Features | Agricultural Engineering

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Agriculture Engineering

Scan offers predictive maintenance visibility

By: Natasha Odendaal 1st May 2020 Motors and controls manufacturer Zest WEG is expanding its WEG Motor Scan product in South Africa to incorporate Gateway – a game-changing solution that could help farmers further leverage the Fourth Industrial Revolution. WEG Motor Scan entered South Africa’s market late in 2018, equipping... →

Good agricultural sales expected post lockdown

By: Darren Parker 1st May 2020 The outbreak of Covid-19 and the consequent initial 21-day national lockdown in South Africa, which has since been extended by two weeks, caused a slowdown in sales for almost every sector in South Africa, including the agricultural sector. Despite the lull, Pratley marketing director Eldon... →

DON’T BLOW A GASKET The new room temperature vulcanising silicone gasket maker compound is temperature resistant from -50 ºC to 300 ºC for short periods

Farmers urged to de-silt dams before dry season

1st May 2020 As the dry season approaches in many parts of South Africa, farmers need to ensure that silt is not limiting the volume of water that they can store, says specialist pump rental company Integrated Pump Rental MD Lee Vine. He notes that the progressive build-up of silt means that dams and ponds in... →

SUCK JOB A fit-for-purpose dewatering solution from Integrated Pump Rental is successfully desilting farm dams

Accelerated business activity could follow lockdown slowdown

By: Darren Parker 1st May 2020 Following a “drastic” slowdown in sales, rentals and aftermarket support in the agriculture sector during the Covid-19 lockdown in South Africa, equipment supplier Goscor Earthmoving (GEM) national sales manager Kevin Purcell expects that business will either return to normal in the sector once... →

AN ALLY IN THE TRENCHES The SY210 has many applications in agriculture

Promising research progress on agrimats

By: Darren Parker 9th August 2019 Research is under way on new technology that aims to convert algae and any other biomass waste, such as bagasse, into organic fertiliser mats, or agrimats, Agricultural Research Council (ARC) senior researcher Dr Khumbulani Dhavu tells Engineering News. The agrimats are manufactured by pressing... →

MULCH PROGRESS BEING MADE The agrimats research project is testing the viability of sustainable organic mulch mat production for commercial use

Solar-powered irrigation requires greater subsidisation

By: Darren Parker 9th August 2019 The high initial capital expenditure required for solar-powered irrigation systems (SPISes) makes it mostly an unviable option for small-scale farmers in South Africa, unless they receive heavy subsidisation, according to International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage president Felix... →

POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Solar-powered irrigation could provide a low-running-cost solution for farmers who have no access to grid power

ICID president Felix Reinders discusses South Africa’s role in international irrigation concerns.

Ultrasonic dripline cleaner commercialised

By: Darren Parker 9th August 2019 Irrigation systems manufacturer Senter360 has partnered with local inventor and farmer Leon Lingnau to bring his proprietary ultrasonic dripline cleaning system Greendrum to the market on a commercial scale. The first co-manufactured unit was sold at this year’s NAMPO Harvest Day, in the Free... →

SOUND TECHNOLOGY The Greendrum device can effectively clean driplines without the need for chemicals

Agriculture sector driven to spend more upfront on innovation

By: Darren Parker 9th August 2019 Amid current economic pressure, high energy costs and power grid uncertainty, the agriculture sector in South Africa is starting to favour higher capital expenditure on advanced technology because of the resulting long-term reductions in operating costs, says drive engineering company... →

WILLEM STRYDOM
SEW-Eurodrive helps clients understand where they can save on energy efficiency

SEW-Eurodrive sales manager Willem Strydom discusses the motors supplied to the 100 t/h Free State feed mill.

App monitors spread of FAW in Africa

By: Erin Steenhoff-Snethlage 10th August 2018 The Fall Armyworm Monitoring and Early Warning System (FAMEWS) application (app) can save 300-million people in Africa from food insecurity and prevent significant economic losses in maize of up to $4.8-billion, caused by the infestation of the fall armyworm (FAW), says Food and Agriculture... →

Photo by Bloomberg
PEST ARMY The invasion of the fall armyworm is threatening the food security of 300-million people in Africa

OLI South Africa

10th August 2018 As the world’s top-selling electric and pneumatic vibrator manufacturer, OLI guarantees a high level of customer service through its 19 OLI trading subsidiaries, 36 warehouses and five manufacturing plants worldwide. OLI vibrator motors are distributed in South Africa by the company’s local... →

