Home: TRD: WORCESTER VELDRESERVAAT
Lees oor die plaas in Afrikaans.
Harvesting seed in Worcester
About 70% of the Western Cape consists of natural veld. Unfortunately large sections of it is in poor condition due to poor management over many years. Large sections of veld cannot recover on its own, especially due to low rainfall in many of these areas, and the sowing in of indigenous species to help the veld recover is the only viable option.
At the Worcester Veld Reserve farmers can purchase seed of indigenous veld species, especially the edible ones, for re-introduction on their farms. The farm also offers a comprehensive service, and Hannes Botha, manager of the Worcester Veld Reserve, is happy to answer questions about the natural veld of the Western Cape.
Most of the work done on the farm at present is applicable to the more arid parts of the Western Cape. At present the focus is on seed production. Germination tests and seed bank studies for various projects by the Department of Agriculture: Western Cape is also conducted at the Reserve.
At present 5 ha Tripteris sinuata (Bietou), 1 ha Eriocephalus africanus (kapokbos), 1 ha Hirpicium integrifolium (haarbossie), 0.5 ha Erharta calycina (rooisaadgras) and 2 ha Chaetobromus dreageanus (hartbeesgras) are established and used for seed production. Plantings are demand driven. Recently the plantings of vetiver grass have been expanded due to the interest in and demand for this versatile exotic, but sterile grass.
The farm has always been at the forefront of innovation as far as the development of machines to improve the efficiency of seed collection, germination and cleaning of seed is concerned.
- Mr PAB van Breda, the second manager of the Veld Reserve, developed a seed harvester which is hauled by a tractor. This device is still used today. Before the development of the harvester, suction devices that was carried on the back was used - these were extremely time consuming.
- Hannes Botha developed a veld sowing case. The problem with the sowing of veld species is that it is normally impractical to prepare a seed bed. A normal ghrop is not effective either. This device improved the establishment of indigenous species.
- At present work is underway to develop a seed cleaning machine.
Seed Harvester
Sowing
Seed cleaning machine
Click on photographs for a larger version
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