to maximise their potential. So far, the team has already replicated the food garden at schools and other organisations.

De Klerk brothers showing Minister Meyer around the garden.

To this end, the minister said he cannot merely make a speech and leave. Instead, Minister Meyer made the following commitments to the team:

1) They will be invited to the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute to expose them to careers and development opportunities in agriculture.

2) As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic allows it, they will be invited to parliament as their story must be heard.

3) Their story will be published in the next issue of AgriProbe.

aligned with our priorities of jobs, safety, and dignity”, said Meyer.

Geronimo said: “We had a feeding scheme running daily and even my mother was cooking the food and it was nice vegetable food. We bought electricity from our Zlto vouchers to sustain ourselves in the short term, but this is a long-term process. We planted some fruit trees to show that this is not a short-term but a long-term initiative”.

“Food gardens allow households to produce enough food to meet their basic food needs. I want to applaud these youths for uplifting others in their community through a programme that contributes to sustainable food security. I am proud that the youth food garden programme is

De Klerk’s words affirmed that the Feed the Future garden project is in line with the WCDoA’s priorities, and what they do is to improve the livelihood of the people around them. This is a fine example of active citizenship and the WCDoA supported it by contributing gardening equipment, seeds, fertiliser, wheelbarrows, compost, and a 10 000- ℓ water tank for water harvesting from the roof.

There is a lot more that can be expected from this duo as they make agriculture their solution. The WCDoA is excited to see more youth taking action to help make the province more self-sufficient with regard to food.

#ForTheLoveOfAgriculture

Minister Meyer handing over gardening equipment.

An investigation into the reinforcement of existing permanent pastures to increase pasture quality and extend the grazing season

by HJF Grobler (corresponding author), manieg@elsenburg.com; CSS Lamberts, clydel@elsenburg.com; and R Julies, ronwynj@elsenburg.com

Introduction

Developing livestock farmers in the Southern Cape farm mainly on small land units. These areas, often characterised as “old fields”, which were formerly used for grain or vegetable cultivation, are often marginal with respect to soil and/ or are degraded and function as rain-fed systems. The pastures on these areas consist primarily of volunteer species like the subtropical grasses “taaipol” (Sporobolus africanus/Eragrostis plana), kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), couch grass ( Cynodon dactylon ), and some annual legumes. The major challenges in these systems are low forage quality and pasture availability from late autumn to early spring. An investigation was undertaken in 2018 to determine whether pastures could be reinforced using low-risk and low-cost methods to improve forage quality and extend the grazing season without removing the existing pasture.

Methodology

The investigation methodology was based on pasture reinforcement practices developed by Australian farmers. The goal was to reinforce existing pasture, minimise till, and preserve soil cover and living roots

on the land as long as possible (Jones, 2011; Soils for life, 2012). The methodology adapted for this investigation involved the planting of a mixture of pasture species into existing pasture in autumn (March to April). The following principles were applied during the process of pasture renovation:

• Competition of the existing pasture was reduced during germination by the application of a contact herbicide (Paraquat at 0,5 to 1 ℓ/ha).

• Soil disturbance was kept to a minimum by observing conservation agriculture principles.

• A pasture mix was established, which consisted of legumes, grass, and forbs (annual and/or perennial) to advance soil biology with appropriate fertilisation.

• Planted areas were strategically rested for grazing, hay, and/or seed set.

With the above principles in mind, the system was assessed over three seasons with a prototype planter (Figure 1) equipped with:

• a disc to cut open the existing sward at a 30 cm spacing;

• a tine to loosen the soil and eliminate compaction;

• separate bins for the fertiliser, small seed and larger seed to allow for precision application; and

• press wheels to ensure good seed-soil contact.

an occasional rest be investigated. Close observation of the effect of cropping on perennial pasture biomass is necessary to determine the frequency of rest in a specific location.

Results and discussion

Observations demonstrated that species planted in existing summer pastures established and produced satisfactorily, ensuring leafy, quality pastures for lactating ewes. Summer pastures recovered well for stock grazing.

With these possible benefits observed, an implement manufacturer (Piket Implements) was approached to design and manufacture a robust planter, complying with the above specifications and able to operate in uncultivated fields at larger operations. The first manufactured planter was obtained and tested at a developing project in Bitou (Figures 2 and 3). A temperate grass and legume mixture was planted into a kikuyu-based pasture in May 2021.

Continuous establishment of annuals into existing perennials have in some instances reduced perennial biomass over time, as recorded by Millar and Badgery (2009), during Australian pasture cropping trials. It is therefore recommended that

Extension implications

The practices developed during this project have been well received by individual farmers and at farmer information sessions so far. Practical demonstrations to producers will continue, with roll-out of the practices to projects commencing in the autumn of 2021.

REFERENCES

JONES, C. 2011. Carbon that counts www.amazingcarbon.com.

