This poster was presented by Ntsikane Matela (nou Maine) at the 13th International Congress of the International Farm Management Association (IFMA) in Wageningen, the Netherlands, July 2002.

Deur Johan Smit, Senwester

Om 07:30 op 20 November verlede jaar vertrek ‘n konvooi voertuie vanaf Schoonspruit-silo na die plaas Rietkuil in die Bothaville-distrik. Die konvooi: vyf Senwes-bakkies wat toegerus is met grondbone en toerusting. Die opdrag: om grondmonsters op 100 ha landbougrond in een dag in te samel, maar met ‘n heelwat kleiner ruitpatroon as wat normaalweg gebruik word.

Vir doeleindes van grondbeskrywings en -ontledings word ‘n 200 m × 200 m rooster algemeen gebruik, aangesien dit ‘n gunstige koste-/voordeelverhouding bied, maar deel van die dag se sending was om met ‘n hoër frekwensie van opnames ‘n aanvanklike 50 m × 50 m ruitpatroon te gebruik en dit te vergelyk met die volgende ruitpatrone: ‘n 100 m × 100 m, 150 m × 150 m en 200 m × 200 m om onder andere die ekonomiese gelykbreekpunt van ruitintensiteit te bepaal. Hoe hoër die frekwensie, hoe akkurater is die klassifikasie van grondtipes.
Dit is reeds die derde seisoen wat konvensionele produksiestelsels teenoor presisieboerdery-produksiestelsels op die plaas Rietkuil, van Thabo van Zyl, nagevors word.

Die proefuitleg bestaan uit ‘n strook (6 rye) konvensionele verbouing, afgewissel met ‘n strook differensiële verbouing – wat uiteindelik met behulp van ‘n oesopbrengsmonitor gestroop word.

Die projek vorm deel van mev. Ntsikane Maine se Ph.D.-studie oor die ekonomie van presisieboerdery in die Bothaville-distrik.

Hierdie navorsing is ‘n eerste in sy soort in Suid-Afrika omdat daar wetenskaplik gekyk word na die ekonomie van presisieboerdery.

Hierdie navorsing is ‘n eerste in sy soort in Suid-Afrika omdat daar wetenskaplik gekyk word na die ekonomie van presisieboerdery.

“Die waarde van gedetailleerde grondopnames word wêreldwyd onderskat, terwyl grond die enigste veranderlike in oesopbrengste is wat se eienskappe konstant bly.

Senwes Landboudienste-afdeling se deelname aan dié kaliber projekte neem ons diens aan produsente om deur middel van doeltreffende grondgebruik hul risiko beter te bestuur, ‘n tree vorentoe”, het mnr. Johan du Toit, Bestuurder: Landboudienste van Senwes, gesê .

Farmers Weekly, 12 March 2004.

Precision agriculture involves the identification of areas or management zones within a field where different soil characteristics cause different yield potentials. These variations can be managed by means of satellite technology, which contributes towards expanding and achieving a sustainable and successful agricultural sector.
Precision agriculture has increased significantly over the past three years. In a study by Ntsikane Matela (now Maine) from the Centre for Agricultural Management at the UFS on The status of precision agriculture in South Africa, it was found that only 21 farmers were involved in precision agriculture in 2000.
However, further research by Mr Vorster Zeilinga on The identification of management zones in the Free State, indicated that approximately 50 farmers in the Free State alone, were involved in precision agriculture during 2003.

Radical yield variations

According to Dr Wim Nell, director of the Centre fo Agricultural Management at the UFS, farmers who have applied the principles of precision agriculture are amazed when they realise the variation of yields within a field with standard or blanket application of seed and fertiliser. Yield variations of between 1,5 and 1,2 tons per hectare in dry land maize were recorded by yield monitors on one field in the Bothaville district in the Free State. Here inputs were spread evenly for a yield of four tons per hectare. During December 2003 a farmer in the grain-growing area of Heidelberg in the Western Cape, where no-till cultivation is practised, recorded dryland wheat yield variations of between 1,8 and 7,1 tons per hectare, with an even application of inputs.

New Holland leads the way

With precision agriculture, yield variations can even be more prominent if the high potential areas can be managed for optimum yields. With this technology, natural resources can be utilised more efficiently, farm management can be improved – the technology increases the management capacity of the farmer – inputs can be applied more economically and farm profit can be increased.
New Holland SA (NHSA) has probably done the most for the country’s farming community in terms of researching the economics of precision agriculture. NHSA sponsors the precision farming research projects at the Centre for Agricultural Management at the UFS

Artikel in Nampo-Oesdag,
Bylae in Landbouweekblad, 3 Mei 2002

Mnr. Dennis van der Merwe, produkbestuurder van New Holland, sê sommige boere verwar bewarings- en presisieboerdery met mekaar. Die minimale bewerking van grond vir kontantgewasse om die grond so min moontlik te versteur, is bewaringsboerdery. Dit het egter niks te doen met presisieboerdery nie, wat handel oor die gebruik van bepaalde aspekte van die tegnologie om onder meer insette sinvoller toe te dien. Dié twee metodes kan wel gekombineer word.

Die elektroniese aspek van presisieboerdery is baie belangrik. Dit stel die boer in staat om die inligting te benut wat deur die GPS versamel word. Hierdie inligting word eerstens ingesamel wanneer grondmonsters geneem en ontleed word, en dit gepaard gaan met inligting van die stropermonitor wat die wisseling in opbrengs op die land meet. Hierdie inligting word met ‘n persoonlike rekenaar in die plaaskantoor verwerk en bepaalde bestuursones word geïdentifiseer. Dit word dan oorgedra na die taakkontroleur op die trekker, wat die saaikar en planter of kunsmistoediener trek.

Dan kan die toerusting vir presisieboerdery die vloei van saad, kunsmis, kalk of chemiese middels – selfs meer as een hiervan tegelykertyd, soos saad en kunsmis – na die toediener haarfyn beheer.

New Holland gebruik Flexi-Control daarvoor, wat ook die land se grootte meet. Dit verrig ook ander take, soos om die vlak van saad, kunsmis of chemiese middels in die saaikar te monitor en te waarsku as ‘n pyp verstop is.
Flexi-Coil-sagteware is aanpasbaar by alle GPS-diensverskaffers. Hulle “gesels” dus met mekaar. Alle New Holland-stropers is ook aanpasbaar by GPS-oesmonitors.
Die saaikar is een van die belangrikste werktuie. Dit dra die saad, kunsmis, kalk en/of chemikalieë en stuur dit in die regte hoeveelhede deur middel van uitmeetrollers met lug deur pype na die werktuig agter of voor die saaikar. Albei word gewoonlik deur ‘n trekker gesleep.

Die Flexi-Coil-saaikar kan sowat 15 ha bedien voordat nog saad en kunsmis ingelaai moet word. Daar is dus min onderbrekings. ‘n Saaikar met net een tenk word gebruik wanneer die boer net saad of kunsmis wil toedien. As hy albei hierdie komponente gelyk in die grond wil plaas, koop hy ‘n saaikar met twee of drie tenks of kompartemente.

Vir koring word ‘n tandwerktuig gebruik en vir mielies ‘n gewone mielieplanter. Dit is nie altyd nodig om ‘n nuwe planter te koop nie, aangesien die bestaande mielieplanter gewoonlik geskik is vir presisieboerdery.

Dr. Wim Nell, ‘n onafhanklike navorser, waarsku boere om nie oorhaastig te wees om enige metode of benadering van presisieboerdery te aanvaar alvorens ‘n deeglike studie van die verwagte resultate gemaak is nie. Toerusting word soms ingevoer wat nie in Amerika suksesvol was nie en Suid-Afrikaanse boere brand dan hul vingers met onoordeelkundige aankope van toerusting of dienste.

