An Omnia Fertilizer Publication
S U M M E R 2 0 0 8
MAIZEFERTILIZER PRICES
NO-TILL 2008DANISH AGRICULTURE
NEW PRODUCTSSUCCESS STORIES
POTATOES
2
Talk to us. It pays.Omnia House PO Box 69888 Tel: +27 (011) 709 877813 Sloane Street Bryanston, 2021 Fax: +27 (011) 463 3022Epsom Downs, RSA Gauteng, RSAwww.omnia.co.za [email protected]
ZAMBIA ZIMBABWETel: +260 1 243 441 Tel: +263 4 369 390/1/2/4Fax: +260 1 246 542/3/4/5 Fax: +263 4 369 393
EXPORTS AUSTRALASIATel: +27 11 709 8899 Tel: +64 9 534 0309Fax: +27 11 709 8927 Fax: +64 9 534 0319
MALAWITel: +26 51 71 1310 / 71 0271Fax: +26 51 71 0287
WESTERN CAPE LOWVELDTel: (021) 983 1462 Tel: (013) 792 4234/5/6Fax: (086) 627 1232 Fax: (013) 792 4240
EAST COAST HIGHVELDTel: (033) 239 9700 Tel: (013) 665 2291/2Fax: (033) 239 9735 Fax: (013) 665 2284
FREESTATE NORTH WESTTel: (058) 304 8000 Tel: (018) 462 9831/2Fax: (058) 304 1830 Fax: (018) 462 2098
EASTERN CAPEPlease contact East Coast
LOCAL
INTERNATIONAL
3
SUCCESS STORIES
Great excitement over maximum yield trials ............................................................................................ 5
Nutriology® saves maize ........................................................................................................................ 14
Good results with Free State potato trials ............................................................................................. 15
Nutriology® is successful on problem soils ........................................................................................... 16
OmniSap® analysis saves money .......................................................................................................... 17
Save a penny, lose a pound ................................................................................................................... 18
ARTICLES
Danish Agriculture: Using technology to their advantage ....................................................................... 9
Why is fertilizer so expensive ................................................................................................................. 10
“Agriculture: From Cinderella to sexy princess” .................................................................................... 20
Agronomist Conference ......................................................................................................................... 21
No-till farmers days ................................................................................................................................ 22
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Tuber size and quality of potatoes dramatically improved .................................................................... 19
REGULAR
Letters and comments ............................................................................................................................. 4
Product Focus: NUTRICAL 19™ ............................................................................................................. 8
Profile: Meet the experts ....................................................................................................................... 12
Book Review .......................................................................................................................................... 23
On a lighter note..................................................................................................................................... 24
Nutriology® Newsletter
Editor Hantie Jansen van VuurenContact number (011) 709-8778E-mail [email protected] address PO Box 69888, Bryanston, 2021Physical address Omnia House, 13 Sloane Street, Epsom Downs
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of Omnia Fertilizer Ltd in writing.
CONT
ENTS
4
Letters and comments
W I N a P R I Z E !
Leah and Sean Reeve won a jacket for their winning letter. The best written letter for the next issue, will win you a warm jacket. Feel free to write in English or Afrikaans and send it for the attention of Hantie Jansen van Vuuren. The postal address, e-mail address and fax numbers appear elsewhere on this page. You may write under an alias, but please include your real name, postal address and telephone number. Please keep it short – we reserve the right to edit any letters. Your letter must reach us before the end of January 2009 to be considered for the prize.
Letters and comments
Thank you Leah & Sean
for this nice letter. Congratulations on your first wheat harvest!
Unfortunately you have not included an address to which your prize can be sent.
Please send me your physical address and I will courier your jacket to you.
Editor
LETTER FROM THE FIELDThroughout the seven years we have been with Omnia Fertilizer Zambia, I can only sing the highest praises
for their fertilizer and their service. The knowledge of their agronomists as well as the willingness to offer advice has been invaluable.
Last year we planted our first crop of wheat. We needed a lot of advice to do with fertilizer application, land preparation, seed application rates – the list goes on. Thankfully we
managed to get most of this advice from the Omnia agronomist in Mazabuka. We planted our wheat at a seed rate of 180 kg/ha and applied the suggested fertilizer. The wheat
was dark in colour and grew very tall. We were complimented on the size of our flag leaf as well as the size of the heads the wheat made. We had a good yield if you
take into consideration it was our first try. We would like to thank the Omnia agronomist for his patience and advice over the last few years and hope
he continues his invaluable service in Mazabuka.
LEAH & SEAN REEVE, MAZABUKA
(Letter shortened)
Please write to:
Hantie Jansen van VuurenPO Box 69888Bryanston2021South Africa orE-mail: [email protected] orFax nr.: +27 11 463-3022 086 639 7003 (only in RSA)
North West
5
New technologies like yield monitors, detailed soil classification and precision farming open new doors with regard to yield, if these resources are utilised correctly.
Time and again in the past, yields of over 10 ton/ha have been realised on dryland maize. Therefore the agronomists at Omnia North West conducted a few trials to reach maximum yields under given climatic conditions.
The OmniPrecise™ team determined the soil potential and chemical status of five trial locations. It was decided to award a prize to the collaborator who attained the highest yield in excess of the estimated potential. Where possible we tried to make all corrections with regards to lime, gypsum and phosphorus before planting to avoid nutrient deficiencies on the maize.
Table 1 gives more information on the different trial locations.
Cultivar DKC 78-15B was planted at four of the five locations, except at Lichtenburg (Grootpan), where DKC 80-12B was planted. The results are shown in Table 2. The producers’ standard fertilizer practices served as the control treatment. Some of the locations needed substantial applications of phosphorus to correct the soil.
OmniSap® samples were taken regularly at all the locations to evaluate availability of all nutrients. Any deficiencies were corrected with foliar sprays.
The Coligny location did not react like the other locations because of low rainfall. With no clay to prevent deep drainage, this shallow soil could not store water. The soil as resource has to be the starting point to ensure that higher yields are possible.
Great excitement over By Kobus van ZylAgronomist, North West
67% increase!
A profile pit at one trial location where free water is
clearly visible.