MILLAR, G.D. & BADGERY, B. 2009. Pasture cropping: a new approach to integrate crop and livestock farming systems. Animal Production Science, 49:777-787.

SOILS FOR LIFE, 2012. Innovations for Regenerative Landscape Management: Case studies of regenerative land management in practice. www.soilsforlive.org.au.

Key words: pasture, regenerative, conservation, developing farmers, minimum till

Figure 1: A one-row planter with disc and tooth.

Figure 2: Pasture reinforcement planter.

Figure 3: Minimum disturbance of existing perennial pasture

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF MINISTER IVAN MEYER

Ministers Didiza and Meyer commission Ebenhaeser Irrigation Scheme

OOn 12 June 2021, the National Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, and Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Ivan Meyer, officially commissioned the Ebenhaeser Irrigation Scheme in the West Coast district.

The commissioning of the Ebenhaeser Irrigation Scheme follows the successfully concluded 2020 Ebenhaeser land restitution claim. In terms of the claim, the national and provincial governments will ensure the revitalisation of the Ebenhaeser Irrigation Scheme and upgrade the irrigation infrastructure to make farming viable.

The National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) upgraded the bulk water infrastructure of this irrigation scheme. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture, in turn, took on development of allocated agricultural land for irrigation purposes.

Engineer Pieter de Lange describing the Ebenhaeser Irrigation Scheme to Ministers Meyer and Didiza.

According to Minister Didiza, the project is an excellent example of what can be achieved when the different spheres of government collaborate: “This is a great example of the national government’s district development model where national, provincial, and municipal spheres of government work together towards the development of the community.”

Dr Ivan Meyer, who switched on the on-farm irrigation during the visit, said that the two spheres of government working together had benefited the farmers and community of Ebenhaeser. “The Ebenhaeser Irrigation Scheme is the result of a successful partnership and collaboration. Every farmer requires land and water security, and today we have delivered that”, said Meyer.

One hundred and fifty-three farmers now have access to irrigation water for their plots. One such farmer is PT Hahn: “Water is life. This is what the scheme means to the 153 farmers and the broader Ebenhaeser community.”

Minister Meyer concludes: “The Ebenhaeser Irrigation Scheme brings about improved water security, greater sustainability, increased production, and enhances market access opportunities. Ultimately it will lead to economic growth and more jobs being created in the region”.

Minister Meyer being watched by farmer PT Hahn and Minister Didiza as he switches on the irrigation system.

Irrigation with Ministers Didiza and Meyer in the background.

Crop response to lower nitrogen applications in the long-term conservation agriculture trial at Langgewens

by Dr Johann Strauss, johannst@elsenburg.com

Bird’s-eye view of the Langgewens long-term conservation agriculture trials in the background and SKOG completing the picture (photo: Rory Block)

TThe long-term conservation agriculture trial was started in 1996 at the Langgewens research farm near Moorreesburg by Dr Mark Hardy as researcher and Samie Laubscher, the scientific technician at the time. The aim of the trials was to compare different crop rotation systems for the Swartland area. Over time, the trial developed into a complete conservation agriculture trial with full no-till implementation in 2002 and zero-till in 2016, with the aim of lowering production input.

The trial went through three phases. In the first phase (1996 to 2001), minimum-till was practiced. This included a loosening of the soil with a tine implement before seeding. From 2002 to 2015, no-till was applied with the help of an Ausplow tine seeder. The third phase started in 2016 with the addition of a Piket disc seeder. Over the 24-year period from 1996 to the end of 2020,

there were significant changes in the overall performance of the trial in response to the drought. In 2003, during the first drought, the average wheat yield was only 500 kg/ha. The second severe drought year was in 2015, followed by a third in 2017. The wheat yield response in those two years (even with less rainfall in both years compared to 2003) was 2 100 kg/ha and 2 400 kg/ha, respectively. This can be attributed to the improvement in soil carbon levels and soil structure, which improves the water-holding capacity of the soil along with the lowering of evapotranspiration by residue retention. Over the past two seasons, no pesticides were applied to any crop on the farm. This is the culmination of several factors. The decision was made to stop spraying the medic pastures, followed by the introduction of multispecies cover crops playing host to natural predators.

System Sequence

WWWW

WWWC

WLWC

WWLC

MWMW

Wheat-wheat-wheatwheat

Wheat-wheat-wheatcanola

Wheat-lupine-wheatcanola

Wheat-wheat-lupinecanola

Medic-wheat-medicwheat

McWMcW Medic/clover-wheatmedic/clover-wheat

MWMC

MCWMcW+S

Medic-wheat-mediccanola

Medic-canola-wheatmedic/clover-wheat+ saltbush

Figure 1: Visual representation of the different crop rotations in the long-term trial

One of the ideas of practising crop rotation is to include a legume in the rotation, which produces free nitrogen in the soil. This can lead to lowering applied nitrogen over time. As the soil health improves over time, nutrient recycling also improves, leading to the lowering of fertiliser input over time. Now, the question is: what has happened in the trials with the amount of applied nitrogen and what was the impact of this on the nitrogen use efficiency of wheat? Figure 1 represents the different rotation systems. The top four systems are cash-crop-only systems, whereas the bottom four are pasture- or cash-crop systems that include an animal factor. In these systems lupine, medic, and clover are included as legumes.

