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.
Denne historien er fra May 28, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra May 28, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
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Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
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Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