Artikel in Nampo-Oesdag,
Bylae in Landbouweekblad, 3 Mei 2002

Presisieboerdery verbeter ‘n plaas se produktiwiteit deur die boer in staat te stel om sy boerdery beter te bestuur; kortom, dit wat ‘n ambisieuse boer nastreef. Dit is egter nie so maklik om hierdie tegnieke te bemeester nie. Die jongste navorsing bewys onteenseglik dat dit deeglike navorsing en beplanning verg om hierin te slaag.

Boere wat die beginsels van presisieboerdery al in die praktyk toegepas het, is in die algemeen opgewonde daaroor en beskou dit as die toekoms van suksesvolle landbou in Suid-Afrika. Daarmee kan hulle hulpbronne doeltreffender benut, boerderybestuur verbeter, insette meer ekonomies aanwend en boerderywins verhoog.
Dit verg wel bykomende kapitaal en beter bestuursvermoëns as by tradisionele boerderytegnologie en -metodes, maar verhoog die boerdery se produktiewe vermoë.

Presisieboerdery is ‘n samestelling van aspekte van die jongste tegnologie. Die algemeenste tegnieke en toerusting is grondmonsterneming (“smart sampling’) volgens ruitverwysings (“grids”); ‘n oesmonitor in stropers om wisseling van opbrengs eng raanvog op ‘n land elke drie sekondes te monitor – met of sonder ‘n geografiese posisioneringstelsel (GPS) – en toerusting vir wisselende toediening van saad, kunsmis, kalk en landbouchemikalieë.

Nog voorbeelde van die jongste tegnologie is ontvangstoestelle vir GPS’e; databasisse vir geografiese inligtingstelsels (GIS); saaikarre; veranderlike toedieningstegnologie (VRT); planters en spuite om saad, kunsmis of chemikalieë in wisselende hoeveelhede op verskillende dele van ‘n saailand volgens vermoë of in probleemgebiede toe te dien; besproeiing teen lae volume; sensors om die grond se vrugbaarheid en pH te bepaal; en ook die onkruidbevolking, asook die lokaliteit en intensiteit van plae en siektes te bepaal; en afstandbeeldwaarneming.

Met ‘n opbrengsmonitor op die stroper, gekoppel aan ‘n GPS, kan ‘n kaart dan geteken word wat die opbrengsverskille op ‘n spesifieke land aandui. Dit wys watter dele hoog en laag produseer. Die boer kan dan regstellende stappe doen, soos om die pH en vrugbaarheid reg te stel, of plantestand en bemestingpeile volgens vermoë te varieer. Die sogenaamde bestuursones word op dié manier geïdentifiseer, wat die boer in staat stel om sy gewasvertakkinge meer wetenskaplik te bestuur en sukses in die boerdery te bevorder.
Hierdie soort boerdery is egter nie van die eerste seisoen af maanskyn en rosegeur nie, want dit neem sowat drie tot vyf jaar om betroubare inligting oor gemiddelde opbrengste te verkry, juis weens droogtes, wisselende reënval, hael en ryp wat gemiddelde opbrengste beïnvloed.

Mej. Ntsikane Matela (nou mev. Maine) van die Sentrum vir Landboubestuur by die Fakulteit Natuur- en Landbouwetenskappe aan die Vrystaatse Universiteit in Bloemfontein, het pas ‘n meestersgraad in landboubestuur behaal met ‘n tesis oor presisieboerdery in gewasproduksie. Haar gemiddelde punt van 93% was die hoogste vir ‘n M-graad op die universiteit se gradeplegtigheid in Maart 2002.

Mnr Dennis van der Merwe, produkbestuurder van New Holland,
Me Ntsikane Matela (now Maine)
& mnr. Bertie van Zyl, produkspesialis van New Holland

Die doel was om vas te stel in watter mate Suid-Afrikaanse saaiboere die tegnologie vir presisieboerdery aanvaar. Die navorsing is gedoen by die volgende plekke waar presisieboerdery gevolg word: In die mieliedriehoek (Noord-Vrystaat, Noordwes en Mpumalanga), by besproeiingskemas in Noord-Kaap, en dele van die Wes-Kaap waar wintergewasse verbou word.
Mej. Matela sê presisieboerdery in Suid-Afrika is in sy kinderskoene en minder as 1% van die saaiboere in die groot gewasproduksiegebiede het van die tegnologie daarvoor aangeskaf. Toerusting om opbrengste te monitor, word byvoorbeeld al wyd in Amerika gebruik (sien tabel), wat ‘n aanduiding is in hoeverre hierdie boerdery al daar aanvaar word.

Gebruik van opbrengsmonitering (Junie 2001)

Plaaslike boere wat die stappe gedoen het, is egter opgewonde oor hierdie tegnologiese hulpmiddel en hulle is oortuig dat dit ‘n nuwe tydperk in die Suid-Afrikaanse landbou gaan inlui. Een boer se opbrengs met die droëlandmielies het van 2,5 t/ha – 3,5 t/ha tot 5 t/ha – 9 t/ha toegeneem nadat variasies in die toediening van saad en kunsmis toegepas en beperkings opgehef is.
Hoërvlakopleiding is nodig vir presisieboerdery, aangesien al die boere wat ondervra is, minstens ‘n landboudiploma of hoër opleiding het. Almal wat dié tegnologie gebruik, wend ‘n groot deel van hul saaigrond vir dié boerdery aan. Hulle is grotendeels boere met baie saaigrond en hulle behaal hoë opbrengste.
Die gebruik van verskillende aspekte van die tegnologie wissel van streek tot streek. Die neem van grondmonsters word algemeen toegepas. Die monitor van opbrengs is gewild in die Vrystaat, terwyl die Wes-Kapenaars hulle meer op die veranderlike toediening van kalk en kunsmis toespits.
Mej. Matela sê die getal boere wat presisieboerdery volg, gaan in die toekoms baie toeneem. Goeie bestuurders besef hierdie boerderymetode bied die geleentheid om wins te verhoog en risiko te verlaag.

Winsgewendheid is die vernaamste dryfveer agter boere se besluit ten gunste van presisieboerdery. Gewasse met ‘n hoë winsgrens is by uitstek hiervoor geskik. Die hoë pryse wat minder winsgewende gewasse soos mielies en koring nou behaal, kan egter veroorsaak dat méér graanboere oorskakel. Kunsmispryse, wat in 2000 verdubbel het, kan ook deurslaggewend wees omdat kunsmis doeltreffender met wisselende toedienings gebruik word.
Een van die probleme is die hoë koste van grondmonsters wat geneem word en die satelliettegnologie wat daarmee gepaard gaan. Elke plek op die saailand waar ‘n grondmonster geneem word, word met die GPS aangeteken, sodat ‘n kaart geteken kan word. Met grondmonsterneming volgens ruitnetverwysings word klein hoeveelhede grond op verskillende dele van ‘n land geneem. Elke monster se posisie word later op ‘n kaart aangebring. Saam met dié ontleding van die monsters kan die boer dan agterkom wat die grond se voedingstatus en grondsuurheid (pH) is, asook hoe dit oor die land wissel.
Sommige boere verkies om eers die eerste oes met ‘n GPS-oesmonitor op die stroper te oes om te sien hoe die opbrengs wissel.
Grondontledings en kartering is noodsaaklik om die grond se tipe en vrugbaarheid en dus opbrengsvermoë te bepaal. Daarsonder kan presisieboerdery nie slaag nie.
Dit gee ook inligting oor swak dele weens vlak grond of ‘n hoë kleipersentasie. Die boer kan die grond volgens elke deel se wisselende vrugbaarheid na behoefte van kunsmis voorsien en die regte hoeveelheid saad volgens oesvermoë plant of saai.
Sy sê, howel presisieboerdery se toekoms belowend lyk, is daar nog baie werk nodig om dit te bevorder. Daar is ‘n tegnologie-gaping tussen gevorderde tegnologie en boere se kennis van die grond, ekonomiese taksering en betroubare, praktiese gebruiksmetodes. Vervaardigers, voorligters, grondkundiges en boere moet saamwerk om dié gaping te oorbrug. Nuwe tegnologie moet aan die boere se behoeftes voldoen en by grondkundige navorsing ingesluit word om gebruikersvertroue te skep.
Die eerste stap is om die regte boerderymetodes te bepaal en aandag aan boere se probleme en beperkings te gee. Dan moet die maatskappye en voorligters hul verskillende benaderings standaardiseer om te voorkom dat boere met beperkte kennis geld mors op verkeerde toerusting wat nie aanpasbaar is nie. Inligting moet van die navorsers na die boere vloei en weer terug, sodat die navorsers kennis kan neem van die boere se probleme en oplossing kan bied, wat die boere dan op hulle beurt kan toets. Plaasproewe sal verseker dat nuwe tegnologie aanpasbaar, relevant en aanvaarbaar is.
Navorsing oor presisieboerdery by besproeiing bestaan nog glad nie in Suid-Afrika nie. Sy grond dit op ‘n bevinding deur haar toesighouer, Dr Wim Nell, en mnr. Jaco Dennis verlede jaar. Water gaan nog baie duurder word en presisiebesproeiingsboerdery sal noodsaaklik vir hierdie tipe boerdery word.

