Question❓| Upskill 📚 | Information ℹ️ | Picture 📷 | Special Offer 🎁

Edition 13

👋 Hey TropicalBytes family, welcome to this week’s edition of Q.U.I.P.S.!

As the fastest-growing subtropical farming community out there, we're thrilled to be your BFF (Best Farming Friend), saving you hundreds of hours by unearthing hidden gems like actionable tips, practical knowledge, industry insights, and so much more - all with the end goal of equipping you for excellence and success.

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Estimated read time: 3 minutes

In Today’s Email:

• Q: How do the Numbers Compare Between Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Macadamia Orchards? 🤔

• U: Get Your Bake On: Macadamia Bread Recipe 🍞

• I: Farming with the Moon 🌙

• P: Flourishing Dry-land Orchard 🌳

• S: R500 CASH WINNER!! 💰

Question❓

How do the Numbers Compare Between Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Macadamia Orchards?

If there's one thing we've observed over the years, it's that farmers who have both the water and financial resources tend to opt for irrigation. The only exceptions being those who are either short on water, funds, or both.

But it's not uncommon to find irrigating farmers questioning the necessity of their approach, especially in wet years or when they face challenges with scheduling, maintenance, or technology.

Our interview last year with Philip Lee, a renowned macadamia consultant, shed some light on this topic.

• Philip Lee [Part 1]

• Philip Lee [Part 2]

He conducted a study comparing the financial outcomes of irrigated versus non-irrigated macadamia orchards, and the results may surprise you – they certainly did us!

Or perhaps we’re just hopeless fans of anything ‘natural,’ i.e.: relying on rainfall only. 😂

So, what's the bottom line?

Well, according to Philip Lee's study, despite the higher initial investment, irrigated macadamia orchards prove more profitable. 

Here's a detailed breakdown:

• The study was conducted in 1995 on a 120ha macadamia project over 2 years (costs were updated in October 2021).

• Using a plant spacing of 8m x 4m, giving 312 trees/ha.

• Three scenarios were studied; high yield, average yield and dry land.

• Note that land acquisition costs and interest on loan repayments were excluded.

• The costing was done considering a high management standards environment. Individual small farmers may find they can do it all cheaper.

• The DIS price to the grower of R60.00/kg was used (after processing and marketing costs have been deducted).

• Clearing cost: R5 000/ha has been included (this is obviously highly dependent on the individual orchard).

• Land prep cost: R13 000/ha has also been included for the preferred deep ripping (down to 1m with tines 1m apart) and ploughing land preparation method.

• Establishment and maintenance labour includes the cost of planting and weed control in year 0, the year of planting.

• Harvesting labour costs: Up to year 4, a productivity of ±44kg NIH (20kg DIS) per person per day was assumed. Then increases to ±220kg NIH (100kg DIS) per person per day, on average for the season (from tree age 8). The cost is based on a wage of R180 per person per day.

• Overheads: The constant R5 500/ha/year used here includes building and machinery maintenance, management salaries and an allowance for depreciation of agricultural machinery and equipment (again, it obviously differs greatly from farm to farm).

• Capex: R5 500/ha has been included for tractors/agricultural equipment. The amount of R35 000 is included for installation of a permanent micro-jet irrigation system. This would include the entire infrastructure required for irrigation like new pump stations and main lines etc. There are other more expensive options for capital cost of irrigation like low flow drip systems presently running at R70 000/ha. Provision is also made for dehusking/storage/drying facilities at R3 000/ha at first harvest (year 4) and for expansion of these facilities as volumes increase of an additional R3 000/ha in project year 7 and again in project year 10.

Now, let's compare the three scenarios:

As you can see, even with the cost of irrigation, the increased yield it provides translates to significantly higher profits in the long run. It's a clear case of initial investment paying dividends over time. But, as always, your individual circumstances may vary, so consider all your variables before deciding on the best approach for your farm.

Let us know how these figures compare to your own farm! 👇

⏰ Friendly Reminder: Got Any Questions? Submit Them Here to Be Answered.

Upskill 📚

Get Your Bake On: Macadamia Bread Recipe

This week’s Upskill is in the culinary department…

Isn’t your mouth just watering right now? 🤤

Here’s the Recipe 👇

Ingredients:

• 2 cup Eureka Bread flour

• 1 cup Eureka Cake flour

• 1 cup organic spelt*

• 1/2 c wheatgerm

• 1/2 cup chopped dates

• 1/2 cup mixed seeds

• 1 cup crushed dried macadamia nuts

• 1 1/2 sachet yeast

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 Tbsp sugar

• 1 cup warm milk

• 1 cup warm water

  *If you don’t have spelt, just replace with cake flour.

