Thesis (MTech (Civil Engineering))--Cape Technikon, 1992. / In the Western Cape, gully ("donga") erosion is characteristic of the Swartland area where the effects of the problem have reached spectacular dimensions. In 1942 the Social and Economic Planning Council commissioned an investigation into the distribution and prevention of gully erosion. This investigation was led by Professor W J Talbot of the University of Cape Town, with the collaboration of researchers from the University of Stellenbosch. This led to the "Swartland and Sandveld" publication in August 1945. Little progress has since been made. The gullies identified by Prof Talbot's team remain to this day. In most cases they have grown even longer and deeper. The present investigation aims to study a typical network in one catchment area and to propose measures for the reclamation or stabilization of gullies. Such measures must not only be effective but also economically justifiable. In reclaiming or stabilizing a donga, a key factor is the establishment of a foundation structure. Such a structure is essential for supporting semi-permanent structures and promoting the growth of grass and bushes. At present, however, no satisfactory methods are known for the design and construction of supporting walls In narrow, deep dongas, other than those methods that require a rock foundation. Furthermore, conventional methods would require a buttress of length 17 m for a retaining wall of height 4,4 m. The amount of concrete needed, would clearly be excessive. It is therefore one of the aims of this study to develop a retaining wall with a relatively short buttress. If finances permit, the retaining structure, will be built and the stabilization process carefully monitored for possible applications in the future.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An outcome of this thesis, done on farms in South-Africa in the Swartland area, is that the labour structure in agriculture is still predominantly paternalistic and that paternalism and empowerment coexist. This co-existence causes tension between farmers and farm workers as it disrupts the relationship where farmers traditionally had the authority and farm workers were subordinate, but in the modern farm setting have a measure of independence. A qualitative approach was used to investigate how farmers and farm workers perceived their relationship in the past and how they experience it presently. Individual interviews were held with each farmer and focus group discussions with workers on farms. The study discusses how farmers and farm workers maintain paternalism on farms, in the context of the reduced support of the state to white commercial farmers as well as the expansion and formalisation of labour and tenure legislation of workers' rights. The state acted as ‘patron’ to the farmers in the apartheid era, but the state’s patronage to farmers came to an end with the political transition. Farmers feel frustrated and miss the support they enjoyed previously. Legislation which challenges the power and authority of farmers has been extended to farms and provides a framework for the relationship between farmers and farm workers and establishes a context in which this relationship occurs. This has brought about that the power and authority of the “paternalistic” farmers have been exposed and challenged. These changes in farmers’ and farmworkers’ relationship with the state create uncertainties, changes and adjustments in the relationship between farmers and farm workers on farms. Farmers still take control of farms, regardless of any legislation. The farm workers also still tend to define their position as depending on the farmer’s goodwill in conjunction with formal legislation. However, although the workers are still dependent on the farmer, they are also aware of their rights in the new democratic era and they claim these rights. The “old paternalistic relationship” together with the propagation of new legislation causes tensions as well as disruptions in the relationship between famers and farm workers. But, forged in unequal relationships of dependency and loyalty, farmers and farm workers keep commercial agriculture going. The information collected is intended to shed light on the complex relationships between farmers and farm workers on farms. Hopefully this research on several farms in the Western Cape, in the Swartland environment, can contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationship between farmers and farm workers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie, wat gedoen is op plase in Suid-Afrika in die Swartland-omgewing, toon dat die arbeidsopset in die landbou oorwegend paternalisties is en dat paternalisme en bemagtiging op plase saam bestaan. Hierdie saambestaan veroorsaak spanning tussen die boere en plaaswerkers en lei tot ontwrigting in die verhouding waar boere tradisioneel die outoriteit gehad het en die plaaswerkers ondergeskik was, maar nou in die moderne plaasopset onafhanklik is. ’n Kwalitatiewe benadering is gebruik om ondersoek in te stel na hoe boere en plaaswerkers die verhoudings met mekaar in die verlede ervaar het en ook hoe hulle dit tans in die moderne plaasopset ervaar. Daar is individuele onderhoude met die boere gevoer en fokusgroepe met die plaaswerkers in hulle eie natuurlike omgewings gedoen. Die studie beredeneer hoe beide boere en plaaswerkers paternalisme op plase in stand hou, ongeag die verminderde ondersteuning van die staat aan wit kommersiële boere, asook die uitbreiding en formalisering van arbeids- en verblyfregwetgewing om plaaswerkers se regte te beskerm. Die staat het in die apartheidsjare as “beskermheer” teenoor die boere opgetree, maar daardie begunstiging van die staat aan die boere het met die politieke oorgang verval. Boere voel gefrustreerd en mis die ondersteuning wat hulle vroeër ontvang het. Wetgewing wat na plase uitgebrei is, verskaf nou sekere raamwerke waarbinne boere en werkers moet optree en stel ook sekere eise wat die konteks bepaal. Dit het veroorsaak dat die mag en outoriteit van die “paternalistiese boere” tot ’n mate blootgelê en uitgedaag word. Dit veroorsaak verskeie onsekerhede, veranderinge en aanpassings in die verhouding tussen boere en plaaswerkers op plase. Boere neem nog altyd die beheer op plase ongeag wetgewing wat hulle beperk. Die werkers is ook steeds geneig om hulle posisie te definieer as afhanklik van die boer se welwillendheid, naas die formele wetgewing. Maar, alhoewel die plaaswerkers nog altyd afhanklik van die boer is, is hulle tog as gevolg van wetgewing bewus van hulle regte en maak hulle ook aanspraak daarop. Die “ou paternalistiese verhouding” en die uitbreiding van formele wette wat boere beperk, veroorsaak dat spanning en ontwrigting in die verhoudings tussen boere en plaaswerkers ontstaan. Maar, gesmee in ongelyke verhoudings van afhanklikheid en lojaliteit hou boere en plaaswerkers die kommersiële landbou aan die gang. Die inligting wat versamel is beoog om lig te werp op die komplekse verhoudings tussen boere en plaaswerkers op plase. Hopelik sal hierdie navorsing op enkele plase in die Wes-Kaap, in die Swartland-omgewing, kan bydra tot ʼn beter begrip van die komplekse verhouding tussen boere en plaaswerkers.