Just as we know that no two pieces of land are the same, so too do we know that every person is unique and, therefore, not all producers have the type of personality that goes hand in hand with precision farming practices. Luckily, this does not mean that only perfectionists can be precision farmers, or that you cannot be successful if you lack this trait.
You either are, or you know of, the farmer I am about to describe. He or she has years of experience and can simply go into a field, touch the ground and look at the sky, and know exactly when the conditions will be perfect for planting.
Today, a world exists in which every farmer can be this farmer, and where all machine operators can be as good as or even better than the most experienced operator out there.
AN OPTIMISATION MINDSET
Technology is there to support your precision farming practices, so years of experience can be circumvented to an extent. What I often hear is that farmers are anxiously asking what they need to do to future-proof their farms.
I am a staunch believer in precision agriculture and the technology that supports these practices. And yes, I once included the phrase ‘adopt or die’ in a presentation, which I am not proud of. I also know that when it rains just enough and your grain happens to be in high demand, you will have record earnings that season. However, when the opposite occurs, well, there isn’t much you can do about it, and precision agriculture practices cannot make it rain or change the grain price. What it can do, however, is ease the pain during the lows and increase the rewards you reap during the highs.
Denne historien er fra May 21, 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
Denne historien er fra May 21, 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
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom
IPM requires a completely different mindset
You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.
