On Johan Claasen Boerdery’s farm outside Bothaville, modern irrigation plays a central role in the success of the farm’s crop production.

Wesley Smit, General Manager of the farm’s irrigation unit, shares his insights on the implementation of Reinke pivots and how they contribute to effective water use, reliable irrigation, and the expansion of crop rotation in the Free State.

Wesley is part of the Johan Claasen Boerdery group and manages the irrigation unit’s day-to-day activities. The farm itself is a family business that has expanded into a large operation with five main crops over the last five years.

In winter, wheat and canola are planted, while potatoes, soybeans, and maize make up the summer crops. This year, they further integrated canola, the fifth crop, as part of their winter rotation.

According to Wesley, the decision to plant canola in the Free State was carefully considered. “We were looking for a crop to add another winter grain. Canola brings value not only primarily, but also secondarily, by improving soil health.

“We are still busy researching it, but this year shows that we used our opportunities well. Canola definitely has a place as a rotation crop in the Free State.”

Wesley emphasises that canola’s water requirements are relatively low compared to other crops.

“For our wheat, we irrigate between 700 and 750 mm, but for canola, 400 to 450 mm is sufficient. This was a major motivation in the decision to plant this crop here.”

The biggest challenge, however, is determining the correct planting time, as canola’s flowering period is sensitive to temperature fluctuations. “It likes cold nights and warm days, but not rapid delta temperature changes,” Wesley says.

To optimise water use and keep energy costs low, the farm decided to implement pivot irrigation. Johan Claasen Boerdery has eight Reinke pivots, installed over a period of 18 months.

The Reinke pivots irrigate all crops and range in size from 6,5 ha to 50 ha. The first three Reinke units were installed two years ago, and the five new units have only been in use this year.

Wesley says the decision to work with Reinke was about more than just technology. “The competition is good, but Reinke’s structure is strong and solid. More importantly, it feels as if dealing with family when we’re working with Patrick and his team.”

The planning, installation, and implementation of the pivots went smoothly. It took less than a day from unpacking to full operation. Wesley says that practical experience shows that the Reinke pivots lead to reliable and efficient farm irrigation.

“It’s too early to comment on yield yet, but because the machines are reliable, there is no downtime. You know your crop will be successful,” says Wesley.

Furthermore, Wesley’s pivots operate at lower inlet pressures, which reduces energy consumption without compromising the crops’ water needs.

This combination of efficiency and reliability results in a noticeable difference in water and input management.

A unique advantage of Reinke’s design is the structural integrity that strengthens the pivot without installing unnecessary structures that could affect water flow.

Wesley Smit is the General Manager at the irrigation farm outside Bothaville, which forms part of the Johan Claasen Boerdery group.

Due to the lighter structure, the wheel tracks don’t sink too deeply, and the spray package functions effectively. At Johan Claasen Boerdery, they use a 12-mm spray package, which Wesley says is closest to natural raindrops.

Wesley’s experience regarding Reinke’s support has been very positive. “The support from Reinke makes it a pleasure to work with them. Their family values align with ours. If I were to recommend them to other farmers, I would say: ‘Go visit Reinke, because they are already making a difference on my farm.’”

Ever since the establishment and utilisation of Reinke’s pivots, the farm’s capacity to precisely plan when and how much water to apply has improved significantly. This allows Johan Claasen Boerdery to use water more effectively, reduce risks, and optimise input costs.

For irrigation farmers in the Free State, this kind of technology is a clear advantage, not only in crop production but also in the long-term sustainability of farming practices.

With the success of canola and the support of Reinke’s pivots, Johan Claasen Boerdery’s irrigation farm is an example of how modern farming and strong partnerships go hand in hand to optimise productivity and water efficiency.

For enquiries about any of Reinke’s products or services, contact Patrick Ellis at (+27) 87-654-5828 or email salesrsa@reinke.com