Senwes Scenario April / Mei 2019 | Page 19

NUUS | 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. 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. Schuttesdraai - silo 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 | HERFS • AUTUMN 2019 17