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The pressure on the world’s natural resources is increased by an expanding global population. The majority of the growth is expected to take place in Africa and Asia. This creates the need for sustainable agricultural practices. To sustain food security, the limited natural resources must be utilised efficiently to optimise agricultural productivity. Conservation agriculture (CA) is one of the most holistic sustainable agricultural practices yet. It reduces environmental degradation, and concurrently it could enhance farm profitability. The practice of CA is able to improve food security while sustaining the environment for the benefit of future generations of both consumers and producers. A large proportion of the commercial grain producers in the Western Cape have adopted CA to varying degrees. A purer form of CA practice is continually pursued to realise its full benefits. Adoption has taken place in the absence of any policy support framework directed to CA, and thus, has been market driven. The reasons for and rates of CA adoption in other regions of the world differed, but was mostly successful, which highlights the driving forces behind adoption of CA in the Middle Swartland. The physical/biological benefits of CA are well known. The financial implications of the various systems within CA, at farm-level are still unknown. This study implements trial data from Langgewens experimental farm to evaluate the financial implications of various farming systems over an extended period. Farm systems are complex, consisting of numerous interrelated components. A whole-farm budget model is developed within a systems approach to compare various farming systems designed within CA principles. A trustworthy whole-farm model providing an accurate representation of a real life farm requires insight across many scientific disciplines. Multidisciplinary group discussions are used to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge. To serve as a basis for comparison, the whole-farm model was based on a typical farm within the Middle Swartland relative homogeneous farming area. Trial data on crop rotations and tillage systems from Langgewens experimental farm served as starting point for the research. The data was fitted for use in financial analysis and as input to the typical farm model. A key role of the inter-disciplinary expert group was to ensure that data and the model design accurately reflect the underlying physical/biological processes of CA. The financial evaluation of the various farming systems showed that conventional agricultural practices of monoculture and deep tillage are financially unsustainable. Farming systems under conventional tillage returned negative net present values (NPV) and an internal rate of return on capital investment (IRR) lower than the real interest rate. This implies that investment in conventional tillage will ultimately lead to financial losses. The financial benefits of CA are directly related to improved soil health, lower weed and pest stress and improved yields. The CA farming systems were less susceptible to variations in external factors, highlighting the resilience of the system that incorporates crop rotation and no-till. The farming systems operated under conventional practices are expected to be unsustainable over a long-term period of 20 years. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Opsomming Die druk op die aarde se natuurlike hulpbronne word verhoog deur ʼn groeiende wêreld populasie. Die meeste van die groei word verwag in Afrika en Asië. Dit skep die nodigheid vir volhoubare landboupraktyke. Om voedselsekerheid te volhou moet die beperkte natuurlike hulpbronne doeltreffend benut word om landbouproduksie te optimeer. Bewaringslandbou is die mees holistiese volhoubare landboupraktyk tot op hede. Dit verminder omgewingsdegradasie terwyl boerderywinsgewendheid kan verbeter. Die praktyk van bewaringslandbou is in staat om voedselsekuriteit te verbeter terwyl die omgewing onderhou word tot voordeel van toekomstige generasies van beide produsente en verbruikers. ʼn Groot gedeelte van kommersiële graanprodusente in die Wes-Kaap het bewaringslandbou teen verskillende intensiteit aangeneem. ʼn Suiwer vorm van bewaringslandbou word deurlopend nagejaag om die volle voordeel daarvan te benut. Die aanneming van bewaringsboerdery het sonder regeringsbeleid plaasgevind en was dus markgedrewe. Bewaringsboerdery is in ander wêrelddele vir verskillende redes aangeneem, maar was meestal suksesvol. Dit beklemtoon die beweegrede vir die aanneming van bewaringslandbou in die Middel Swartland. Die fisies/biologiese voordele van bewaringslandbou is wel bekend. Die finansiële implikasies van verskillende stelsels binne bewaringslandbou op plaasvlak is nog nie bekend nie. Hierdie studie gebruik proefdata van Langgewensproefplaas om die finansiële implikasies van verskillende boerderystelsels oor die langtermyn te evalueer. Boerderystelsels is kompleks en bestaan uit interafhanklike komponente. ʼn Geheelplaas begrotingsmodel is binne ʼn stelselsraamwerk ontwikkel om verskillende stelsels wat binne bewaringslandboubeginsels ontwerp is, te evalueer. ʼn Geloofwaardige geheelplaasmodel wat ʼn akkurate weerspieëling van realiteit verskaf benodig insig van verskeie wetenskaplike dissiplines. Multidissiplinêre groepbesprekings is gebruik om die gaping tussen die verskillende dissiplines te oorbrug. Die basis vir vergelyking wat gebruik is, is ʼn tipiese plaas in die relatief homogene boerderygebied van die Middel Swartland. Proefdata van verskillende gewasrotasie- en bewerkingstelsels is as die vertrekpunt vir die studie gebruik. Die data is pasgemaak vir finansiële ontledings en om te dien as inset vir die geheelplaasmodelle. ʼn Kern rol van die interdissiplinêre ekspert groep was om te verseker dat die data en die model-ontwerp die onderliggende beginsels van bewaringslandbou reflekteer. Die finansiële evaluasie van die verskillende boerderystelsels wys dat konvensionele landboupraktyke met monokultuur en diepbewerking nie finansieel volhoubaar is nie. Boerdery stelsels onder konvensionele bewerking genereer ʼn negatiewe netto huidige waarde en ʼn opbrengs op kapitaal investering wat laer as die inflasie vlak is. Dit beteken dat investering in konvensionele uiteindelik tot finansiële verlies kan lei. Die finansiële voordele van bewaringslandbou is direk geassosieer met verbeterde grondgesondheid, laer onkruid en plaag-druk en beter opbrengste. Die bewaringslandbou boerderystelsels is ook minder blootgestel aan veranderinge in eksterne faktore wat die gehardheid van die stelsels wat gewas-wisselbou en geenbewerking inkorporeer, beklemtoon. Die boerderystelsel onder konvensionele praktyke sal na verwagting nie volhoubaar wees oor ʼn langer periode van 20 jaar nie.