Grasland50
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GRASLAND ’ S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS KICKS OFF AT NATION IN CONVERSATION AT NAMPO HARVEST DAY 2017 .
Grasland , the country ’ s leading agricultural lime producing company celebrates its 50th birthday this year , with ongoing events culminating in November , the company ’ s birthday month . Managing Director , Etienne Schoeman , got the party started with a special closed session of Nation in Conversation recorded live at the Nampo Harvest Day in Bothaville .
Nation in Conversation anchor , Theo Vorster , hosted a panel with Etienne Schoeman , the Chief Executive Officer of Fertasa ( Fertiliser Association of Southern Africa ), Dr Pieter Hauman and Martiens du Plessis of NWK Agiculture Management Services .
Etienne announced that the company would engage in various activities to mark their half-century and that the closed recording would be shared with exclusive stakeholders and clients .
Etienne said that the main reason for the existence of the company was to address soil acidity . “ Soil acidity is a big problem ; it has been proven to be one of the single biggest causes of lower yields .”
Pieter added that soil acidification was a natural process which occurred due to the dilution and run-off of calcium and magnesium due to rain . The addition of fertiliser , which forms nitrates , also affects the acid levels in soil . To rectify this situation , lime needs to be applied to the soil .
Pieter said that to mine and supply lime , the company had to be registered . “ The industry is regulated . To be effective the lime must be of a particular quality .”
Etienne said Grasland owned its own resources . “ We have no take-off agreements , we operate with valid licenses and have to comply with the health and safety acts which applies to the mining sector .”
Martiens said the lack of lime applications was causing a deterioration of soil health . “ It ’ s getting worse because the producer is under more pressure financially and purchasing lime is not at the top of his input supply list .”
Etienne made the point that the application of agricultural lime should be done once every three years . “ It ’ s been proven that the improvement in yield through improved root systems and the overall improvement effects of lime actually mean that the process pays for itself in year one .”
The discussion continued on a very technical and scientific level . However consensus was reached that agricultural lime was a vital
Grasland celebrated their 50th anniversary during the 2017 Nampo Harvest Day ! Grasland managing director , Etienne Schoeman , was part of the panel discussions at the 50th celebrations with Esmond Coen ( Grasland Marketer – Product Manager ) who welcomed the audience .
ingredient in producing greater yields . Dr Hauman ended the session with the Fertasa Handbook which , according to the Fertasa website , was “ primarily written for persons who are involved in some way or another in a fertiliser advisory capacity . It is not intended to be a complete technical handbook , but rather a concise presentation covering a wide range of topics . For this reason , interested farmers and students will also find it to be a useful guide . It is prescribed as part of the agricultural curriculum at some Technikons and Universities in South Africa .”
The book is available for purchase from the Fertasa website at www . fertasa . co . za .
SENWES Scenario • JUN / JUL 2017 37