‘n Voorbeeld van ‘n opbrengspotensiaal volgens die GPS-ruitpatroon. Op hierdie land het die opbrengs van 2 t/ha tot 14 t/ha gewissel.

Meer navorsing is ook noodsaaklik in die Wes-Kaap om die regte strategie vir ‘n aanpasbare boerderystrategie te bepaal.

Mej. Matela gaan haar navorsing vir haar doktorale studies met geld van New Holland voortsit om te bepaal hoe winsgewend presisieboerdery is. Die maatskappye het ook haar ander navorsing gefinansier. Hulle finansier alle navorsing oor die ekonomie van presisieboerdery aan die Sentrum vir Landboubestuur.

Oor die bekostigbaarheid van toerusting vir presisieboerdery, sê New Holland, wat toerusting in die Flexi-Coil-reeks verkoop, dat dit volgens hul navorsing geld is wat goed belê word. Dit bring vir boere dividende in, want hul gemiddelde opbrengs styg, bestuur verbeter en wins neem toe.
As ‘n boer toerusting van die maatskappy koop, borg hulle vir hom ‘n kort kursus oor presisieboerdery by die Sentrum vir Landboubestuur. Dit gee ‘n breë begrip en agtergrond oor presisieboerdery, sodat die boer ingeligte besluite oor die koop van toerusting en inskakeling van presisieboerdery by die bestaande boerdery-opset kan neem. Ekonomiese aspekte kry ook aandag.

New Holland sê die beplanning van so ‘n boerdery geskied nie oornag nie. Die boer moet eers navorsing oor sy grond, boerdery-omstandighede en oor die regte toerusting doen. Alle werktuie pas nie noodwendig by mekaar aan nie. Die boer kan dalk ook van sy bestaande werktuie gebruik.

Ella Christina Hough

Department of Agriculture
Western Cape, South Africa
EllanaH@elsenburg.com

Wim Thomas Nell
Centre for Agricultural Management
University of the Free State, South Africa
Paper presented at the 14th International Farm Management Congress
Perth, Western Australia, 101-15 August 2004

ABSTRACT

Confusion still exists regarding the meaning of the organic production system. It can be defined as a holistic production system which enhances the agricultural ecosystem by prohibiting the use of synthetic production mediums. It focuses on the improvement of soil fertility and the protection of the environment.
The environmental advantages by themselves are not reason enough for farmers to adopt organic practices. The financial implication of organic agriculture in comparison with conventional practices is very important. It does not matter how ecologically advantageous organic farming is, if a farming system does not show sufficient profit for the farmer to stay in business in a free market, an organic system will not be adopted. Ecological agriculture tends to have slightly lower yields, but production costs also tend to be lower during full production, due to the reduced use of purchased inputs. The net income (gross margin) from organic and conventional practices is thought to be comparable, although either can be advantageous under specific conditions.
Many South African producers are interested in the organic production practices of wine grapes. Some of the producers are already busy converting their vineyards to organic practices. An important question relating to the organic production of wine grapes, is the cost associated with the practice.
Research had been undertaken by Coetzee of the farm Vaalpan in the Vanrhynsdorp district near Vredendal, South Africa. The farm is 12 ha in extent of which 3 ha are under the production of organic wine grapes. The purpose of the research was to compare the financial issues relating to conventional and organic practices. The results had shown that the price of the wine grapes, and specifically the price premium of organic wine, would determine whether the organic production of wine grapes was financially viable, as the production was lower and the production costs were higher.

INTRODUCTION

The organic cultivation of food has increased significantly worldwide and South Africa is not behind in this process. The cultivation practices implemented, provide peace of mind to consumers that they are not being exposed to the residues of chemical substances. The Chill Chamber (2002) was of the opinion that sound organic practices respected the environment and promoted biodiversity and sustainability.
The focus of the research was on organic wine grape production in the Olifants River Valley. The research was compiled in cooperation with Coetzee, a viticulturist. Coetzee’s farm in the vicinity of Vanrhynsdorp consists of some three hectares of vineyards that have been planted using organic methods. The farm had already been certified by the “Société Générale de Surveillance” (SGS) and during 2002 Coetzee was in his third year of producing wine grapes organically. The cultivars already established, are a 1999 planting of Shiraz (2 ha) and a 2001 planting of Cabernet Sauvignon (1 ha). During 2002 Coetzee also made wine from organic wine grapes and samples of the wine had been sent abroad to be tested.

As Coetzee is the wine master at the Klawer Wine Cellar at Vanrhynsdorp, his knowledge of the wine making process will be a valuable asset. The farm’s wine will be marketed abroad under the logo of the Matzikama Wine Cellar.

The farm’s vision for the 2002/3 season is directed towards quality rather than quantity. Quality is assured by selecting small, compact and healthy bunches of grapes. The field production records are also an indication of the farmer’s attitude towards quality control.

METHODOLOGY

The case study research method was used in the research regarding the financial aspect of growing organic wine grapes. The ultimate aim of the study was to draw a comparison between the financial aspects applicable respectively to conventional and to organic wine grape production. A risk sensitivity analysis was done in terms of price and yield for the two production methods. The break-even production to cover the operating costs and the break-even production to cover total costs were determined.

The Computerised Budget (COMBUD) program (COMBUD, 2001/2) was used to compile enterprise budgets for both conventional and organic wine grape cultivation practices. The program was also used to perform a parametric analysis to test the sensitivity of the gross margin regarding change in price obtained per ton and yield per hectare.

An Excel spreadsheet was used for calculating the risk, and also for the calculation of the break-even production to recover the operational and total costs.

RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The cultivation practices followed will be discussed first.

During January the farmer starts to make his own compost with garden waste and sheep manure from sheep grazing on natural pastures. It is important not to use manure from feedlots, as traces of chemicals and antibiotics can be found in such manure.

In January a disc plough is also used between the rows for green mulching. Hoes are used to remove weeds in the vine rows. No pest and disease control are used (Coetzee, 2002).

