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SA FRUIT JOURNAL
1
DEC | JAN 2015
CONTENTS
inhoud
VO LU M E 13 | PA RT 7
Editorial 2
2014 Deciduous Fruit Industry Gala 7
Female entrepreneur awards 43
Contacts for
The art of Mutualism 8
Timing the perfect B-BBEE transaction 44
Maribelle (Lola®) to be evaluated in SA 13
2014 Industry Exposure Programme 46
SAPO Trust invests in a study tour 13
2014 AgriSETA Excellence Awards 47
publication 2
SA Fruit Journal Board
of Directors 3
Foreword 3
Spoeg ‘n pit 5
Fruitful Ideas 92
The Last Word 93
[email protected]
Printed and bound
by Paarl Media, Paarl
overview 33
Extension Briefs 53
SA Citrus Season winds down
Agtste CRI Sitrus Navorsingsimposium 56
OFOS: Omvattende sproeibemesting-
for 2014 35
optimiseringstelsel 38
Three nurserymen and a lady 42
mandarin 59
tenis tot versekering van vrugte 71
Polymer-surfactant formulation can improve
Multiknit reaches 50 years
aerial control of citrus mealybug 63
milestone 77
Lest the Industry forgets 21
Top Notch Profiles 69
Toediening in boorde:
Phytclean Project 24
Rootstocks for early nectarines in low chill
Shoot an arrow through an apple 24
region as well as plums 72
ISPM 15-vereistes vir hout verpakkingsmateriaal 27
Do shade nets ease the burn or do they burn a
Research on Track 16
Op dreef 17
Guidelines for the preparation of table
082 779 2943
in citrus trees? 48
Farm Costing Solutions 30
Santam Landbou herbevestig verbin-
Kromco wins the Tru-Cape Packhouse trophy 28
Colleen Goosen
2013/2014 SA Table Grape season
The benefits of hand thinning ‘Nadorcott’
Possible Aussie Synergies 14
SATI Breakfast Seminar 28
Design and layout by
Can silicon prevents Alternaria alternate
grapes for export 39
is jy spuitgereed? 87
Scholar®, post-harvest solution for
healthy fruit 90
hole through your pocket? 79
Why is it important to have virus free
plant material? 84
Renewed focus on bacterial blight in table grape
industry 91
Best olive oils in South Africa 41
Historic Pests 82
Philani celebrates 86
Om ‘n appeltjie te skil 88
SA VRUGTE JOERNAAL
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DES | JAN 2014
SA FRUIT JOURNAL
1
DEC | JAN 2015
REDAKTEURSBRIEF
editorial
FOREWORD
voorwoord
CHRISTA VAN ROOYEN
Editor/Redakteur | [email protected]
Luister met jou oë
The void created by the failure to communicate is soon
filled with poison, drivel and misrepresentation.
C. Northcote Parkinson
C
arnegie sê: “Daar is vier maniere, en
daarop dat die SA Vrugte Joernaal by uitstek
dagings waarteen die gedrukte media te staan
slegs vier maniere, waarop ons kontak
die voorkeur-bron van inligting vir ons lesers
kom. Die SA Vrugte Joernaal/Fruit Journal
maak met die wêreld. Ons word gereken
is. Die hoofdoel van die tydskrif is om lesers
fokus op ‘n spesifieke mark en ook op hoe om
en geklassifiseer deur dié kontakte: wat ons
in te lig oor landboudienste, diensverskaffers,
doen, hoe ons lyk, wát ons sê en hóé ons dit
sê.” Ek wil die vermoë om werklik te kan luis-
THE BOARD
JUSTIN CHADWICK
CEO - Citrus Growers' Association
safj direkteure
SA Fruit Journal - an important
communication tool
R
epresentative organisations such as the
They are generally action orientated and
ANTON RABE
shareholders of the SA Fruit Journal
would rather get on with the job than read
Executive Director,
have one task that outweighs all others –
about what the job should be. So communi-
HORTGRO
artikels en inligting toenemend op ‘n meer
communicating to their members. Almost as
cation in the written format should be short,
produkte en innovering, landbou-opleiding,
lesersvriendelike wyse, aan te bied. Ons an-
important, they need to communicate with
sharp and to the point.
nuutste navorsing, transformasie, markte
ker ons inhoud in die vrugtebedryf en is toe-
other stakeholders about things that are im-
Growers also do not like to spend a lot of
ter of inligting in te neem, hierby voeg. Kom-
en uitvoere in die vrugtebedryf. Terugvoer-
gewyd en aanpasbaar rondom die toekoms
portant for their members. George Bernard
time in meetings – listening to a lot of back-
munikasie is ‘n tweerigting-proses waardeur
ing en kommentaar van ons lesers se kant af,
in ‘n vinnig-veranderende mediawêreld. Die
Shaw once stated that “the biggest problem
ground and other peoples issues before even-
gedagtes, gevoelens, menings en/of inligting
word altyd waardeer!
SA Vrugte Joernaal/Fruit Journal bestaan in
in communication is the illusion that it has
tually getting onto their items of interest just
uitgeruil word, deur middel van spraak, skrif
Kommunikasie, of eerder ‘n gebrek
simbiose met die elektroniese media in die
taken place”. Is that not just the truth? How
is not their cup of tea. So meetings need to be
of gebare. Hoe ons ander sien, bepaal die tipe
daaraan, word dikwels voor die deur van he-
bedryf, met een gesamentlike doelwit, naam-
many times have you told somebody some-
well planned, preferably in close proximity to
kommunikasie wat gaan plaasvind en ook of
dendaagse probleme gelê. Wanneer dinge
lik om inligting oor te dra. Soms kan inligting
thing – only to learn later that they never
the grower’s farm and at a convenient time.
kommunikasie enigsins gaan plaasvind.
knew anything about it?
