In an agricultural environment where no two seasons are the same, it’s becoming increasingly important for farmers to use solutions that are not only reliable but also adaptable to changing conditions. For farmers like Erasmus van Skalkwyk, who has been farming full time for 26 years on Eendoring farm in Kroonstad, this is exactly where the Elim BRANDT range is effective.
Erasmus, who produces maize and especially soybeans, describes farming as a continuous process of adaptation. “Every year brings new challenges. You must take what you get and make the best of it,” he explains. It was this reality that led him to the BRANDT range six years ago – a decision he now considers strategic.
Erasmus van Schalkwyk, farmer.
According to Erasmus, the value of the range lies not only in individual products, but in the integrated system it provides. From the start of the season through to the final growth stages, the Elim BRANDT range offers complementary solutions that strengthen each other.
He explains that he begins with products such as Homeland, used early in the season to support initial plant development by stimulating strong root growth and faster establishment, improving water and nutrient uptake. This is followed by Smart Quatro, which he describes as a turning point in his production system.
“When I started applying Smart Quatro, I immediately saw a change in my crops. There was less stress, and the plants developed better,” he says. This is attributed to balanced foliar nutrition that quickly makes micro-elements available and helps reduce glyphosate stress.
This improved plant response is not only visually noticeable but also reflected in yield. According to Erasmus, he has seen a clear improvement in both plant health and final production. The last step in his programme includes products such as Smart KB, which helps to finish the season strongly by supplying potassium and boron – both critical for seed development, sugar transport and effective grain or pod filling.
Another key component he highlights is Green Liquid, which he says plays a significant role in root development. “Stronger roots mean better uptake of nutrients and water. It helps the plant get through difficult conditions and continue growing,” he says, while also improving plant energy and supporting recovery after stress.
One of the biggest benefits Erasmus has observed is his crops staying green for longer. This extended green leaf phase has a direct impact on grain filling. “The longer the plant stays green, the longer it can fill its seed. That means heavier kernels and ultimately more income,” he says.
Erasmus van Schalkwyk’s Elim BRANDT product range.
From a technical perspective, Elim Agronomist Warick Heppell explains that the BRANDT range is based on a unique foliar nutrition approach. Unlike conventional products, this range is specifically formulated to ensure maximum uptake and efficiency.
“The products contain a mannitol complex that significantly improves absorption into the plant,” he says. This technology allows nutrients to be absorbed more rapidly through the leaves and transported more efficiently within the plant – to where they are needed most, whether roots, leaves or reproductive structures.”
Another important advantage is compatibility with glyphosate. This allows farmers to integrate their nutrition programme with weed control strategies without compromising herbicide effectiveness. In fact, foliar nutrition can help reduce the stress that glyphosate may place on plants.
Elim Agronomist, Warick Heppell.
Warick also emphasises that the formulation is patented, meaning the molecules move more easily through the plant’s cuticle and stomata. Once inside the plant, nutrients are rapidly distributed to growth points where demand is highest. This focus on timely and efficient nutrition is critical, especially during growth stages when crop nutrient demand peaks. Foliar feeding, therefore, plays a complementary role in correcting deficiencies and supporting optimal growth.
For farmers, this translates into a more precise and responsive nutrition approach – one that not only corrects deficiencies but also proactively unlocks yield potential.
Erasmus’s experience serves as practical proof of these principles. For him, it is not just about products, but about measurable results in the field and on the scale.
Now that input costs are rising and margins are under pressure, technology that truly adds value can make the difference between an average and an exceptional season. The Elim BRANDT range gives farmers a tool to achieve exactly that – supporting plants from establishment through to harvest and optimising every growth stage.
For more information, farmers can visit Elim’s website at www.elimfertiliser.co.za to see how the Elim BRANDT range can be integrated into their specific production systems.