6
Great excitement over maximum yield trials (continued)
North West
Table 1
Table 2 Yield results at five locations during the 2006/2007 season
Locations Soil Type Soil Depth (m) Yield Potential (ton/ha)
Previous Crop
Moisture Status before Planting
Seasonal Rainfall(mm)
Lichtenburg (Grootpan)
Bloemdal 1.8 4.9 Maize Dry 459
KoppiesAvalon
WestleighTukulu
1.6 6.2Fallow from
maizeFree water 358
Coligny Clovelly 0.8 3.3 Maize Dry 138
Schweizer-Reneke
AvalonPinedeneClovelly
Bloemdal
1.6 4.8 Ground nuts Free water 200
Viljoenskroon Tukulu 1.6 6.3 Maize Free water 320
Lichtenburg (Grootpan)
ControlB1B2
4.08.012.0
112200266
12.979.379.3
05.85.8
010.020.0
BothBothBoth
30,000(0.9 m)
3.725.727.43
8.1612.5416.28
4576.55029.57295.5
KoppiesControl
B1B2
4.08.012.0
70120200
12.068.572.5
000
21.039.071.0
BothBothBoth
18,000(1.5 m)
4.347.805.76
12.1221.7816.08
5353.008877.004824.00
Coligny ControlB1B2
3.06.09.0
54.5133220
10.519.638.5
15.032.655.0
12.029.044.0
NoneNoneNone
18,000(1.6 m)
trem track
1.061.071.08
7.297.297.30
724.17-205.23-1501.78
Schweizer-Reneke
ControlB1B2
5.07.09.0
8599140
22.033.033.0
000
18.027.027.0
NoneNoneNone
18,000(1.17 m)
5.466.628.58
27.3033.1042.90
7090.008496.0011033.00
Viljoenskroon ControlB1
5-5.59-10
96.6151.2
20.736.4
7.711.4
9.09.0
NoneMicros
20,000(1.5 m)
6.508.40
20.3026.30
8452.0010419.00
Loca
lity
Trea
tmen
ts
Yie
ld G
oals
(ton
nes/
ha)
Nkg
/ha
Pkg
/ha
Kkg
/ha
Skg
/ha
Mic
ro-
nutr
ient
s/K
-hum
ate
Pla
ntin
gD
ensi
ty/h
a
Yie
ld(t
onne
s/ha
)
Kg
grai
npe
r m
mra
in(k
g/m
m)
* Micronutrients added: zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), boron (B) and molybdenum (Mo)
The maize that yielded 6.62 tonnes/ha is to the right of the man. The maize to the left yielded 8.58 tonnes/ha.
Mar
gin
abov
e fe
rtili
zer c
ost
mai
ze @
R
1500
/ton
ne
(R)
7
North West
The yield monitor map above (Viljoenskroon location) confirms the role of soil regarding potential. The shallower soils yielded good results, but much improved results were obtained on the deeper, better soils.
The average increase in yield across the four locations with positive results was 67%. The low rainfall on most of these plots made this result even more extraordinary. The previous season (2005/ 2006) was very wet and this confirms the value of carried over moisture on soils with a water table.
With these trials Omnia demonstrated its commitment to a client’s success.
The trials were a real challenge for every collaborator and agronomist of the Omnia North West Business Unit. It was a good team effort and valuable lessons were learnt.
Congratulations to Mr. Schalk Fourie, of Schweizer-Reneke, who won the competition with a yield of 87% higher than the potential set for the season.
(20.2ha.) Field boundarySoil formAv - Avalon (7.1 ha. - 35.8%)Tu - Tukulu (8.1 ha. - 39.9%)We - Westleigh (4.9 ha. - 24.3%)
10.00 – 12.00 9.00 – 10.00 8.00 – 9.00 7.00 – 8.00 6.00 – 7.00 5.00 – 6.00 4.00 – 5.00 3.00 – 4.00 0.00 – 3.00
Soil map: 06 (20.17 ha.)
Effective root depth:06 (20.17 ha.)
(20.2ha.) Field BoundarySoil Form - Effective root depth40-50cm (0.0 ha. - 0.0%)60-70cm (0.0 ha. - 0.0%)80-90cm (2.8 ha. - 13.7%)100-110cm (2.1 ha. - 10.5%)120cm (3.7 ha. - 18.2%)120-140cm (11.6 ha. - 57.5%)140-160cm (0.0 ha. - 0.0%)160-180cm (0.0 ha. - 0.0%)180-200cm (0.0 ha. - 0.0%)210+cm (0.0 ha. - 0.0%)
Awards ceremony in Lichtenburg with Schalk
Fourie (client) on the left, Louis
Strydom (Business Unit
Manager) and Stefan de Jager
(agronomist, right).
Summer 08
Ensuring that the dividing cells receive all the calcium they require is a challenge. Plants are not able to take calcium from older tissues and redirect it to where it is needed, but rather have to absorb it from the soil, as and when it is required.
Calcium uptake is reduced when soil temperatures are too low or excessively high, or when developing fruits limit the sugars available for root development. Once absorbed, there is no guarantee that calcium will reach the developing tissues; calcium mobility depends on transpiration flow and this is often low for developing fruit and leaves.
Trials conducted in the Western Cape show substantial yield increases with application of NUTRICAL 19™. An increase in fruit weight, size and quality was also achieved. Microscopic analysis of the fruit revealed statistically significant increases in cell lengths.
For more information on this product, contact your Omnia Nutriology® agronomist.8
Product Focus
The most responsive cultivars to this product proved to be ‘Granny Smith’ and ‘Golden Delicious’.
NUTRICAL 19™ contains almost 140 g/kg calcium, which is used to strengthen cell walls and membranes, keeping them intact for longer and increasing shelf life.
Increases Yield and Promotes High Quality Fruit
Witvlei Protea Lorraine Beaulieu Witvlei Protea Twaalffontein
Effect of NUTRICAL 19 on apple productionin the 2006 season
Effect of NUTRICAL 19 on apple productionin the 2005 season
Applications of NUTRICAL 19™ to apple trees significantly increased the yield and various quality parameters:
Yie
ld (
t/ha
)
Yie
ld (
t/ha
)
130
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
9
It’s tempting to think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, but a recent trip to Denmark to visit the Agricultural Field Trials conference confirmed that farmers everywhere face challenges.
