– 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.”
Gerrie Scholtz met springmielies, koring en lusern in die Vrystaat. Gerrie het drie jaar gelede sy eenste masjien met Agrico Web Contol toegerus as ‘n toets. Vandag is daar nie een van sy stelsels wat nie van Web Contol gebruik maak nie.
Op Donderdag, 5 September 2024, is 140 inheemse bome geplant op die plaas De Rust in Elgin, die tuiste van Paul Cluver Wynlande. Wat begin het as ‘n kampvuur-gesprek tussen vriende, het ontaard in ‘n inisiatief wat nie net die natuur bevoordeel nie, maar ook die plaaslike leerders betrek.
Spilpunte bied ‘n uitstekende oplossing om groot areas effektief te besproei, maar verg ordentlike beplanning, installasie en onderhoud. In die verband kan die advies van ‘n gekwalifiseerde besproeiingsontwerper ‘n deurslaggewende rol speel, meen Johan Myburgh, hoof meganiese ingenieur by Agrico.
Ons is verheug om aan te kondig dat Anita Smith by ons sal aansluit as die nuwe bestuurder van Agrico Wellington en Agrico Paarl. Met meer as 30 jaar se ondervinding in die besproeiingsbedryf, ’n sterk agtergrond in administratiewe bestuur, en ’n passie vir kliëntediens, beloof Anita se leierskap ’n nuwe hoofstuk.
In hierdie ekslusiewe onderhoud gesels die Andrag-neefs, Walter en Roland, oor Agrico van vandag. Gebou op meer as ‘n eeu se ryk geskiedenis, doen Agrico alles behalwe stagneer. ‘n Groeiende taknetwerk, ‘n poel jong talent en aanhoudende investering in moderne vervaardiging, getuig daarvan. Lees meer oor hierdie twee bedryfsleiers se uitkyk op die landbou, en Agrico se seisoen van momentum!
Agrico stel die nuwe 12.5 m Hoë Spoed Dis bekend, ‘n robuuste werktuig wat ontwerp is vir doeltreffende boerdery met wyer werksdekking. Hierdie Hoë Spoed Dis, wat by NAMPO debuteer, help boere om tyd en geld te bespaar.
