NEWS
A few Senwes highlights since
2015
2015-2016
Increased appetite for high probability
trading was implemented. Increased client
focus with Basislink, an online trading
platform of Senwes Grainlink, created
additional functionality for producers to
enable them to offer their grain for sale to
Senwes’ grain procurers. The Graintech
project enables Senwes Grainlink to
take in grain with a higher than normal
moisture content without any drying costs
or increased operational risks.
2016-2017
The Graintech project to take grain in
earlier was launched in 2017, with 40%
of the crop being received under the
new advanced conditions. The first solar
power energy system was installed at
Hennenman silo with an expected energy
saving of 450 000 kWh per annum.
Successful roll-out of the Senwes loyalty
scheme, AgriRewards, with Senwes
Grainlink clients benefitting therefrom.
2018
Senwes Grainlink receives the second
largest summer crop in history. The yield
per hectare for maize was 6,39 t/ha on
average. The yield was 3 396 258 tons
compared to 3 625 045 tons in 1981/1982.
Tradevantage successfully renewed the
Meadows contract. Senwes upgraded
its Makokskraal silo to improve service
delivery
2019
Senwes currently has 68 silos with a total
capacity of around 4,8 million tons.
An indication of the year during which
each silo was erected is provided below
(some were erected during the silo-
building plan which is discussed below):
The silo-building program
1940’s and 1950’s
Did you know that due to the high costs
involved in the handling of grain in
bags, as well as the shortage of grain
bags during the late 1940's and early
1950's, producers, grain traders, millers
and the various grain boards requested
Government to encourage the erection
of grain silos and/or to convert existing
storage facilities for bulk handling of such
products. This resulted in a long-term loan
scheme for the erection of grain silos and
bulk stores that was announced by the
Minister of Agriculture in parliament on 12
February 1952. The scheme entailed that
long-term loans would be made available
through the Land and Agricultural Bank
to co-operatives, traders and millers
for the above-mentioned purpose. A
co-ordination committee, the Grain Silo
Committee, was appointed to supervise
the execution of the scheme.
Schuttesdraai - silo
Role of the Grain Silo Committee
Did you know? The Grain Silo Committee
consisted of four representatives from the
Department of Agricultural Economics and
Marketing, and one each from the Maize
Board, Wheat Board, Oilseeds Board and
Sorghum Board. An engineer from the
Department of Agricultural Engineering
assisted the committee on technical
matters.
Kroonstad - silo
Did you know? Anybody could apply
for a permit. Permits were issued to
several private millers and entrepreneurs
like the Bruwers at Wesselsbron as well
as the Senekals and Allem Brothers at
Viljoenskroon.
Role of the co-operatives
Few people know that the first silo in the
world with a larger diameter and lower
height was built by a co-operative in
South Africa. This design soon became
the standard for grain silos internationally,
because it drastically reduced the cost of
construction, increased storage capacity
and reduced impact damage to the grain.
Bultfontein - silo
Welkom - silo
Ownership of silos
Silos belong to the owner who takes the
initiative and/or the risk to acquire or erect
them - even if he has to borrow money
to do this. Why? Because the silos have
been erected on property which belongs
to the co-operatives and co-operatives
took the initiative and the risk to erect the
silos.
*Used inputs as illustrated from Maize
in South Africa by AR Saunders, Time
cultivates winners, Senwes – A century
of agriculture, as well as Dr C L Wentzel,
North West Co-operative, Lichtenburg and
Mielieraad 1935-1985.
Odendaalsrus - silo
SENWES SCENARIO | AUTUMN 2019
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