Innehållsförteckning för Vol 20 - No 4 2023 från AgriProbe

Farming in Kampung Ranca Kuning is predominantly focussed on the production of rice in water-logged paddies using manual labour for planting, continuous weeding, as well as the application of fertiliser and chemicals. The labour is provided by smallholder families1 or through sharecropping. Land is inherited by all children in equal parts (irrespective of gender). This unfortunately leads to farming units getting progressively smaller and owners exploring other careers whilst renting out their land. At a population of 1 196 persons per km2, Java is home to 151,6 million people. It is one of the 18 110 islands of the Republic of Indonesia and globally the most populous island. At 128 297 km2, the island is just a little smaller than the Western Cape Province (129 462 km2) with its population…

125 YEARS OF MILESTONES The Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, commonly known among the agricultural colleges as Elsenburg, has had a journey dating to over a century of great strides Here are just few of its milestones. 1899 The first students were enrolled. The first ever academic year ended in June with 5 graduates. For the first 14 years, the college averaged 44 students on its campus. 1926 The birth of the collaboration between Elsenburg College and Stellenbosch University. A two-year Diploma was formally introduced to students and farmers that had training needs. The Diploma was later replaced with a one-year course, with the college honing the practical aspect of training. 1976 An industry-renowned qualification, the Diploma in Cellar Technology, was established and still remains the most revered qualification in the…

August is the start of the “silly” season in the Western Cape cereal production scene. This time of the year is consumed by a series of information days aimed at improving farm life. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) and numerous partners feature strongly in these events. The annual Conservation Agriculture Western Cape (CAWC) Jack Human Conference is where the season starts, followed by three farmers’ days later in August and early September. The CAWC conference is a partnership between the CAWC, WCDoA and Landbouweekblad magazine. The 11th edition of the conference was held at Elsenburg and Langgewens Research Farms in the beginning of August this year and aimed to promote conservation agriculture in all its facets. The lecture day was sold out, and 250 participants listened to five…

In an era of unprecedented technological advancement, the agriculture sector must stay abreast of innovation to remain sustainable. A recent expedition took four Western Cape Department of Agriculture officials, Dr Johann Strauss, Annemarie van der Merwe, Rens Smit and Arie van Ravenswaay, on a journey to the United Kingdom to visit cutting-edge agri-tech solutions. From Thriplow Farms and the Rothamsted Conference to the Agri-EPI Hub and Harper Adams University, this working trip was intellectually stimulating and showcased new technologies for the future of farming. Harper Adams University, founded in 1901 as Harper Adams College, is a public university located close to the village of Edgmond, near Newport, in Shropshire, England. Established in 1901, the college is a specialist provider of higher education for the agricultural and rural sector. Thriplow Farms:…

The year 2023 was a year of great achievement for the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, hosting both the 2023 Pannar and NACSANO Sport Weeks. With fierce competition from the other agricultural colleges, Elsenburg was able to reach the finals in all sporting codes, going for gold in the rugby, soccer and golf tournaments and the netball team finishing second in a hard-fought final. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture is proud of our students’ hard at work. Asinalo Uvalo Thina! We Have No Fear! For more information, contact Sandile Mkhwanazi: sandile.mkhwanazi@westerncape.gov.za or Zenovia Parker: zenovia.parker@westerncape.gov.za…

Numerous building blocks for rural developmental projects are crucial for the successful implementation of such a project. These building blocks include tenure security, mentoring, willing beneficiaries and capital, as well as production input investments. Akkedisberg Boerdery Pty (Ltd) proves to be a case in point. Being situated in the heart of the Overberg District wine capital between the southern mountains, allows this group to be part of such an economic beneficial environment. After ten years since its inception the project is now a proud owner of its own wine product, Southern Treasures Pinotage 2021. A group of 20 beneficiaries whose resilient attitude stood the test of time through Covid-19, a number of drought seasons and heavy rains, has prevailed and the group’s members are now prospering into successful businesspeople. The…

deur Wilmie Hough1 en prof. Tertius Brand1,2,# 1 Departement Veekundige Wetenskappe, Universiteit Stellenbosch, Matieland, 7602 2 Direktoraat: Veekundige Wetenskappe, Wes-Kaapse Departement van Landbou, Elsenburg, 7607 Beperkte inligting is beskikbaar oor die weigewoontes van herkouers in ekstensiewe toestande. Onlangse tegnologiese vooruitgang bied gelukkig waardevolle geleenthede om plantseleksie, weipatrone en verwante aspekte te bestudeer. Die verkryging van meer kennis in hierdie domeine kan vleisbeesprodusente bemagtig om goed ingeligte bestuursbesluite rakende veldbiodiversiteit en verbeterde produksie te neem. Groot dele van die beskikbare grond in Suid-Afrika is ongeskik vir bewerking, wat dit ideaal maak vir herkouerbeweiding. Gegewe die dringende uitdagings van klimaatsverandering en bevolkingsgroei, word dit van kardinale belang om die produktiewe gebruik van hierdie gebiede vir veeboerdery te maksimeer. Hierdie optimalisering kan slegs bereik word met ’n omvattende begrip van die natuurlike plantegroeigehalte…

Bongiswa Matoti (Director: Agricultural Economic Services) was invited to present the prestigious Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA) Tomlinson Lecture. The annual lecture commemorates the life of the late Professor F. R. Tomlinson, renowned agricultural economist who is considered to be the father of agricultural economics in South Africa. Every year only one person is selected to present a lecture on a specific topic within agricultural economics. This is a very special recognition for the contribution someone has made in this field. It was a historic moment for Bongiswa to become the first black female agricultural economist and only the third female to be given the opportunity to present this lecture since 1961. Significantly the lecture, at Stellenbosch University, was held on 28 August during Women’s Month, marking major…

The year 2023 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) Baseline. The BFAP Baseline presents a ten-year outlook for the South African agricultural sector (trade, markets, prices, production and consumption for different industries), including global economic changes. The yearly BFAP Baseline Launch benchmarks what is most likely to occur under a set of economic, environmental, political and social expectations and measurable assumptions. The BFAP Agricultural Outlook for 2023-2032 was presented over two days in August – a hybrid national launch followed by an in-person provincial launch. The in-person launch took place in the Western Cape with attendance of major stakeholders (WCDoA and ABSA), esteemed guests and industry representatives. The WCDoA has been working in collaboration with BFAP over the years and the collaboration has…

White wine has existed for at least 4 000 years. But what exactly is white wine? It is white grape juice that has been fermented with yeast (see flowchart on page 67). White wine can also be made from red grapes but that is a discussion for another day. There are different white wine grape varietals throughout the world. The grape varietals are also known as cultivars. The most popular white grape varietals in South Africa are Chenin blanc, Colombar, Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay. There are different white wine styles, such as still wine (table wines), sparkling wine and dessert wines (sweeter wines, served at the end of a meal). The focus of this article will be on still wines. White wines can differ in colour – from pale straw…

1 Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa 2 Directorate: Animal Sciences, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa The projected global population of 9.6 billion people by the year 2050 poses significant challenges in meeting the increasing demand for high-quality protein, sustainability, and improved production systems. In South Africa, livestock production plays a pivotal role in the agricultural sector, contributing approximately 42% of the overall agricultural output value during the 2020/2021 period. However, nearly 70% of the country’s agricultural land is unsuitable for crop cultivation, making livestock farming, particularly sheep farming, a sustainable practice, especially in arid regions. The sheep industry in South Africa holds significant economic importance, supporting both small-scale and commercial farming. Embryonic losses remain a…