ARC-Grain Crops Institute Farmers Day to be held shortly

MARY JAMES, ARC-GRAIN CROPS INSTITUTE

The ARC-Grain Crops Institute (ARC-GCI) in Potchefstroom, will be hosting a Farmers Day on Thursday, 14 March. The day aims to showcase research relating to flagship projects presently in the research phase.

The presentations cover projects relating to maize, soybean, sorghum and conservation agriculture. Talks will cover an interesting variety of cultivation practices, new project-based work on maize, new crop cultivars on the market and solutions for the pests and diseases that farmers need to contend with when cultivating different crops.

Nematodes cause significant damage to a wide range of agricultural crops and are rather tough to control. Dr Sonia Steenkamp will be highlighting the work conducted on nematode research at the institute and will be providing some tips about what every producer needs to know when it comes to nematode control.

The sustainable use of Bt technology depends on insect resistance management. When resistance develops against a transgenic crop, a Bt event is lost to the industry. It is therefore of utmost importance to conduct research in this area to ensure the best insect resistance management strategies are put into practice. Visit Dr Annemie Erasmus’s stand at the farmers day and get more information about the best practices to prevent resistance development.

According to Ms Annelie de Beer, soybean cultivar trials have been planted by the ARC for the past 35 years. The aim of these trials is to evaluate cultivars for adaptability and agronomic traits under different climatic conditions. These trials will be discussed in detail on the day.

Alternative energy is the buzz word these days and the ARC-GCI is doing their part to see the possibilities of this becoming a reality. Mr Wikus Snijman will be presenting the importance of finding alternative and sustainable energy sources to replace of dwindling fossil fuels.

Worldwide, more than 120 million ha of arable land has been converted from conventional tillage to no-till or conservation agriculture practices for one good reason and that is that it makes good sense. Therefore, if you are considering or already practicing no-till, don’t be caught off-guard by weeds or diseases. Get the practical solutions first hand from the researchers in person.

Visit our farmers day in Potchefstroom and get more information about relevant topics regarding grain crops agriculture today.

Further information regarding the entrance fee, keynote speakers or topics you can expect on the day or any other queries about the ARC-GCI Farmers Day, can be obtained on the ARC website at www.arc.agric.za or contact Dr Deidre Fourie at (018) 299-6100.