In Figure 2 the average amount of nitrogen applied in each system in each phase of the trial is shown. In most cases there was a considerable lowering of application between the minimum-till and the no-till phase, with another significant lowering since the implementation of zero-

till. The decrease in the last phase was due to a decision to lower the total amount of nitrogen in each system. It was done to (a) study the effect on the lowering of the nitrogen input on production and (b) to evaluate the effect on the gross margins of these systems.

In this article we will only be focussing on the first, though, looking at the effectiveness of wheat production per kilogram of applied nitrogen. Although two very dry years were experienced in the zero-till phase (2017 and 2019), the 2018 season was also plagued with considerable losses. This was due to strong, gusty winds during harvesting. Yet, the effectiveness of the wheat production in each of the systems improved substantially, as can be seen in Table 1.

In all the systems the improvement in nitrogen use efficiency was between 74% and 145%, without affecting the average yield of the different systems over time.

The impact of these improvements goes further than only lowering the input costs of the systems, it also has a tremendous effect

Figure 2: Representation of the total amount of applied nitrogen per cropping system over the three phases of the long-term trial

Table 1: Representation of the production efficiency of wheat in kilogram produced per kilogram of applied nitrogen over the three phases of the trial, including the percentage improvement from the first to the third phase

on the environment and the sustainability of the systems. These results only focus on the nitrogen part of the applied fertiliser and does not include the whole fertiliser application. By merely lowering the amount of fertiliser, the carbon footprint of these systems is lowered significantly. The production of synthetic nitrogen is energy-hungry. By lowering the nitrogen fertiliser, less energy is needed in the overall

production of nitrogen, and less fuel burnt to ship and transport the fertiliser base components. Less nitrogen being applied also means a lower likelihood of leaching and contamination of ground water and rivers. The trials also show that it is possible to produce competitive yields with lower nitrogen input through good agricultural practices based on conservation agriculture principles.

Other conservation agriculture-related articles worth reading are:

Strauss, J. 2021. Klimaatsverandering – wat produsente moet weet. SA Grain , March 2021:65-67.

Strauss, J. 2020. Kan daar op bemesting gesny word? SA Grain, March 2020:65-66.

Strauss, J. 2019. Taking conservation agriculture best practices to the next level. AgriProbe , 16(4):44-46.

Strauss, J. 2019. Bewaringslandbou. Maak dit ’n verskil aan die produksie-effektiwiteit van koring? SA Grain , August 2019:8-11.

INDIGENOUS NURSERY another tool in the climate change toolkit

by Rudolph Röscher, rudolphr@elsenburg.com

TThe Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, recently opened the Worcester Field Reserve Restoration and Indigenous Tree Nursery at the Worcester Veld Reserve.

Speaking at the opening, Meyer said that climate change is one of his five ministerial priorities and that the nursery was one of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA)'s interventions to lessen the impact of climate change. The nursery will contribute directly to the restoration of ecological infrastructure, which plays a vital role in supporting agriculture.

The primary aim of the nursery, which was established at the end of 2020, was to make indigenous trees available to areas where alien clearing had been carried out.

This initiative is also in support of the

Western Cape climate change response framework, also known as the SmartAgri Plan (greenagri.org.za/smartagri-2/about/), where alien clearing is identified as one of the critical actions to ensure water availability and restore ecological infrastructure. In the plan, priority project number two is “Restored ecological infrastructure for increased landscape productivity, socio-ecological resilience, and soil carbon sequestration”.

The first phase of the nursery establishment entailed creating a space where 16 000 indigenous trees could be grown over a period of 9 to 12 months and made available to farmers in the Berg and Breede catchment areas. The project started when the need was expressed by farmers to replant indigenous trees where

large-scale invasive alien clearing projects had been initiated by the WCDoA, along the riverbanks of the Berg and Breede Rivers. The department agreed to support the landowners with the necessary skills and funding through its LandCare subprogramme. The initiative started at a small scale more than 10 years ago in Wolseley. This was done in close cooperation with a local non-profit company, Breedekloof Wine and Tourism. They contribute financially to the establishment and operational cost of the nursery from proceeds earned at the annual indigenous tree nursery day. Funds generated from the sale of the trees are ploughed back into the nursery. However, through effective awareness campaigns over the years, growing

interest to support this initiative required the relocation of the nursery to the Worcester Field Reserve, one of the seven research farms of the department. During the last nursery day, more than 120 farmers attended and over 13 000 trees left the nursery. With the support of the Programme Research and Technology Development Services and technical input from the programme Sustainable Resource Management, new infrastructure was created at the Worcester Field Reserve. The goal is to grow a maximum of 20 000 indigenous trees from 11 different species. Space has also been created where an additional 20 000 young seedlings can be grown from seed and cuttings. To ensure genetic integrity,

Minister Meyer with various partners.

harvesting of seed and cuttings is done from the various river systems.

