Conservation Agriculture Can Boost Maize Yields
Stockfarm|August 2020
Maize farmers who aim to practise no-till or conservation agriculture on their farms will benefit from significantly higher yields during dry seasons, since these farming methods allow them to plant crops much closer together.
Engela Duvenage
Conservation Agriculture Can Boost Maize Yields

This is according to Dr. Stephano Haarhoff, who received his doctorate in agronomy at Stellenbosch University (SU). His research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Pieter Swanepoel and Prof Nick Kotzé from the SU Department of Agronomy.

In his research he investigated the influence of plant population (the number of plants per unit area) and row spacing on rainfed maize production in no-till and conservation agriculture systems in North West and the Eastern Free State. He believes, however, that some of the principles highlighted could also be considered by irrigation farmers.

Following an integrated approach

Conservation agriculture is an inclusive approach to soil and crop management that promotes the long-term sustainability of farming systems in terms of profitability and the soil-crop environment.

“With conservation agriculture, agronomic principles such as no-till, crop diversification, continuous soil cover maintenance using crops or crop residues, and livestock integration into a farming system are applied,” says Dr Haarhoff, who works as small-grain research and development agronomist in Paarl.

“Applying conservation agriculture can be very challenging because so much depends on soil and climate conditions. The success of conservation agriculture and no-till is only possible when all these agronomic practices are applied together.”

The impact of soil erosion

This story is from the August 2020 edition of Stockfarm.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2020 edition of Stockfarm.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM STOCKFARMView All
Shongololo Boer Goat Stud: Only The Best Will Do
Stockfarm

Shongololo Boer Goat Stud: Only The Best Will Do

South African Boer goats have proven popular worldwide for their ability to improve indigenous goat breeds. In addition, Covid-19 restrictions necessitated the establishment of electronic auctions, making it easier for foreigners to acquire outstanding genetic material exported by agents via established channels.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2021
Feed Additives: A Veterinary Perspective
Stockfarm

Feed Additives: A Veterinary Perspective

In an already volatile environment, dairy profit margins vary as milk prices and feed costs shift annually. Feed costs represent the largest input cost (an estimated 35 to 70% of the variable cost) in the production of milk. As a group of feed ingredients, feed additives can cause a desired physiological response in a non-nutrient way, such as pH shift, growth or metabolic modifier, and will usually be cost-beneficial.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2021
Guard Against Lumpy Skin Disease
Stockfarm

Guard Against Lumpy Skin Disease

Most parts of the country received good rains during the rain season and producers are generally very optimistic. Wet seasons unfortunately come with their own set of challenges and veterinarians have cautioned livestock producers to keep an eye out for elevated biting insect loads, which may lead to conditions such as lumpy skin disease (LSD).

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2021
Climate-Related Hazards: How Smallholders Can Mitigate Its Consequences
Stockfarm

Climate-Related Hazards: How Smallholders Can Mitigate Its Consequences

Rainfed crop production remains the main source of food security and livelihoods for rural communities in South Africa but presents the challenge of climate variability due to its high dependence on weather variables such as rainfall and temperature.

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
Tips for a successful AI programme
Stockfarm

Tips for a successful AI programme

The success of an artificial insemination (AI) programme depends on several factors that are largely within the control of the producer. It is interesting that those producers who take a hands-on approach to their cattle and inspect them regularly are also the ones who achieve the greatest success. Before his passing, Stockfarm spoke to Koot Louw, a well-known reproduction technologist from Brandfort in the Free State, about his insights into and advice regarding the AI process.

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
Pay Attention To Orf In Your Flocks
Stockfarm

Pay Attention To Orf In Your Flocks

Some of our readers may have treated or heard of sheep or goats that have been infected with orf (vuilbek).

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2021
Sanele Mbele: Where Passion And Skill Meet
Stockfarm

Sanele Mbele: Where Passion And Skill Meet

Passion for farming runs strong in the Mbele family’s veins. Sanele Mbele, from the farm Rietspruit in the De Jagersdrift area near Dundee, has inherited this passion in huge dollops.

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2021
Land Reform: Case Studies In Kwazulu-Natal
Stockfarm

Land Reform: Case Studies In Kwazulu-Natal

Land reform in South Africa is complex. Land reform solutions are equally complex and within partnership and development models, this is no different – but there is hope. KwaZulu-Natal has several types of partnership models and the wide variation in farming systems, as well as their different needs, set each model up for different strengths and weaknesses.

time-read
7 mins  |
July 2021
Brahman Breeders In Limpopo Have A Winning Plan
Stockfarm

Brahman Breeders In Limpopo Have A Winning Plan

Several breeders from the Bosveld Brahman Club in Limpopo are applying genetic excellence and genotypic correctness to stimulate the demand for their bulls. At several of the last auctions, the minimum standard of bulls was raised to achieve this goal.

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2021
A Brahman Dream Comes True
Stockfarm

A Brahman Dream Comes True

For as long as he can remember, JP Mlangeni wanted to be a farmer. It might have taken a few years, from being a teacher and later a businessman, but his dream finally took shape and today he runs a fully-fledged breeding and commercial Brahman farming enterprise in Mpumalanga.

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2021