Gain new knowledge at the Conservation Agriculture Week – African Farming

Conservation Agriculture Western Cape (CAWC) and the Soil Health Support Centre are once again offering a special learning opportunity for grain, fruit and mixed livestock farmers during the CAWC Jack Human Conservation Agriculture Week.

From 4 to 6 August farmers and other interested parties can follow a lecture day online and attend practical days at Langgewens and Grabouw. This year’s theme is “Conservation Agriculture: Value addition through experience and research”.

Speakers at the lecture day webinar, presented by CAWC, Landbouweekblad, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and the Soil Health Support Centre are:

Mr. Glen Rabenberg, soil scientist, farmer and owner of Soil Health LCC in South Dakota, USA: “Practical applications for improving soil water penetration and carbon sequestration in dry-land agro-ecosystems.”

Dr. Angelo Loi, senior researcher at the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development: “Inspiring practice change in Mediterranean pasture/crop systems.”

Mr. Robert Harrison, research officer at Murdoch University, Western Australia: “Essential characteristics for legumes suitable for conservation agriculture.”

Mr. Jean-Pierre de Villiers, farmer from the Keisie Valley near Montagu: “Regenerative management of vineyards and orchards, including the use of sheep and chickens.”

Mr. Matthew Addison, manager of HortgroScience’s crop protection program: “Evaluation of cover crops and mulches in apple and pear orchards.”

Mr. Fred Dupont, production and sustainability strategy manager at the Fruit Farm Group: “Applying regenerative agriculture principles in a fruit farming environment – objectives, progress and challenges.”

Mr. Wilhelm Joubert, viticulturist at the Hartenberg Estate, Stellenbosch: “Why and how do I start with implementing conservation agriculture?”

Mr. Ian Cunningham, head of production at Fine Farms, Elgin: “The economics of cover crops.”

Ms. Karina Roodt, responsible for soil health tests at the Soil Health Support Centre: “How do I measure the health of my soil?”

Prof. Stephanie Midgely, climate change and risk assessment scientist, Western Cape Department of Agriculture: “The SmartAgri Plan – the way forward for deeper implementation and impact.”

The webinar is available on the Crowdcast platform from Wednesday, 4 August at 09:00 to Friday, 20 August at 23:00.

Practical days

At the practical day at Langgewens Research Farm on Thursday, 5 August from 09:00-13:00, these topics will be discussed:

· Insects and crop rotation
· Join us and search for earthworms
· Practical information about high density grazing with sheep
· Pulse and nitrogen fixation
· Spraying with drones

Perennial cover crops will be discussed at the second practical day at Grabouw on Friday, 6 August from 09:00 to 12:00.

GET YOUR TICKETS

Tickets cost R120 (webinar and both practical days) and R50 if you only want to attend one of the practical days. The practical days include a light lunch. Tickets for students cost R80 and are valid for the webinar and both practical days.

Book on Quicket: https://qkt.io/J0rfHw

Enquiries: events@landbou.com