Best practices for grain farmers

Maize and wheat are the two most important staple foods in South Africa. With stable consumer demand of these grains and the continuous development of production techniques, Lindi Botha reports on how producers should approach such farming ventures.

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Maize is the most extensively grown field crop in South Africa, followed by soya bean and then wheat. Maize and wheat can both be farmed as dryland crops, thereby reducing input costs for irrigation.

While both crops can be farmed in the summer and winter rainfall production regions, maize production is overwhelmingly concentrated in the summer rainfall production regions of Mpumalanga, the Free State and North West.

Wheat is mostly grown in the winter rainfall production regions of the Western Cape, with some production taking place in the summer rainfall region, albeit under irrigation.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

The advent of minimum tillage or no-till cultivation practices has presented another dynamic to grain farming that holds many benefits if managed correctly. This includes improved soil moisture retention and weed control, and healthier soil.

Marguerite Pienaar, agricultural economist at Grain SA, however, cautions that farmers who want to undertake no-till cultivation need to understand that it is a long-term commitment that takes time to show benefits. Initial yields could also possibly be lower during the transition.

“The practice requires specialised equipment, such as planters with sufficient pressure and good spraying rigs for weed control. Starting on well-managed, non-compacted land is important, and producers who build organic matter should prioritise crop selection,” she explains.

Pienaar adds that cover crops can aid soil structure, and effective weed management is essential. “While no-till can reduce costs in the long run, farmers must be prepared for the short-term investments in time and resources. Seeking advice from experienced individuals and being patient as the system develops are crucial for success.”