Breedekloof Wine and Tourism involved young men from the “Change Makers” rehabilitation programme in Worcester to build the nursery from scratch. New skills were transferred to this group of young men, giving them an opportunity to earn an income. Young people employed by the LandCare Restoration and Greening project are trained and employed to harvest the seed and cuttings, grow the trees over time, and actively participate in the restoration work when replanting takes place.

According to the department’s director for sustainable resource use and management, Ashia Petersen, functioning ecosystems provide a wealth of ecological services to farmers, rural communities, and downstream economic centres.

“Water quality and quantity, the regulation of stream flow, and the prevention of soil

erosion are some of the major benefits of healthy ecosystems. Moreover, the sequestration of carbon in biomass and soils are enabled and supported to regulation of climate change”, explained Petersen.

The restoration of wetlands and riparian zones not only improves the natural biodiversity in the landscape but also reduces flooding risk to farmers along rivers. Although this type of restoration cannot provide protection against serious droughts or wildfires, the impact is reduced through the natural buffering capacity of functional ecosystems, and the year-to-year variability of landscape productivity is reduced.

The restoration of ecological infrastructure is a cost-effective means of adapting to climate change and also offers substantial employment opportunities.

This project is a sterling example of two departments collaborating to improve service delivery to the agricultural sector.

XHOSA SUMMARY

Umzi wokukhulisa izityalo zeli Lizwe esinye isixhobo kumaqhinga okuqubisana nokutshintsha kwimo yezulu

Ngu Rudolph Röscher

Umphathiswa kweZolimo eNtshona Koloni, uGqr. Dr Ivan Meyer, usandul’ukuvula i “Worcester Field Reserve Restoration and Indigenous Tree Nursery” ekwi “Worcester Veld Reserve”, nje ngaphandle kwase Worcester.

Utshintsho kwimo yezulu yenye kwisihlanu semiba ephezulu kuMphathiswa ze umzi wokukhulisa izityalo ibe lolunye ungenelelo lweSebe leZoilimo eNtshona Koloni (WCDoA) ekuthomalaliseni imiphumela engokutshintsha kwemo yezulu. Lo mzi wokhuliso lwezityalo usekwe ekupheleni komnyaka ka 2020 ngeyona njongo

iphakamileyo nekukuba sikwazi ukufumana imithi emvelo yayo ileli lizwe kwiindawo apho kugecwe imithi eyingozi kwimvelo yethu. Eneneni, lo mzi wokhuliso lwezityalo

uzakwenza igalelo ekugcinweni kweziseko eziluncedo kwi zinto eziphilileyo neendawo eziphila kuzo, nekusebenza indima ebaluleke kakhulu ekuxhaseni ezolimo yaye se ibonakaliswe nje ngendlela engenazindleko ziphezulu kakhulu kwiimeko zokuqhelana

nokutshintsha kwimo yezulu. AP

MUSSELS ARE SAVING THE BAY!

by Thabo Sefike, thabos@elsenburg.com

SSaldanha Bay has been earmarked as a hub for the West Coast industrial development zone to contribute to economic growth and the creation of jobs. Enormous quantities of human and industrial effluent have been discharged into the bay as a result of the increased human activity. This situation poses a significant risk to the nearshore ecosystem. Coastal and estuarine ecosystems are essential habitats for many species and contribute to the economic health of many coastal communities.

Nutrients play a significant biogeochemical role in nearshore and estuarine systems. They control densities and toxicities of micro- and macroalgae. In combination

with temperature, nutrients will also drive non-toxic and toxic algal blooms. Human activity from the industrial and agricultural revolutions has increased the incidence of natural blooms. At optimal levels nitrogen is a vital nutrient to the marine environment. However, an accelerated rate of nitrogen enrichment from increased human activity subsequently causes eutrophication of coastal waters. Eutrophication (an enrichment of water bodies by nutrients and minerals, which induce excessive growth of algae) leads to increased anaerobic dead zones, resulting in various communities of nearshore marine ecosystems to die out in great quantities.

Shellfish, especially mussels, have the potential to remove significant amounts of nitrogen from the water column. Firstly, they bury nitrogen in sediment and enhance denitrification processes through increased microbial activity. Secondly, the bivalves consume phytoplankton and detritus, incorporating the nitrogen into their shells and tissues. Harvesting of bivalves for human consumption removes the incorporated nitrogen and other nutrients from the marine ecosystem. Mussels are a healthy source of energy, protein, sodium, selenium, vitamin B12, zinc, and foliate, and are low in fat and calories. Consumers appreciate

their nutritional benefits and their mediumtextured meat with a strong earthy flavour.

