Episode 5 of 22

Agronomic strategies for following a wet season

In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’, host Antony Jarvie and experienced agronomist Grant Pringle explore the prospects for the 2022/23 summer cropping season.  In this podcast, the agronomic strategies that should be considered are explored in a crop agnostic fashion. The very wet preceding two seasons, which by many accounts has been largely positive for agriculture in South Africa, now lays a foundation for increased crop disease risks. The need for rotation is discussed, as well as increasing the length of the rotation and the obligation to protect the most vulnerable crop within the rotation. Cultivar choices which emphasize yield stability are important, as is the need to prioritise disease resistance. Current disruptions to global supply chains could mean that important inputs like fungicides may not be freely available, which accentuates the need for comprehensive defensive trait packages in the cultivar choices made for the season. Seed treatment considerations are discussed, as is the need for certified or disease-free seed in crops such as dry beans. Lastly, the call for patience at planting time is made to ensure that the soil conditions are ideal at planting. While this podcast assesses agronomic strategies for the next season, Wandile Sihlobo the highly acclaimed agricultural economist, has captured the economic drivers that have shaped the agricultural outlook for the 2022/23 season in his new podcast channel. This is well worthwhile listening to in conjunction with this episode.