During February the farmer applies micro-organisms in the form of liquid seaweed at 50 litres per hectare. Harvesting is also done during February by using permanent and casual labourers. Compost is applied during May, at 10 cubic metres per hectare. A cover crop at 100 kg per hectare is also sown during May. During pruning in August only strong canes are left on the vine. Disc ploughing is again done during September and weed in the vine rows removed with a hoe. The control of downy mildew can take place during September and poorly spaced shoots are removed during October. Botrytis could also then be controlled, if necessary.

During December the weeds in the vine rows must again be removed by hoes. Poor developed bunches are removed in December as the farm focuses on quality rather than quantity. Mealy bug could be controlled any time during the season, with a minimum of two days before harvesting (Coetzee, 2002).

TABLE 1:  CONVENTIONAL AND ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES FOR WINE GRAPES

The most significant differences between the farming practices indicated in Table 1, are that for conventional practices fertiliser was purchased and for organic practices Coetzee made his own compost. Conventional practices focussed more on quantity and organic practices focused more on quality. The conventionally produced grapes were sold to the local market and the organically produced grapes were sold to the international market, in the form of organic wine.

During the first year of production (2000/1) one ton per hectare was harvested and six tons per hectare during the second year (2001/2), while it was estimated that once the vineyards were in full production (2002/3), the yield would be 10 tons per hectare.

The establishment costs and gross margin for conventional and organic wine grapes are presented in Table 2:
1. The producer does not get any compensation for the grape skins and it is available to be producers free of charge. The acceptance can be made that the skins will be sold at R5 per ton in the near future to producers for the making of compost.
2. The estimate productive life is 25 years.
3. Wine-making costs per ton (Conventional and organic):

• Bulk sales: R7,50/litre for conventional, and R12,00/litre for organic wine. Cash shortage: conventional wine lower price than conventional wine grapes.
• Sales per bottle: R40,00/bottle for conventional, and R73,00 per bottle for organic wine.

1 572 bottles wine from 2 ton grapes (conventional/organic).
786 bottles wine from 1 ton grapes (750 ml bottle) (conventional/organic).
589,50 litre wine from 1 ton grapes (conventional/organic)

Organic wine grapes would break even (gross margin after total allocated variable costs) with conventional wine grapes at a production of 10,51 ton/ha and a price of R6 307,12 per ton (Hough, 2002).

The gross income before marketing costs from the conventional grapes was R6 000,00 per hectare less than in the case of organic wines. The gross income after marketing costs of conventional wine grapes (R43 200,00/ha) as a percentage of organic wine grapes (R48 000,00/ha) was 90% or R4 800,00 per hectare less than that of organic grapes. If organic grapes were sold at a price premium of more than 30%, the gross income of organic wine grapes would be R4 800,00 per hectare more than conventional wine grapes (Hough, 2002).

The difference between the pre-harvest cost of the conventionally produces grapes (R14 624,29/ha) and organic grapes (R22 704,59/ha) was R8 030,30 per hectare or 64,41% more. The main reason for the difference can be found in the components of compost (R2 700,00/ha), guano (R1 100,00/ha) and wheat straw (R7 000,00/ha). If the use of wheat straw could be substituted by naturally growing plants that were not cultivated, then the pre-harvest cost could be reduced by R7 000,00 per hectare in terms of the next set of budgets (Hough, 2002).

The harvesting cost component between the two types of production compared favourably (R2 836,20/ha for conventional grapes versus R3 136,20/ha for organic grapes) and the main reason was that the harvesting methods were identical. It was only the cost relating to cooling down the wine grape crates (R300,00/ha) that needed to be taken into account with organic grapes, since the cooling of organic grapes was important after harvesting.

The cost of permanent and casual labourers employed in the pre-harvest and during the harvesting periods was
R1 800,00 per hectare or 29,30% less with conventional grapes (R6 150,00/ha) than organically produces grapes (R7 950,00/ha). The reason for the latter increase was because more labourers were needed for the organic production methods. The control of weeds as well as the spreading of wheat straw between the vines were done manually. The selection of the best bunches was an ongoing process. The final goal was that the crop of the organically produced wine grapes should be sold at a premium price.

It could be deduced from the above analysis that the organic production of wine grapes would have financial benefits for the case study farmer should the price premium paid for the organic wine grapes exceeded the price of the conventional wine grapes by 30%. Should value be added by means of making wine from the organically produced wine grapes, the organic wine margin is R161 399,35 per hectare more than the conventional wine (the difference between R205 067,26/ha for the conventional and R366 466,61/ha for organic wine grapes).

For the risk calculation of the two practices, the expected gross farm income was calculated with acceptances regarding price and yield. The production of conventional wine grapes was 12 tons per hectare and for organic wine grapes 10 tons per hectare.

According to Truter (2002) the probability was 60% to produce 12 tons per hectare conventionally produced wine grapes and 10 tons per hectare organically produced wine grapes. The pessimistic scenario with a probability of 25% was eight tons per hectare for conventional and seven tons per hectare for organic practices. The optimistic scenario with a probability of 15%, was 16 tons per hectare for conventional wine grapes and 13 tons per hectare for organic wine grapes.

The scenario for the probability of price, notwithstanding the production, were as follows:

• R4 650 per ton with a probability of 15%;
• R4 500 per ton with a probability of 80%
• and R4 200 per ton with a probability of 5% (conventional);
• R6 500 per ton with a probability of 15%;
• R6 000 per ton with a probability of 80% and
• R5 700 per ton with a probability of 5% (organic) (Truter, 2002).

The risk analysis showed that the expected gross farm income for conventional wine grapes was R52 287,00 and for organic wine grapes R58 782,00.

The standard deviation for conventional practices was R11 234,54 and for organic practices R11 517,28.

The risk per rand projected income for conventional practices was R0,21 against R0,20 for organic practices.

The difference between risk per rand between the two farming practices had the following meaning in the case of conventional practices: R52 287,00 x 0,21 per hectare, that was an amount of R10 980,27 per hectare.

In the case of organic wine grapes it was R58 782,00 x 0,20 per hectare, that was an amount of R11 756,40 per hectare.

For a vineyard of 10 hectare the risk existed that the gross farm income for conventional practices could be R109 802,70 higher or lower than the expected value and in the case of organic practices it could be R117 564,00 higher or lower than the expected value (Hough, 2002).

The financial analysis for the conventional and organic production of wine grapes was undertaken over a short period (one year), as the case study farmer only started planting organic vineyards in 1999. The importance of studying the financial position of organic grape producers was emphasised because a cycle of one year did not provide sufficient information to register the underlying trends regarding the profitability of the business concerned.

CONCLUSIONS

The production of organic wine grapes was financially profitable, as the gross margin was positive and the operational and total cost could be recovered by means of the existing production levels. In both of the above-mentioned practices the break-even production in ton per hectare was less than the budgeted production. It could be deduced that if the case study farmer maintained his production levels above the break-even point, the variable and total costs of the two practices under discussion – in other words conventional and organic – could be recovered.

Should only risk per rand gross farm income be used as a yardstick for calculating the risk, then conventional wine grapes were subject to a higher risk at R0,21 as opposed to R0,20 for organic wine grapes.
A recommendation for further studies will be closely associated with the marketing aspect of especially organic wines, as South African producers will face strong international competitors in order to sell their products abroad. It was also recommended that the technique of risk management be studied, as there will be no guarantee that the market for organic wine grapes will remain stable in the long run. If the producers do not dispose of the necessary management techniques to hedge their risks, this may entail serious economic consequences for such producers.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Coetzee, K. 2002. Personal interview. Organic farmer and wine maker – Klawer Wine Cellar.

Combud Enterprise Budgets. 2001/2, Volume 6.1: Fruit, and Volume 1: Vegetables. Published by the Western Cape Department of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Tourism. Available from: Sub-Directorate Agricultural Economics and Financing, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa.