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sustainability issues and the structural over-supply of wheat in the Western Cape since the middle 1990‟s have caused the introduction of alternative crop rotation systems in the Middle Swartland, a dry-land winter cereal production area of the Western Cape. Crop rotation systems typically consist of cereals and oilseed crops and pastures. Alternative crop rotations systems are currently scientifically evaluated at the Langgewens Experimental farm. Currently more than half the cultivated area in the Swartland is still under wheat production, a third of which is wheat monoculture. An issue regarding the adoption of such a crop rotation system is the cash flow and affordability of implementing such an alternative system. The goal of this study is to determine the cash-flow implications of a shift from wheat monoculture to a crop rotation system. Typical strategies available to producers to support such a shift are investigated. The complexity of farm systems as well as the interrelationships between crops within such a crop rotation system necessitates the implementation of a systems approach. A multi-period, whole-farm budget model was constructed to capture the interrelationships of the farm system and to express the financial performance thereof in standard profitability criteria. The farm model is based on a typical farm for the Middle Swartland. The model was used to determine the expected profitability of various crop rotation systems and to evaluate alternative strategies to accommodate the shift to alternative systems. The Langgewens crop rotation trial results are used to determine expected profitability of various crop rotation systems. A wheat-monoculture system serves as basis for the shift to alternative systems with the focus on the practical implications of such as shift. The profitability calculations show that various crop rotation systems are expected to be more profitable than wheat monoculture. The most profitable system is one year canola followed by three years of wheat, followed by a wheat/medic system with Dohne Merino sheep on the medic pastures. The shift from wheat monoculture is simulated by four scenarios. The first evaluated the financial implications of a shift form monoculture to the three year wheat and one year canola system. The second simulates a shift from monoculture to a wheat/medic system within two years and using own funds. The third scenario simulate the same shift with own funding, but over a ten year period. The fourth is similar to the second, but borrowed money is used to fund the shift.Lower input costs and consistently higher yields results in higher expected gross margins for the crop rotation systems, especially with nitrogen fixing plants. The inclusion of medic and medic/clover pastures and alternative cash crops such as canola and lupins show a higher yield on investment than wheat monoculture. Insight into the factors that producers should consider was also generated by this study, concerning changes to crop rotation systems. These factors include; time period over which a shift is planned and the availability of financing options. It seems that a quicker shift, using borrowed funds, is more profitable over the longer term. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Volhoubaarheidskwessies, en die strukturele ooraanbod van koring in die Wes-Kaap, het sedert die middel 1990‟s, gelei tot alternatiewe gewasproduksiestelsels in die Swartland, ʼn droëland wintergraanproduserende area van die Wes-Kaap. Gewasproduksiestelsels bestaan tipies uit graan- en oliesaad- en weidings gewasse. Alternatiewe gewas-wisselboustelsels word wetenskaplik gevalueer op die Langgewens proefplaas. Tans is meer as die helfte van die area in die Swartland steeds onder koring produksie, ʼn derde daarvan is koring monokultuur. ʼn Bekommernis rakende die aanneem van wisselboustelsels is die kontantvloei en bekostigbaarheid van die implementering van so ʼn alternatiewe stelsel. Die doel van hierdie studie is om te bepaal wat die kontantvloei implikasies van ʼn skuif van ʼn koringmonokultuurstelsel na ʼn wisselboustelsel is. Tipiese strategieë beskikbaar aan produsente om so skuif te finansier is ook ondersoek. Die kompleksiteit van boerderystelsels en die interverwantskap tussen gewasse in ʼn wisselboustelsel noodsaak die insluiting van ʼn stelselsbenadering. ʼn Multi-periode, geheelplaasbegrotingsmodel is ontwikkel om die interverwantskap van die boerdery te verenig en finansiële prestasie uit te druk in erkende winsgewendheid kriteria. Die boerderymodel is gebaseer op ʼn tipiese plaas vir die Middel-Swartland. Die model is gebruik om die winsgewendheid van verskillende wisselboustelsels te bepaal en om verskillende strategieë te assesseer wat die oorgang van wisselboustelsel kan akkommodeer. Die Langgewens wisselbouproefdata is gebruik om die winsgewendheid van verskillende wisselboustelsels te bepaal. „n Koringmonokultuurstelsel dien as basis vir die oorskakeling na alternatiewe wisselboustelsels, met die fokus op die praktiese implikasies van so ʼn skuif. Die winsgewendheid bepaling wys dat verskeie wisselboustelsels meer winsgewend is as koring monokultuur. Die mees belowende stelsels is een jaar canola gevolg deur drie jaar koring en ʼn koring/medic stelsel met Dohne Merino skape op die medic weidings. Die oorskakeling vanaf koring monokultuur is gesimuleer deur vier scenario‟s. Die eerste scenario evalueer die finansiële implikasie van ʼn skuif van koringmonokultuur na ʼn wisselboustelsel met een jaar canola. Die tweede scenario evalueer ʼn skuif na ʼn koring medic stelsel binne twee jaar met eie fondse. Die derde scenario simuleer dieselfde skuif maar oor ʼn tien jaar tydperk, met eie fondse. Die vierde scenario simuleer dieselfde skuif na koring/medics maar oor ʼn twee jaar periode met geleende fondse. Laer insetkoste en konstante hoër opbrengste lewer hoër brutomarges vir die wisselboustelsels, veral die met stikstofbindende weidingsgewasse. Die insluiting van medic en medic/klawer weidings en alternatiewe kontantgewasse soos canola en lupiene wys ʼn beter opbrengs op kapitaal investering in vergelyking met koringmonokultuur. Bykomende daartoe verskaf die resultate van die studie insig in die faktore wat graanprodusente behoort te oorweeg wanneer ʼn oorskakeling na alternatiewe wisselboustelsels oorweeg word. Die faktore sluit in, die tydperk waaroor die oorskakeling beoog word en die beskikbare finansieringsopsies. Dit blyk dat ʼn vinniger oorskakeling, selfs teen die koste van finansiering, oor die langtermyn meer winsgewend is.