Our Summer crops

Sandstone committed to a larger area this year for summer crops. We also decided to plant maize for the first time in 10-years.

Last year, despite difficult conditions, we did well with our soya beans and have once again added soya beans to the rotation. Sunflowers is the other summer crop we have just planted.

The crops germinated well and thus far growth is normal. More rain would however be appreciated.

Soyas as at 26th November 2012

Maize as at 26th November 2012

The maize is developing well.  The one picture below clearly shows Springbok in the maize.  Sandstone has a policy of being tolerant about wildlife in the crops.  We do not have any real evidence that significant damage has been caused to the crops by our herds of Springbok that roam the farm.  They tend to favour natural grasses.  However, they have not been presented with the temptation of maize for some time so we will have to see.

Sunnies as at 26th November 2012

Our sunflowers were the first crop to be planted and it shows.  They are developing rapidly and weed control should not be a problem.