Hough, E. C. 2002. The financial aspect of growing organic wine grapes in the Vredendal district. M.Agric. thesis, Centre for Agricultural Management, Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

The Chill Chamber.com. What is an organic vineyard?
http://www.thechillchamber.com/organic-roots/organic-vineyard.html. 27 August 2002.

Truter, J. 2001/2. Telephone interview and communication via electronic mail. Viticulturist and research, Cooperative Wine Cellar, Paarl.

Article also available at http://www.sbaer.uca.edu/research/icsb/2004/By%20author.htm

Ellana Hough did her M.Agric. (Agricultural Management) degree in 2002 on this topic at the Centre for Agricultural Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. She is currently busy with research for her Ph.D. in Agricultural Management on the topic The economics of precision agriculture on weed in Heidelberg in the Western Cape (sponsored by New Holland SA).

M.Agric. degree ex-Student: Vorster Zeilinga M.Agric. in Landboubestuur Fakulteit Natuur- en Landbouwetenskappe Universiteit van die Vrystaat Bloemfontein

Hoofstuk 1: Inleiding

Presisieboerdery is ‘n nuwe konsep in Suid-Afrika wat teen 2001 deur minder as een persent boerderyondernemings toegepas is. Dié tegnologie is egter vinnig besig om in gewildheid onder leidende boere toe te neem (Matela, 2002:74). Wanpersepsies en halwe waarhede bestaan by boere omdat presisieboerdery nog in die beginfase is. Wanneer oor presisieboerdery gepraat word, kom ‘n stroperopbrengsmonitor by die meeste boere tot gedagte; niks kan egter verder van die waarheid af wees nie.

Presisieboerdery is ‘n filosofie en ‘n werkwyse waarin daar gestrewe word om so effektief as moontlik te boer (Agrimage, 2003b). Presisieboerdery word gedefinieer as ‘n inligting- en tegnologie-gebaseerde landboubestuurstelsel wat gebruik word om grond- en gewasverskille in ‘n land te identifiseer, te analiseer en effektief te bestuur. Dit gee die boer die geleentheid om sy grond in kleiner eenhede te verdeel en individueel te bestuur (Precision with GPS, 2002:22).

Die gebruik van moderne tegnologie word ingespan om die doelwitte van presisieboerdery te bereik. Tegnologie word beskou as een van die grootste dryfvere agter landboubesighede, omdat dit arbeidskoste effektief kan verlaag en opbrengste kan verhoog (Creating a dynamic, 2001:60). Volgens resultate wat in die Verenigde State van Amerika verkry is, waar presisieboerdery al etlike jare gebruik word, het die presisieboerderystelsel ‘n moontlike 10%-verhoging in opbrengs en 10%-verlaging in insetkoste gelewer (Lochner, 2000a). In die Verenigde State van Amerika word presisieboerdery toegepas op gronde waarop reeds grondopnames uitgevoer is en gronde daarvolgens bestuur word.

Volgens Olson (1998:7) word presisieboerdery dikwels beskou as te duur, te gekompliseerd, tegnologie-afhanklik en te nadelig vir boerdery- en landelike strukture. Die doelwit van presisieboerdery om boerderywins te verhoog deur bestuursones volgens elkeen se potensiaal te bestuur, kan wel bereik word sonder die gebruik van sekere presisieboerderytegnologieë. Daar kan egter onomwonde gestel word dat presisieboerdery ‘n tegnologie van die toekoms is. Die aanneming van hierdie tegnologie vereis dat die vorm, kombinasies van meganika, fisiese en inligtingtegnologie wat gebruik gaan word, vooraf bepaal moet word. Met die verhoogde kompleksiteit van boerderyondernemings, die verhoogde risiko en verhoogde druk waaronder boerderyondernemings geplaas word om teen laer koste te produseer, is dit nodig om inligtingtegnologie, die kapasiteit van inligtingprosessering en besluitneming te verbeter. Dít is inligting-intensiewe landbou of presisieboerdery (Olson, 1998:7).

Hoofstuk 2 :Literatuuroorsig

Landbou het internasionaal baie kompeterend geraak en die druk op boerderyrentabiliteit en rentabiliteit op eie kapitaal het toegeneem. Dit het die moderne boer genoop om alternatiewe hulpmiddele te oorweeg om volhoubare boerderysukses te bedryf. Een van die alternatiewe is om die klem te verskuif van ‘n totale boerderybenadering, na meer spesifieke en kleiner eenhede (Agrimage’s Satellite Imagery, 2002:37-38). Presisieboerdery is ‘n stelsel wat hierdie konsep tot die fynste besonderhede kan nastreef deur gebruik te maak van moderne tegnologie.

Presisieboerdery word gedefinieer as ‘n inligting- en tegnologie-gebaseerde landboubestuurinligtingstelsel wat gebruik word om grond- en gewasverskille in ‘n land te identifiseer, te analiseer en te bestuur. Dit gee die boer die geleentheid om sy grond in kleiner dele op te deel en individueel te bestuur (Precision with GPS, 2002:23).

Boerdery het van ‘n kuns na ‘n wetenskap verander. Presisieboerderytegnologie is ‘n nuwe begrip, maar daar word beweer dat konsepte van presisieboerdery reeds so vroeg as 1980 deur boerderyondernemings in die staat Indiana in die Verenigde State van Amerika (VSA) gebruik is. Aan die oostekant van Indianapolis het boere al in die middel sewentigerjare rekord begin hou van grondmonsters wat op ‘n ruitpatroon ingesamel is. Die grondmonsters is ontleed en die presiese hoeveelheid kalk benodig om die pH-balans reg te stel, is op die nodige gebiede uitgestrooi. Die hele proses van opmetings, teken van kaarte en uitstrooi van bemestingstowwe is bereik deur middel van basiese en handtegnieke waar die dele wat bemesting benodig het, uitgemeet en afgebaken is en op standaard manier reggestel is (Naylor, 1999).

Met behulp van ‘n globale posisioneringstelsel- (GPS-) tegnologie, het presisieboerdery in 1990 ontstaan toe dié tegnologie tot almal se beskikking gestel is. Reeds in 1978 is die eerste GPS-satelliet wat deur die Amerikaanse regering vir milit re doeleindes gebruik is, gelanseer. In die begin van die negentigerjare is dié tegnologie deur boere van Noord-Amerika vir landboudoeleindes ingespan. Tussen 1996 en 1997 het presisieboerdery begin opvlam onder Noord-Amerikaanse en Kanadese boere en ontwikkel tot waar dit vandag is (Naylor, 1999).

Presisieboerdery is ‘n relatiewe nuwe konsep in Suid-Afrika en dus nog in ‘n vroeë en ontwikkelende stadium. Dit is egter vinnig besig om deur al hoe meer moderne boere aangeneem te word. In 2001 het minder as een persent Suid-Afrikaanse boere in kontantgewasboerderystreke presisieboerderytegnieke aangeneem (Matela, 2002:74) . Volgens Coetzee (1998:9-11) is afstandbeelde wat deur middel van satelliete verkry is, reeds in 1997 gebruik om bestuursones vir presisieboerderydoeleindes te identifiseer. Een van die eerste opbrengskaarte is aan die einde van 1997 in die Swellendam-distrik op die plaas Hanskraal van mnr. Boetie John du Toit en sy seun AJ geteken. Dit is gedoen met behulp van ‘n Class Lexion-stroper wat toegerus was met ‘n opbrengsmonitor (Massey Ferguson SA, 1998:40).

Hoofstuk 3: Navorsingsmetode

‘n Navorsingsontwerp of metode is die volle strategie wat gevolg word om die navorsingsprobleem te ondersoek. Dit verskaf die volle struktuur wat die navorser volg, die data wat ingesamel word en die proses waarvolgens die data geanaliseer word (Leedy, 2002:91).