For us in the citrus industry this is difficult –
verkeerd loop, is dit dikwels die gevolg van of
deur die verskillende media genres gedupli-
In sy voorwoord langsaan skryf Justin
te min of swak kommunikasie. Dit impliseer
seer word. Sien dit as bevestiging van ‘n feit
Chadwick oor die belangrike rol van die SA
dat wanneer dit goed gaan, is die kommuni-
of saak, binne die vrugtemedia-ekosisteem.
Vrugte Joernaal in die oordrag van inligting
kasie in plek. Synde die enigste gedrukte me-
"Regardless of the changes in technology,
en hoe belangrik dit is om die karaktereien-
dium vir die Suid-Afrikaanse vrugtebedryf te
skappe van die gehoor wat jy wil bereik, in
ag te neem. Terugvoering in die verband dui
We have to be creative about how we
the southern African citrus industry goes from
communicate, and remember the character-
Zimbabwe in the north to Strand in the south,
istics of who we want to communicate with.
from Kakemas in the west to Nkwalini in the
the market for well-crafted messages will al-
Social media is a great communication me-
east; and all in between. Road shows to all the
wees, is die SA Vrugte Joernaal se bestaansreg
ways have an audience," says Steve Burnett.
dium – but for growers? I think not. Growers
regions once a year does keep growers in-
ononderhandelbaar, ten spyte van talle uit-
Tot volgende keer, CHRISTA
are not wont to sit around staring hour af-
formed, but means no “cross pollination” be-
ter hour at their mobile phone or computer.
tween the different regions. In March 2015 the
Those of you who have farmed or spent time
CGA plans to hold its first CGA Citrus Sum-
with farmers will know that they are the mas-
mit – to alternate every second year between
ters of multi tasking – in many cases playing
a growing region in the north and a growing
the role of mechanic, doctor, receptionist,
region in the south. Grower road shows will
human resource manager and many others
continue in the intervening years.
CONTACTS
vir publikasie
all in a working day. If they have a chance
We will rise to the challenge of keeping all
to check their social media platform once or
members informed. HORTGRO, SATI, CGA
twice a day it is a lot.
and FPEF all have their own communication
In general growers also do not like to
read a lot – give them more than a page or
two to go through and they get frustrated.
GLORIA WEARE
ELISE-MARIE STEENKAMP
HORTGRO
SATI
CRI
CGA
HORTGRO Science
Tel: 021 870 2900
Tel: 021 863 0366
Tel: 013 759 8000
Tel: 031 765 2514
Tel: 021 882 8470
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
SA VRUGTE JOERNAAL
2
DES | JAN 2014
WILLEM
BESTBIER
CEO, SATI
The SA Fruit Journal is a common and
essential communication tool for all of us.
Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum, SA Table Grape Industry and Citrus Growers’ Association.
RHOMONA GOUNDEN TIM GROUT
CEO, FPEF
strategies - and we all learn from each other.
SHAREHOLDERS: SA Apple & Pear Producers’ Association, SA Stone Fruit Producers’ Association,
RETHA LOUW
ANTON
KRUGER
SA FRUIT JOURNAL
3
DEC | JAN 2015
JUSTIN
CHADWICK
CEO, CGA
ADVERTENSIES
advertisements
spoeg ,n pit
RUBRIEK
Rommel Alom
IGNATIUS VLOK Advertising
Cell: 082 331 2127 [email protected]
HERMAN JONKER
H
SATI • SOUTH AFRICAN TABLE GRAPE
INDUSTRY
SAAPPA • SA APPLE & PEAR
PRODUCERS’ ASSOCIATION
63 Main Street, Paarl 7646
Tel: 021 863 0366 • [email protected]
Tel: 021 870 2900 • Fax: 021 870 2915
258 Main Street, Paarl • PO Box 163, Paarl, 7620
[email protected] • www.hortgro.co.za
SA FRUIT JOURNAL ISSN: 1683-4577
SASPA • SA STONE FRUIT
PRODUCERS’ ASSOCIATION
258 Main Street, Paarl • PO Box 163, Paarl, 7620
Tel: 021 870 2900 • Fax: 021 870 2915
[email protected] • www.hortgro.co.za
ier op die pragtige Bolandse dorpie waar
kus, sy oop omtes gekroon met grasieuse
ek woon het onlangs ‘n storm gewoed.
graniete, is sigbaar uitverkoop. Op special.
Articles may not be reprinted
without prior arrangement.
FPEF
FRESH PRODUCE EXPORTERS’ FORUM
SA Fruit Journal takes no responsibility
for any claims made in advertisements.
CGA • CITRUS GROWERS’
ASSOCIATION
Private Bag X5, Century City, 7441
Tel: 021 526 0474 • Fax: 021 526 0479
www.fpef.co.za
Die SA Vrugte Joernaal aanvaar geen
aanspreeklikheid vir enige aansprake wat in
advertensies gemaak word nie. 
