Danie Bester farms on Rietbult near Balfour in Mpumalanga, and his scientific approach to production is well known in the industry at large. He does a great deal of research on soil health, and says that his entire farming operation is based on the improvement of his soil. “My whole operation changed the day I decided to focus on soil health, and I haven’t looked back since,” he explains.
Bester also stresses that South African farmers are actually farming water: “We must manage our available water resources effectively and optimally. For plants to grow, they need moisture in the soil, and for optimal moisture retention, we need healthy soil. Healthy soil is full of nutrients, and this forms the base of my production system.
“Sustainability and profitability are interlinked; you can’t have one without the other. However, both are dependent on a holistic approach to soil health and productivity.”
He says that proper water and soil management are two of the most important elements for carrying a farmer through difficult seasons.
According to him, 80% of his yield is determined by soil condition.
“Productivity is inherent in the soil. The availability and uptake of plant nutrients, as well as soil practices and moisture, are the factors that determine your yield and profitability. A healthy soil biology will unlock your soil’s potential, as it’s only through biological actions that the nutrients become available to plants in a usable form.
“The remaining 20% of my yield is determined by cultivar choice, my implements, and planter precision.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Denne historien er fra September 16, 2022-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra September 16, 2022-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
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IPM requires a completely different mindset
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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
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Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
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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.