Statistiese analise van ‘n probleemarea kan belangrike en bepalende faktore identifiseer, maar om te bepaal watter verwantskap die faktore in ‘n werklike situasie op mekaar het, is dit nodig om ‘n spesifieke geval sistematies onder ‘n vergrootglas te ondersoek. Hierdie sistematiese ondersoek van ‘n spesifieke situasie word ‘n gevallestudie genoem (Nisbet & Watt, 1978:5). Gevallestudie is ‘n standaard prosedure wat gevolg word vir navorsing in die velde van regte, mediese ondersoeke en besigheidsituasies. Hierdie navorsingsmetode is al sedert die vroeë 1950’s gebruik (Nisbet & Watt, 1978:9).

Hoofstuk 4: Produksierisiko van tradisionele bewerking

In die laaste paar jaar was daar groot veranderinge in die ekonomie van die landbou- omgewing. Dit het van die boer vereis om stappe te neem om sukses te bevorder. Verhoogde insetkoste en die onsekerheid van die pryse van uitsette wat teen ‘n laer koers verhoog as insette, lei tot ‘n prys:koste-knyptang. Hierdie faktor, tesame met variërende klimaatstoestande, veral reënval, het toenemende onsekerhede en verhoogde risiko in die landbou tot gevolg. Verbeterde landboutegnologie, soos die identifisering en bestuur van bestuursones, kan gebruik word om risiko’s en onsekerhede teen te werk.

Hoofstuk 5: Dataverwerking van organisasies betrokke by presisieboerdery in die sentrale akkerboustreek

Sewe organisasies wat landboukundige hulp met presisieboerdery verskaf, is in die sentrale akkerboustreek ge dentifiseer, naamlik Afgri, Agrista, Kynoch, Omnia, Sasol, Senwes en Techniland. Die organisasies was nog nie lank met presisieboerdery besig nie en die meeste het eers in 1998, 1999 en 2001 daarmee begin. Alhoewel presisieboerdery nog ‘n nuwe konsep onder die boere van Suid-Afrika is, wissel die kliëntebasis van die organisasies tussen 40 en 300 kliënte en toon dit sterk groei. Verskeie van die organisasies se kliënte het presisieboerderytegnologie ten volle aangeneem, waar ander nog net komponente daarvan geïmplementeer het.

Hoofstuk 6: Dataverwerking van boerderyondernemings betrokke by presisieboerdery

In die vorige hoofstuk is die inligting van die organisasies betrokke by presisieboerdery en die verskillende benaderings om bestuursones te identifiseer, bespreek. Die boerderyondernemings waarvan inligting in hierdie hoofstuk gebruik word, is met behulp van hierdie organisasies ge dentifiseer. Die gebiede waarin die twaalf boerderyondernemings bedryf word, word in Figuur 6.1 in die blou afgebakende deel aangetoon. Net droëlandgewasproduksie is ondersoek.

Hoofstuk 7: Samevatting en Gevolgtrekkings

SAMEVATTING
Die vier metodes wat tans gebruik word om bestuursones in die sentrale-akkerbou streek te identifiseer, is

• ruitopnames waar beide die permanente eienskappe met ‘n grondopname en die vrugbaarheidstatus van die grond vasgestel word;
• opbrengskaarte wat met opbrengsmonitors verkry is;
• afstandbeelde wat verkry word deur middel van satelliete en/of vliegtuie; en
• deur die gebruik van ‘n elektrokonduktiwiteit- (EC)-masjien.

Grondopnames word eenmalig gedoen. Grondvrugbaarheid word elke drie tot vyf jaar gedoen met ‘n ruitopname om vrugbaarheidsones aan te pas, indien nodig. “Smart-sampling” word bepaal in reeds ge dentifiseerde bestuursones om die afsonderlike bestuursones se vrugbaarheid vas te stel. “Smart-sampling” maak net sin nadat die variasie in vrugbaarheid sodanig verminder het dat dit hoofsaaklik tussen grondtipes varieer. Indien bestuursones vanaf satellietbeelde en opbrengsmonitors ge dentifiseer word, word die grond se permanente eienskappe met ‘n grondopname bepaal.
Al die metodes word ook in kombinasie gebruik. Die algemeenste kombinasie wat deur die organisasies betrokke by presisieboerdery aanbeveel word, is ruitopnames, satellietbeelde en opbrengskaarte. Dit is die kombinasie wat skynbaar die meeste inligting verskaf en die bestuursones die akkuraatste identifiseer. Hierdie kombinasie word egter nie deur al die boerderyondernemings gebruik nie omdat die koste te hoog is. Die algemeenste kombinasies wat deur die boerderyondernemings in die studie gebruik is, is ruitopnames en opbrengskaarte. Hierdie kombinasie toon die permanente variasie in grondeienskappe en verklaar die stadige veranderinge in vrugbaarheid. Bestuursones word dan op die permanente grondeienskappe ge dentifiseer en die vrugbaarheid daarvan reggestel.
In die studie het al die boerderyondernemings hulle grond op een of ander tydstip terwyl hulle presisieboerdery toegepas het, met ‘n ruitopname laat ontleed. Die rede hiervoor is dat deur grondopnames op ‘n ruitpatroon te doen, die meeste inligting van die grond verkry word om opbrengsverskille mee te verklaar. Dit is die rede hoekom die digtheid van die ruitpatroon by die dele met meer grondvariasie verklein. Met hoër grondvariasie word meer opbrengsverskille verkry. Die hoëreënvalgebiede het in hierdie studie meer grondvariasie as laereënvalgebiede getoon, dit wil s die grondvariasie verminder van die ooste na die weste van die streek.
Vyf metodes word gebruik om bemesting differensieel toe te dien nadat die bemestingvereistes in die verskillende bestuursones ge dentifiseer is, naamlik

• ‘n veranderlike bemestingimplement (VRA);
• ‘n planter wat omgebou of aangekoop word om differensieel te bemes en te plant;
• ‘n kalkstrooier wat omgebou word om differensieel te bemes;
• die gebruik van ‘n GPS wat die bestuursones vooraf uitmeet, waarna misstowwe met ‘n standaard kalkstrooier toegedien word; en
• laastens waar elke land as ‘n afsonderlike bestuursone hanteer word en die planter herkalibreer word soos dit van een land na die ander beweeg.