PO Box 461, Hillcrest 3650
Tel: 031 765 2514 • Fax: 031 765 8029
[email protected] • www.cga.co.za
Maar, kan mens redeneer, dis mos maar
doek. Want nou begin advertensieborde
kranse van die berg wat oor ons waak nie,
hoe dinge rol. Dit gaan oral so. Dis hoekom
ook buite bewoonde gebiede verrys. Langs
nie brutale hael wat die blare van die boorde
die supermark sy ‘standaard’ fasade hier in
boorde, in lande, en selfs in skone natuur.
geslaan het nie, nee. ‘n Storm van protes.
ons dorpie wou kom afdwing. Nederigheid
Vir die boer is dit miskien nie so ‘n groot
Oor die estetiese.
het sy beurt gehad, deesdae moet jy harder
gedagtesprong nie want hy het self mettertyd
Die enigste winkel op die dorp was in die
praat as die ander as jy gehoor wil word.
al gewoond geraak aan grafika. Die blokke op
Werk dit?
sy plaas het immers al sigbaar naam en nom-
koop en omskep in ‘n tak van ‘n bekende su-
Wel, as jy my moet vra wat nou juis op
mer gekry, die gifstoor vertoon ‘n titel, aan-
permarkgroep. Dit sou ‘n welkome stap wees
enige van daardie borde in Vredenburg se
wysers beduie na huis / kantoor / pakstoor
wat aanbieding betref, want vir bietjie meer
hoofstraat staan, kan ek jou nie sê nie. Dis ‘n
en die res, verteenwoordigers lees hulle word
as Boxer twak en brood was ons maar ge-
bonte mengelmoes, die name en boodskappe
slegs op afspraak gesien, geen taxi’s word
woond aan ry. Maar ‘n supermark? Een van
so oor- en deurmekaar soos biljette in ‘n
toegelaat nie, besoekers moet by die kantoor
daai met vlae en neon en ‘n skel fasade?
snippermandjie.
aanmeld, en reg van toegang word voorbe-
Maar dis nie noodwendig altyd Mam-
verskil oor dinge soos die meriete van merlot
mon wat die vark in die verhaal van visuele
Inligtingsbordjies is nodig, ja. Soms selfs
en cinsault, het hande gevat en hakke inges-
versteuring is nie. Ook die owerhede is skul-
in die natuur. Maar dink net hoe gaan ons
laan: Ons soek nie die vulgêre gesig van kom-
dig.
platteland later lyk as boere, die voogde van
mersialisme in die hart van ons dorpie hier
Neem enige snelweg: Reuse borde en
ons natuur, ook nog hul groen plase beskik-
tussen die boorde en die wingerde nie! Ons
padtekens herhaal hulself, sperstrepe en
baar stel as geel bladsye. Want dis omtrent al
wil nie Las Vegas wees nie. Ons stel karakter
weerkaatsers glim helder, asof dit ‘n pad vir
waar die Babelse visuele bombardement nog
eerste.
siggestremde bestuurders is. En dan mis jy,
nie oorgeneem het nie.
wikkelaar die aftog geblaas het met sy blink
SA VRUGTE JOERNAAL
4
DES | JAN 2014
Paaie, geboue, skole, sportvelde, voertuie, vliegtuie en vullisdromme is beplak en
afrit.
Of ‘n reënerige aand op ‘n hoofroete.
beteks. Omtrent alle vorme van ontspanning
sy bene. Iemand anders het oorgeneem en
Daar’s padverleggings en verkeer en jy suk-
is deurspek daarvan. Die klere wat ons dra,
bedryf nou die verbeterde winkel agter ‘n
kel om te sien waar jy moet ry. Nie omdat
dra boodskappe. Selfs in toilette word ons
beskeie fasade wat jou groet eerder as om op
die pad nie gemerk is nie, maar omdat ‘n
geteiken.
jou te skree.
oordaad van flitsende waarskuwingsligte en
Dis jammer Vredenburg se mense het
Fairpros - International
Trade Fair Marketing
Tel +27 213007652
www.fruitlogistica.com
[email protected]
met jou 20/20 visie heel verblind, steeds jou
planne onder sy arm en sy bont stert tussen
nie dieselfde gesindheid gehad nie, val dit
in cooperation with
hou.
Hierdie gemeenskappie, wat hewig kan
Die uiteinde hiervan was dat die ont-
SAVE 15% ON YOUR SEASON TICKET,
WHEN YOU BUY IT HERE:
is.gd/FL2015
het, lyk dit my: Die landskap is ‘n vakante
Nie blitse en donder wat rammel teen die
mark en daar was sprake dat iemand dit wou
Reg. No: 2002/005974/07
Dis iets wat die letterstrooiers nou besef
weerkaatsende padtekens jou so verblind en
verwar dat jy soos ‘n mot in ‘n disco voel.
Is dit noodwendig verkeerd?
