Agri Kultuur January / Januarie 2016 | Page 3

Redaksie | Editorial I n ‘n oogwink is die Kersseisoen alweer iets van die verlede en het 2016 vir baie van ons reeds met ‘n spoed afgeskop. Vir ons boerderygemeenskap in groot dele van die land was daar as gevolg van die knellende droogte geen sprake van nuwe aanplantings nie en voel almal die gevolge reeds aan jou sak. “Water is Life” is the theme of our contribution on water with interesting facts and figures and a message to each and every one using water e.g.  Water is the key to food security  Water is not just for primary production  Water for agriculture connects us all together Yes, 2016 holds enormous challenges with the likelihood of price hikes on many necessary commodities, a rise in electricity rates, a dwindling economy and many more. Many a farmer has reached the end of his/her tether, feeling disheartened and experiencing much distress in these circumstances which, seemingly, offer no way out. Agri Kultuur/Culture consequently decided to provide some ideas on how to recognise and cope with the physical, psychological and emotional stress emanating as a result of the drought. We really hope that these will provide some comfort and assistance towards recognising the light that always exist at the end of the tunnel. Water is Life – Respect It. Conserve It. Enjoy It! We need to be more ‘water smart’. Met ons tema Holistiese Boerdery het ons voorts ook gepoog om met toepaslike artikelbydraes raad en daad te bedien in hierdie tyd. Ons kyk na die El Niño effek, holistiese/geïntegreerde boerdey praktyke, volhoubaarheid van weidingsisteme, die behandeling en hergebruik van afvalwater in tonnelboerdery, ekstensiewe boerderye se bydrae tot biodiversiteit en vele meer. ‘n Woord van dank gaan aan al ons boere wat mildelik bygedrae het met gratis verskaffing van voer aan hul kollegas wat ernstige tekorte ondervind. Dit is soos ek ons boere ken: “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going”! Swaarkry het die manier om mense nader aan mekaar te bring. Ek sluit af met die vertroue dat die langverwagte reën binnekort mildelik by al ons boere sal uitsak. “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” Corrie Ten Boom Tot volgende keer Chris