Page 15 - 03 Cotton SA February 2014

Opkomende Boere - Smallholder Farmers

Correct fertilization Farmers applying top
dressing with AFRIFERT
LAN (28) before fi rst
helps prevent fruit shedding square formation.
(Matlerekeng)

very cotton grower strives to get the maximum yield and
quality from his crop. To do this he must nurture as many
healthy bolls as possible to maturity. To achieve this goal, one
Eof the targets is to limit the shedding of squares and young
bolls.
In an accompanying article in this issue, (A very critical Time in Crop
Management) it is clear that beside climatic conditions, shortage in
supply of nutrients to the developing squares and young bolls, is
the main cause of shedding and thus loss of production.
A balanced fertilizing program to meet the requirements of
the developing fruit is therefore very important to prevent fruit
shedding. Traditionally smallholder cotton farmers plant without
any fertilizer unless they receive a grant. The fertilizer the State
provides is often not suitable for cotton’s needs. Furthermore at the
critical stage when cotton needs Nitrogen at square initiation, no
top dressing is done.
Currently there are two trials in progress, where fertilizer has been
kindly supplied by AFRIFERT of Marble Hall, to demonstrate the
correct nutrition for Cotton. AFRIFERT has developed a product
called COTTON MIX which is a 23:8:7 + 0.5% Zinc mixture, ideal
for getting the crop off to a good start. AFRIFERT has also made
available LAN (28) for a top dressing to show how important it is to
prevent Nitrogen defi ciency when bolls are developing.
A cotton fi eld
COTTON SA wishes to thank AFRIFERT and MONSANTO for their being top-dressed Students at cotton training
generosity in assisting the Smallholder Cotton Farmer Mentorship mechanically. course, planting with AFRIFERT
Program. By: P.Q.Macaskill: Coordinator Mentorship Program. COTTON MIX. (Tompi Seleka)

Assumption is the Mother of Disaster

he fi rst words in the front of the United States Marine Corps the COTTON SA mentorship coordinator that he could not spray
THandbook are: NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING. Roundup® on Nu OPAL, as it would surely die.
This season, once again, many would-be cotton farmers have fallen Mr. Aphane then waited for the promised tractor and cultivator
by the wayside. The main reason was certain assumptions which to assist in weeding, which never turned up. Eventually when the
were just not accurate. grasses and weeds were fully established he started with cultivation
by hand hoe, but hopelessly too late.
Firstly, there was the assumption that government would support
farmers with seed and fertilizer. There was also the assumption that Please farmers, do not assume anything. COTTON SA has a
diesel and mechanisation would be forthcoming. Negotiations with mentorship program in place. If you are not sure, DO NOT ASSUME!
Land Bank sparked rumours that funds would be forthcoming to Ask the experts from COTTON SA or Monsanto and save yourselves
help farmers, leading to the assumption that Land Bank was indeed a lot of heartache.
going to help. None of these assumptions were true. By: P.Q.Macaskill -
Coordinator Mentorship
One of the most loyal and dedicated cotton farmers in Moutse-East Program.
(Limpopo), is Mr Steven Aphane. Realising that all that has been
promised was not going to materialise he decided to fi nd seed for
himself. He struck a deal with a fellow farmer to take over cotton Contact numbers:
seed that the latter received as a grant seven years ago. The deal
was that Mr Aphane would replace the seed as soon as he received Percy Macaskill (COTTON
fresh seed in future. The variety was Deltapine® Nu OPAL, which SA) 082 492 1493
only had the Bollgard® gene. The seller assured Mr Aphane that it John Ramashala
was stacked gene but there was no Roundup Ready® gene in this (Monsanto) 083 289 9233
variety. He was assured that the ® in the circle was for Roundup. Mr
Aphane ASSUMED this to be the case. In fact ® means registered
trademark. An exasperated Steven
Aphane attempting hand
When the time came to apply Roundup Ready® and Mr Aphane hoeing as a last resort –
enquired about the dosage, he was informed to his shock by but too late!

Katoen SA Cotton 15 Februarie •