Taking conservation agriculture to the next level within the Western Cape and how current and future practices can help contribute to a green economy IAIAsa Green Agriculture event Stellenbosch JA Strauss 3 November 2015
Points of Discussion Introduction What is Conservation Agriculture Impact of current successes in dryland cereal and pasture cropping systems on the green economy Future Impact In closing Western Cape Government 2012 2
History Western Cape Government 2012 3
There is nothing in the whole of nature that is more important or deserves as much attention as the soil. Truly it is the soil that makes the world a friendly environment for humankind. It is the soil that nourishes and provides for the whole of nature; the whole of creation depends on the soil, which is the ultimate foundation of our existence. Friedrich Albert Fallon, German scientist, 1862 YEAR OF THE SOILS Western Cape Government 2012 1 4
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BRAZIL WES-KAAP Western Cape Government 2012 6
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Cost of erosion Western Cape Government 2012 Go to Insert > Header & Footer > Enter presentation name into footer field 8
What is Conservation Agriculture Proven Holistic system 1.55 x 10 8 ha Western Cape Government 2012 9
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Less Carbon Loss here Carbon is everything! (Organic Material) We need more carbon here Western Cape Government 2012
Mining OM is not an option 1 % O.M. contains: 4536 kg C 454 kg N 45 kg P 45 kg S 7.6mm 25mm H 2 O Western Cape Government 2012
Current successes Western Cape Government 2012 14
Stelsel Gem opbrengs kg/ha % bewerkbare oppervlak onder koringverbouing Totale produksie vir 800ha plaas ton/plaas Rangorde in totale produksie KKKK 2 854 100 2 283.2 1 CKKK 3 158 75 1 894.8 2 LKCK 3794 50 1517.6 5 LCKK 3664 50 1465.6 6 MCMK 4 072 25 814.4 7 MKMK 3 942 50 1 576.8 3 MkKMkK 3 843 50 1 537.2 4 Western Cape Government 2012 15
Stelsel KKKK CKKK LKCK LCKK MCMK MKMK MkKMkK Gem bruto marg R/ha Totale bruto marge vir die boerdery met n 800ha lande R/plaas 2022 1 617 600 2684 2 145 600 3051 2 440 800 2495 1 996 000 2985 2 388 000 2972 2 377 600 3402 2 721 600 Rangorde in totale bruto marge vir die boerdey 7 5 4 6 2 3 1 Western Cape Government 2012 16
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Carbon accumulation WWWW - 45.68 MgC.ha-1 = 45 ton/ha WMc+S - 42.09 MgC.ha-1 = 42 ton/ha 31.5 ton in 2002 = 47 % 31.2 ton in 2002 = 34 % Introduction of no-till 2.5 ton/ha average yield 4.0 ton/ha average yield Tillage methods WMWM CT 21.25 MgC.ha-1 NT 30.26 MgC.ha-1 WCWL NT 25.50 MgC.ha-1 CT 13.05 MgC.ha-1 Carbon sink Less fossil fuel (up to 66%) Diversity = increase Root of the problem is the root of the solution Western Cape Government 2012 Go to Insert > Header & Footer > Enter presentation name into footer field 19
The Gabe Brown Story North Dakota Ca + cover crops Cover mixes %C Cattle system Fertilizer Western Cape Government 2012 Go to Insert > Header & Footer > Enter presentation name into footer field 20
Regenerative agriculture Building topsoil Biodiversity Cover crops Soil Health More than sustainability Western Cape Government 2012 21
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In closing Western Cape Government 2012 23
What is Conservation Agriculture? MINDSHIFT Western Cape Government 2012 24
Contact Us Johann Strauss en kie Direktoraat Plantwetenskappe Tel: 021 8085479 Fax: 021 8085331 johannst@elsenburg.com www.elsenburg.com