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis was to determine whether or not examples exist of commercial grain farmers in the Swartland region of South Africa moving away from high-external-input agricultural production systems towards production systems based on ecologically restorative partnerships with soils and other natural systems. The research also sought to understand why these farmers were changing their approach to farming, as well as investigating the specific technologies and practices they were implementing in order to achieve these changes. In addition, the thesis also considered the theoretical implications of these changes on food security in the Western Cape. Three research approaches were employed: qualitative case studies of seven progressive farmers in the region; a literature review; and an analysis of secondary data. Throughout these three approaches, Swilling and Annecke’s conceptualisation of a multifaceted global polycrisis was used as a conceptual reference point. This was done with the intention of providing an agricultural analysis which looks beyond the farm gate and takes cognisance of the broader socio-ecological issues which affect and are affected by agriculture. The research identified seven farmers who are shifting towards lower-external-input production methods, which focus on enhancing beneficial partnerships with natural systems. The on-site interviews and observations revealed that the degree to which these seven farmers were altering their practices varied significantly. However, four key technologies and practices were identified as being common to all seven farmers: the use of legume rotations, reduced tillage, new styles of planters and increasing farm size. With regard to food security, the research suggested that current changes in these farmers’ agricultural practices could assist in keeping food prices and food production levels more stable in future, compared to production using high-external-input practices previously employed by the farmers. The potential improvement in production stability was shown to result mainly from improvements in soil health, as these improvements give crops increased resilience to unfavourable weather conditions, greater disease-resistance and improved vitality. The potential improvement in price stability stemmed predominantly from increased input-use efficiency and the utilisation of natural fertility and pest-management practices which were less susceptible to monopolistic input sales structures, international shortages and the increasing cost of fossil fuels. Due to the small size of the case study sample and the fact that this research focussed specifically on farmers who were considered progressive, the findings presented in this thesis cannot be viewed as representative of the larger agricultural region. The intention was rather to establish the positive changes currently underway, in order to provide useful pointers for similarly beneficial changes to be implemented elsewhere. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis was om vas te stel of voorbeelde bestaan van kommersiële graanboere in die Swartlandgebied van Suid Afrika wat wegbeweeg van hoë-eksterne-inset produksie sisteme na sisteme wat gebasseer is op vennootskappe met grond en ander natuurlike sisteme. Die doel van dié vennootskappe isom ekologiese herstellingte bewerkstellig. Die navorsing het ook gepoog om te verstaan hoekom hierdie boere hulle boerderytegniekeverander; spesifieke tegnologieë en praktyke wat gebruik word om verandering mee te bringis ondersoek. Daarenbowe oorweeg hierdie tesis ook die teoretiese implikasies van die veranderings op voedselsekuriteit in die Wes-Kaap. Drie navorsings benaderings is te werk gestel: kwalitatiewe gevallestudies van sewe vooruitstrewende boere in die area; ‘n literatuurstudie; en ‘n analise van sekondêre data. Swilling en Annecke se konsepsualisering van die veelvoudig-gefasetteerde globale polikrisis is deurlopend gebruik as ‘n konsepsuele verwysingspunt. Dit is gedoen om‘n boerdery analise daar te stel wat verby die plaashek kyk na wyer maatskaplike en ekologiese kwessies wat ‘n wederkerige verhouding met boerdery het. Die navorsing het sewe boere geidentifiseer wat na laer-eksterne-inset produksie metodes beweeg. Hierdie metodes fokus daarop om voordelige verhoudings met natuurlike sisteme te versterk. Onderhoude en waarnemings op die plase het vasgestel dat die graad van praktykverandering merkwaardig tussen die sewe boere verskil. Nietemin, vier gemeenskaplike sleuteltegnologieëenpraktyke is geidentifiseer: die rotasie van peulgewasse, verminderde grondbewerking, nuwe plantermodelle en die vergroting van plaasgroottes. Met betrekking tot voedselsekuriteit vind die navorsing dat huidige veranderings in die wyse waarop geboer word, in vergelyking met die voorafgaande hoe-eksterne-inset produksie praktyke, kospryse en produksievlakke kan stabiliseer. Die navorsing wys daarop dat ‘npotensiële verbetering in produksie stabiliteit ‘n uitkoms van gesonder grond is. Gesonder grond verhoog gewasse se vermoëom effektief op ongunstige weerkondisies te reageer, bevorder hulle pes-afweringvermoë en verbeter die lewenskragtigheid van gewasse. Die potensiele verbetering in die stabiliteit van pryse is ‘n nagevolg van meer effektiewe gebruik van insette en die gebruik van natuurlike vrugbaarheid en pesbestuurpraktyke wat minder vatbaar is vir monopolistiese inset-verkoopstrukture, internasionale tekorte en die prysverhoging van fossielbrandstowwe. Na aanleiding van die klein skaal van die gevallestudies en die feit dat die navorsing spesifiek gefokus het op vooruitstrewende boere, verteenwoordig die bevindings in hierdie tesis nie die omliggende landbou area nie. Die veronderstelling was eerder om die positiewe veranderings wat tans onderweg is vas te stel om sodoende bruikbare advies aan soortgelyke voordelige veranderings wat elders geimplementeer kan word te verskaf.