SBS Tanks

10th August 2018 A proudly South African company, SBS Tanks manufactures premium- quality water-storage solutions and water tanks from durable, long-lasting Zincalume. With over 20 years experience, SBS Tanks provides expert assistance to a multitude of industrial, municipal, fast-moving consumer goods and... →

Irrigation system reduces water use in orchards by 70%

By: Erin Steenhoff-Snethlage 10th August 2018 Louirrigate’s micro drip irrigation system, Tree Hog, can reduce farmers’ water use by up to 70% in orchards, and save up to 70% of energy costs, claims Tree Hog designer and Louirrigate owner Louis Loubser, who is a wine and fruit farmer in Robertson, Western Cape. The Tree Hog system is... →

WATER CONSERVATION The Tree Hog can reduce water consumption by up to 70%

W Cape focusing on creating certainty in agriculture sector

By: Erin Steenhoff-Snethlage 10th August 2018 The Western Cape provincial government is focusing on creating certainty for the agriculture industry by trying to ensure that farmers can continue farming and save jobs by requesting an increase in the water allocation to the industry from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), says... →

CERTAINTY NEEDED Farmers are positive about recent rains in the Western Cape, but more rain is needed to sustain recovery efforts

South Africa has significant potential for biopharming, bio economy

By: Erin Steenhoff-Snethlage 10th August 2018 Judging by the number of patent applications filed for biopharming inventions by local universities, research councils and science councils, there is significant potential for South Africa to create an industry around biopharming, claims intellectual property firm Spoor & Fisher. “Biopharming is... →

Photo by Bloomberg
BIOPHARMING POTENTIAL Maize, potato, and tobacco plants can be used in biopharming

Omron focusing on aiding farmers

10th August 2018 Since early 2017, Japanese electronics company Omron has focused on providing solutions for the agricultural industry’s demand for technology and automation with the SX series of compact inverters, which is well suited for pumping applications, namely irrigation, that require smooth flow and... →

South African farmers face tough road to recovery

By: Erin Steenhoff-Snethlage 10th August 2018 Local orchards and vineyards could take between five and seven years to fully recover from the recent drought, provided there is average or above-average rainfall for three consecutive years, says agriculture industry association Agri SA head of natural resources Janse Rabie. “Because of the... →

Photo by Reuters
ROAD TO RECOVERY Drought stricken regions in South Africa need three years of significant rainfall to recover

Western Cape’s agricultural growth to drive economy

By: Robyn Wilkinson 11th August 2017 Supported by the Western Cape government’s strategic initiatives to help farmers grow their crops – and their market share – the province’s official tourism, trade and investment agency Wesgro has successfully committed investments in the Western Cape agricultural sector of R1.56-billion over the... →

UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT The Western Cape plays a key role in South Africa’s agricultural sector, with a unique rainfall pattern allowing for a mixture of agricultural activities

Photo by Bloomberg
UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT The Western Cape plays a key role in South Africa’s agricultural sector, with a unique rainfall pattern allowing for a mixture of agricultural activities

Small farms an economical option in South Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 11th August 2017 While many medium-sized farms have been unable to weather the challenges facing the South African agricultural industry and have consequently been absorbed by larger commercial farms, smaller farmers are proving that it is possible to generate a sustainable income from a modest operation through... →

MAXIMUM BENEFIT Hinomoto’s small-scale tractors ensure that farmland is used in the most efficient way possible, maximising yield sizes

Agricultural irrigation efficiency framework improves water use

By: Robyn Wilkinson 11th August 2017 Through intensive research, the Agricultural Research Council’s Institute for Agricultural Engineering has developed a framework to improve water efficiency in agricultural irrigation systems in South Africa, which reassesses the methods traditionally used to measure a system’s efficiency and... →

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT With effective water management and good subsurface drainage, soil health conditions can be created for irrigation farming to assist with food security in South Africa

Creative farming methods ensure sustainability

By: Robyn Wilkinson 11th August 2017 Amid extreme weather, regulatory barriers and import competition, South African farmers need to think creatively about farming practices – not only to reduce costs but also preserve an environment that is struggling under the pressures of a growing global population, says agriculture... →

PLANT PROTECTION Haygrove’s multispan polytunnel structure provides a controlled environment for the aquaponic and hydroponic systems