The bulk of South African mussel production consists of the Mediterranean (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and the indigenous black mussel (Choromytilus meridionalus). Culture begins by collecting seed stock from natural beds or ropes placed in areas with an abundance of microorganisms. Seed stock is then grown out on hanging ropes for at least seven months.

The mussels are farmed on rafts and longline systems, but until recently, rafts were preferred because of the high-water energy of the bay in the winter season.

Several previously disadvantaged mussel farmers and former fishermen have been supported by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture with production input to boost joint production for the bay to more than 12 000 tonnes per annum.”

Recently, longlines have been prominent because of the advancement in technology and design.

At favourable sites like Saldanha Bay, the highly productive southern Benguela upwelling system brings cold nutrient-rich water to the surface. These conditions provide a highly productive environment for phytoplankton growth to sustain the biomass and rapid growth of bivalves throughout the year. In combination with ideal temperatures, 1,7 harvests per annum are achieved. Several previously disadvantaged mussel farmers and former fishermen have been supported by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture with production input to boost joint production for the bay to more than 12 000 tonnes per annum.

Feed is a major constraint to aquaculture development. Only a third of global food fish production is achieved without the use of artificial feed. On the other hand, mussels feed on naturally occurring organisms in

the bay such as kelp and phytoplankton. Two-thirds of the food particles consumed by mussels consist of kelp-derived particles. Phytoplankton constitutes the bulk of the remaining third in their diet. Mussels filter the food by pumping water through an enlarged sieve-like gill. The food particles accumulate on the gill lamellae, are sorted, and transported towards the mouth by cilia.

The increased mussel production in the bay has multiple roles in the region. Ecologically, the production of mussels assists with the removal of excess nutrients in the bay. Mussel production is labourintensive with every ten tonnes of live mussel weight produced creating at least one permanent job on the farm and four permanent jobs in the processing factory.

Finally, mussel production contributes to the food security of the country. Feel free to indulge in mussels that are sustainably farmed locally.

Enquiries: thabos@elsenburg.com

OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

XHOSA SUMMARY

Isicatshulwa

Iimbaza zisindisa ulwandle!

Ukwanda kwezinto ezenziwa ngabantu kukhokelele ekubeni abantu abaninzi kunye nemijelo ephuma kwimizi-mveliso ikhuphelele okungafunekiyo kwizinto eziphilileyo kwezisemanzini. Unobangela wokungaphili kakuhle ubangela umngcipheko kwindawo echaphazelekileyo nehlala izinto eziphilayo.

Imbatyisi/imbaza ziyakwazi ukukhupha ikharbon eninzi kakhulu kunye ne nitrojeni kumqulu wamanzi ze izigcine kwizihlunu nakumaqokobhe azo.

Ukwanda kwiimbaza ezikhoyo kunemisebenzi emininzi eyenzayo kule ngingqi, ukulungisa ukusilela kokutshintshelwa kwamachiza nezinye izinto kwindawo ehlala izinto eziphilayo nokudala amathuba engqesho ezinzileyo kule ngingqi. AP

New Holsloot weir restores ecological infrastructure

by Robyn Carstens, robync@elsenburg.com

OOn 27 May 2021, the minister of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA), Dr Ivan Meyer, officially opened the Holsloot weir near Rawsonville, which was completed at a cost of R76,95 million.

This river restoration project was in response to severe floods experienced in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The floods caused large-scale damage to the rubble weirs, agricultural infrastructure, and productive agricultural land. Following a disaster declaration, permission for emergency repairs was granted by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP). Urgent repair work was immediately started to restore water

supply to 150 farming households and 4 000 hectares of developed irrigation agriculture.

This project was initiated as a permanent solution to the constant damage caused by the floods. The planning, modelling, design, approval, and construction of a replacement weir as a permanent mass concrete structure followed. The project was finally completed in April 2021 after a two-year construction period.

The WCDoA’s sub-programme Disaster Risk Reduction in the programme Sustainable Resource Use and Management (SRUM) was instrumental in this project to manage the funding process. SRUM’s Cape Winelands district manager, Rudolph Röscher, says that

The Holsloot weir restored.

they supported the Holsloot Water User’s Association (HWUA) by using the principles of area-wide planning and the development of a river maintenance management plan (MMP). “Using the principles of payment for ecosystem services, the HWUA has included the cost for the alien clearing in the water tariff that the individual farmers pay along the Holsloot River”, says Röscher. As such, the HWUA charges water users an additional fee for the purpose of maintenance and alien clearing in the riparian zone.

Minister Meyer handed over the Holsloot weir’s keys to Etienne Weidemann of the HWUA. Weidemann says that he is thrilled by the splendid example of what a functioning government can do for its people, like the building of the weir. “We will take care of the operation and will hold the individual landowners accountable to certain responsibilities of catchment maintenance”, says Weidemann.