Method:

1. Place water, sugar, spelt and yeast in a mixing bowl. Mix, seal with glad wrap. Store in the fridge overnight.

2. Place all dry ingredients, including dates and crushed nuts in a larger bowl. Add spelt mixture and warm milk.

3. Mix well.

4. Allow to rise and beat back.

5. When dough becomes ‘elastic’, place in two separate medium baking tins, previously sprayed with non-stick spray.

6. Sprinkle dough with additional seeds.

7. Allow to rise to double.

8. Bake in an oven preheated to 180’c for 1 hour.

Mrs JAFF mentioned that, once the loaf is baked, she brushes the top with coconut oil to prevent fungal and bacterial infections.

Debbie Leslie: “Trust me it’s DELICIOUS! I was blessed with a loaf 😋”

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Information ℹ️

Farming with the Moon

The first time we heard that people consider the phase of the moon when making farming decisions, we thought they were having us on.

Smiling suspiciously, waiting for the “just kidding”. 

When the punchline never came, we seriously questioned our JAFF referral system…

But hold on a sec!

As we dug a bit deeper, it all started to make sense – some things are right in front of you, yet you don’t see them – consider these:

Two Mammoth Forces:

• A woman’s menstrual cycle is (meant to be) 28 days. Same as the moon’s cycle.

• The oceans’ tides are governed by the moon.

Two Mini Forces:

• Dung-beetles, who roll their dung balls backwards, are guided by lunar pull to stay in a straight line.

• Deworming medicine (the kind we’re supposed to give our families and pets annually) should only be taken just after the full moon so that it kills the newly hatched worms – hatched at new moon – otherwise it’s pretty much a waste of money.

So, how does this relate to farming?

One of our most favourite JAFFs, the Buhrs - a sugar JAFF (so their identity is not hidden), showed us how they believe farming with the moon makes a significant difference in their lives.

And here’s the advice they shared with us:

• Plant above-ground produce on the wax of the moon.

• Plant below-ground produce on the wane of the moon.

• Avoid planting on the days the moon changes phase.

• Harvest on a waning moon. First choice for planting is always a fertile sign, even if planting out of phase. (here they are referring to Zodiac signs – see table below)

• Never plant when the moon moves through Leo.

• Avoid planting on Sundays.

• Avoid planting on eclipse and nodal days.

• Avoid planting root veg closer than 3 days before New Moon.

• When possible, plant when the moon is above the horizon.

And the Buhrs are not the only highly successful farmers paying heed to the moon…

Another mac-JAFF (JAFF 15), who ran a successful nursery, only grafted in the week before full moon. Their grafting success rates increased by 300% when they adopted this lunar synchronisation.

So, just when you think you've got it all to a point and can do no more to refine your practices, look up.

That big pale ball in the sky could be your next game changer.

Something to ponder on...or should we say, some moon (food) for thought?

Upcoming Industry Events

• NAMPO CAPE | 13 – 16 Sept

• International Macadamia Symposium (IMS ‘23) | 18 – 21 Sept

• PROPAK CAPE | 24 – 26 October

🚨 HELP NEEDED! 🚨

Our upcoming industry events list is looking a little thin…

And who better to help us than YOU?

See, we believe in sharing value — and by value, we mean those golden nuggets of industry knowledge that are dished out at the best agri events. Webinars, meetups, study groups...the whole shebang!

So, if you've got an unmissable event in mind, we're all ears. Actually, we're more than all ears — we're ready to blast your insider info out to the entire TropicalBytes community, spreading the love and helping everyone stay ahead of the curve.

Just click here and let us know the what, where and when.

Sharing isn't just caring — it's how we grow together 🌱

Looking forward to hearing from you! 😁

Picture 📷

Flourishing Dry-land Orchard

JAFF 7 says his dry-land orchards perform just as well as the irrigated ones…

Then why does he still install irrigation? 

Find out more here → (link)

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Special Offer 🎁

R500 Cash Giveaway: We've Crossed the Finish Line! 🏁

QUIPS Family, it's time to roll out the red carpet…

WE HAVE A WINNER!! 🏆💰

Our victor has requested to remain a mystery (Oh, how boring...🙄). So, we’re calling her “T” 😜.

T…, from the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate you. 💚

And to the 5 new subscribers who joined our TropicalBytes family through “T”, a huge WELCOME! Thank you for joining us. We're thrilled to have you on board and can’t wait to serve up our pearls of value.

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Oh and stay tuned for more updates and exciting offers… 🤩

That’s a wrap folks! We hope you enjoyed this week’s QUIPS edition.

Don't forget to join us in the comments section below 👇 – it's kinda like a family Braai but better! There, you'll find no screaming kids, awkward photos, or tipsy uncles telling bizarre stories. Let's get the conversations cookin'! 🔥 

Until then, happy farming, deep learning, and warm smiles.

We'll see you next week! 🌱

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