For the farmer time, as a commodity, is just as important as seed, fertiliser and pesticides. No farmer can afford to waste unnecessary time; thus a products that not only increase yields but also allows farmers to improve time management, can make the difference between profit and loss on the farm. This is exactly what the Worldfocus range of water soluble plant growth products do for the farmer.

Johan van Zyl of Boschkrans Boerdery near Groblersdal says they initially used the Worldfocus fine gypsum and calcium supplements on cash crops such as beans and wheat, especially because it is so much quicker to apply the soluble additives by means of the irrigation system between two following crops rather than doing a cultivator run or using a dry calcium spreader.

Afterwards the soil analysis indicated that the desired pH of the soil had been attained. Presently Complex Calsul (ultra-fine gypsum) en COA Fertigation, a unique combination of organic acids and growth stimulants, is being used in the citrus groves and vineyards. Johan says the solutions are applied by means of drip irrigation piping and, because of the micron size of the products, no blockages are experienced.

“The soil analysis shows that the soil pH is correct and the greatest advantage is that I do not have to use tractors and labour for the application. It just makes everything so much easier,” says Johan.

On Rondevlei farm near Delmas the clock and calendar are also continuously and keenly watched. Main activities are the production of soybeans and maize, raising cattle, sheep and poultry, and, as Philip Potgieter says: “Our pampered baby on the farm and our popular cash crop – green beans.”

It is on the green beans that the Worldfocus products were tested and proved their value because green beans should grow quickly and produce many pods which should remain soft and juicy.

“We produce on contract for Nature’s Garden. Should the beans mature too fast and become hard, we may as well discard them. However, with one application of the Worldfocus Gliosense, Super K en Sugar Rush immediately before flowering, we manage to deliver a good crop of choice grade green beans. The choice grade product means R300 more per ton in the purse compared with standard grade. With beans timing is of vital importance. From October a portion of the 90 ha lands are planted every week to enable harvesting to begin step by step 60 days later.

“Traditional fertiliser application of 4:1:1(22) at 650 kg per hectare, plus a little chicken manure, is still standard practice. However, in the past two seasons the application of the Worldfocus products has made a definite difference. It really performs well. What I like, is that you reap in excess of your input. I will use it again,” says Philip.

The three measureable advantages are:

• The beans take longer to mature. The jelly-like coating on the pips takes longer to dry, resulting in the pods staying soft longer and giving more time for harvesting;

• Legume-forming per plant is better, which automatically means a higher yield; and

• Only one, and not two sprayings, is required compared with what is necessary with other chemicals.

Philip says as soon as the first flowers emerge on the plant, the first spraying is done as the plant needs an energy boost at that stage.

Application entails a mix of:

1 litre/ha Gliosense;

1 litre/ha Complex Super K; and

1 litre/ha Complex Sugar Rush.

Both Johan and Philip say there is no magic potion for plants but the two of them appreciate the efficiency of the Worldfocus products and the fact that the products perform exactly as the company says they would.

Johan says: “They keep me informed about research and experiments undertaken on farms. They really go out of their way to assist the farmer.”

Get only the best information and guidelines from At van Schalkwyk on 082-452-8983 or by email from at@molcastagri.com . Alternatively you can visit the firm’s internet site www.worldfocusagri.com.