In Denmark farmers are considered as food producers, nature managers and employers. Environmental issues dominate and farming practices reflect this. Nutrient application is limited to the extent that farmers can only apply 85% of what is needed from an agronomic point of view. And, in an effort to manage their animal manure, 75% of the nitrogen in the manure has to replace inorganic fertilizer, so in some cases farmers are hardly allowed to use inorganic nitrogen fertilizers. Their strict registration policies also mean that farmers have very few plant protection products to work with and they can pay up to a 50% levy.
Helping farmers meet these challenges is the Danish Agricultural Advisory Service (DAAS). DAAS, owned and used by the Danish farmers, was started in 1875 when farmers’ organisations started to employ their own advisors. The focus of their research reflects the farmers’ concerns: which is the best variety, when is plant protection needed, which pesticide to use, what is the smallest dose required and how to apply animal manure to achieve the maximum fertilizer effect? It is a two-tier organisation with a national centre and 46 local advisory centres.
Visiting a local advisory centre, it was fascinating to see the creative thinking that goes into solving some of these problems. Beside the routine trials testing pesticide rates, etc. was a trial that uses mustard to ‘mine’ nitrogen from the soil. Wheat crops are followed by mustard which is quick growing and has a deep root system (2m) that takes up between 80 and 90 kg/ha N. By depleting the soil of nitrogen, the farmers are able to apply more nitrogen on the following crop as soil nitrogen is taken into account. In spring the mustard is ploughed back into the soil as organic matter, supplementing the allowed nitrogen application and helping the farmer reach the budget he needs for optimum yield. Fortunately their cold winters kill the mustard seed so regrowth is not a problem.
These centers give the local advisors the opportunity to see first hand how new varieties and strategies perform, improving the quality of advice they can give a farmer. It was a shock to hear that the farmer pays 100 Euros an hour for the advice they receive. In addition, the centers have a PR function and hikes have been laid out for the local community to walk from town to the centre and picnic. Much is done to inform the public about the role the farmer plays in the community. Crops are planted especially to educate the community and we were shown hops and plots seeded with indigenous species that will attract birds and wildlife.
Critical to meeting the challenges is the development of new varieties. Breeding varieties suited to the demands of Danish agriculture is ongoing and I was impressed at the speed at which this is accomplished. After the initial development in the greenhouse, varieties with potential are bulked up using a technique called ‘Shuttle Growing’. This entails that after harvest from fields in Demark, the seed is shipped to New Zealand and grown in an area climatically matched to Denmark, in effect giving them two growing seasons a year. Under-pinning this is some excellent research work available online to farmers. Field researchers use handheld terminals and, as they collect the data, it is logged online immediately, allowing for fast reporting and making it possible to use the data during the season e.g. diseases. The results of trials can be viewed within a few hours after harvest, but are reported as “preliminary trials”. Within 24 hours they have been checked and are then published. For those not so fond of technology, DAAS publishes their annual report of approximately 1200 field trials just before Christmas each year. DAAS estimates that this fast publication of results shortens the time for a variety to become commercially available by one year as compared to the traditional testing system. The value of this is conservatively estimated at 10 million Euros.
It is clear that Danish agriculture is aware that to progress it is necessary to exploit technology, but one can’t help feel that it is also their cooperative approach that will ultimately give them the edge.
Using Technology to their Advantage
By Megan A’Bear, Manager: Research & Development
Danish Agriculture:
Article
10
Industry News
At the moment there is good news and bad news in agriculture. The good news is that the current grain prices make farming worthwhile. The bad news is that input costs are so high, the risk makes a lot of people nervous.
Let’s look at what is influencing prices of fertilizer raw materials.
Why is fertilizer soBy Jan Vermaak
Divisional Director
Source: United Nations (1995b); U.S. Census Bureau, International Programs Centre, International Data Base and unpublished tables.
1800 1900 20001850 1950 2050
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Population in billions
118 years
1804
1922
1959
1974
1987
1999
2013
2028
2048
37 years
15years
13years
12years
14years
15years
20years
Total world populationWHAT CAUSES THESE HIGH PRICES?To date there has been a bigger supply than demand, resulting in relatively low prices. However, increased population growth, higher food prices, food shortages and the manufacture of biofuel are factors causing a much higher demand for raw materials. This results in shortages, causing a sharp rise in prices.
Graph 1: World per capita meat consumption
Graph 2: World population growth
Graph 3: Kilograms of feed grain to produce one kilogram of meat
POPULATION GROWTHGraph 2 shows clearly how the world population expanded in the last few decades. As a result of better economic conditions, more people can afford to eat meat instead of grain products. Graph 3 shows how much grain is needed to produce meat. The increased grain production leads to a higher demand for fertilizer.
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010F
45
40
35
30
25
20
0 2 4 6 8
Beef
Pork
Poultry
11
Industry News
Current food shortages have arisen worldwide as more people need to be fed and grain is also being used for biofuel. Global warming worsens the situation with droughts occurring in places like Australia.
These food shortages affect, in particular, grain, oil, rice and sugarcane. Because of this, China increased export taxes on raw materials to an
average of 135% in an effort to ensure food security.
Food prices also rose because of food shortages. When farmers believe they will receive a better price for their produce, they are more likely to invest in fertilizer. This also increases the demand for fertilizer.
NEW PLANTSLow fertilizer prices in the past did not encourage capital investment. Demand for raw materials rose faster than predicted.
Building a new nitrogen complex takes at least three years; a minimum of three to four years is needed to open a new phosphate fertilizer plant. As potassium is mined at difficult-to-reach places, it takes about seven years to develop a new mine as the necessary infrastructure has to be put in place. The situation is further complicated by competition for building materials and equipment.
This means fertilizer prices will probably stay high in the foreseeable future.
Thorleif Enger, President of IFA (International Fertilizer Industry Association) summed it up well: “Current fertilizer prices are an illustration of the basic principles of supply and demand. They reflect a properly functioning, but very tight, global market.”
One thing is certain: These are interesting times for agriculture. The only way to make enough profit in these circumstances, is to make sure you get as much value as possible from your fertilizer. With the
knowledgeable advice of the Omnia agronomists as well as added services like soil analyses, OmniSap® and OmniPrecise™, you can be sure that your crop (and yield) is in good hands!
