WITH THE FIRST of a 12-ha crop and a difficult season (a long dry spell to start with
and heavy late rains toward the tail-end), we did not come up to expectations on
either yield or price, but did not fare badly, selling 41,000kg @ 3,40/kg - a yield
of 3,400kg/ha. The average price was above the country average, as was the yield.
The 2011/12 crop is being planted as I write.
Exciting things are happening on the re-aforrestation programme, with eucalyptus seedlings being
produced in conjunction with with Northern Tobacco (BAT). Between the tobacco plantings we will
start planting the first of an approximately 20-hectare eucalyptus plantation. Seedlings are also
produced for other contract growers with Northern Tobacco.
We did a lot of modifications on the barn/shed complex this last season, including the grading
shed and a cold-condition unit; this was basically to cater for the larger crop.
Maize
This is basically grown for "home consumption" and to fit into the tobacco
rotation. The yield was only 3,6 tonnes/ha., the reason being we over-extended ourselves on the
tobacco and labour does not come cheap in this day and age!!! The weather was not really
favourable for a maize crop either.
Beans
We planted a small bean crop, but this was
literally destroyed in two deluges of rain - 140mm. In 48 hours; what was left
we gave to the workers over a few days in their lunch ration.
Cattle
A very exciting time in our quest to produce Tuli bulls,
as we purchased a brand-new Tuli bull, which has gone to work already on our small herd of cows,
numbering 13. From an initial herd of 10 heifers and three cows - carryover from the
"holocaustish" years of 2007 - 2009 - when some parents had difficulties in paying
schoolfees and substituted with livestock - we now have 13 weaners (2010 calf crop) and
13 new calves (2011). Bull calves are castrated and disposed of at 400kgs and the heifers we
will use for breeding. We have inherited 10 dairy heifers, which will be ready to milk in the
latter half of 2012. We hope to have refurbished the dairy by this time.
Poultry
With the re-introduction of this enterprise we are
sitting on 2500 birds at various stages of growth. Most are sold live at six weeks, as we have
no abattoir, so can't sell them through the kitchen (health regulations). We will in time build
an abattoir and expand this project.
Horticulture
A ariety of vegetables are grown on one-and-ahalf hectares, some of
which is sold to the school kitchen, some sold to staff and labour, and the rest is
accounted for by passing trade. Water availability is a limiting factor in the
expansion/improvement of this enterprise. Several borehole sites have been pegged, but
will only be exploited as and when when financial resources allow us to procure this vital
natural resource.
There are exciting times ahead for the agricultural side of the College, with the resuscitation
of the Agricultural Diploma Course.
