– Natasha Pretorius, ProAgri
Searching for an irrigation system that delivers maximum production and uses the least amount of energy, the Steenkamp brothers from SKS Boerdery in Middelburg did not have to look further than the industry leader in irrigation, Agrico.
Through collaboration with the company, they managed to find a cost-effective and reliable solution that caters to all their irrigation needs.
SKS Boerdery was established in the nineties and over the years all three of the Steenkamp brothers joined the family farm. They mainly farm with grains and have a feedlot for their commercial livestock.
Polla Steenkamp explains that they first did their homework, because they were looking for a modern irrigation system. They realised that Agrico is the current leaders in terms of technology and design. Their modern systems coupled with antitheft properties, convinced them that this was the best solution for them.
“In the end there was no other choice for us than Agrico,” says Polla. Willie Cilliers, Branch Manager of Agrico Ermelo explained that Polla reached out to them for an irrigation system because they could not accomplish optimal crop yields with dry land production in their area.
The Agrico team suggested the G4 pivot point and a new pump system for the farm. Head of Mechanical Development at
Agrico, Gerrie Herbst, was involved in the design of this pivot point. The elegant design of the G4 tower allows span widths of up to 70 m.
He explains that the three-legged centre of the G4 pivot system is unique.
“The G4’s centre is designed to safeguard your property against theft. All the cables and components, including the tension cable, are hidden in the truss structure. A panel cover hides the main panel and ensures that it is tamperproof.”
Apart from theft, load shedding is also one of this farm’s main challenges, with stage six load shedding some- times leaving the farm without electricity for a long time.
Irrigation is dependent on power supply and that is why they decided to take this project on by excluding Eskom and running it by using generators and solar power. The solar power is used to move the pivots when they are not in use, this means they also do not have to start the generators for this.
Although SKS Boerdery has a standard G4 pivot point, adjustments had to be made to the system and pump room to meet the farm’s needs, and at times the team had to deviate from the original design. Polla says: “For every time that a challenge came up, the Agrico team analysed the situation and responded with positive feedback and solutions.”
They decided to also install a LEPA (Low Energy Precision Application) system to run the system at low pressure with little losses and high efficiency. The crops planted on this farm also work well with the LEPA system.
And to crown it all, this system can be run from your phone to keep a watchful eye on your irrigation system.
Agrico’s Web Control enables you to manage various pumps and the pivots GPS system manages the pump’s speed and therefore the pressure to lower your energy usage. You can change the pivot point’s direction and keep an eye on energy use, everything from your cell phone or computer.
According to Polla this system is more efficient and in the end the goal is to run your business as efficient as possible.
“I had a very good experience working with Willie and his team of engineer’s from Bellville. I only have praise for them. I don’t think there was ever a problem and I hope this goes both ways.”
Elke druppel water wat op die plase Kromvlei en Vrede, in die distrik Piketberg gebruik word, tel. As deel van die Karsten-groep se boerdery, word watertoediening op beide plase wetenskaplik en met deeglike beplanning aangepak. Hul vennoot in dié proses, is Agrico.
Wanneer ’n bielie van ’n implement deur die grond sny soos ’n warm mes deur botter, kan dit enige boer se hart vinniger laat klop. Hierdie implement is die Agrico T1250-skeurploeg, wat gedurende die Hoopstad Groentoer aan boere gedemonstreer is.
Van pasraam tot plaasgereed: ontdek hoe Agrico se HSD’s in Suid-Afrika vervaardig word met plaaslike vakmanskap, gevorderde tegnologie en deeglike toetsing. Elke implement begin as ’n idee, word in detail ontwerp, vervaardig van kwaliteit staal, en saamgestel om optimale prestasie en duursaamheid te verseker. Agrico se plaaslike ingenieurs verstaan die uitdagings van Afrika-plase, wat beteken dat elke HSD nie net robuust en betroubaar is nie, maar ook die trots van plaaslike vervaardiging dra.
Choosing the right centre pivot is about more than just moving water. It’s about finding a system that fits your land, your crops and the realities of farming conditions. The Agrico G3 centre pivot was developed with exactly this in mind. Let’s unpack the system feature by feature, showing how flexibility and strength come together to form a reliable irrigation solution.
Terwyl drupbesproeiing ’n gewilde opsie vir sitrusboerderye is, is die regte besproeiingstelsel die een wat vir die spesifieke boer wérk. Vir die Endulini-boerdery van Pietie Ferreira in die Gamtoosvallei en die Sondagsriviervallei is die bestuurspraktyke wat met mikrobesproeiing gepaard gaan, die wenresep.
In die Pandamatenga-distrik in noordelike Botswana wys Panda Potatoes hoe doeltreffende besproeiingstegnologie ’n boerdery kan omskep. Waar klimaat en grondtoestande uitdagings bied, vorm waterbestuur en betroubare Agrico-spilpunte die kern van hul suksesvolle aartappelproduksie.
