Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
Bringing the latest innovations in precision agriculture to SA
Jacto’s self-propelled sprayers will help farmers take an innovative leap forward in precision agriculture technology.
Jacto’s self-propelled sprayers allow farmers to reduce fuel and agrochemical application costs, as well as minimise crop damage.
It is estimated that by 2050 there will be around 9,7 billion people on the planet. Feeding these people will be a huge challenge and will require an increase in agricultural productivity. Precision agriculture is an important tool to achieve this goal. Precision agriculture consists of a series of mechanisms that uses data collected in the field to promote more efficient cultivation. These technological resources allow a panoramic management of production, optimising the use of inputs. This has two positive effects, namely an increase in profitability and a reduction in environmental impacts.
a step forward
Founded in 1948 by a Japanese immigrant in Brazil, Jacto has established itself as one of the most innovative companies in the manufacture of agricultural machinery in the world and is present in more than 110 countries. With a strong investment in research and development, Jacto has stood out in the race for efficiency gains in spraying. South Africa is currently one of the most important markets for its self-propelled sprayers. The company’s expectation is to triple its share of the local market within the next three years.
According to
Jacto’s sales manager in South Africa, Stephan Strydom, there is growing demand for efficiency in South African agriculture.
“We want to bring the most sophisticated technology in the world to South African farmers. There is great room for efficiency gains, which are reversed in lower cost and greater profit margin,” he says.
The automatic operation of the nozzle-to-nozzle system, present in both Uniport 3030 and Uniport 4530, provides highspraying accuracy, reducing the use of agrochemicals by 10%. Today, an application of herbicide can be carried out, for example, with volumes below 30ℓ/ha, where previously 200ℓ/ha were used in the same area. This is thanks to the improvement brought about by the developed technologies.
Another advantage of the company’s self-propelled sprayers is the Unitrack steering system, which allows for faster and more precise manoeuvres, with a 35% smaller turning radius. This system reduces crop damage by up to 40% during manoeuvres. The system enables manoeuvring of the four wheels, eliminating stepping out and re-entry of the field and considerably reducing the time of the manoeuvre.
The Uniport 4530 is equipped with a 36m boom that allows it to operate with low tyre pressure, reducing soil compaction and increasing crop productivity. When compared with equipment that has a 3 000ℓ tank and 30m booms, the Uniport 4530 has increased operating efficiency by up to 30% and reduced trampling by up to 17%.
The OTMIS system is another powerful tool for improving operational productivity, reducing costs, minimising environmental impact and maximising profit. In addition, it automatically directs Uniport, assists in spraying, minimises failures and overlaps and allows the operator to pay more attention to other equipment functions.
Initially designed for rugged terrain in Brazil, Jacto’s selfpropelled sprayers are equipped with intelligent hydrostatic transmission (4x4) and independent automatic traction control, which provides greater traction capacity on different types of soil. With independent air suspension and automatic height regulating valves, the system seeks to keep the chassis constantly level with the ground, bringing more stability to the booms and, consequently, higher spray quality. • Phone Jacto on 072 598 2790. Visit jacto.com.
As the seasons of the year change, so too does the veld. This means that what is lacking in the veld in winter is different from what is lacking in summer. Supplements help to provide animals with only what they need. This is why it is important for farmers to know what is lacking in that particular season so that they can give their animals the right supplements at the right time. Supplements are not a complete feed; grass (veld or bales) must always be available when feeding supplements! For over 55 years, Voermol has been enabling producers to strategically manage and feed their livestock in order to improve the production and profit of their enterprises.
Voermol produces a complete range of quality molasses-based products that are scientifically balanced to meet the nutritional requirements of ruminants during various production stages and on all types of grazing.
AUTUMN
During autumn in summer rainfall regions, rainfall begins to decline. The grass starts to change from green to a light straw colour. Protein is also declining. Cattle are thus moving from a season where phosphorus was lacking, to a season when protein will be lacking. During this phase, farmers should provide their animals with a transitional lick. This lick provides animals with protein and phosphorus. Farmers can make their own transitional lick by mixing the following Voermol products: • Two bags of Super 18;
• One bag of salt;
• One bag of 12P.
Alternatively, farmers can make a transitional lick by mixing the following Voermol products:
• Two bags of Premix 450;
• One bag of salt;
• One bag of 12P.
Ready-mixed Superfos can also be given to animals as a transitional lick ( see Table 1).
WINTER
In winter, grass is dry, tasteless and has insufficient protein. It also takes longer to digest, resulting in cattle and sheep not grazing sufficiently. They may lose extreme weight and body condition, and may even die of hunger. Winter is also usually the time during which pregnant animals are in their third trimester. The pregnant animal thus needs proper nutrition for herself and her unborn offspring, and also needs to be prepared for milk production in the next lactation. Table 2 provides a list of protein supplements that will prevent weight loss during winter.
Voermol’s Maxi Block for sheep and goats will help these animals produce high-quality fibre, such as wool, mohair and cashmere. Maxi Block also helps ewes produce sufficient colostrum and milk, thereby preventing lamb mortalities. Maxi Block should also be used ( see Table 3):
• Three weeks before mating;
• Six weeks before lambing;
• After lambing.
Visit voermol.co.za.
Product registration: Voermol Superfos (V17422), Voermol Super 18 (V355), Voermol Rumevite 12P (V11994), Voermol Premix 450 (V4676), Voermol Protein Block (V10448), Voermol Rumevite Cattle Block (V10932), Voermol Ekonolick (V11147), Voermol Maxi Block (V17424).