Ek weet nie. Al wat ek weet, is dat dit nou
gaan soos op ‘n partytjie waar almal al harder
my die naweek op toe ek daar deur ry op pad
Dit sou interessant wees om te weet of
praat omdat die ander al harder praat, en op
Tietiesbaai toe. Ver voor die dorp, sommer
daar inderdaad minder probleme op sulke
die ou end is dit so ‘n onuitstaanbare kabaal
nog teen die Weskuspad, staan die landskap
‘moderne’ paaie is as op die agterpaaie van
dat die hele buurt daaronder ly.
al beklad van advertensieborde. In die hoof-
Afrika. Want daar mis jy nie daardie enkele
Miskien is dit tyd dat meer mense ‘n slag
straat kompeteer handelsmerke en beletterde
betonpaaltjie met sy skilferletters wat nog
hul verblinde oë oopmaak en standpunt in-
winkelfronte so dat daar van argitektuur en
uit die ou dae dateer nie. Ook nie die stuk
neem, soos die ‘betogers’ hier op ons ou
dorpskarakter weinig te sien is. Dis bykans
karton met petrol daarop geskryf wat aan
dorpie. Want hoe is dit dat ons ‘n pamflet of
net die kerk wat onaangeraak staan deur die
‘n boom vasgebind is nie. Jy’s op die uitkyk,
‘n leë pakkie wat rondlê as rommel beskou,
gillende alfabet van Mammon. Die siel van
en ‘n mensgemaakte teken staan uit teen die
maar ‘n reuse afbeelding daarvan wat op pale
die dorp, gewortel in die karakterryke Wes-
landskap.
staan enigsins as anders?
SA FRUIT
SPOEG
JOURNAL
'N PIT
5
DEC | JAN 2015
BEDRYFSNUUS
industry news
Sagtevrugtebedryf vereer rolspelers
Tydens die prestige Sagtevrugte Gala-aand, wat gehou is op
12 September, is die volgende erkennings gegee aan die
onderstaande rolspelers vir hulle waardevolle bydrae tot die sukses van
die Sagtevrugtebedrywe en Landbounavorsingsraad, naamlik:
Piet Karsten (Snr.), Karsten Group:
(left) received the OHS Reinecke Frontrunner Award. An award for outstanding performance by an Industry Leader
in the agricultural and deciduous fruit
environment.
Dappie Smit: (regs bo) ‘n Spesiale Toekenning deur Droëvrugte
Tegniese Dienste is aan hom
gemaak deur Johannes Fourie (links) vir sy reuse bydrae
wat hy oor ‘n leeftyd in die
Droëvrugtebedryf gelewer het.
Make the most of your
harvest with the SmartFresh
Quality System.
Foodnews, an agricultural publication in the UK, received the
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the South African Deciduous
Richard Myburgh, (right)
Fruit Industry Media Reporting
Cortina Farms, Vyeboom received the
Award. Amy Booth (right) ac-
Novice Award/Entrepreneur Award. An
cepted the Award on behalf of the
Tippie Malgas, (bo) SAPO Trust:
award for a new entrant into the
Foodnews Magazine.
Sagtevrugte Plaaswerker van die Jaar.
deciduous fruit industry.
Samuel Hugo, links,
Logistieke Bestuurder,
Wydekloof, Koue
Bokkeveld: Sagtevrugte
Plaaswerker in ‘n
To learn more about SmartFresh technology, please contact:
Wehan Groenewald: + 27-82-453-4933, [email protected]
Peter Wood: + 27-82-463-2036, [email protected]
Bestuursposisie.
Researcher of the Year
2014: Dr Ian Crouch
(right), of Experico.
BEDRYFSNUUS
6
DES | JAN 2015
© 2014 AgroFresh. All rights reserved. AgroFresh is a division of Rohm and Haas Europe Trading ApS. SMARTFRESH is a trademark and service mark of AgroFresh.
INDUSTRY NEWS
7
DEC | JAN 2015
Levy
F
Dr. Mias Pretorius.
In Biology mutualism refers to the way two organisms of different species exist in a relationship
in which each individual benefits. In the deciduous fruit industry a similar relationship exists
between academia and the growers on the ground. ELISE-MARIE STEENKAMP investigates this
beneficial relationship and looks at future challenges.
Dr. Louise van Schoor.
The Art of Mutualism
rom the outside the Lombardi building in
in South Africa is not up to standard. The
The Importance of Researchers
Then another four years before you actually
Victoria Street, Stellenbosch, looks pretty
learners don’t realise how important maths
Evidence from many countries over the past
start getting results. Sometimes the indus-
much the same as all the other university
and science are. When you do get students
five decades show that investment in agricul-
try needs quick solutions but unfortunately
buildings: grey and stately. However, it hous-
that are skilled in those two subjects they
tural research and development (R&D), edu-
that’s not possible in science. There are many
es the last surviving stand-alone horticultural
prefer to become engineers or doctors, not
cation and rural infrastructure yields much
constraints in our field, due to seasonal and
science department in South Africa. At all
agriculturists.”
higher returns than other expenditures, such
crop specifics.” says Louise.
the other institutions, the horticultural de-
According to Dall there are 10 final year
partment had been downsized, or integrated
students at the Department of Horticultural
into general biology departments. This trend
is not unique to our country.
Emiritus PROF. IAN WARRINGTON,
Board member of the ISHS, said in an interview last year, that agriculture and horticulture the world over face immense pressure
as a result of reduced political influence and
little interest on the part of young people to
follow careers in land-based industries.
“The skills levels required by those working at every stage in the horticultural industry are all at higher levels than ever before.
When I was considering doing a PhD some
50 years ago, there were 20 universities in the
US I could have gone to. Now there are only
two or three that would meet those needs.”
South Africa faces the same dilemma, says
as input subsidies.
“Many studies have proven that research
has the highest ROI of any investment,” says
Science this year.
“Most of them will find work in the
various fruit industries, but too few
will end up in research.”
DR. MIAS PRETORIUS, Technical Advisor at Two-a-Day.