Graph 4: Maize prices vs. N, P & K prices
Yellow maize fob USD/tonne fob USD/tonne
Graph 5: N, P & K Supply/Demand Balance
100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
Total Potential Capacity
Nirogen Phosphate MOP
Demand Potential Surplus
CA
PAC
ITY
12
Profile
T H E E X P E R T S
A g r o n o m i s t sHighveld
ST Potgieter 083 414 4595Brits, Koedoeskop, Thabazimbi
Chris Burbidge 083 702 0760Groblersdal, Marble Hall
David Fouche 082 923 0438Witbank, Oos-Rand, Delmas, Bethal
Gerrit de Jager 082 388 2176Ermelo, Piet Retief, Middelburg
Jan Schoonraad 083 441 2508Standerton, Volksrust
Johan Engelbrecht 082 573 3877Bethal, Delmas
Pieter de Jager 082 456 4563Bronkhorstspruit, Balfour, Grootvlei, Johannesburg
Wilhelm de Koker 082 567 1977Naboomspruit, Sterkrivier
Western Cape
Marinus de Beer 083 655 0129Hexrivier, Grabouw, Robertson
Attie Haasbroek 083 557 5321Sandveld & Swartland
Jan van Zyl 083 283 8311Vredendal & Citrusdal
Pietman Wessels 072 582 0019Ceres
Lowveld
André Smit 082 893 2785Northern Transvaal
Hentie Cilliers 082 904 2429Kaapmuiden – Komati
Kobus van Heerden 079 500 7514Hectorspruit
North West
Johan Fourie 082 880 3965Upington
Jannie Peyper 083 288 7131Parys, Koppies, Klerksdorp, Potch., Ventersdorp
Kobus van Zyl 083 633 9540Viljoenskroon, Bothaville
Phillip Venter 082 496 1144NWK
Jan du Toit 083 627 4402NWK
Stefan de Jager 082 376 8915Wolmaransstad, Schweizer, Delareyville
MeetOmnia’s Highveld Business Unit has a team of experienced agronomists with expert knowledge on a wide range of crops.
Schalk Lombaard is the Business Unit Manager for the Highveld. Even
though he has an agronomic background,
Schalk has long been more involved in
management, first in the Lowveld and now
in the Highveld. He was previously Manager of
Agronomic Development at Omnia’s Head Office.
ST Potgieter holds a B.Sc. Agric and a Hons degree in Agricultural Extension.
He has more than 30 years experience as an
agriculturist and has been working for Omnia Highveld for the past eight years. He
is currently servicing the Crocodile River Irrigation
Scheme as well as the Tarlton area and mainly
works with maize, wheat, soyabeans and lucerne.
ST also has experience in veggies, citrus and intensive
tunnel farming.
Chris Burbidge has been with Omnia as an agronomist in the
Groblersdal, Marble Hall, Loskop Valley and Stofberg areas. He was previously with the ARC
Small Grain Institute. Chris has a M.Sc.Agric degree and works
with wheat, tobacco, maize, cotton, citrus, vegetables, table
grapes and soya beans. He is very familiar with irrigation scheduling
for wheat.
David Fouche, an agronomist at Omnia Highveld, holds a
M.Sc. Agric degree from the University of Pretoria. He works mainly with maize, soya beans,
dry beans, irrigated wheat and potatoes and serves the Witbank, Delmas, Highveld
Ridge, Bethal and Nigel areas.
13
Profile
T H E E X P E R T SMeet
Gerrit de Jager is based in Bethal and works with
representatives in Piet Retief, Middelburg,
Stoffberg, Wonderfontein,
Belfast, Carolina, Hendrina, Ermelo and Dirkiesdorp. He has an agronomy degree and his specialities are potatoes and precision farming.
Johan Engelbrecht holds a B.Sc. degree from Potch University and an M.Sc. (Agric)
from the University of Natal. His area covers mainly Bethal, but he also works in Delmas,
Heidelberg, Middelburg, Ermelo and Standerton. He has experience on a wide variety of crops.
Jan Schoonraad has a B.Sc. (Agric) degree
from the University of Pretoria. He works as an agent mainly in the Standerton
and Volksrust areas on maize, sorghum, sunflower and soya
beans.
With a B.Sc. Hons degree in Agricultural Economics,
Pieter de Jager worked as a lecturer, a technical
advisor, a crop specialist and a technical representative before joining Omnia as an agronomist. He services the
Grootvlei, Bronkhortspruit and Vereeniging areas and works mainly on maize, but also on potatoes, wheat, sunflower,
soya beans, dry beans, instant lawn and vegetables.
Wilhelm de Koker holds a B.Sc. degree in Plant Production from the University of Pretoria. He has been with Omnia for five years in different regions and is currently working in the Nylstroom region.
He is experienced in precision farming recommendations
and has been doing irrigation scheduling for the past four
years. Wilhelm has expertise on maize, potatoes, wheat, tobacco,
soya beans, dry beans and pastures.
A g r o n o m i s t sEast Coast
Kevern Macaskill 082 887 2653Eston, Richmond, North Coast
Peter King 083 679 4066Eastern Cape
Francois du Plessis 082 887 4614Port Elizabeth
Brian Hesom 083 679 1962Northern Natal / Midlands
Rollo Woodhead 083 679 1953East Griqualand
MC Veldsman 082 771 5495Humansdorp
William Gibson 082 856 2581North Coast, Richmond, Spesialities
Free State
Johan Bredenkamp 082 304 6867Hoopstad, Wesselsbron, Hennenman
John Craven 083 626 1783Bethlehem, Reitz, Warden
Lafras Fouche 083 235 6556Bethlehem, Heilbron, Frankfort, Vrede
Piet de Wet 082 788 5342Clocolan, Bloemfontein, Ladybrand
Stefan Vrey 082 610 4184Christiana, Hopetown, Douglas
Australia
Troy Morgan (Queensland N.) +61 429897074
Bob Wilson (Bundaberg) +61 419554207
Bruce de Gersigny (Brisbane) +61 400887876
Dr. Sammy Heng (Melbourne) +61 448064860
Jan de Jager (Perth) +61 429898131
Janus Erasmus (Melbourne) +61 448064860
Malawi
Ken McKenzie +265 1710287
Zambia
Bertie Serfontein +26 097770590
Kobus Smith +26 096764351
Vincent Mkuyamba +26 097999697
Gerhard Eloff (South) +26 097770589
Gawie Peens (North & Central) +26 097999226
Zimbabwe
Mark Tindle +263 4369393
Research & Development
Teferi Yeshitela (North & Central) 072 584 8783
Charles Wright (Northwest,Freestate) 082 782 1379
Tanya Singh (Greenhouse) 011 709 8930
Marinda Kellerman (Western Cape) 082 899 7780
14
Free State
This photo shows the root development of the treated maize (left) against the control (right).