Assignment (MSc) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In an integrated crop-livestock production farm, the profitability and sustainability of farm production is dependent on the crop rotation strategy applied. Crop rotations have historically been applied to maintain long-term profitability and sustainabiliry of farming production by exploiting the jointly beneficial interrelationships existing among different crop types and the animal production activity. Monocrop (specifically wheat) growers in the Swartland area of the Western Cape are struggling to maintain long-term profitability and sustainability of the crop production, challenging them to rethink about the introduction crop rotation in the production planning. By making proper assumptions, this paper develops a mixed integer linear programming model to suggest a decision planning for the farm planning problem faced by an integratedcrop- livestock production farmer. The mathematical model developed includes crop production, dairy production and wool sheep production activities, which permitted the consideration of five crop types within a crop rotation system. By assuming that a farmer uses a cycle of at most three years, the crop rotation model was incorporated in the composite mixed integer linear farm planning model. In order to demonstrate the application of the mathematical farm planning model formulated, a case study is presented. Relevant data from the Koeberg area of the Swartland region of the Western Cape was applied. For each planning period, the model assumed that the farm has the option of selecting from any of 15 cropping strategies. A land which is not allocated to any of the 15 crop rotation strategies due to risky production situation is left as grass land for roughage purposes of the animal production. Results of the mathematical model indicated that farm profit is dependent on the cropping strategy selected. Additionally, animal production level was also dependent on the crop strategy appl ied. Furthermore, study results suggest that the profit generated from the integrated crop-livestock farm production by adopting crop rotation was superior to profit generated 1'1'0111 the farm activities which are based on monocrop wheat strategy. Empirical results also indicated that the complex interrelationship involved in a mixed crop-livestock farm operation play a major role in determining optimal farm plans. This complex interrelationships favour the introduction of crop rotation in the crop production activities of the farm under investigation. Crop production risk is the major risk component of risk the farmer faces in the farm production. In this study, risk is incorporated in the mixed integer programrnmg farm planning model as a deviation from the expected values of an activity of returns. Model solution with risk indicated that crop rotation strategy and animal production level is sensitive to risk levels considered. The Results also showed that the incorporation of risk in the model greatly affects the level of acreage allocation, crop rotation and animal production level of the farm. Finally, to improve the profitability and sustainability of the farm activity, the study results suggest that the introduction of crop rotation which consist cereals, oil crops and leguminous forages is of paramount importance. Furthermore, the inclusion of forage crops such as medics in the integrated crop livestock production is beneficial for sustained profitability from year to year. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wisselbou is baie belangrik om volhoubare winsgewindheid te verseker in 'n geintegreerde lewendehawe I gewasverbouing boerdery in die Swartland gebied van Wes-Kaap. "n Monokultuur van veral koring produksie het ernstige problerne vir produsente veroorsaak. In hierdie studie word 'n gemengde heeltallige liniere prograrnmerings-model gebruik om te help met besluitneming in sulke boerderye.Die wiskundige model beskou die produksie van kontant- en voer-gewasse (5 verskillende soorte) asook suiwel- en wol/vleis-produksie (beeste en skape) .Daar word aanvaar dat die boer "n siklus van hoogstens 3 jaar in die wisselbou rotasie model gebruik .. 'n Gevallestudie word gedoen met behulp van toepaslike data van 'n plaas in die Koeberg gebied. Die model aanvaar dat die produsent 'n keuse het uit 16 wisselbou strategic .Resultate toon dat winsgewindheid afhanklik is van die strategie gekies en dat wisselbou beter resultate lewer as in die geval van "n monokultuur.Dit wys ook dat die wisselwerking tussen diereproduksie en gewasproduksie baie belangrik is in die keuse van 'n optimale strategie. Die risiko in gewasverbouing is die belangrikste risiko factor vir die produsent.In hierdie studie word risiko ook ingesluit in die gemengde heeltallige model, naamlik as 'n afwyking van die verwagte opbrengs-waardes .Die model toon duidelik dat gewasproduksie en lewendehawe-produksie baie sensitief is ten opsigte van die gekose risiko vlak. Die studie toon ook dat 'n wisselbou program wat die produksie van graan (veral koring) .oliesade asook voere insluit belangrik is vir volhoubare winsgewindheid Die insluiting van klawers (bv "medics") is veral belangrik hier.

Thesis (MAgricAdmin)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Crop rotation present a possible alternative to wheat mono culture production in the Middle Swartland region where farming circumstances became increasingly more difficult since 1996 due to decreasing profit margins. Crop rotation as such presents a number of advantages like higher yield for wheat within the system and reduced inputs costs mainly due to cuts in fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Crop rotation trials are currently undertaken at the Langgewens experimental farm in which canola and lupines are used in rotation with wheat while medics and medic/clover mixtures are used as pasture crops in rotation with wheat. The trials is scheduled to run over a period of 20 years, a study of the possible financial effect crop rotation might have on the typical farm can be of some importance to decision makers in the wheat industry. Due to a lack in reliable information the knowledge of a multi disciplinary panel of experts were use to obtain information concerning certain aspects of crop rotation. The expected profitability could thus be determined. To be able to determine the expected financial implications on farm level a typical farm model was developed with the help of the panel of experts. The typical farm of 630 ha was used for the model. The expected profitability and financial implications of the implementation of the eight different crop rotation systems on such a typical farm were estimated making use of long term budgets. The dispersion of rainfall over time was identified as the single most influential factor