Versatile UTV use prompts increased marketing

By: Victor Moolman 11th August 2017 Equipment supplier Maubra – which supplies the products of equipment manufacturer Kubota to South Africa – has increased marketing efforts regarding the RTV-X900 utility vehicle (UTV) by placing more advertisements with printed media, increasing social media awareness of the UTV and approaching... →

Equipment drives farming sustainability

By: Robyn Wilkinson 11th August 2017 Forward-thinking livestock farmers who are willing to embrace the use of new equipment in their operations will forge a way forward amid the economic and ecological hardships facing South Africa’s agricultural industry, says Johannesburg-based industrial equipment provider Vermeer Equipment... →

BETTER FEED The Vermeer R2300 basket rake ensures a cleaner forage, increasing the production value of dairy and beef cattle

Stakeholder support integral to urban farming in S Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 11th August 2017 While the appetite for urban farming exists in South Africa, more needs to be done to motivate stakeholders from both the private and public sectors to play a role in creating and growing successful projects that can be translated into sustainable investments, say engineering and infrastructure... →

MODERN FARMING
Wheat grass and other leafy greens are being grown in vertical farming units in China created out of retrofitted shipping containers

Photo by Bloomberg
MODERN FARMING Wheat grass and other leafy greens are being grown in vertical farming units in China created out of retrofitted shipping containers

Wine farm has its ducks in a row

By: Simon Sonnekus 5th August 2016 About 1 000 Indian runner ducks have been employed by Stellenbosch-based wine farm Vergnoegd Wine Estate to eradicate white dune snails and other insects which inhabit and feed on the vines in the vineyard. According to Vergenoegd winemaker and viticulturist, Marlize Jacobs, the ducks – which... →

DUCK ARMY Around 1 000 Indian Runner ducks have been employed to eradicate the white dune snail population at Vergenoegd Wine farm in Stellenbosch

Partnership expands range for sector

By: Simon Sonnekus 5th August 2016 South Africa-based fertiliser company Advanced Agri has expanded its fertiliser range by introducing two specialised products for various farming disciplines. According to Advanced Agri director Frank Winder, the EcoCal range for crop farmers and Graze range for livestock farmers are... →

SA farmers hope for enough rain after winter

By: Simon Sonnekus 5th August 2016 The next five months and the following planting season will be critical for farmers who have been affected by the devastating drought which crippled the agriculture sector recently. According to agricultural organisation AgriSA CEO Omri van Zyl, farmers need to see out the winter and hope for... →

Algae-free irrigation systems to save money for farmers

By: Simon Sonnekus 5th August 2016 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has estimated the rand value of the impact of algae pollution in the Berg river, near Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape. The calculation enables farmers to compare different ways of managing the problem in the area. A ‘Water SA’ report... →

Commercial bank speculates about the future of agriculture

By: Kimberley Smuts 7th August 2015 While the future of the agriculture sector is often debated at farmers’ conventions, during general council meetings, in the media and in the political arena, it is now becoming a pertinent topic among investors and agriculture companies says First National Bank (FNB) agriculture marketing and... →

AGRICULTURE SECTOR DEBATED Agriculture contributes 2.4% to the gross domestic product, which makes it the smallest economic sector in South Africa

Industry body emphasises the benefits of effective water storage

By: Kimberley Smuts 7th August 2015 Local authorities need to realise that even small concrete water reservoirs, if strategically placed, can play a vital role in sustaining struggling rural communities, avers cement and concrete industry technical services provider The Concrete Institute (TCI) MD Bryan Perrie. He tells Engineering... →

EFFECTIVE WATER STORAGE Reservoirs provide many benefits, including sufficient water supply, floodwater control, power generation capacity, irrigation and recreational use

Amendments to PBR Act imminent

By: Kimberley Smuts 7th August 2015 Following Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana’s January announcement that he intended to introduce the Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) Bill in the National Assembly, public hearings were held in Parliament in May to discuss the amendments required for the PBR Amendment Bill.... →

SUBSISTENCE FARMERS PROTECTED
The intention of farmers’ privilege is to protect subsistence farmers from having to buy seed every year

Photo by Bloomberg
SUBSISTENCE FARMERS PROTECTED The intention of farmers’ privilege is to protect subsistence farmers from having to buy seed every year