Above is the maize field. To the right of the photo is the treated maize and the control is on the left.
By Stefan Vrey, Agronomist: Free State
saves maize!NUTRIOLOGY®
Our client bought a farm of 200 hectares with two 100 hectare blocks in the Free State at the end of 2006. Soil analyses were done and the agronomist recommended 3 tonnes/ha dolomitic lime. Lime was applied during June 2007 after which the first maize was planted in October 2007.
In November the client complained that the maize on one block was dying. After thorough investigation it was found that the problematic block was planted with a neighbour’s faulty planter. The planter placed the fertilizer too far from the seed and the weak root system could not reach it.
Our agronomist recommended applying 200 ml/ha ORGANOCELL™ and 3 kg/ha MAP39. A week later the client observed a 100% improvement. Two weeks later the client phoned to say that the maize on this specific block was looking better than all the other maize.
The two blocks of maize were harvested in March 2008. The treated block yielded 300 kg/ha more than the rest. This is worth R540 per hectare or R54 000 for the 100 hectares.
In February 2008 the client asked the Omnia sales representative to write an order for fertilizer. After the order was written, the client told us Omnia’s fertilizer was R270 per hectare more expensive than the opposition’s. This means a premium of R 351 000 on the 1300 hectares being planned for next season. The farmer made it clear that he was willing to pay this for Omnia’s expertise and service on his farm.
15
Free State
Free State potato trial
yields
By Lafras Fouche, Agronomist: Free StateR 11,585 more earned!
Treatments Large@ R26/bag
Large/Medium@ R24/bag
Medium@ R23/bag
Small@ R16/bag
Total DifferenceR/ha against
control
KELP-P-MAX™ + OMNIBOOST™
R 50,394 R 12,831 R 9,931 R 4,644 R 77,800 R 11,585
KELP-P-MAX™ + MAP39
R 39,195 R 21,405 R 9,643 R 3,687 R 73,930 R 7,715
MAP39 +ORGANOCELL™
R 28,388 R 18,748 R 9,132 R 4,770 R 61,038 R -5,177
OMNIBOOST™ + ORGANOCELL™
R 44,217 R 16,607 R 4,813 R 1,989 R 67,626 R 1,411
CONTROL R 23,636 R 23,770 R 15,231 R 3,578 R 66,215 -
A trial on potatoes in the Free State recently, showed the following results:
The photo on the left shows the little potatoes under MAP(39) and ORGANOCELL™ treatment, while the one
on the right indicates the OMNIBOOST™ and KELP-P-MAX™ treatment.
GOOD RESULTS
16
Free State
succeeds on problem soilsOne of our clients in the Brandfort region phoned us for advice. He grows lucerne and struggled with poor yields.
The Omnia agronomist took soil and water samples and saw that the water quality was poor. The soil had very low levels of potassium and very high levels of magnesium and sodium. The lucerne is planted on Arcadia soils and a drip irrigation system was installed below the soil surface. Unfortunately the drippers were
spaced too wide apart and the water was not distributed well.
The agronomist recommended applying gypsum at 2 tonnes/ha over the lucerne. MAP39 was also applied at 5 kg/ha and VITA K™ at 200 kg/ha.
The photo below shows how much the lucerne has improved.
By Piet de WetAgronomist: Free StateNutriology®
Control Treated lucerne
17
Highveld
analysis saves moneyA lot of money was saved by one of our clients in the Highveld Region. This client produced seed maize in the Crocodile River Irrigation Scheme. A seed inspector mentioned that the maize was showing signs of potassium deficiencies.
The client phoned Omnia and the agronomist went out to have a look. He told the farmer that it appeared more like nitrogen deficiency. The area experienced very wet conditions and nitrogen deficiency was very possible. OmniSap® analyses were done and it confirmed a nitrogen deficiency.
Additional nitrogen was applied and the maize recovered. Money has been spent on the correct product.
OmniSap® can help to determine what is wrong with a plant. This can result in significant savings for clients.
By ST PotgieterAgronomist: HighveldOMNISAP®
This is what the OmniSap® analysis report looked like. The low nitrogen levels are clearly visible. Boron levels were also low and was visible on the analysis even before any deficiency symptoms could be seen, or damage done to the plants.
Nitrogen (68)–
Phosphates–
Potassium (131)–
Calcium (168)–
Magnesium (142)–
Sodium–
Sulphur–
Copper–
Manganese (104)–
Zinc–
Iron–
Aluminium–
Boron (50)–
Silicon–
Form number 111911
Date 2008/02/08
Client
Agronomist S T POTGIETER
Sample number Land 1
Crop Maize
Weeks after emergence 7
Cultivation Irrigation
Recommendation
The sap analysis looks good and confi rms what I saw - we only need nitrogen. I think we should also apply 5 kg/ha Solubor with the next application. Boron is very low eventhough I have not seen defi ciency symptoms yet. As I toldyou, the sap analysis can show defi ciency symptomsbefore it is visible and already caused damage.
POSSIBLE DAMAGE OR LACK OF REACTIONAll our analytical work is done with the greatest care and therefore this report is accepted as correct. Omnia cannot be held responsible for any errors as crop yield and quality is infl uenced by different uncontrollable factors. Thus Omnia cannot control management of the crop and acnnot be held responsible for damage or insuffi cient reaction caused by applications based on results and/or recommendations on this report. The sample supplied was tested and results were received and captured here. However, the report is only applicable to the sample tested and cannot beguaranteed as representative of the total crop. The sap mixture should not be mixed with herbicides.