An additional benefit of the weir is that it now measures water abstraction, which ensures that farmers stay within the lawful allocations. This river protection intervention has stabilised the riverbanks, which prevents further soil erosion of the riverbanks and improved functioning of the ecosystem. It also means seeing less movement of sediment into the river, which improves the waterflow.

Speaking at the opening, Minister Meyer said: “We can celebrate this outcome of the Western Cape Government’s (WCG) infrastructure-led growth strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Completing this project was possible because competent and committed officials and partners affected the project’s design, scope, implementation, and construction”. The Holsloot project team includes the WCDoA, HWUA, Stellenbosch University, Ingerop Consulting Engineers, JVC Construction, and the project management entity Casidra.

The Holsloot intervention links directly to two of the priority projects in the WCG’s SmartAgri implementation plan:

1. The restoration of ecological infrastructure for increased agricultural productivity and socio-ecological resilience.

2. Collaborative, integrated catchment management aimed at improving water security and job creation.

This project is yet another example of excellent stakeholder collaboration and integrated management aimed at improving climate change resilience, water security, and job creation. The WCDoA will continue to consider more productive and resilient solutions from an agricultural and environmental perspective. AP

WCDoA's minister, Dr Ivan Meyer, handing over the Holsloot weir’s keys to Mr Etienne Weidemann of the HWUA (on the left).

SUSTAINABLE VETERINARY SERVICES

by Dr Jana Basson, janab@elsenburg.com

WWith global warming heading for a temperature rise of more than 3 °C this century,1 the time for climate action is now.2

The Oudtshoorn state veterinary office has taken up this challenge and continues its effort to make the workplace more sustainable for the environment. It recently implemented a solar panel lithium

battery backup power system to supply the entire office (excluding air-conditioning) with electricity. The solar panel backup system was made possible through the green initiative of Dr Cathy Fox and funding by the Department of Transport and Public Works.

The office recycles paper, and one of the animal health technicians, Albie Storm, turned materials such as scrap metal into an owl

1 United Nations Environment Programme Emissions Gap Report 2020 Key Messages: “Despite a brief dip in carbon dioxide emissions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is still heading for a temperature rise in excess of 3 °C this century – far beyond the Paris Agreement goals of limiting global warming to well below 2 °C and pursuing 1,5 °C. However, a green pandemic recovery can cut around 25 per cent off the greenhouse emissions predicted in 2030 and put the world close to the 2 °C pathway. Governments should pull out all the stops to implement a green recovery and strengthen their pledges before the next climate meeting in 2021”.

https://wedocs.unep.org/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/34461/EGR20KM.pdf?sequence=17

2 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: “Climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth are projected to increase with global warming of 1,5 °C and increase further with 2 °C.”

https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/resources/headline-statements/

house for the owls that frequently visit the office premises.

The compulsory community service (CCS) veterinary clinic was inspired by the administrative office’s initiative, and currently also recycles paper, practices good stock taking principles to avoid drug wastage, and disposes of medical waste correctly. The veterinary clinic’s future initiatives will further include implementing measures to reduce the impact of anaesthetic gasses on the environment3 and asking suppliers to minimise plastic packaging.

With many online resources available from veterinary clinics that have already taken the initiative4 and online sustainability webinars, 5 more veterinary clinics could easily implement sustainability policies. It is not only the responsibility of the veterinary

clinic to implement these measures. It is also the responsibility of clients to question their veterinary clinic’s sustainability policy, and to consider whether the products they are using for their animals are sustainable for the environment.

Whether by following a plant-based diet, commuting to work with colleagues, or insisting on a sustainable veterinary service, it is every person’s responsibility to do everything they can to minimise their carbon footprint. As the Swedish environmental activist, Greta Thunberg, said at the 25th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25): “...we do not have to wait – we can start the change right now, we, the people ...”.6

3 https://vetspecialists.co.uk/blog-post/reducing-anaesthetic-gas-for-environmental-benefit

4 https://vetsustain.org/resources/vet-practice-checklist

5 https://vetspecialists.co.uk/sustainability/

6 https://fridaysforfuture.org/what-we-do/activist-speeches/

Owl house made from scrap metal.

Solar panel lithium battery backup power system.

ELSENBURG JOURNAL

Rooibos tea production: a comparison between the Overberg and the Cederberg regions

Two cases of Polish/Silkie cross chickens with neurological signs

Rooibos tea production: a comparison between the Overberg and the Cederberg regions

by Vanessa Barends-Jones, vanessab@elsenburg.com

The South African rooibos tea industry has a history dating back to the 1600s and production is concentrated in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape, and some parts of the Northern Cape (Nieuwoudtville)(Tshitiza, 2019). The rooibos plant’s history and how its health properties were discovered are still under debate (DEA, 2014; Wynberg, 2016) and are summarised in Figure 1 below.

