AgriFocus
A smarter energy solution for farmers
South African farmers are under increasing pressure as electricity costs continue to rise and power supply remains unpredictable. Energy-intensive operations like irrigation, refrigeration, and processing leave farms particularly vulnerable to load shedding and tariff hikes.
To counter these challenges, many farmers are turning to solar energy—not just as a sustainability measure, but as a strategic business decision. With the right financing structures, solar can offer long-term cost savings, greater energy security, and a way to future-proof agricultural operations against rising electricity costs.
While the benefits of solar energy are clear, many farmers face financial barriers when transitioning to renewable power. Upfront capital costs can be prohibitive, and traditional financing options, such as bank loans, often come with rigid repayment terms that do not accommodate the seasonal nature of farming income.
One solution emerging in the sector is a financing model that allows farmers to install and own solar systems without the immediate burden of upfront payments. Unlike Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), which provide solar as a service but do not offer ownership or tax benefits, this approach keeps the asset on the farm’s balance sheet while linking payments to system performance.
For more information about solar solutions for your agricultural needs, contact ZA Solar 062 634 6090 or 076 708 6951.
Solar game-changer for farmers
The Performance Linked Instalment Sale (PLIS) financing model is designed specifically for farms and businesses that want to own their solar system but need a more flexible, risk-free way to finance it.
How PLIS Works:
· No Upfront Costs – Farmers gain immediate ownership of the solar system without large capital outlays. The system is financed through predictable instalments.
Instead of fixed monthly repayments, instalments are based on the system’s actual energy generation. If the system produces less than expected, payments adjust accordingly, reducing financial risk. Unlike traditional loans, where repayments are fixed, PLIS ensures farmers are not burdened by high repayments when conditions are less favourable. (Source: Potatonewstoday.com)
Trusted poles supplier for agriculture
Brits Poles is a trusted supplier of superior timber for the agriculture sector in Madibeng.
Its core products, treated poles, are widely used in agriculture and construction.
Building and fencing poles are essential structural components used in agriculture. These poles provide support for fences, enclosures, and temporary or permanent structures. They offer durability, stability, and resistance to environmental conditions, ensuring long-lasting performance. Whether for security, boundary marking, or aesthetic purposes, building and fencing poles are crucial for creating strong and reliable frameworks.
Brits Poles’ building and fencing poles are most often used in agriculture for vineyards, fencing and shade net construction.
Dropper and laths
Droppers and laths are essential components in fencing, providing additional support and stability. Droppers, typically made from wood, are used between fence posts to maintain wire spacing and reinforce the structure. These Products are available in Creosote or CCA treatments.
Brits Poles supplies commercial and industrial application products which are valued for their strength, versatility, and sustainability. Used in construction, packaging, storage, and structural frameworks, these products provide durable and cost-effective solutions for various industries. From guardrail posts and dunnage to slab poles and shavings, our wooden materials offer excellent load-bearing capacity and adaptability.
Brits Poles started off as a family-run business over 20 years ago. Starting from humble beginnings, the business grew into a household name for the supply of CCA and Creosote treated poles in South Africa and also exports into Africa.
Contact Brits Poles 012 944 7060.
The right way to plant a pole
Treated timber is treated in such a way in order to protect the pole from rotting. It is important to purchase a pole that is of correct size and shape for the intended use to prevent cutting the pole and exposing the inner heartwood to the environment.
Concrete may be required if the soil is sandy or very loose and if the pole being planted needs more stability (e.g. a pole that supports a gate).
The one issue with concrete is it can trap water around the base of the pole which causes a more rapid decay.
Do not enclose the planted end op the post in the concrete. If you need to use concrete, let the concrete form a collar around the post with the end of the post protruding through the concrete.
If you plant the post on concrete, let the concrete set before planting the post.
The key components of farm security
With rising concerns about theft, vandalism, and biosecurity threats, farmers are increasingly investing in comprehensive security systems.
1. Fences, gates, and locks control access to farms.
2. CCTV cameras with infrared night vision, motion detection, and remote access features.
3. Artificial intelligence enables farmers to detect unusual behaviour – human or animal.
4. Motion-activated floodlights around barns, driveways, and entry points increase visibility and reduce hiding spots.
5. Drones are increasingly used for aerial surveillance. They can cover large areas quickly, providing live footage and capturing high-resolution images.
6. Building strong relationships with neighbours, farm watches, security companies and local police.
Droë ys – ‘n hulpmiddel in die veebedryf
In die moderne veebedryf is doeltreffende en dierevriendelike praktyke noodsaaklik vir sukses. Droë ys, of soliede koolstofdioksied, het na vore getree as ‘n waardevolle hulpmiddel vir veeboere, met toepassings wat wissel van vriesbrand tot die behoud van bederfbare produkte.