OmniSap® Report
18
Highveld
One of our lucerne farmers on the Crocodile River Irrigation Scheme received a standard recommendation from another fertilizer company of 1 t/ha Supers(10.5) and 200 kg/ha KCl(50).
Omnia’s agronomist took soil samples and suggested no fertilizer before planting. The farmer wanted to apply the standard recommendation of 100 kg/ha Supers and 150 kg/ha KCl with every cutting. After an OmniSap® analysis was done, the agronomist advised the farmer not to apply any fertilizer, but to rather apply micronutrients.
The client saved R 10,268 per hectare on the lucerne planting and R 2,074 per hectare on top-dressing per cutting.
Above is the OmniSap® report that indicates that some of the micronutrients were low, but P and K levels were sufficient.
On the left is the soil analysis on which the agronomist based his decision. It is clear that the P and K in the soil were high or very high.
Form number 185353
LABORATORY ANALYSIS REPORT
Client Magisterial district BRITS
JAN RABIE S T POTGIETERRepresentative Agronomist 0836758150 0834144595Sample date 2007/06/04 Report date 2008/07/23
ROUTINE SOIL ANALYSIS
Farm nameField number A9 A17 L26 L30Lab number 17296 17296 17301 17302Crop Wheat Wheat Lucerne LucerneHectares 11.0 16.0 22.0 12.0Sample depth Top soil Top soil Top soil Top soilColour Re Br Re Br Re Br Re BrBulk density –2) 1430 1485 1430 1365pH (KCI) 6.5 (M) 7.1 (H) 6.0 (M) 6.2 (M)Exchangeable acid N/A N/A N/A N/AAcid saturation (%) N/A N/A N/A N/AS (% of norm) 111 (M) >150 (BH) >150 89P –1) 38 (BH) 49 (BH) 30 (BH) 36 (BH)K –1) 216 (BH) 145 (BH) 286 (BH) 240 (BH) K(% of ECEC) 9 49 10 10Ca –1) 667 (BH) 1050 (BH) 790 (BH) 690 (BH) Ca(% of ECEC) 56 60 52 55Mg –1) 224 (BH) 283 (BH) 302 (BH) 228 (BH) Mg(% of ECEC) 30 27 33 30Na –1) 63 183 96 73 Na(% of ECEC) 4 9 6 5ECEC (cmolc–kg–1) Calculated 6.1 8.7 7.6 6.3Ca/Mg 1.9 2.3 1.6 1.6Mg/K 3.3 6.3 3.4 3.0(Ca + Mg)/K 10 20 9 9Electric Conductivity –1) N/A - N/A N/A
lose a pound!Save a penny,
By ST PotgieterAgronomist: Highveld
With Nutriology® you can get the correct advice on the farm. You can be sure that the right products are applied correctly to ensure optimum yields. Even with paying a premium for Nutriology®, it can still cost a lot more to trust “cheaper” suppliers.
Nitrogen (225)–
Phosphates–
Potassium–
Calcium–
Magnesium–
Sodium–
Sulphur (87)–
Copper (91)–
Manganese (147)–
Zinc–
Iron–
Aluminium (139)–
Boron (31)–
Silicon (65)–
POSSIBLE DAMAGE OR LACK OF REACTIONAll our analytical work is done with the greatest care and therefore this report is accepted as correct. Omnia cannot be held responsible for any errors as crop yield and quality is infl uenced by different uncontrollable factors. Thus Omnia cannot control management of the crop and acnnot be held responsible for damage or insuffi cient reaction caused by applications based on results and/or recommendations on this report. The sample supplied was tested and results were received and captured here. However, the report is only applicable to the sample tested and cannot beguaranteed as representative of the total crop. The sap mixture should not be mixed with herbicides.
OmniSap® Report
19
Research & Development
Tuber size and quality of potatoes dramatically improved
Potato production is the main branch in the Sandveld area in the Western Cape. The Sandveld is known for good quality potatoes, but to stay profitable and competitive, yield and quality constantly have to be improved. The economical sustainability is determined by three factors: yield, quality and tuber size. By utilizing a balanced fertilization programme, we have come far in optimising these factors.
During the summer of 2007/08 N-Gas™ applications were done in the Sandveld. The effect of N-Gas™ on the quality and tuber size distribution of the harvest was investigated. Three different rates of N-Gas™ were applied in addition to the normal fertilizer programme. The normal fertilizer programme served as the control.
The treated areas appeared greener during the growing season and also stayed green for longer. This is possibly due to the fact that the plant was photosynthetically active for longer, which can improve tuber size and quality.
All treatments produced a higher percentage potatoes in Class 1. Treatment C, the highest application rate, produced 50.4% Class 1 potatoes, against the 34.5% of the control. With Treatment C, 86.8% of potatoes fell into Class 1 and 2. This improvement in Class meant financial benefits for the producer.
Looking at tuber size distribution, 53% of all Class 1 potatoes were larger than medium from Treatment C, and only 39% from the control. The N-Gas™ application caused an improvement in tuber size distribution, which means the producer could market more of the harvest as medium and large. This means a higher income for the farmer.
The realised price from potatoes from Treatment C was R2,43 per kilogramme higher than that from the control. The improved quality in Treatment A was not sufficient to economically justify the treatment, while Treatments B and C were economically justifiable.
It is essential that every product applied by a producer to potatoes makes a difference financially. Omnia Fertilizer, within the Nutriology® concept, has a whole range of products and services at their disposal, of which N-Gas™ is one. As demonstrated here, Nutriology®, a business model, aims to create prosperity for everybody.
By Attie Haasbroek, Agronomist: Western CapeTrials done by M. Kellerman and J. Steenkamp (Omnia Research & Development)
Differences in the treated plots were already visible during the growing season
Control Treatment A Treatment B Treatment c
Per
cent
age
Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Other
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
R/k
g
Control A B C
Treatment
Effect of different treatments on the realised priceN-gas Sandveld 2007/2008
Vertical lines indicates 0.95 certainty intervals with ave.
