Planning a new orchard requires sufficient time and resources before committing to such as big investment.
A comprehensive business plan that takes many factors into consideration is needed before a new orchard can be planted.
Research should be the first step and should cover topics like variety selection, environmental challenges, advantages and disadvantages of using trellises, the availability and quality of water, optimum planting density and spacing, and pest and disease prevalence in the area.
The main purpose of the plan is to eliminate surprises and ensure not only an income but a proper return on this major investment, too.
Many things can go wrong when establishing a new orchard, says Carl Fourie, production manager for Letsitele citrus at Mahela Group. "Certain setbacks can mean that the orchard never reaches its full potential in terms of yield and quality. It can even result in an orchard not reaching its full lifespan or replanting.
"To correct mistakes or compensate for inadequacies may mean production practices will have to be adapted at a meaningful additional cost.
"Once the trees are in the ground, they may be there for quite some time, so proper planning with careful consideration of all production and environmental aspects is needed.
"Most fruit trees require between six and eight hours of sunlight for good growth and fruit ripening, so aspects like soil type and how much sun the area will receive during the growing season will have an impact," Fourie points out.
Pitfalls of establishing an orchard include:
• Incorrect choice of cultivar for a particular area; Incorrect layout of the orchard;
•Inadequate soil preparation;
• Incorrect choice of rootstock; and Incorrect planting of trees, resulting in poor establishment.
Denne historien er fra August 02, 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra August 02, 2024-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
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
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.