Rooibos tea demand is growing globally as evidenced by the hectares under rooibos production in South Africa. The area under

production increased from 13 000 hectares in 1993 to more than 67 000 hectares in 2019 (Figure 2). The growing demand for rooibos tea is due to its health benefits (healthy beverage), being high in antioxidants, and its use in cosmetics.

With this increase in global demand comes the opportunity for expansion and job creation in the rooibos tea industry, especially in the Cederberg region, where the bulk of the tea originates from. Climaterelated impacts such as drought are already affecting this area. To counteract these

Source: Own compilation (2021)

Figure 1: History of South African rooibos tea

Source: Central Statistical Service (1998); Stats SA (2010, 2005); WCDOA (2018) & Pretorius (2019)

Source: Wessels (2019); Wessels (2020)

Figure 2: Hectares under rooibos production in South Africa

Figure 3: Main rooibos-producing areas in the Western Cape

Source: ITC (2020)

realities and the associated risks, rooibos tea manufacturers are looking to expand production in other suitable areas. Figure 3 shows the rooibos-producing areas in the Western Cape. The Overberg is a suitable area for expansion, with about 682 hectares under rooibos production currently.

The South African rooibos industry is largely export-driven. According to Figure 4, export volumes increased from 721 tonnes in 2001 to 9 486 tonnes in 2019 (ITC, 2020).

Export values have increased from R201 million in 2021 to more than R936 million in 2019. The strong growth in the value of exported rooibos was driven by the significant increases in prices, especially when compared to the period before 2010. Figure 5 shows the export unit prices from 2001 to 2019. The rand value per tonne of rooibos exported in 2012 was R28 000/t, which increased to its peak in 2018 – R110 000/t. Prices dropped to around R98 000/t in 2019.

Potential reasons for this change are moving international markets, as most of the exported rooibos tea finds markets in Asia (Japan) and the European Union (EU)

(Germany and the Netherlands). In the past, the EU was the frontrunner when it came to rooibos tea imports, but that picture is changing as Japan is taking the lead. Figure 6 gives a summary of the export destinations of South African rooibos tea for 2012 and 2019.

The top five destinations for rooibos tea in 2012 were Germany (42%), the United Kingdom (9%), the Netherlands (7%), Japan (7%), and the United States (5%). In 2019 the export destination picture changed slightly, with Germany remaining at the top but market share decreasing to 36%, followed by Japan (21%), the United Kingdom (8%), the United States (7%), and the Netherlands (5%) (SARS, 2020).

Looking at domestic markets, the price per kilogram of rooibos tea is slightly different for the local farmers who supply to the big tea companies. The prices farmers received for their tea were between R23,50/kg to R25/kg in 2020 compared to the maximum amount of R75/kg farmers received for their tea in the past (Genis, 2021). When comparing the Cederberg rooibos tea region with the new rooibos area, it is evident that the Overberg produces more yield

Figure 4: Volume and value of rooibos exported, 2001–2019

Source: ITC (2020)

Source: SARS (2020)

per hectare than the Cederberg, which can be seen in Table 1. The Overberg produces double the amount of rooibos per hectare per year compared to the Cederberg. This may be due to the high soil carbon in the Overberg, but more research needs to be done to confirm higher production levels (Pretorius, 2019).

Table 1 shows both areas receiving the same average price of R50 per kilogram of rooibos for the different production years.

Prices and kilograms are based on the enterprise study that was done in 2019. Due to the absence of a drying/cutting facility in the Overberg, farmers are not receiving R50/kg because they sell the wet tea to the buyer. When drying and cutting costs (R3,50/kg) are deducted, farmers get R46,50/kg, or less. Though further research is needed, the information is gathered from enterprise budgets that were developed for both regions, looking at yield, income, and

Figure 5: Export unit price (rand/tonne), 2001–2019

Figure 6: Export destinations of South African rooibos tea: 2012 and 2019

expenses. Table 2 gives a summary of the establishment costs.

Table 2 shows that it costs R5 767 more to establish one hectare of rooibos in the Overberg than in the Cederberg. The analysis and comparison provide distinct differences in the on-farm costings between the two regions. Labour in the Overberg is the first big cost difference when compared to the Cederberg. This is because the bulk of rooibos production in the Overberg is organic. Although the tea is grown organically, most of these farms do not have organic certification. Therefore, they cannot ask for certified prices. The second difference is the cost of planting material

per hectare due to the import of seedlings from the Cederberg. A trial on one of the farms in the Overberg was conducted to start producing seedlings. Unfortunately, only 20% of the seeds germinated and could be used as seedlings (Van Schalkwyk personal communication, 2019).

Although the Overberg must still perfect the germinating process, the area shows potential for expansion. Figure 7 shows the potential areas.