“The problem is that research is intangi-
sultant and industry leader who deliberately
enough human capital for the industry. As
industry. And we have to acknowledge the
starting building human capital twenty years
a consultant who works with farm managers
role that applied scientists play and the value
ago. He explains why:
he is constantly on the look-out for BScAgric
that they add - otherwise we are heading for
“When I started my own business in 1992
students to fill farm manager positions. How-
troubled waters. People are fundamentally
it soon became apparent to me that there was
ever, over the last two years he has not man-
important to the industry. Without people
a big gap between what academic researchers
aged to find one. The same is true of consult-
we don’t have an industry. And we are in
were doing and the use of that knowledge on
ants - there is too much work and not enough
crisis. For many years in agriculture many
the ground. I made it my mission to get the
consultants.
things were for free, but now it’s a different
knowledge out there on the farms.
searcher for a number of years and even tried
finding someone abroad, but without luck.
tion, in essence pay for research.”
“We regularly experience the effect of
not having the right people available.
“I think that growers do not give enough
There is a huge technical skills gap and
dustry thought leader. According to Dall the
recognition for the work that scientists
few youngsters coming in to fill the
that few regard it as a successful industry to
work in.
“We have a serious shortage of
human resources in various fields
in the industry, especially a shortage
of researchers.”
“We are not attracting black students, partly
because our basic primary education system
the processes to one another.”
weren’t for research we wouldn’t have had an
PETER DALL, technical consultant and inmain reason is agriculture’s bad image and
together so that we can explain
Dall believes that we are not generating
International, which has been looking for a re-
and researchers are doing, especially the
applied scientists. The reality is that
we as consultants
DR. LOUISE VAN SCHOOR is an agricultural scientist who recently stopped doing
would not be able
research. Louise feels that even though she has
always had positive relations with growers and
to do our work, if it
have found them “eager and willing” to imple-
weren’t for good ap-
ment new research, growers often do not un-
plied research.”
derstand the often dilatory research process.
“It takes up to one year just to establish a trial.
Peter Dall.
BEDRYFSNUUS
void. That is worrying.”
8
DES | JAN 2015
• Profit
• Investment
• Sustainable farming
• Feeding the world
HORTGRO Science
• Facilitates
• Consults
• Round Table
GDP
annually
• Stone R1,75 billion
• Pome R6,9 billion
Experential
Learning
• Uni’s
• Research Institutes
• Sustainable growth
• Development
• Knowledge economy
to get researchers and growers
TIENIE DU PREEZ is a Technical Con-
An illustration in point is Citrus Research
Farm
Gate
“I think it would be a good idea
ble and cannot be measured physically. If it
story and growers have to pay for informa-
• 644 Pome Fruit Growers
0,2% of GDP
• 984 Stone Fruit Growers
0,45% of GDP
"Incredibly little was known. Initially
people didn’t want to pay for practically applied information, but I recognised the need,
and soon especially bigger clients started realising the added value to their business and
they started asking for more. That’s how my
own business grew – suddenly the demand
was great and I could appoint other technical
staff and improve the information flow. I also
ROI
• Human Capital
• Technology
• Knowledge
Research Projects
2014/15
• Total Projects 106
(70 Pome and 36 Stone)
• New Projects 29
(15 Pome and 14 Stone)
“It is through the foresight of my predecessors that Stellenbosch University
is in this unique position as they have always strived to maintain a strong
department with close interaction with the industries it serves.
It is important to maintain this interaction as the four year academic programme
trains students for a professional career and the training therefore needs to be
very relevant to industry. The biggest danger for an academic department
is to lose senior academic staff as it takes time for younger academics
to find their feet in both academia and industry. Careful succession
planning is therefore import. Also the pressure from the University is
towards academic output and academics are not rewarded for working closely
with industry on industry related problems.”
realized that the company needed specialists
PROF KAREN THERON
on more than one discipline to supply one
SENIOR RESEARCHER AT THE HORTICULTURE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH.
stop shop technical advice.”
Tienie believes that you start every day
Human capital
with your Bible and people. “People are always
is defined as the stock of competencies, knowledge, habits, social and
number two on my list, that’s why it is critical
personality attributes, including creativity, cognitive abilities, embodied in the
that you choose the right people for the job.”
ability to perform labour so as to produce economic value.
Tienie deliberately took young people
INDUSTRY NEWS
9
DEC | JAN 2015
students that have a passion for agriculture and teach them all
about horticulture and soil science, but also about the economy
and how to manage people.” TIENIE DU PREEZ
straight from university and taught them the
ropes. “I was a soil specialist and recognised
gaps in my own knowledge base and had to
go back to university to fill that. It took me
about seven years but by that time I was confident that I had a thorough understanding
of the finer aspects of horticulture.”
According to Tienie the students produced by the US’s Horticultural Science and
Soil Science Departments have a solid knowledge base that is invaluable. “I don’t think all
the growers always appreciate and understand
how valuable the technical guys are. I put a lot
of energy and effort into training these guys
and believe we should do everything possible
to keep them in the industry. They are an investment – the industry capital – the future
leaders of the industry.
“Today most of our larger clients have
university training themselves and they understand the value that we add to the industry, but I believe about 60% of growers do
not share that perception – these guys rely on
information they get from other sources.
“To change that perception problem is
very difficult – in Afrikaans there is a saying: If you want to pick a gecko up by its
tail, the tail will break off. It’s the same with
some growers – I guess it’s a human thing.