on the yields of the different crops in the region and was taken into account determining the profitability of the systems over time. The period used for the calculations were thus divided into good, average or poor rainfall years. The IRR (internal rate of return) was used as financial criteria in calculating the expected profitability of the different / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wisselbou bied 'n moontlike alternatief vir koringmonokultuurverbouing in die Middel Swartland waar boerdery omstandighede sedert 1996 toenemend moeiliker word weens dalende winsmarges. Wisselbou as sulks bied verskeie voordele ten opsigte van verhoogde opbrengste vir veral koring wat in die wisselboustelsel voorkom, sowel as insetbesparings ten opsigte van hoofsaaklik bemesting en spuitprogramme. Wisselbouproewe word tans op Langgewens Proefplaas onderneem om wisselboustelsels waarin kanola en lupien as wisselbougraangewasse en medies en medics/klawer kombinasies as wisselbouweidingsgewasse saam met koring ondersoek word. Die proef is geskeduleer om oor 'n 20 jaar tydperk uitgevoer te word, maar 'n voortydige finansiële ontleding van die verwagte effek wat wisselbou vir die tipiese plaas kan inhou, kan waardevol wees vir besluitnemers in die betrokke bedryf Weens 'n tekort aan toepaslike betroubare inligting is van 'n multidissiplinêre span van kundiges gebruik gemaak om inligting ten opsigte van sekere aspekte van wisselbou te genereer. So kan die verwagte winsgewendheid van die geïdentifiseerde wisselboustelsels bepaal word. Ten einde die finansiële implikasies van gewaswisselbou relatief tot koringmonokultuurverbouing op plaasvlak te ondersoek, is van 'n tipiese plaasmodel gebruik gemaak wat met behulp van die paneel kundiges ontwikkel is. 'n Tipiese plaas van 630 ha is gebruik as ontledingsmodel. Die verwagte winsgewendheid en finansiële implikasies van die implementering van eik van agt verskillende wisselboustelsels is beraam deur middel van langtermyn begrotings. Reënval en reënvalverspreiding is geïdentifiseer as die faktore wat die grootste invloed op die opbrengs prestasie van gewasse in die betrokke omgewing uitoefen en is in ag geneem met die beraming van die finansiële prestasie van die stelsels oor die langtermyn. Die berekeningstermyn is gevolglik ingedeel in goeie, gemiddelde en swak reënvaljare ten einde die invloed van reënval op die opbrengste van die verskillende gewasse in ag te neem. Die lOK (interne opbrengskoers van kapitaal) is gebruik as finansiële maatstaf vir die meet van die winsgewendheid van eike wisselboustelsel, soos geïmplementeer op die tipiese plaas. Wisselboustelsels met kanola en lupien saam met koring toon goeie finansiële resultate, terwyl stelsels met weidingsgewasse en koring oor die algemeen meer winsgewend vertoon as koringmonokultuur.Na verwagting behoort die stelsel waar koring en medics/klawennengsel afgewissel word, die beste te vaar ten opsigte van winsgewendheid.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was done during 2010 and 2011 as a component study within a long-term crop rotation/soil tillage trial that was started in 2007 at the Langgewens Research Farm near Moorreesburg in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of crop rotation and soil tillage on the soil moisture content, mineral-N levels of the soil, leaf area index, chlorophyll content of the flag leaf, biomass production, grain yield and grain quality of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L). The experimental layout was a randomised complete block design with a split-plot treatment design replicated four times. Wheat monoculture (WWWW), lupin-wheatcanola- wheat (LWCW) and wheat-medic (McWMcW) crop rotation systems were included in this study and allocated to main plots. This study was confined to wheat after medic/clover, wheat after canola and wheat monoculture. Each main plot was subdivided into four sub-plots allocated to four tillage treatments namely: Zero-till (ZT) – soil left undisturbed until planting with a star-wheel planter No-till (NT) – soil left undisturbed until planting and then planted with a no-till planter Minimum-till (MT) – soil scarified March/April and then planted with a no-till planter Conventional-till (CT) – soil scarified March/April, then ploughed and planted with a no-till planter. Soil samples were collected every two weeks from just before planting until before harvest, from which gravimetric soil moisture and total mineral-N (NO3--N and NH4+-N) were determined. Plant samples were collected every four weeks until anthesis, starting four weeks after emergence. From these leaf area index and dry-matter production were determined. Chlorophyll content and light interception were measured at anthesis. At the end of the growing season the total biomass, grain yield and grain quality was determined. Crop rotations which included medics (McWMcW) or canola/lupins (LWCW) led to higher mineral-N content of the soil at the start of the 2011 growing season when compared to wheat monoculture, but did not have an effect on soil moisture. Conservation tillage (minimum- and no-till) practices resulted in higher soil moisture whilst conventional-till resulted in the highest mineral-N content for 2010. There was however no differences in mineral-N content between tillage methods for 2011, whilst soil moisture content was affected in the same way as the previous year. Both crop rotation and tillage influenced crop development and biomass production. In general, increased soil disturbance together with wheat after medics and wheat after canola resulted in better development of the wheat crop with regards to dry matter production and leaf area index. The positive effect of medic and canola rotations was also evident on chlorophyll content and light interception. Grain yield was positively influenced by wheat after medics and wheat after canola, with both systems out-yielding wheat monoculture in 2010 and 2011. Minimum- and no-till resulted in the highest grain yield in both years. Crop rotation and tillage practice showed no clear trends with regards to grain quality. This illustrated the important effect of environmental conditions during grain-filling. Environmental factors such as rainfall and temperature had significant effects in both years of the study, but the importance and advantages of crop rotation, especially with a legume crop such as medics included, was evident even though this component study was done early in terms of the long-term study. The positive effect of implementing conservation tillage practices such as minimum- and no-till were also clearly shown in results obtained throughout this experiment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie is gedurende 2010 en 2011 uitgevoer as ‘n deelstudie van ‘n langtermyn grondbewerking- en wisselbouproef op die