AGRITIPS RUBRIEK •••
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Careful planning is of the utmost importance
THE PREVIOUS SEASON WAS CHARACTERISED BY EXTREMES OVER THE LARGEST PART OF THE SENWES AREA OF OPERATION . to an absolute minimum .
The cultivar package should be backed up by cultivar evaluation data .
GERRIT OOSTHUIZEN SENIOR AGRONOMIST
The rainfall figures , as well as the distribution of the rainfall , varied from reasonable downpours to very little rain due to the El Niño conditions which prevailed . Fortunately indications are that La Niña conditions will prevail for the coming season , which means that there are prospects of a better season . The winter rain which occurred over large areas also helped to improve ground water levels .
Ground water evaluation should be an important consideration when planning the 2016 / 2017 yield targets . Should you have soil maps
( fields have been mapped ), take a spiral drill and check the ground water conditions in die different fields . Ground water inspections should still be done , even if the soil has not been mapped . Plant first on the wetter fields and allow dryer fields to accumulate more water . Historical climate and yield data should also be taken into account ..
Maintain proven practices and be realistic in your planning .
Accumulated or stored ground water is an essential buffer to help the crop in critical times . The aim of cultivation systems should be to limit evaporation from the soil surface and transpiration losses through weeds
Base plant population and rowwidth on soil potential .
The soil surface should be of such a nature that quick and hard showers can be utilised and drainage water should be limited to a minimum .
Should planting time run out and the ground is still relatively dry , farming operations should not be exposed to unnecessary risk .
Contract Senwes Agricultural Services for :
• Mechanisation planning
• Ascertaining of ground water
• Ascertaining of soil potential
• Soil mapping ( physical and chemical ) with appropriate recommendations
• Cultivation guidelines .
SENWES Scenario • OCT / NOV 2016 43