Die aanvangskoste met presisieboerdery kan gesien word as die koste wat aangegaan word om bestuursones te identifiseer, asook die aankoop of ombou van toerusting om misstowwe differensieel toe te dien. Die hoë aanvangskoste word ook gesien as die grootste nadeel van presisieboerdery.
Die aanvangskoste is nie die enigste koste wat op presisieboerdery van toepassing is nie. Bemestingkoste het by nege boerderyondernemings verhoog, by twee dieselfde gebly en by een verlaag. Die verhoging in bemestingkoste kan toegeskryf word aan die feit dat die boerderyondernemings hoëpotensiaalgronde ge dentifiseer het en volgens die verhoogde potensiaal bemes om optimale opbrengste te verkry. Met presisieboerdery is ‘n betekenisvolle verhoging in stikstof-, fosfor- en kaliumbemesting teenoor die konvensionele verbouingspraktyk verkry, maar dit is meer effektief benut. Twee uit die vier jaar is dieselfde of minder stikstof toegedien per ton mielies geproduseer, waar minder stikstof per ton sonneblom in al die jare toegedien is. Minder fosfor is toegedien per ton sonneblom geproduseer. Die verhoging wat verkry is met die toediening van fosfor en kaluim per ton mielies en sojaboon geproduseer, kan toegeskryf word aan die verhoogde opbrengsmikpunte. Omdat ‘n verhoging in opbrengste verkry is met al die gewasse in al die jare met presisieboerdery, kan ‘n moontlike afleiding gemaak word dat die misstowwe meer effektief toegedien word met presisieboerdery. Dit kan moontlik wees omdat laepotensiaalgronde nie oorbemes, en die hoëpotensiaalgronde nie onderbemes is nie. Fosfor- en kaluimtoediening vir mielies word moontlik meer optimaal toegedien en nie onderbemes soos met die konvensionele verbouingpraktyke nie.
Dít word deur die boerderyondernemings as die grootste voordeel van presisieboerdery gesien. In ‘n normale jaar met ‘n gemiddelde reënval het die opbrengsmikpunte waarvoor bemes is, gerealiseer, wat bewys dat die misstowwe wat toegedien is, effektief benut is. Omdat die chemiese misstowwe optimaal benut is (ook in ander seisoensomstandighede), word die negatiewe effek op die omgewing verminder omdat die misstowwe nie in oormaat toegedien word nie.
Die verhoging in bemesting het ‘n verhoging in opbrengs tot gevolg gehad. Die verhoging in opbrengs was hoog genoeg om die verhoogde bemestingkoste te regverdig, wat tot ‘n verhoging in bemestingmarge gelei het.

GEVOLGTREKKINGS

Twee faktore word hoofsaaklik in ag geneem met die keuse van ‘n metode of kombinasie van metodes om bestuursones in die sentrale akkerboustreek te identifiseer, naamlik die omgewing waarin die boerderyonderneming geleë is en/of die koste verbonde aan die verskillende metodes.
Omgewing:
Die omgewing waarin die boerderyonderneming geleë is, speel ‘n rol in die keuse van die metode wat gevolg word om bestuursones te bepaal, omdat grondtipes se variasie van die weste na die ooste van die sentrale akkerboustreek toeneem en die variasie in grondtipes ‘n invloed het op die grootte van die bestuursones. Meer grondtipes lei tot meer bestuursones, wat meer effektiewe metodes vereis om die bestuursones so akkuraat moontlik te identifiseer. Dit is hoekom byvoorbeeld ‘n kombinasie van ‘n ruitopname (permanente eienskappe in die vorm van ‘n grondopname en vrugbaarheid), ‘n opbrengsmonitor en satellietbeelde in die ooste van die streek aanbeveel word. Hierdie kombinasie is een van die effektiefste maniere om bestuursones akkuraat te identifiseer. In die weste word naastenby dieselfde effektiwiteit verkry deur slegs ‘n opbrengsmonitor saam met ‘n ruitopname te gebruik, waar in die ooste opbrengsmonitors, satellietbeelde en ‘n ruitopname gebruik moet word.
Die verskeie organisasies betrokke by presisieboerdery in ‘n sekere gebied het elk ook sekere voorkeure ten opsigte van die metodes wat gebruik word. Die boerderyondernemings gebruik gewoonlik die kombinasie wat deur die organisasies aanbeveel word.

Koste
Die organisasies neem ook die koste verbonde aan elke metode in ag. Indien voldoende finansies nie beskikbaar is om die mees gepaste metode of kombinasie van metodes te implementeer nie, word na goedkoper opsies gekyk. Die goedkoper opsies kan behels dat ‘n sekere metode anders ge mplementeer word, byvoorbeeld om grondopnames op ‘n groter ruitpatroon te doen of ‘n ander kombinasie van metodes te gebruik wat goedkoper is. Koste word ook verlaag deur toerusting te huur eerder as om dit aan te koop, byvoorbeeld deur ‘n stroperkontrakteur te huur wat oor ‘n stroper beskik wat toegerus is met ‘n opbrengsmonitor waarvan opbrengskaarte verkry kan word.
Die verhoging in opbrengs wat deur die boerderyondernemings met presisieboerdery verkry is, was in die derde jaar betekenisvol. Presisieboerdery is daarom ‘n stelselmatige proses. Die proses begin waar bestuursones ge dentifiseer word, sodat dít vir die regte potensiaal bestuur kan word. Die bestuurder kry die geleentheid om die aanbevole hoeveelheid misstowwe op die betrokke bestuursones toe te dien en die resultate jaarliks te evalueer. Met die evaluering van die resultate en aanpassing van bemesting, word daar al nader aan die optimale potensiaal van die bestuursones beweeg.
Die jaarlikse aanpassing van misstowwe wat toegedien is, het tot die verhoging in benutting van die misstowwe, veral stikstof, gelei. Die stikstofaanpassing vanaf die konvensionele verbouingspraktyk na presisieboerdery het ‘n betekenisvolle verandering getoon. Die moontlike rede daarvoor is dat die potensiale van die gronde onderskat is, maar met presisieboerdery ge dentifiseer en beter bemes is. Die verhoogde benutting van die misstowwe lei tot hoër opbrengste en verhoogde boerderywins.
Die toepassing van die presisieboerdery kan nie net die boerdery se winsgewendheid versterk nie, maar die grond word ook beter bestuur, wat tot beter bewaring van die grond en die omgewing lei. Dit kan die volhoubaarheid asook die toekoms van die nageslag verbeter.

AANBEVELING

Die positiewe impak van presisieboerdery op die boerderyondernemings wat bestudeer is, regverdig die aanneming en implementering van presisieboerdery op groot skaal en oor ‘n wye gebied. Die effektiwiteit of winsgewendheid van elke metode of die verskillende kombinasies van metodes in verskillende streke (ooste en weste) van die streek, is nog nie met mekaar vergelyk nie. Indien die twee algemeenste kombinasies van metodes wat in gebruik is, in verskillende dele van die sentrale akkerboustreek beproef kon word, kan bepaal word watter een van die kombinasies van metodes die mees gepaste is vir die spesifieke gebiede ten opsigte van bekostigbaarheid en akkuraatheid. Op dié manier kan die mees ekonomiese kombinasie van metodes vir elke gebied bepaal word, wat tot die grootste verhoging in boerderywins kan lei. Dit sal dan vir boerderyondernemings ook duidelik wees dat presisieboerdery in hulle distrik met sukses toegepas word, wat die aanvaarding van presisieboerdery kan vergemaklik en bespoedig.

Dennis van der Merwe
New Holland SA
Bothaville
Tel. +27 (0) 51 056 515 0507
Fax: +27 (0) 51 056 515 4814
dvdmerwe@nhsa.co.za

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Seedding Styles- Narrow Row Disc Minimum disturbance Weed control issues Minimum fertilizer with seed

Seedding Styles- Spread Row Low disturbance Weed control issues Morefertilizer with seed

Seedding Styles- Spread Row Sweep High disturbance Mechanical weed control Fertilizer placed with seed on- row packing

Seedding Styles- Broadcast sweep High disturbance Mechanical weed control Fertilizer placed with seed Coil packing

Seedding Styles- Double Shoot low moderate disturbance weed control issues fertilizer separate from seed

Flexi coil Advantages- Save money Save capital costs Save fuel and tractor hours Save labor costs Reduce waste

Flexi coil Advantages- Save money Save capital costs Save fuel and tractor hours Save labor costs Reduce waste

Flexi coil Advantages- Save money Save capital costs Save fuel and tractor hours Save labor costs Reduce waste

Vilhelm F Erichsen PrEng
Farmer from Middelburg
Mpumalanga
Tel. no. 013 245 1753
Fax 013 245 1599
Cell: 082 388 3380
vilhelme@lantic.net

SUMMARY

Precision farming has made significant changes in agriculture since its induction some eight years ago. Quite a number of farmers have taken to these practises, but there is still a great deal to be learnt about precision farming and its uses. As time progresses, the methodologies will change and new technology will dictate the accuracy within the practise. It is only possible to measure production and profitability if one can measure point-specific data and do analyses for that point.

