The two days Conference was once more marked by reputable speakers on a variety of subjects that made much impact on the visitors. During the question and answer period after each presentation it was remarkable how many visitors out of the crowd asked most intelligent questions from which the rest may learn. This alone is a sure sign of a successful Conference and strong motivation for future conferences.
Diverse Topics and Engaging Speakers at the Conference
The presenters varied widely in subjects offered to the audience. The success of any conference is measured by the varied topics by speakers, the active participation by attendees and the ease of access to the venue. In all these aspects the conference succeeded.
Marion Oosthuizen and his team welcomed all and offered a program with speakers on subjects of current interest.
Deon van Rooyen – Vegtech/Netafim
Deon van Rooyen of Vegtech/Netafim opened the platform with his subject “New greenhouses and automatic innovations – The important role of humidity control.” Deon is known to be an ‘old salt’ in agronomy with a good number of years’ experience. While the season is changing, greenhouse operators have to consider humidity control in all earnest.
Tom Murray – Woolworths
Tom Murray, Technical Manager of Woolworths gave a “glimpse into the not-too-distant future.” He reiterated quality control and the trends followed to ensure quality fresh produce. He reiterated the fact that early detection of diseases on crops and instant control, if not preventative control is important.
The world leans towards pesticide-free pest control, therefore producers are advised to be utmost careful with their spray programs and general plant hygiene. Pending legislation for a ‘Globally Harmonised System’ for labels on agri chemical is on the cards. Murray warned about a pesticide problem during 2024.
Kobus Pienaar – Woolworths
Also from Woolworths, Kobus Pienaar stressed the fact that global changes need producers to be alert of market tendencies, become more resilient in their approach to farming, address weak areas in the production system and be cognizant of the farm’s financial stability. He warned that ‘stressful farmers’ build banks therefore, financial independency (as far as possible) is important. No decision can be made without science on produce and market relativity. Regenerative agri practices are essential.
Johan Fick – SQM
Johan Fick from SQM, a ‘solutions for human progress’ company, explained why Iodine is a plant-beneficial element in plants. It controls metabolic improvement, and adds to the plant’s well-being, therefore, productivity. Iodine is a necessary element in water fed to plants. In South Africa though, water contains less than one micron per liter and added Iodine is required. SQM markets a product combatting Iodine deficiency in plants.
Nokuthula Mayeza – Dube TradePort
Nokuthula Mayeza from Dube TradePort presented an interesting overview of Dube TradePort, the greenhouses and related infrastructure, backed by pictures of the lay-out of Dube TradePort’s complete plan, including the airport, office park, business warehouses and current additions-planning to the enormous complex.
Herbert Stölker – Delphy
Herbert Stölker of Delphy reiterated the importance of pH control in the greenhouse irrigation system. He stressed the fact that poor management of the water system simply leads to poor plant production and the possibility of weakness which could inspire plant diseases.
Dawie Maree – FNB
During the second day of the Conference, FNB’s Dawie Maree gave an overview called “Agricultural Outlook 2024 and Beyond.” He explained financial markets’ international instability but pinned hopes on the global aftermath of political outcomes.
Stiffie du Plessis – Santam
Stiffie du Plessis of Santam delivered a presentation on important economic facts concerning the economy and management of packhouses. Producers pin their hopes in good outcomes after having delivered to packhouses, but if the chain to the consumer fails somewhere, it bounces back economically to the farmer.
Martin von Holdt – Greener Solutions
Martin von Holdt of Greener Solutions addressed the conference on “Sustainable and Efficient management of water and nutrients, but specifically enlightened the attendees on the re-use of run-off water; the management of its purification before re-entering the system being an utmost important factor.
Lindi Herbst – Agri Alchemi
Lindi Herbst of Agri Alchemi is a popular speaker at Undercover Farming Conferences for years. This time her subject was “Future Proofing your farm through soil management. For those greenhouse farmers planting in soil, it is very important to pre-empt their future plantings by having regular soil test done and ensuring the correct soil mixes are ready for new plantings.
Francois Fourie – Turf Technology and Irrigation
Francois Fourie of Turf Technology and Irrigation named his presentation “Taking your fertigation to the next level.” A well-researched prescription for fertigation to plants is an absolute must in order to offer greenhouse plants a balanced requirement for it to produce optimally.
Suzanne Oosthuizen – Rijk Zwaan SA
Suzanne Oosthuizen of Rijk Zwaan SA gave an interesting, yet important account of “Importance of the grower – retailer – consumer link for successful farming in SA”. This subject counts for greenhouse producers as much as it does for irrigated land farmers.
Nico Uys – Ezolimo Organics
Nico Uys of Ezolimo Organics discussed “The role of bio-stimulants and bio-fertilizers in agriculture.” The usage of bio-products on fresh food producing plants is becoming more important by the day. The world is steering away from foodstuffs grown under ‘chemical-protected’ circumstances and the vast research on bio-products proved its success in plant growth and production.
Conclusion
Marion ended the Conference by thanking all that attended, speakers and all assistants in the organizing team. Thus the 2024 Undercover Farming Conference at CSIR in Pretoria concluded and attendees returned home most satisfied.