Browsing by Author "Louw, Victor de Wet"

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    Finansiele implikasies van besproeiing, geintegreer met lowerbestuur, vir rooi wyndruiwe in die Robertson-wynvallei
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-04) Louw, Victor de Wet; Hoffmann, Willem H.; Lategan, E. L.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Agricultural Economics.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The financial decision-making environment within which wine-grape producers function is challenging because of the complex interrelationships between yield, product price and input requirements. The complexity of farm systems is increased because production and financial decisions are necessarily made under uncertainty. Various issues influence the resilience of the wine industry. The goal of this study is to determine the financial implications of irrigation, integrated with canopy management practices on red wine cultivars in the Robertson area. Canopy management and irrigation cost play an important role within the multi-faceted farm system regarding yield, quality and input cost. This necessitates that research be carried out within the context of a systems approach. In this manner the interdependence among the various components of the farm system, and the associated synergies can be captured. Farm management, as a field of research, is dependent on other disciplines that present an alternative perspective to the research problem. Viticulture trials specifically focused on the impact of various irrigation and canopy management activities is being done on Wansbek farm. Nine treatments were tested at various combinations of soil water depletion levels and canopy management strategies. The farm is situated in Agterkliphoogte, an area in the Robertson valley. A multi-disciplinary group discussion was held to firstly obtain insight in the complex working of a farm. Secondly the group discussion was used to gain insight into the application of the Wansbek trial data and the setting of guidelines as to its application to determine the expected farm level financial implications of the treatments. Dealing with complexity necessitates insight form various areas of expertise, which is achieved time efficiently within expert group discussions. A quantitative method is required to reflect the interrelatedness and dynamics of a whole farm system in a user-friendly manner. Multi-period budget models present the ability to accommodate the complexity associated with a farm through a sequence of mathematical and accounting equations. The physical/biological interrelations and structure of the farm can be modelled while the financial performance of various irrigation and canopy management strategies can be determined. Farm-level profitability is especially sensitive to yield and price of farm products. The treatments that showed the highest expected profitability, return relatively high yields and prices at relatively low production costs. The sprawling canopy management treatment at c. 60% and c. 30% plant available water depletion levels returned the highest and second highest profitability at both gross margin per hectare and whole farm level. Scenarios were incorporated to illustrate the expected impact of key variables and the capability of the model. Key factors associated with the success of specific treatments could be identified. Results showed throughout that the balance between yield, price and input cost are the determining factor to profitability, rather than a focus on any particular one of these factors.