Harvest 2016 is done and dusted in the Western Cape; well there might some harvesting left to do here and there. In the most cases feedback was excellent. There was however certain parts in the Swartland that received low rainfall which affected the yields.

This will be the last issue of the newsletter for 2016 and the next issue will be in February. The aim is to publish all newsletters and videos on the website from 2017 onwards. The 2016 conference videos will also be uploaded by then.

Harvest 2016 is in full swing in the Western Cape. In both the southern Cape and the Swartland the combines are running and feedback received thus far looks very promising.

We have heard reports from the southern Cape of 2 ton/ha canola and 5 ton/ ha barley in certain areas. From the Swartland reports of 4 ton/ha wheat, from a few different areas, has come in. On the Langgewens research Farm between Malmesbury and Moorreesburg the wheat harvest is a big surprise thus far.

Most of the farmers’ days are behind us and it was great to see the high attendance rates. The Riversdale day, in its new form, set a new record with 410 attendees. It is encouraging to see that our producers are still hungry for knowledge.

The conservation agriculture effort in the province was also blessed this month with winning a Gold award at the Premier of the Western Cape’s Service excellence awards, in the category of Best Implemented Programme or Project. We are now holding thumbs for the national awards.

It still amazes me how quickly time flies. I cannot believe that we are in the last quarter of the year already and that in a few short weeks harvest season will start.

The CAWC conservation week was ‘n huge success, with 200 attendees at the practical day in Caledon and 185 people attending the conference day at Elsenburg. The management team is thankful for the excellent response and we promise to build on this for next year. The 2017 practical day will be hosted in the Swartland.

To all of you that travelled during the June school holiday we hope that it was enjoyable and that everybody is safely home. The next 6 months is loaded with famer’s days en harvest time is also around the corner. Enjoy the new newsletter. We are also looking forward to the conference week during August.