The purpose of the paper would firstly be to advise participants to be cautious; secondly, request formal training institutions to be equipped to train the generations to come for this highly intelligent issue; and finally to prompt engineers for innovative direction in precision agriculture toward designing applications for extended use in farming.

The issues being addressed are issues that have come all the way and have in some way or another been solved or are gradually being solved.

REMOTE SENSING

Remote sensing has been with us for many a mile. The applications have increased exponentially and with the ease that we can acquire the colour images, one can only but say that the application for agriculture is excellent. With the ease of adjusting the image to a real world position, the application for agriculture accelerates.
Remote sensing has been with us for many a mile. The applications have increased exponentially and with the ease that we can acquire the colour images, one can only but say that the application for agriculture is excellent. With the ease of adjusting the image to a real world position, the application for agriculture accelerates.
The concerns have been the available technology and expertise to analytically interpret and prescribe the images for farmers and users of remote sensing.
Red areas are high indexes of vegetation and correspond well with the green areas of yield mapping. Brown and yellow areas correspond well with lower yields of the yield maps.
Predictions of crop potential for any farmer is of utmost importance. Marketing of the crop in times prior to harvesting is crucial to obtain significantly higher prices for the product being produced.
With remote sensing this is actually possible for most maize farmers in South Africa as soon as the first images become available in December and early January. This is also the period that prices are gradually inclining before the next seasons crop takes the toll.

SMART AND GRID SAMPLING

Smart sampling has given direction and corrective measures have been adopted to improve the yield consistency over the study area. The even colours and yields on images of later years prove the point. Gradual movement to grid sampling has taken place for specific areas of adjustment and smart sampling will be carried out for reference purposes.

SOIL CLASSIFICATION

Soil classification maps are most important for agronomists and engineers to design their prescription crops and cultivation practises for a specific area.
Soil profiles, as these four shown, are all found in the 50 ha area of the proposed centre pivot scenario as discussed.

SOIL PROPERTIES.

Using the physical soil properties such as clay percentage, soil depth and water retention, the designers have more factual information to take their decisions on.
The clay percentage would be indicative to the possible tillage operations that are going to be used to cultivate the area. Prof. A. T. P. Bennie would classify this soil as a sandy clay loam soil between 18% and 35% clay. Cultivation practises of not deeper than 250–300 mm should be used.
Soil depth and water retention in soil profiles as these are most probably easier to manage and constant design norms used to achieve the final goal. However the four profiles are all found on the one area of 50 ha of the given pivot scenario.
The water retention, soil depth and elevation could now be used to design the specific water distribution pattern of the centre pivot.
Have we ever discussed the possibility of designing a centre pivot to deliver differential water distribution?

ELEVATION PLANNING

Elevation planning and land levelling are all factors that modern engineers aught to be able to design and prescribe land forms and contouring of areas to most efficiently prevent soil erosion in any specific area of the cultivated land. Water infiltration rates could also be addressed if the adjusted gradient of the land has been altered.
These are the items the agronomists and soil scientists should be comparing to determine whether the elevation and clay percentages should be altered to be more uniform and cost effective over the long run.
The tillage operations and implement choices are all items that could play a roll in the most productive utilization of the area. The clay percentage and soil depth are indicative of the types of tillage operation that are going to be used to farm the area.
Precision farming has the ability to monitor the work to be done and to report back on the work that has been done, however the design of these implements to do the prescribed operation on the specific position is the key question and needs to be addressed.

PLANNING AND DESIGNING

In the future remote sensing and yield mapping tools could become important in farm activity planning. The methods of precision farming, as most of you are probably aware, in farm activity planning could be used to decide what has to be done on any specific part of the farm.
Using the examples shown and data collected one can run through a possible scenario of typical centre pivot irrigation planning. The placement of the pivot is simply straight forward.

• The soils have been duly examined and described.
• The centre pivot area has easily been calculated.
• The availability and surety of water quantified.
• The elevation and pressures determined.
• The design can be completed.
• The process seems simple to plan.

Designing centre pivots to distribute water at differential rates over the whole area as needed at any specific point. Engineers will have to come up with the solutions to these requests. These are the areas that, in the future, require innovative thinking.

DIFFERENTIAL APPLICATION

The areas of operation that has been addressed over the past couple of years are the broadcasting of lime and gypsum at differential levels according to the grid sampling analysis of the soil samples.
The designing and production of differential application spreaders in South Africa has been a tedious process. Most of the systems have been designed and built locally by trail and error. With the available equipment, the people involved in these activities have done excellent jobs.
Combining different appliances from quite a number of suppliers has been the most used source to overcome the problems of time needed for research and development of these specific types of appliance.
Equipping the vehicles with apparatus from abroad has become a full-time occupation of many young and adventures people. Making these systems work has been a marvellous achievement and a great breakthrough for South African entrepreneurs.
The use of light bars and auto-steering aids has also improved the efficiency of the operations significantly.

EXTENDED APPLICATIONS OF PRECISION FARMING

Hay making

• Hay making has not seen great strides in precision farming. However, if one looks at the possibilities and taking into account the success, precision farming on established grazing and pastures, could be of major significance.
• All the standard mythology of precision agriculture can be applied in this farming enterprise and could only deliver greater results.

Game farming

• The flight pattern of a recent game count on a game farm proves of the accuracy of data captured by precision methods.
• The pilot uses a GPS to determine transects to be flown. A second GPS or DGPS port is dedicated to record the flight route. This serves as proof of the area covered and route flown.
• A data capturer logs all the game species, sex, age and count. Each species has its own layer. All species appear in the summary page as shown.
• Distribution of animals and habitat can be defined this way. Annual or bi-annual counts could be compared and informed decision taken with respect to game and veldt management. Data such as available watering points, veldt and erosion condition can also be logged during this flight.

LIMITATIONS

Although precision agriculture holds many advantages and challenges, there are limitations. These limitations will be overcome in future, but need a tremendous effort to keep the system functional.
It does appear that laboratories for soil analyses seem to be on the limited side. Thousands of soil samples are now being analysed due to the gridding of areas for precision farming. Before this period the number of samples was significantly less and the laboratories could cope. The unit costs of soil analysis seems to be high in the light of the new volumes that have to be analysed.
Development and research of the much needed apparatus for the precision farming will have to be introduced as soon as possible. The equipment used is costly and a wrong decision when buying equipment could be fatal. Advice on technical detail and analysis of collected information is crucial.
Skilled people in the precision farming era would have to come forward to assist in the interpretation of data and utilisation of resources to be applied. These experts would most probably be the post graduates and employed by larger fertilizer companies.
Extension officers in the field would also be of great assistance to new comers to the practise.

CHALLENGES

Many challenges lie ahead of us in the precision farming field. Opportunities for young enthusiasts are falling open and great satisfaction on the side of entrepreneurs is showing the systems are here, they work, but need to be improved and applied.

FUTURISTIC NEEDS

The future needs of precision agriculture could be defined as two major issues; Education and training and the application of precision farming systems.
Education and training for all categories of skilled people is a must to achieve greater success. Engineers, technicians, artisans, salesman, farmers and employees are to be trained to utilise this concept even more.
The application of precision agriculture equipment has to be well structured. The basic equipment and advanced equipment aught to be managed. The understanding of global positioning systems and computer software, to process the data, would have to be addressed.

CONCLUSION

There are various resources and companies waiting to assist new comers in the precision agricultural era. Using the opportunities available will result in generous and quick progress in this relative young field. The time is right for major changes in the agriculture. Profitability will be tested on a daily basis to determine if the agriculture will survive.