Up to now we walked with the head and the
tail must drag along. If, however, you want
to be number one you need to have access to
expert technical information and where the
consultant also takes responsibility for the
advice given.”
“If we do not develop capacity through
research we will not have industry
leaders tomorrow. The industry
needs a constant streaming of highly
skilled young people to help us keep
Challenges
It has always been my concern that there aren’t
the competitive edge.”
enough youngsters to replace the old wood.
According to Wiehann research has three out-
When we started Farmsecure the concept was
comes, of which technological development is
to establish five or so crop divisions with each
the easiest and most tangible to measure.
division consisting of a horticulturist, an ir-
“The development of knowledge is more
rigation specialist, crop protection specialist,
difficult to measure but inevitably leads to
nutritionist and orchard planner and a team
technological development. Lastly, research
leader. We were talking of a group of about 35
leads to the development of people – the
people. We couldn’t gather those specialists –
human capital without which the industry
there aren’t enough of them.
won’t be able to survive.
“I think we are getting some things
Building Human Capital
The only solution believes PROF. WIEHANN
STEYN, Crop Production Programme Manager at HORTGRO Science, is to build human
capital. “We have to grow our own wood.” In
an effort to secure the future of the South African deciduous fruit industry, HORTGRO
Science through the funding of SAAPPA and
SASPA has invested more than R15 million
over the last ten years in “human capital” – creating on average 30 – 40 postgraduate bursaries
annually with this scheme.
right,” says Wiehann, “in that we have over
the years developed incredible human capi-
Willie Kotze.
Prof. Wiehann Steyn.
Tienie du Preez.
“If I could dream up a solution for the industry, it is to find
Some of the PhD and MSc graduates (1993-2012) that studied on projects
funded by SAAPPA and SASPA and who are working in the deciduous fruit industry.
What return do we get
for investing in people?
When we look at the Department of Horticulture at Stellenbosch University over
the last twenty years (1992 till 2012) – 13
of the PhD and 61 of the 115 MSc students
that were educated in horticultural science
studied on some or other deciduous fruit
issue. (See right) What is interesting about
our industry is that the retention rate is
high, says Wiehann. “Of the MSc’s, 69%
stayed in the deciduous fruit industry and
another 15% came over to us from other
study fields; 77% PhD’s stayed with another 20% joining our industry from other
horticultural fields.”
At HORTGRO Science the deliberate development of young people in the industry,
for the industry has paid off.
tal for the industry through the postgradu-
WILLIE KOTZE 28, until recently HORT-
ate studies that we have been funding. It is
GRO Science’s Regional Fruit Researcher,
important to maintain a strong focus on hu-
has now joined Dutoit Agri in Ceres as tech-
man capital development and to take very
nical advisor.
good care of the researchers and technical
“HORTGRO Science was a huge step-
experts in the industry. We will have to think
ping stone for me,” says Willie. “It not only
innovatively to attract more local postgradu-
helped me to develop as a person, but also
ate students and to ensure that we maintain
gave me the opportunity to develop my
applied research capacity at University, ARC
technical knowledge, my research skills and
and private research companies.”
gave me huge exposure to the industry. The
fact that I was based in Grabouw with the
PhD (1993-2012) careers N = 23
MSc (1993-2012) careers N = 114
Two-a-Day guys was extremely beneficial.
I was exposed to a broad segment of people in the industry on a day to day basis what they do and what the challenges and
problems are. Every time I jumped into the
bakkie or grabbed a coffee with someone, I
learned something new.”
Willie feels that the move to big business
came at the right time. “Previously I had one
foot in research and one foot on the ground,
now I will be given an opportunity to really
apply all that I have learnt.”
BEDRYFSNUUS
10
DES | JAN 2015
STUDENT
YEAR
CURRENT OCCUPATION
PhDs
Karen Theron
Nigel Cook
Wiehann Steyn
Elmi Lötze
Mias Pretorius
Louise van Schoor
Elke Crouch
Esmé Louw
Mariana Jooste
1993
1999
2003
2005
2006
2009
2011
2011
2012
SU Chair in preharvest horticulture
Private consultant
HORTGRO Science
HORTGRO Science/SU Horticulture (nutrition)
Two-a-Day Technical Dept. HOD
Private company (audits)
SU Horticulture (postharvest)
SU Horticulture (dormancy)
HORTGRO Science/SU Horticulture (postharvest)
MSc's
Tercia Marcos
Gert Marais
Karin van Rensburg
Petru du Plessis
Johan Coetzee
Hein Coetzee
Hannes Halgryn
Evelyn Jacobs
Pierre du Plooy
Janco Jacobs
Schalk Reynolds
Stephan du Plessis
Kobus Meintjies
Werner-Marcell Pieterse
Louis Reynolds
Stephan Marais
Hannes Laubscher
Karie Doorduin
Jorika Joubert
Graeme Krige
Waldo Maree
Tinashe Chabikwa
Nelius Kapp
Stephanie Roberts
Fhatuwani Thovoghi
Anton Gouws
Brian Makeredza
Robert Wilsdorf
David Hendricks
Willie Kotze
Prins van der Merwe
1995
1995
1995
1995
1998
1998
2000
2000
2001
2001
2001
2003
2004
2004
2004
2005
2006
2006
2007
2007
2007
2008
2008
2009
2009
2010
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
Marketing
Delecta, technical
Capespan, technical
Grower and private consultant
Agchem manager
Trucape, marketing
Monteith trust, technical manager
Grower
Private consultant
Grower
Philagro, technical manager
Delecta, export and technical
Agchem, technical
ARC breeding and evaluation
Private consultant
Nulandis, R&D
Dutoit Agri, Technical Dept HOD
Stargrow, technical
Farmsecure, technical advisor
Two-a-Day Technical Dept.
