In late November 2022, Welgemeen Boerdery, which produces pome fruit in the Witzenberg Valley near Ceres in the Western Cape, was honoured by Ceres Fruit Growers (CFG) with awards for the best Golden Delicious and Kanzi apples, as well as the award for the best Abate Fetel pears.
For Hannes Hanekom, who co-owns the farm with his father Izak and brothers Sakkie and Loutjie, the Golden Delicious award was the most significant, considering that more of these apples are produced in South Africa than any other.
“Golden Delicious is one of the oldest commercial apple varieties still being planted in the country. For as long as I can remember, people have been saying its market is disappearing. But for us, it has proved to be a stalwart, particularly when the European market is flat, as most of these apples are sold locally and in Africa,” explains Hannes.
“In a season like the one we’re currently in, when hail damage causes a large percentage of fruit to be diverted to the juice market, the high yields of Golden Delicious can help orchards to at least break even.” Alternative varieties of apple have emerged over the years, but none so far has been able to top Golden Delicious as the yellow variety of choice.
Opal, for example, which is a natural crossing of Golden Delicious with Topaz, has excellent production potential, is resistant to apple scab and moderately resistant to powdery mildew, but is struggling to gain a foothold in the market.
Hannes explains that Golden Delicious are picked and sent to the market while they’re still relatively green. Strikingly bright-yellow Opals, on the other hand, are picked and dispatched when yellow, so people think they are overripe.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 24 February 2023-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 24 February 2023-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