Industry News
20
“Agriculture: From Cinderella to
Sexy Princess”
“Our industry is relatively small in global terms. It’s importance and contribution to national and regional economics and, ultimately, also the world economy and the wellbeing of mankind has, in my opinion, been underrated for many decades. This has now changed. The biofuels revolution, as well as the new and rapid technological advances of the past few years have elevated the profile of agriculture (and therefore also our industry) in a manner in which politicians and investors are sit-ting up and taking notice. Agriculture is changing from the Cinderella of many economies into a rather sexy princess with good potential.
Whilst we gather here in Prague today, the hot topic in many countries and quarters, including the United Nations, the World Bank and other global institutions continues to be the current and potential shortages of food and feed that the world is facing. Coupled with this are steep increases in the price of food, which have already led to food riots and demonstrations in several countries. Global grain and oilseed inventories are very low and this, together with growing demand and other factors, such as the dramatic rise in the oil price and its effect on production and distribution costs, has fuelled food inflation.
The ‘blame or reason’ for potential and real food shortages and food inflation is often shifted by different stakeholders between reasons such as economic growth and rising standards of living in countries such as China and India, to new demand created by the mainly US and European biofuels industries. In the developing world, where I come from, various parties, from farmers to other players in the food chain, are often accused of ‘profiteering’.
The biofuels industry remains the subject of heated debates on the merits or not of converting potential food to fuel. The ecological and environmental value of biofuels is being questioned in many quarters. Also its economic value and viability in the longer term.
The GM (genetically manipulated) debate in agriculture continues and in some countries promising progress has of late been changed into stagnation and even regression, more often than not because of emotional rather than rational reasoning.
I want to reiterate the statement I made in Christchurch last year that the seed industry holds the key or keys to the resolution of many of the more serious problems faced by our planet today. The advances in biotechnology, including fields such as molecular breeding, coupled with precision farming and other sophisticated farming techniques, can go a long way towards satisfying the world’s growing demand for food, feed, fibre and renewable energy by extracting higher productivity on the same or less land area in a more environmentally friendly manner.
The responsible evaluation, introduction and application of new technologies in agriculture, which can improve the present and future prospects for our planet and its people, should be encouraged, supported and applauded. (Unfortunately this does not always happen!)
If we consider the world today and how we expect it to evolve in future, it becomes abundantly clear that agriculture and our industry will continue to enjoy an increasingly prominent position on the agendas of global intergovernmental and other bodies as well as at national and regional levels.”
Mr Deon van Rooyen, Managing Director of Pannar Seed (right), became the first South African elected Chairmain of the International Seed Federation. His two-year stint came to an end during the Federation’s Annual General Congress recently held in Prague, capitol of the Czech Republic. Here are some extracts from his opening address.
21
Omnia News
Tel: +2711 709-8778 Fax: +2711 463-3022 www.omnia.co.za
At Omnia we know that adding value does not just happen.It needs:
All this provided by Omnia
IF WE DON’T MAKE A
DIFFERENCE ...
SHOW US THE DOOR!
Conference
Agriculturists from across South Africa, as well as Zambia, Zimbabwe, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil, came together to learn about new technological approaches and to see how their colleagues in other areas add value.
The Managing Director of Omnia Group, Rod Humphris, opened the conference. He spoke about the favourable conditions in agriculture today. Despite high input costs, grain prices have never been better and farmers can also have a better chance to compete in international markets.
Renier Rabie from Chemtech, Omnia’s laboratories, explained what they are able to do. The soil laboratory analyses 120,000 soil samples annually and has the capacity to handle 2,000 samples per day. Up to 10,000 OmniSap® analyses are done annually. All raw materials and final products are also analysed for quality purposes. A fully equipped microbiology laboratory handles OmniBio™ analyses and conducts valuable agricultural research.
Agriculturists were treated to presentations from the Research and Development and OmniPrecise™ departments and the latest trials and technologies were discussed.
On the second day, the different business units had the chance to show how they add value on the farm. Many success stories were told about farmers making more profit by using Omnia’s products and services.
Jan Wolmarans, Omnia Fertilizer’s Business Development Manager, told agronomists how South Africa’s BEE laws would affect farmers and what they can do to become compliant. Nico Smit spoke about new products being developed and also gave the delegates a glimpse of the new Omnia packaging.
Lastly, Danie Schoeman, General Manager of Specialities, concluded by talking about how the whole Nutriology® package can add value for the farmer. Our aim is, after all, to create prosperity for Omnia through prosperity on the farm.
How can we create value on the farm? This was the question discussed at the recent Omnia Agronomist Conference held at Hartbeespoortdam.
22
Omnia News
Better yields with lower input costs, and especially sustainable production, is possible with conservation tillage. This was the opinion of several experts at recent Omnia farmers days where farmers were informed about this cultivation practice.Cultivation tillage does not mean you just throw away all your ploughs and the money start rolling in.
Prof. Alan Bennie, internationally recognised soil scientist and a farmer himself, says that for best results, tillage decisions need to be based on soil type. For sandy soils with less than 6% clay, minimum tillage combined with deep tillage and controlled traffic is the best option.
Sandy to sandy loam soil with a clay percentage of between 7 and 18% and a weak topsoil structure: conventional tillage or minimum tillage with a deep chisel plough.
Sandy loam topsoil and a shallow, rocky soil: conventional or minimum tillage with a shallow chisel plough.
Sandy clay loam to clay topsoil: no tillage if economically viable.
Where no-till is possible, benefits include more efficient erosion management, a more flexible planting time, better water conservation and higher yields.
The main speaker, mr Roberto Peiretti has been involved in no-till for 35 years and practices these principles on his own farm in Argentina where significant results are achieved. He served two terms as President of the American Confederation of Farmers Organisations for Sustainable Farming.
He said at the farmer’s day that normal tillage practices exposing the soil is one of the main contributors of soil degradation caused by humans worldwide.
Argentinians doubled grain and oil-seed yields within ten years after employing a programme of no-tillage, minimum tillage,
crop rotation and sensible fertilization.He also showed photographs of a yield
of 4 tonnes wheat per hectare with a total rainfall of just 30 millimeter during the growing season!
No-tillage is an option on the right soil types in South Africa, as Willem van der Walt of Walt Estates near Settlers proved on their Vertic soils.
The Van der Walt family started converting to no-tillage gradually in 1988 and has applying these principles for nine years. They grew grain sorghum, maize, sunflower, wheat and cotton.
