Early planting: the key to soya bean success

Soya bean farmer Gerrie Schoeman uses careful planning to time his planting perfectly. In addition, he uses the best resources at hand, including experienced service providers and the latest technology, to optimise production for maximum yield. Lindi Botha reports.

- Lindi Botha

First-generation grain farmer Gerrie Schoeman from Ermelo, Mpumalanga, has experienced both the benefits and disadvantages of starting his farming business from scratch. Having to buy land and every last piece of equipment, from a claw hammer to a combine harvester, he has had to manage cash flow with great care to get on his feet.

Today, nearly seven years down the line, he has equipped his operation with the latest technology and applies precision farming techniques and strip-till (a combination of no-till and normal tillage) cultivation.

He spends hours researching the literature, speaking to farmers across the world, and keeping an eagle eye on his lands to work out the best possible solutions for his farm.

His efforts to improve his systems and management practices are paying off, with this year’s crop looking particularly bountiful.

FAST FACTS

Gerrie Schoeman plants his soya bean crop early to take maximum advantage of summer sunlight hours.

He uses precision management to streamline production and save input costs.

In his experience, strip-till cultivation leaves more moisture in the soil.

IMPROVING THE SOIL

Schoeman plants a third of his land to soya bean each year, rotating the lands with genetically modified (GM) and non-GM maize. Soya bean once made up half of his grain plantings, but with the increasing frequency of hailstorms in the area, Schoeman decided to reduce this component to lower his risk. Since maize is less susceptible to hail damage, he increased the area under this crop.

He uses strip-tillage to ensure minimum disturbance of the soil.