Senwes Scenario October / November 2017 | Page 16

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TRADE NEWS

It is time to PLANT

WINTER IS SOMETHING OF THE PAST AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE COMING SUM- MER SEASON . TIME WILL TELL HOW THE SEASON WILL PROGRESS , BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO START IN THE RIGHT WAY . IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO RECTIFY MISTAKES MADE BEFORE OR DURING THE PLANT- ING PROCESS .
GERRIT OOSTHUIZEN ments been made ?
• Is the yield potential of the different fields / zones known ?
• Should low potential fields not be withdrawn from the cash crop production process ?
• What is the soil water status of the different fields ? Wetter fields can be planted first , while dryer fields can be left to receive more rain before planting . A soil drill is handy to check the soil water status of the soil profile .
PRECISION FARMING In previous editions of Senwes Scenario , we reported extensively on precision farming and what it entails , so we will not repeat it .
CULTIVAR CHOICE Seed suppliers offer a large variety of cultivars - make sure that the cultivar ( s ) which you choose , have been adjusted for the area concerned and for yield poten­
SOIL
• Have the fields been mapped - physically and chemically ?
• Have the necessary adjusttial . Make use of the MAIZE INFORMATION GUIDE ( MIG ) issued annually by the ARC Institute for Grain Crops to make an informed decision . Should “ new ” cultivars be considered , test it on a limited scale first . In order to limit risk , it would be good to use a cultivar package .
PLANTING DATE Planting date is an important aspect in respect of successful crop cultivation . The soil temperature should for instance be above 15 ° C before maize is planted and the ideal soil temperature is 18 ° C . At temperatures lower than 10 ° C , maize will not germinate . Planting dates should , if possible , be adjusted to ensure that maize is not in the flowering stage during a possible mid-summer drought .
Sunflower germinates at 4 ° C , but optimal germination and development take place at soil temperatures of between 12 ° C
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OCT / NOV 2017 • SENWES Scenario