It is clear that although 266 798 hectares are available, excluding the protected areas and the current 678 hectares under rooibos production, it still includes some urban and various agricultural production

Source: Lingani (2020); Own compilation (2020)

Source: Lingani (2020)

Table 1: Yield and price comparison

Table 2: Comparison: Establishment cost – Overberg versus Cederberg

areas. Excluding the last-mentioned areas, 168 354 hectares are available for rooibos production without environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval. The question, then, is whether expansion should occur without the drying and cutting facility in

the Overberg. Only further research that focuses on the economic feasibility of such a facility in the Overberg, can give an answer to this. To read the full report, please contact Vanessa at vanessab@ elsenburg.com.

Source: Wessels (2020)

References

Central Statistical Service. 1998. Census of Agriculture, 1993 – Provincial Statistics, Western Cape Pretoria: Central Statistical.

Genis, A. 2021. Rooibosbedryf verwag weer groot oes. Landbouweekblad, Issue: 7–14 January.

Lingani, M. 2020, May 12. Rooibos tea Production Budgets – Cederberg & Overberg. Elsenburg, Western Cape, South Africa.

Pretorius, G. (2019). Organiese Boerdery Praktyke en Bestuur. Bredasdorp: Cape Natural.

Stats SA. 2005. Census of commercial agriculture 2002 – Financial and production statistics

Pretoria: Statistics South Africa.

Stats SA. 2010. Census of commercial agriculture, 2007 – Financial and production statistics

Pretoria: Statistics South Africa.

WCDOA. 2018. CapeFarmMapper. Retrieved from https://gis.elsenburg.com/apps/cfm/

Wessels, E. 2019. Rooibos Tea in the Cape Agulhas Area, WCDOA, Bredasdorp, South Africa.

Wessels, E. 2020. Suitability for Rooibos Tea Production. WCDOA, Bredasdorp, South Africa.

Figure 7: Suitability for rooibos tea production – total hectares

Two cases of Polish/ Silkie cross chickens with neurological signs

by Solomon Bhandi, solomonb@elsenburg.com

History

Two live Polish/Silkie cross chickens around six months of age were brought to the Western Cape provincial veterinary laboratory showing neurological signs appearing like torticollis or paraplegia. The owner bought the two chicks in the Klapmuts area and kept them as pets together with other adult backyard chickens. The chicks were a cross between a Polish/Silkie cross cock and a pure-bred Silkie hen. The eggs were hatched using an incubator. The owner brought the chicks from Klapmuts to Maitland at three weeks old and separated them from the adult chickens when they were young. She only introduced them to the adult chickens at six months of age. The owner reported that she saw an element of aggression from the older chickens towards the Polish/Silkie chicks. A few days later she noticed that the chicks were showing neurological complications. The chicks were fully vaccinated but the neighbour’s chickens had died from Newcastle disease a few weeks prior to the chicks developing neurological problems.

At presentation, the chicks were obtunded (desensitised), non-ambulatory and showing torticollis (a twisted neck in which the head

is tipped to one side, while the chin is turned to the other). Closer examination revealed that the skull was missing from both chicks and the brain was covered by the skin only, forming a dome-shaped head. There was no evidence of trauma. The chicks were euthanised humanely by manual cervical dislocation.

Post-mortem findings

Both chicks had a good body condition score and had no external injuries. There was no nasal congestion or nasal discharge. Upon opening into the abdomen and thoracic cavity, the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts were not remarkable. The liver, spleen and kidneys appeared normal. What was striking was that both chicks had a vaulted calvarium (upper dome-like portion of the skull) and the brain was covered by skin only. The brain appeared as though it had prolapsed (displaced from its normal position; downward or outward), forming a dome-shaped head. The chicks tested negative for Newcastle disease and avian influenza. Organs and tissues were submitted for histopathological examination and the findings were not remarkable. Bacteriological analysis isolated no bacterial agent.

Both chicks had failed to develop a skull to house and protect the brain. The hypothesis is that because of this and it being a habit of chickens to peck the head when fighting, the neurological damage was the result of trauma caused by this aggression.

Brief literature review

The Silkie chicken, which is believed to be of East Asian descent, is one of the most unusual chicken breeds. The chicks

are hatched with a vaulted skull which usually closes at four weeks old, but it is not uncommon for it not to close. If the skull stays unclosed, the brain becomes vulnerable to injury and the chickens would then present with neurological signs. Silkie chickens need a specific type of care when their skulls remain unclosed. There is not much literature about this condition. It may be of genetic origin or could happen by chance.

References:

Roberts, J. 2021. Silkie Chicken Breed Guide: Care, Background, and How-To Guide. https://www.knowyourchickens.com/silkie-chicken/

Ruthersdale, R. 2014. Silkie Chickens Silkie Chickens as Pets Silkie Chickens Owner S Manual Book. Available from https://www.itseyeris.com/book/silkie-chickens-silkiechickens-as-pets-silkie-chickens-owner-s-manual AP

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