According to mr Van der Walt, no-tillage sets high management demands and forces the farmer to think creatively, learn from his mistakes and take responsibility for the results.
The Van der Walts have benefited from no-tillage through better soil moisture management, better weed management, lower input costs, higher yields, less soil compaction, better soil fertility and sustainability.
An important principle influencing the result is that stubble must be distributed evenly across the land at harvesting. Weeds have to be strictly managed and traffic through lands controlled, which means that the Van der Walts adjusted the wheels on all their implements to fit into the tracks made by the combine harvester.
All the speakers emphasised the importance of an efficient planter. No-tillage requires a heavy, solid planter which does not get clogged up with stubble and places the seed exactly at the same depth and space through the stubble.
According to dr. Johan van Biljon, Omnia Fertilizer’s Manager: Agronomic Services, the correct fertilization, application timing and method are very important and Omnia’s experts can assist the farmer with these decisions.
Omnia No-Till Farmers Day, Loskopdam:
Conservation tillage ensures the farmer’s future
Prof. Alan Bennie, retired soil scientist
and farmer told farmers how to decide which
cultivation practice to use, based on
the type of soil they have.
No-till is a way to improve soil
quality in such a way that it exceeds
sustainability towards
improvement, says mr Roberto Peiretti,
an international expert on zero tillage
practices.
Dr Johan van Biljon of Omnia explained the unique fertilizer needs demanded
by no-till and gave farmers useful
advice.
23
Book Review
Olive Production in South Africa
Editor: Agricultural Research Council
Price: R 450.00
ISBN-10 No: 1-86849-100-4
Publisher: ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij
This up-to-date, easy-to-read handbook contains valuable information for those interested in olives and olive growing. It has been written especially to help orchard
managers, growers and prospective growers to farm olives successfully. Focused on the Western Cape (centre of the South African olive industry), the comprehensive information is based on local experience as well as both international and local research findings. It is therefore relevant to olive growers throughout South Africa and even beyond our borders. Topics covered include botanical characteristics of the olive, climatic, nutritional, water and soil requirements, economical aspects, cultivars, orchard management, processing and marketing. This book has to be on every olive farmer’s book shelf. Contact Amelia by e-mail on [email protected] if you are interested in this book.
Field guide for the identification of wheat insects in South Africa
Author: G.J. Prinsloo, V.L. Tolmay & J.L. Hatting
Price: R 50.00
ISBN No.: 1-86849-131-5
Pages: 56
Publisher: ARC Small Grain Institute
The damage done to the wheat crop by various insect pests differs markedly. It is therefore necessary to identify the pest correctly before a decision can be made on how and when to control the specific insect. The aim of this field guide is to simplify the identification of insects, including natural enemies
of pest insects, found on wheat. Each insect is described according to its distribution in the country as well as the feeding symptoms caused by the insect on the plant. The body characteristics used for identification of each insect are illustrated in colour photographs. Included is a pamphlet showing all the insecticides registered in South Africa against the different insect pests. This book is bilingual (English and Afrikaans). Contact Elri Burger at (058) 307 3507 or by e-mail on [email protected] if you are interested in buying this book.
Wife lost
The traffic officer stops a man on a quiet road.
“Sir, are you aware of the fact that your wife fell out of the car about two kilometres back?”
“Thank goodness,” says the man, “I thought I had suddenly gone deaf!”
24
On a lighter note
on a lighterLetter from a Free State farm child, now doing basic training in the Army
Dear Pa and Ma,
I am well. Hope you are too.
Tell my brothers Wouter and Kobus that being in the army beats working for Oom Piet. Tell them to join quickly before maybe all the places are filled.
I was restless at first because you have to stay in bed until nearly 06:00, but now I’m starting to enjoy sleeping late.
All you have to do before breakfast is smooth your bed and shine something. No pigs to feed, no cows to milk, no mampoer to mix or braai wood to split. Practically nothing. The guys get to shave but it’s not so bad, there’s warm water.
Breakfast is strong on fruit juice, pap, eggs, bacon, etc, but short on steaks, boerewors, chops, potatoes and other regular food like vetkoek. But you can sit between two ‘dorpies’ who live on coffee. Their food plus yours holds you till noon, when you get fed again.
These city boys can’t walk much. We go on “route marches”, which the sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it is not my place to tell him different. A “route march” is about as far as to our postbox at home. Then the ‘dorpies’ get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.
The next will kill my brothers with laughter … I keep getting medals for shooting. I don’t know why. The bulls-eye is nearly as big as a dassie’s head and doesn’t move at all. And it isn’t shooting back at you like those Venter boys from the farm next door. All you have to do is lie there and hit it. You don’t even have to make your own cartridges. They come in boxes.
Then we have hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with the ‘dorpies’ from the city. I have to be careful though, they break really easy. It’s not like fighting with Swart Duiwel, our old bull, at home. I’m about the best in the platoon this year, except for Big Jan Jordaan from somewhere in the Northern Transvaal. He joined the same time as me, but I’m only 5’6” and 130 pounds and he is 6’8” and weighs over 300 pounds, dry.
Be sure to tell my brothers to hurry up and join before the other guys find out about the army setup and come stampeding in.
Your loving daughter,
Ester
Smooth talker
On his first day at the supermarket, somebody asks the young man to buy half a lettuce. The young man says he will have to check with the manager first.
“Sir, there’s an idiot here who wants to buy half a lettuce.” Just then he notices the client behind him. He adds: “and this gentleman wants to buy the other half.”
After the client left, the manager calls the young man. “You almost got yourself into trouble back there,” he said.
“But I’m impressed by the way you talked yourself out of it. Where do you come from?”
“Pretoria”, answers the young man.
“Why did you leave Pretoria?”
“There are only ugly women and rugby players,” he answers.
The manager looks annoyed: “My wife is from Pretoria,” he says.
“Oh,” says the young man, “did she
play for the Blue Bulls?”
Strange pain
A man complains about a strange pain in his body. After a thorough examination, the doctor says: “I’m sorry sir, but I can’t find the cause of the pain. It may be as a result of too much alcohol.”
“Don’t worry,” says the man, “I will come back when you are
sober.”
ON A
LIG
HTER
NOT
E