Hierdie welbekende produk, wat deur Dry Ice International in Suid-Afrika vervaardig en versprei word, bied ‘n reeks voordele wat boere help om hulle boerderye te verbeter, koste te bespaar en dieregesondheid te bevorder.
Vries-brandmerk
Tradisionele warm brandmerkmetodes kan spanningsvol en pynlik vir diere wees, wat hulle welstand en produktiwiteit benadeel. Dry Ice International bied ‘n alternatiewe oplossing met die gebruik van droë ys vir vriesbrandmerk.
Hierdie metode behels die gebruik van droë ys en isopropiel alkohol om ‘n brandmerkyster tot ‘n baie lae temperatuur af te koel, tot ongeveer -80 °C wat ‘n permanente, witterige merk op die dier se vel laat sonder om pyn of ontsteking te veroorsaak.
Vriesbrand is ‘n higiëniese oplossing, terwyl dit steeds duidelike en blywende identifikasie verseker. Vir optimale resultate word aanbeveel om 40 kg droë ys en 40liter brandspiritus per 100 beeste te gebruik.
Vriesbrand is veral gewild onder bees- en melkboere, aangesien dit ‘n duidelike identifikasiemerk skep wat help met kuddebestuur en misdaadvoorkoming. Dit is ook ‘n waardevolle hulpmiddel vir telers wat ‘n netjiese en sigbare merk op hulle diere benodig vir veilings of registrasie by veetelersverenigings. Meer as 350 veeboere in Suid-Afrika maak reeds suksesvol gebruik van vriesbrand.
Die belangrikheid van droë ys in die verkoeling van vleis en suiwelprodukte
Die verkoeling van vleis en suiwelprodukte bly ‘n deurslaggewende aspek van die veebedryf. Droë ys se unieke verkoelingseienskappe maak dit ‘n onmisbare oplossing vir die berging en vervoer van bederfbare produkte. Anders as tradisionele ys wat smelt en water oorblyfsel laat, verander droë ys direk van soliede vorm na gas, sonder om ‘n nat oorblyfsel agter te laat.
Noodverkoeling vir plase tydens beurtkrag
Met Suid-Afrika se aanhoudende kragonderbrekings, het droë ys ‘n belangrike rol begin speel as ‘n noodverkoelingsoplossing vir plase. Wanneer elektriese yskaste of vrieskaste tydens beurtkrag buite werking is, kan droë ys gebruik word om bederfbare voorraad, insluitend vleis, melk en voer, langer vars te hou. Dit help boere om groot geldelike verliese te vermy en verseker dat daar steeds ‘n deurlopende voorsiening van hoë-gehalte produkte is.
Plaagbeheer
Die gebruik van droë ys in graan- en voedselberging kan help om plae en insekte te beheer sonder die gebruik van chemikalieë.
Dry Ice International: ‘n Betroubare verskaffer aan die landboubedryf
Dry Ice International, met meer as dertig jaar se ondervinding in die vervaardiging en verspreiding van droë ys in Suid-Afrika, bied vernuwende produkte en dienste wat spesifiek ontwerp is om in die unieke behoeftes van veeboere te voldoen. Dry Ice International lewer droë ys vinnig en doeltreffend aan boere, selfs in afgeleë gebiede. Hulle bied deur-tot-deur aflewering binne 24 uur, wat verseker dat boere altyd toegang het tot vars droë ys wanneer dit nodig is. (Bron: https://proagri.co.za/)
Droë ys is nou by Dry Ice Brits-Harties beskikbaar. Kontak Dry Ice by 073 306 8258 of besoek hulle by De Boerstraat 16, Brits.
Ford Ranger XLT – a lot of bakkie
The Ford Ranger has long been a benchmark for bakkies in the double cab segment, underlined by it winning the 2023 South African Car of the Year competition – the first bakkie to do so! In XLT 2.0 SiT trim, the bakkie retains the modern design language of its stablemates, adding to the Ranger’s commanding on-road presence.
Where the Ranger truly shines, though, is its tech-savvy nature. The 10.1-inch SYNC 4 infotainment system, found in more expensive models, is also at play in the XLT and comes with a raft of features that include over-the-air updates and seamless smartphone integration. There are also active and passive safety features, as well as keyless entry and -start, and automatic rain-sensing wipers. Its six-speed auto gearbox is refined, with good ride comfort thanks to the superb suspension tuning. (carmag.co.za)