Stargrow, technical
PhD student in biotech
Private consultant
Omnia, research
Lecturer at Univ. of Venda
KROMCO, quality assurance
PhD student in horticulture at SU
Viking, technical
Nulandis, R&D
Dutoit Agri, Technical Dept
Experico, research
Swopped over to Decid. or serving various industries
Michael Schmeisser
PhD in 2010 on Leucadendron
Dawie Moelich
MSc in 1996 on veggies
Hein Punt
MSc in 1998 on citrus
Jonathan Mudzunga
MSc in 2000 on citrus
Angie Marais
MSc in 2004 on citrus
Ferdie Ungerer
MSc in 2007 on persimmon
Anton Müller
MSc in 2008 on pistachio
Giverson Mupambi
MSc in 2010 on citrus
Schalk van der Merwe
MSc in 2012 on citrus
INDUSTRY NEWS
11
DEC | JAN 2015
SU Hort Dept, snr lecturer in
ecophys and plant propagation
Experico, research
Malutifruit in Bethlehem, MD
Registrar for PGR's.
Fruitways packhouse
Redhill Nursery, technical
KROMCO Tech Dept.
PhD student in preharvest
horticulture at SU
Makhteshim Agan, technical
Maribelle (Lola®) to be evaluated in South Africa
Rudi Vos SAPO Trust, Private Bag X5023, Stellenbosch 7599
S
APO Trust recently imported an excit-
delicious apple varieties. Furthermore it is an
ing new apple variety from the Nether-
apple variety big in fruit size with an average
lands. Maribelle, with the registered brand
fruit size measuring between 75 and 85 mm
name Lola®, is a hardy apple variety which
when in full production. In addition, com-
is barely susceptible for diseases so the use
pared with other apple varieties, Lola® has an
of pesticides is greatly reduced. This variety
exceptional shelf life. Once out of cold storage,
is a result of 16 years of purely natural fruit
fruit keeps its flavour and texture for a long
refinement by lr. P. De Sonnaville from Alt-
time. The fruit shape is light conical. Expected
forst in the Netherlands. It is developed from
harvest date of Lola® is a week before Fuji in
cross breeding with (Closter x Meiprinses)
South Africa, late March to early in April.
x Elstar. Lola® is already cultivated in the
Evaluation trees of this variety have al-
Netherlands and surrounding countries with
ready been planted this winter (2014) in
more growers that are planting this exciting
all the important apple producing areas in
variety every year.
South Africa. Evaluation will commence
Lola® is not only recognised for its striking deep pink colour, but for its unforgettable
eating experience. The fruit is juicy, crunchy,
fresh and sweet, thanks to the high natural
next year to monitor how this exciting new
apple variety will do in South Africa.
For more information please contact
Rudi Vos per e-mail at [email protected]
sugar content. In recent taste tests done in
Europe, Lola® stood out as one of the most
Maribelle on tree.
SAPO Trust invests in a study tour to
Europe and Switzerland
Emcee Gagiano, SAPO Trust, Private Bag X5023, Stellenbosch 7599.
E
mcee Gagiano, the senior laboratory
SAPO Trust intends to implement these
technician at SAPO Trust laboratory, just
knowledge and experience gained from this
returned from a two week study tour to Eu-
tour into its current systems to improve the
rope and Switzerland during July 2014. She
quality of plant material. Furthermore this
visited Bioreba in Switzerland to extend her
study tour serves as a platform to correlate
knowledge about ELISA tests and kits cur-
and compare SAPO Trust laboratory services’
rently available on the market. Emcee also
with regard to the quality of testing, the meth-
visited Eurofins to study genetic fingerprint-
ods- as well as the equipment and technology
ing and Agromillora for in vitro multiplica-
being used in other laboratories worldwide.
tion, both in Spain and NAK Tuinbouw’s
Test centre, laboratory and Vermeerderingstuinen in the Netherlands.
BEDRYFSNUUS
12
DES | JAN 2015
Miss Gagiano doing cleft grafting after virus
elimination at NAK Tuinbouw test centre.
INDUSTRY NEWS
13
DEC | JAN 2015
ON TOUR DOWN UNDER:
Possible Aussie Synergies - Exciting
Four South Africans and Prof Luca Corelli-Grappadelli of Bologna University in Italy,
toured through the main fruit producing regions near Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia.
HORTGRO Science Crop Production Manager, Prof Wiehann Steyn, shared his thoughts with
Elise-Marie Steenkamp. Prof Karen Theron, from the US, Anton Müller, KROMCO technical advisor
and Dr Piet Stassen, ARC researcher were also part of the group.
“T
he main aim of our visit was to network,
again all orchards were netted.