Improved connectivity for management solution benefits agribusiness

By: Kimberley Smuts 7th August 2015 Farmers can share crop information and continuously monitor and fine-tune their production process throughout the growing season using the information provided by connected devices, such as smartphones and tablets, says arable agriculture yield management systems provider Dacom. To support... →

SPECIALISED HARDWARE SUPPLIED Dacom develops and supplies specialised hardware, software and online advisory services to arable farms and global agribusiness

Africa should prioritise quality food production

By: Kimberley Smuts 7th August 2015 Agriculture remains the key sector in Africa for food security, employment and growth with agriculture-led growth having the largest impact on reducing the depth and breadth of poverty. Ensuring that the world has enough to eat is a massive challenge. The United Nations Food and Agriculture... →

FUNDAMENTALS OF AGRICULTURE The effective and sustainable intensification of agriculture is paramount in eliminating hunger and increasing the continent’s food security

Relaunch of pesticide system aimed to support agriculture sector

By: Kimberley Smuts 7th August 2015 Asset management solutions provider QCIC relaunched its Qic-Sur telemetry pesticide system earlier this year, which enables remote control monitoring of pesticides for the fruit, vegetable and wine industries. The product relaunch forms part of QCIC’s aim to hone in on the needs of the... →

QIC-SUR TELEMETRY PESTICIDE SYSTEM This solution enables remote control monitoring of pesticides for the fruit, vegetable and wine industries

Welding specialist opens Bloemfontein branch

By: Kimberley Smuts 7th August 2015 In response to a growing demand in the Free State, Northern Cape and Lesotho for quality, affordable industrial equipment to rent or buy, Southern Africa welding and construction-related equipment supplier Renttech South Africa (SA) opened its new branch in Bloemfontein in April. The new branch... →

RESPONSE TO GROWING DEMAND Renttech South Africa generators are manufactured by handpicked ISO-accredited suppliers in China

New facility ensures correct seed treatment

By: David Oliveira 8th August 2014 Sustainable agriculture company Syngenta’s Africa Middle East Seedcare Institute, in Brits, focuses on new application technology, ensuring that seed treatments provide an effective way of placing crop protection products directly onto the seeds, Syngenta seed care technology manager Wayne van... →

AFRICA’S FIRST SEEDCARE INSTITUTE Syngenta’s Wayne van Rensburg (far right) addresses the media and stakeholders during a walk-through visit at the new Syngenta Seedcare Institute, in Brits

Photo by Magna Carta
AFRICA’S FIRST SEEDCARE INSTITUTE Syngenta’s Wayne van Rensburg (far right) addresses the media and stakeholders during a walk-through visit at the new Syngenta Seedcare Institute, in Brits

Company has own stand at Nampo

By: David Oliveira 8th August 2014 Technology supplier SKF South Africa displayed its agricultural solutions for the first time at its own stand at this year’s Nampo agricultural trade show, which was held in Bothaville, in the Free State, from May 13 to 16. SKF agriculture key accounts manager Charl Engelbrecht notes that the... →

MAINTENANCE-FREE SKF’s Agri Hub (top) and Agri Hub 1 maintenance-free bearings were on display at this year’s Nampo agricultural trade show

Photo by Laverick Media Communications
MAINTENANCE-FREE SKF’s Agri Hub (top) and Agri Hub 1 maintenance-free bearings were on display at this year’s Nampo agricultural trade show

Sugar industry leader participates in water study

By: David Oliveira 8th August 2014 Multidisciplinary engineering and design consulting firm WSP Africa’s environment and energy business unit completed a water use quantification project in May, which assessed the use and management of water at each of the agricultural and industrial operations of a major producer in the Southern... →

Photo by Orange Ink
SWEET SCIENCE WSP completed a water use quantification project for a major sugar producer in May

Equipment manufacturer wants larger stand at Nampo 2015

By: David Oliveira 8th August 2014 Global construction equipment and compact machinery manufacturer Wacker Neuson plans to further expand its stand at next year’s Nampo agricultural trade show, which will be located in the middle of the new expanded area, close to the southern gate. Wacker Neuson was allocated its largest stand,... →

WACKER NEUSON 1150 WHEEL LOADER The Wacker Neuson 1150 wheel loader makes light work of applications requiring an overload height of more than 3 m

Photo by Laverick Media Communications
WACKER NEUSON 1150 WHEEL LOADER The Wacker Neuson 1150 wheel loader makes light work of applications requiring an overload height of more than 3 m

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