Langgewens proefplaas naby Moorreesburg in die Wes-Kaap Provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die effek van grondbewerking en wisselbou op grondvog, minerale stikstof in die grond, blaaroppervlakindeks, chlorofilinhoud van die blare, graanopbrengs en -kwaliteit van lente koring (Triticum aestivum L) te kwantifiseer. Die eksperiment is uitgelê as ‘n volledig lukrake blokontwerp met ‘n verdeelde perseel ontwerp met vier herhalings. Wisselboustelsels wat aan hoofpersele toegeken is sluit koring monokultuur (WWWW), lupien-koring-kanola-koring (LWCW) en medic-koring (McWMcW) in. Grondbewerking is toegeken aan subpersele. Die grondbewerkingsbehandelings het ingeslui: Zero-bewerking (ZT) – die grond is onversteurd gelaat en koring is met ‘n sterwielplanter geplant, Geen-bewerking (NT) – die grond is onversteur gelaat tot en met planttyd waar koring met ‘n geenbewerking (no-till) planter geplant is, Minimum-bewerking (MT) – die grond is in Maart/April met ‘n tandimplement bewerk en met ‘n geen-bewerking planter geplant, Konvensionele-bewerking (CT) – die grond is in Maart/April met ‘n tandimplement bewerk die grond is in Maar/April geploeg met ‘n skaarploeg en met ‘n geenbewerking planter geplant. Grondmonsters is elke twee weke versamel van net voor plant tot net voor oes. Vanaf die versamelde monsters is die grondwaterinhoud grawimetries bepaal en ook die totale minerale stikstofinhoud (NO3--N en NH4+-N). Plantmonsters is vierweekliks versamel beginnende vier weke na opkoms tot en met antese. Blaaroppervlakindeks en biomassaproduksie is bepaal. Die chlorofilinhoud en ligonderskepping is tydens antese bepaal. Aan die einde van die groeiseisoen is totale biomassa, graan opbrengs asook graankwaliteit bepaal. Wisselboustelsels, wat medics (McWMcW) of kanola/lupine (LWCW) ingesluit het, het ‘n hoër minerale stikstofinhoud aan die begin van die 2011 groeiseisoen getoon. Wisselbou het egter geen effek op grondvog gehad nie. Minimum- en geenbewerking het ‘n hoër grondvoginhoud tot gevolg gehad, terwyl die persele onder konvensionele bewerking ‘n hoër minerale stikstof inhoud gehad het in 2010. In 2011 was daar geen verskille in die minerale stikstofinhoud tussen verskillende die bewerkingsmetodes nie en grondvog gedurende 2011 is op dieselfde wyse as in 2010 beïnvloed. Beide wisselbou en bewerkingsmetode het ‘n invloed gehad op gewasontwikkeling en biomassaproduksie. Die algemene tendens was dat, soos grondversteuring toegeneem het in die koring na medics en koring na kanola, het beter gewasontwikkeling plaasgeving met betrekking tot droëmassaproduksie en blaaroppervlakindeks. Die positiewe effek van wisselbou is ook waargeneem in die chlorofilinhoud van die blare en die ligonderskeppingspotensiaal van die blaredak. Graanopbrengs is positief beïnvloed deur die wisselboustelsel, met beide koring na medics en koring na kanola wat hoër graanopbrengste as koring monokultuur vir beide jare gelewer het. Die hoogste graanobrengs is ook gekry onder die minimumen geen-bewerkingsbehandelings vir 2010 en 2011. Wisselbou en bewerkingsmetodes het geen duidelike invloed op koringkwaliteit gehad nie. Dit is ‘n weerspieëling van die belangrike invloed van omgewingsfaktore gedurende die korrelvulstadium van koring. Omgewingsfaktore soos reënval en temperatuur het betekenisvolle effekte in beide jare van die studie gehad, maar die belang van ‘n wisselbou wat ‘n stikstofbinder soos medics insluit, was reeds in hierdie vroeë stadiums van die langtermynproef opvallend. Die positiewe effek van minimum- en geen-bewerking was ook duidelik sigbaar gedurende die verloop van die studie. / The Western Cape Agricultural Trust for the opportunity and the finances to do this study

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research question answered by this study is what policy and strategy would give the necessary direction to Swartland Municipality’s (SM’s) social development programmes to maximise its impact on the social well-being of the community? The motivation for the study is the need to prioritise social development projects in order to improve effectiveness and efficiency in this field. The methodology used was a qualitative study by means of a conceptual analysis of the term social development, a literature study of international, national and local legislation and policies as well as group interviews with internal and external stakeholders. Social development was defined for the purposes of this study as the process of strengthening the relationships/ partnerships and linkages between people, resources and/or systems within the scope of poverty reduction, expansion of employment opportunities and social integration, with the goal to achieve well-being for individuals, groups and/or communities. Furthermore a literature study explored relevant legislation and policy documents to give clarity on the municipality’s role of social development. Main findings were that the SA Constitution as supreme law, clearly states the municipal objective is to promote social development and states four functions that relate to social development namely child facilities, basic infrastructure, public amenities and sports facilities. Furthermore social development functions in all municipal departments need to co-ordinate to maximise social development resources. Lastly the municipality’s social development programmes must be supplementary and supportive to the work of the Department of Social Development. Furthermore, engagements were held with internal and external stakeholders of Swartland Municipality and the strategic direction was determined by means of a vision, mission and strategic focus areas. The vision identified is: We build and create sustainable social development partnerships with all our people for strengthening the social fabric of the Swartland community. The social development mission is: We initiate, build and promote social development opportunities with the focus on sustainability, which specifically refers to financial viability in the long term, forming partnerships with the community and service providers, not harming the environment and operating within legal powers and functions. Five strategic focus areas flowing from the vision and mission were identified. To promote collaboration and co-ordination is the pivotal focus area. Social development has to be co-ordinated by means of a social development forum represented of all sectors (government, NGO, faith-based, business, agriculture). The other focus areas were: promoting child development/establishing child facilities, lobbying for the vulnerable, facilitating access to the economy and promoting youth development. The impact of service delivery according to the five focus areas must be measured in totality by means of the Human Development Index and reflected in the integrated development plan.