Photos: Wiehann Steyn
modernise their industry and improve their
Prof. Karen Theron, US researcher, and An-
On tour … in front of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry at Stanthorpe,
survey the Aussie apple industry and
“Saunders and his brothers are shifting the
use of technology in fruit orchards. Their
ton Müller, technical advisor at Kromco, in
Queensland, Australia; in the back row: Dr Piet Stassen, from the ARC; Profs Luca
evaluate their progress to date; we were also
boundaries of high density apple farming and
challenge was to lower production costs,
conversation with Kevin “Colonel” Sanders,
Corelli-Grappadelli, University of Bologna; Wiehann Steyn, HORTGRO Science and Karen
on the look-out for possible synergies – and
he has his own nursery that produces large,
whilst improving production and quality. It
a Yarra Valley apple grower and Vice-Chair
Theron, Dept. of Horticultural Science at SU, Anton Müller,technical advisor KROMCO and
found many,” said Wiehann.
branched trees on M9 rootstock. He believes
seems as if they have been quite successful.
of Apple and Pear Australia Ltd.
Simon Middleton, Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The first day of their tour was spent at
nursery tree quality is vital and non-negotiable
• The Aussie breeding programmes are im-
In the front: Dr Heidi Parks, Alan McWaters and Osi Tabing, all from the Queensland
Stanthorpe (about 3 hours west of Brisbane)
for orchard success. He started his own nurs-
pressive. Not only were the Western Austral-
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
on invitation by Dr Heidi Parks, a horticultur-
ery, because commercial nurseries did not de-
ia breeding programme responsible for Pink
al scientist from the Queensland Department
liver the standard of tree that he needs.”
Lady, but they have just come up with a new
Apple farming in Australia is an expen-
“Black Apple” that still needs to be named.
“We visited several orchards and had dis-
sive business. Establishment costs are around
Another new, scab-resistant variety, Kaylee,
cussions with researchers from Applethorpe
R800 000/ha and operational costs are ex-
is the product of the Queensland breeding
Research Station about their work. All the
pensive with R350/hour as the minimum la-
programme.
orchards in this area - that reminded me of
bour wage. This is why they focus heavily on
• They focus a lot on developing precision
the Highveld - are netted, due to regular hail
mechanisation and automatisation as research
tools for agriculture, because labour is so ex-
storms. We saw high density orchards using
priorities. They have a lot of hail and netting
pensive.
M9 or M26 rootstocks despite relatively me-
is everywhere and is not as expensive as in
• They did a lot of research on netting – they
diocre soil. Climate change and dormancy
South Africa, because they have access to a lot
don’t have a choice due to sunburn, hail and
are some of their main research priorities.”
of wood and poles are cheap. Despite the high
pests such as parrots and flying foxes.
The group then travelled to Melbourne,
establishment and operational costs, growers
• Their research is also focusing on the im-
Victoria, as guests of Kevin “Colonel” Saun-
can break even after 5 to 6 years. This is be-
pacts of climate change and their situation is
ders – a leading figure in the Aussie apple
cause local supermarkets by-and-large only
similar to ours. There are great opportunities
industry.
sell Australian apples, said Wiehann.
for possible collaborations, especially on irri-
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
“We visited the Tatura Research Station
What we saw:
Industries at Shepparton where we met with
• A lot of two-dimensional fruit walls on
of Horticultural Sciences, has already made
researchers including: Dr Ian Goodwin (irri-
dwarfing rootstocks, M9 in particular – which
contact with Australian colleagues; exploring
gation needs of apples); Dr Mark O’Connell
makes spraying more effective, are “labour-
possible research collaborations on dorman-
(spatial technology and precision manage-
friendly” and ideal for mechanisation. These
cy). “I also strongly believe that we should
ment of orchards); and Dr Rebecca Darby-
structures are relatively simple and makes for
focus research into the development of ena-
shire (climate change predictions). There is
good light distribution. We complain about
bling technologies that will allow us to adapt
great potential for collaboration with these
the low productivity of our labour force, yet
to future adverse climatic conditions (i.e.,
researchers.”
our trees are much more complex than those
lack of winter chill, heat waves, increasing
we saw in Australia.
frequency of severe weather events, decreas-
Yarra-valley, south-east of Melbourne, where
• We also learned a lot about the Future Or-
ing access to irrigation water). Otherwise our
'Colonel Saunders' showed them his farm –
chards programme and how they used it to
goose will be cooked.”
BEDRYFSNUUS
Kromco, and Dr Piet Stassen from the ARC,
inspecting a netted orchard in Victoria.
Left and under: Examples of netted orchards
in Australia.
Prof. Karen Theron, senior navorser by
die Departement Hortologie aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, gee haar indrukke:
“Hulle lê baie klem op klimaatsverandering en die impak wat dit op hul produksiesisteme gaan hê.
Só, doen hulle byvoorbeeld baie werk oor
die impak van nette op boorde. Plat nette vs
gegewelde nette. Weens klimaatstoestande
het hulle amper nie meer ‘n keuse nie en
gation, dormancy and fruit quality. (Dr Esmé
of the Dept. of Environment and Primary
On the last day, the group visited the
Far left: Anton Müller, technical advisor at
dit is ‘n konstruksietema wat al outomaties
Louw, researcher from the US Department
14
DES | JAN 2015
deel is van nuwe aanplantings. Hulle persepsie oor boomkwaliteit was ook interessant.
Hulle sukkel blykbaar om geskikte bome uit
hul kwekerye te kry, wat sommige produsente daartoe noop om self hul eie bome te
kweek.
Weens swak grondkwaliteit soek hulle
natuurlik groeikragtige onderstamme soos
M9’s en M26’s .
Die Aussies se produksie aspekte is hoogs
gemeganiseerd en hulle boorde is ook uiters
verbruikervriendelik.”
INDUSTRY NEWS
15
DEC | JAN 2015
VERVOLG OP BLADSY 18.