Cropping
Canola production in
South Africa
Farmer's Review Africa speaks to Ricky
The crop has been earmarked as a
According to Rick Horbury, there has
Horbury, Technical Advisor at Bayer
development crop for South Africa, as
been an increase in disease, and it can
CropScience, Australia and Dick Uys,
the country remains a net importer of
take away half a ton away of the crop.
Head of Marketing at Bayer
plant oils and oilcake, to the tune of
The type of diseases prevalent in both
CropScience South Africa about the
70% per annum. While canola crop in
countries include sclerotinia, blackleg,
challenges affecting Canola production
and how South Africa can advance
canola production.
South Africa's canola production has
increased significantly over the past
two decades, and the area planted has
risen over the years and currently
stands at 71 050ha, with canola
production increasing to 93 000 tons
during the 2015/16 season, states
Dick Uys.
Canola crop across the world is a
summer crop while in South Africa it is
a winter crop, mainly grown in the
Western Cape. It is produced in cool
weather conditions, and the optimum
temperature for growth and
production is 21˚c. Temperatures
below 10
o
c result in progressively
poorer germination and emergence.
Lower temperature impair protein
production needed for germination
and early seedling development.
H o w e ve r, g l o b a l l y t h e w e a t h e r
patterns has had a negative impact of
the canola production of the crop.
July - August 2016
Australia is produced in the Western
seedling blight, white leaf blister,
Australia, mainly for export to Asia
downy mildew, they all contribute to
especially the Chinese market, but
reductions in the potential yield. It is
there are lot of similarities between
therefore critical to be pro-active in
the two countries and more lessons
coming up with proper management
can be shared by the two countries in
strategies to overcome the diseases
order to best understand the crop,
affecting the canola crop. Australia has
explains Ricky Horbury.
developed canola protection plan which
The economics of production of canola
can help South Africa in developing its
is a major concern to all producers
own canola protection.
across the globe, and the challenges
In addition, it is important to continue
affecting canola production are similar
the promotion of reasonable rotations
for both countries, therefore it is key
for canola fields. Canola offers great
for producers to better understand the
benefits as a rotation crop especially
crop in order to make better
with wheat, as it causes an increase in
management decisions, further
the yields of the subsequent cereal
explains Ricky Horbury.
crops. Additional benefits of a crop
Some of the key constraints that
rotation systems includes the reduction
impact the canola yield production,
in disease; more effective weed
include low growing season
control; improved root system;
precipitation, variety availability,
planters and harvesters that are used
optimum plant density, fertility as well
more effectively as well as better
as the disease and insects, and all
distribution of the financial risk.
All in all, following the recommended
one-in-three to four year canola
rotation can provide better yields with
reduced risk for all crops in the rotation.
these need to be solved, including the
correct planting date, and weed
control programme.
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