Thesis (MScAgric (Viticulture and Oenology))--University of Stellenbosach, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Cabernet Sauvignon, the most planted red wine cultivar in South Africa, is prone to vigorous growth with low yields. The aim of the study was to describe how Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines react to climate and irrigation within the Swartland region. Such knowledge would assist growers in decisions regarding long term as well as short term cultivation practices. This study was part of a larger project carried out by the Infruitec-Nietvoorbij institute of the Agricultural Research Council at Stellenbosch to determine effects of soil type and climate on yield and wine quality of Cabernet Sauvignon. The larger project was carried out in selected grape growing regions, i.e. Stellenbosch, Swartland, Lower Olifants River and Lower Orange River. Due to the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the study area in the Swartland region could be divided into two climatic regions for viticulture. Grapevines near Philadelphia closer to the ocean experienced less water constraints compared to those further inland near Wellington. Variation in stem water potential could also be related to soil water matric potential. Climate tended to have a more pronounced effect on the grapevine response to water constraints further inland than closer to the ocean. Vegetative growth, berry size and yield depended on water constraints experienced by the grapevines. In the warmer climate, severe constraints reduced yield. In the warmer climate, grapes started to ripen earlier than those in the cooler climate. Sugar concentration (mg/mL) was highest where grapevines experienced moderate water constraints. These seemingly balanced grapevines had the highest sugar accumulation, probably due to optimum photosynthesis and carbohydrate utilization. Low water constraints increased vegetative growth which could have been a sink for sugar loading. In addition to sugar loading, degree Balling (°B) increases could also have been due to a concentration effect where water constraints reduced berry volume. Therefore, °B is probably not a representative indicator of grapevine functioning. Anthocyanin biosynthesis, as quantified on a per berry basis, showed that sugar and anthocyanin could be co-regulated, with anthocyanin biosynthesis reaching a plateau when the sugar content per berry reached 200 mg/mL to 220 mg/mL. At véraison, the most intense grape colour occurred where grapevines experienced moderate water constraints, i.e. single drip line at Wellington and no irrigation at Philadelphia. However, at harvest grapes from the cooler climate tended to have more intense colour and higher phenolics, indicating that lower temperatures favoured anthocyanin biosynthesis. These results supported earlier findings that grapevine water status influences berry volume and dynamics of berry ripening. Water constraints tended to increase sensorial wine colour intensity, as well as wine fullness. Moderate water constraints at both localities resulted in the best sensorial wine quality. Yet there were indications that too severe water constraints could be detrimental to wine quality. Irrigation can be used to manipulate grapevine growth in warmer climates, but might be less effective in cooler climates. In warmer climates, moderate water constraints required to achieve balanced grapevine functioning can be obtained with single drip irrigation, but this might not be the case in cooler climates. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Cabernet Sauvignon, die mees aangeplante rooiwynkultivar in Suid-Afrika, is geneig tot kragtige groei met lae opbrengste. Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om te beskryf hoe Cabernet Sauvignon-wingerdstokke reageer op klimaat en besproeiing in die Swartland-streek. Hierdie kennis sal kwekers help wanneer hulle besluite moet neem oor langtermyn sowel as korttermyn verbouingspraktyke. Hierdie studie was deel van ‘n groter projek deur die Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Instituut van die Landbounavorsingsraad op Stellenbosch om die effekte van grondtipe en klimaat op die opbrengs en wynkwaliteit van Cabernet Sauvignon te bepaal. Die groter projek is in geselekteerde wingerdverbouingstreke uitgevoer, nl. Stellenbosch, Swartland, Benede Olifantsrivier en Benede Oranjerivier. As gevolg van die nabyheid daarvan aan die Atlantiese Oseaan kon die studiegebied in die Swartland-streek in twee klimaatstreke vir wingerdbou verdeel word. Wingerdstokke by Philadelphia, wat nader aan die oseaan is, het minder waterstremming ervaar as dié verder binnelands naby Wellington. Veranderinge in stamwaterpotensiaal hou moontlik ook verband met die grondwater- matrikspotensiaal. Klimaat het ‘n groter effek op die reaksie van die wingerdstok op waterstremming verder binnelands as nader aan die oseaan. Vegetatiewe groei, korrelgrootte en opbrengs was afhanklik van die waterstremminge wat deur die wingerdstokke ervaar is. In die warmer klimaat het die ernstige stremminge opbrengs verminder. In die warmer klimaat begin druiwe vroeër ryp word as in die koeler klimaat. Suikerkonsentrasie (mg/ml) was die hoogste waar wingerde matige waterstremming ervaar het. Hierdie skynbaar gebalanseerde wingerdstokke het die hoogste suikerakkumulasie vertoon, moontlik as gevolg van optimum fotosintese en koolhidraatverbruik. Lae waterstremming het vegetatiewe groei verhoog, wat ook ‘n vraagpunt vir suikerlading kon wees. Benewens suikerlading kon verhogings in grade Balling (°B) ook moontlik aan ‘n konsentrasie-effek toegeskryf word in terme waarvan waterstremming die korrelvolume verminder het. °B is dus moontlik nie ‘n verteenwoordigende indikator van wingerdstokfunksionering nie. Antosianienbiosintese, soos gekwantifiseer op ‘n per-korrel basis, het getoon dat suiker en antosianien saam gereguleer kon word, en dat antosianienbiosintese ‘n plato bereik het wanneer die suikerinhoud per korrel 200 mg/mL tot 220 mg/mL was. By deurslaan het die mees intense druifkleur voorgekom waar die wingerdstokke matige waterstremming ervaar het, d.w.s. enkel druplyn op Wellington en geen besproeiing op Philadelphia. Teen oes was die druiwe in die koeler klimate egter geneig om meer intense kleur en meer fenole te bevat, wat aandui dat laer temperature antosianienbiosintese bevoordeel. Hierdie resultate ondersteun vroeër bevindings dat die waterstatus van die wingerdstok ‘n invloed op korrelvolume en die dinamika van korrelrypwording het. Waterstremming neig om die sensoriese wynkleurintensiteit te verhoog, asook die volheid van die wyn. Matige waterstremming op beide liggings het aanleiding gegee tot die beste sensoriese wynkwaliteit. Tog was daar aanduidings dat waterstremming wat te straf was, nadelig kon wees vir wynkwaliteit. Besproeiing kan gebruik word om wingerdgroei in warmer klimate te manipuleer, maar is moontlik minder effektief in koeler klimate. In warmer klimate kan die matige waterstremming wat benodig is vir gebalanseerde wingerdstokfunksionering, verkry word deur enkel drupbesproeiing, maar dit is moontlik nie die geval in koeler klimate nie.