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

Edition 17

👋 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.

Before we dive into today’s edition, our ask is for you to please share your own creative ideas, ask any burning questions you may have, or let us know which topics you’d love to see covered.

Remember, we’re here for you - the awesome TropicalBytes community!

Let's dive right in! 🚀

Estimated read time: 3 minutes

In Today’s Email:

• Q: How Does Using Less Water Increase Results? 🤔

• U: Preserving Surface Drip Irrigation Lines for Reuse 🔄

• I: Sugar JAFF's and Their Irrigation Strategies 🌟

• P: Golden Sunsets in Pongola 🌅

• S: Snag a Pair of TropicalBytes Branded Gumboots - On Us! 🎁

Question❓

How Does Using Less Water Increase Results?

Ever wondered how less water might yield better results?

If you’re an avo or mac farmer, you're probably waving your hand, already in the know. In recent years, both those industries have come to understand that aerated soils are far better equipped to fend off nasties like phytophthora. But hang on – we're not diving into that today. Instead, we’re unearthing the sweet mysteries of SUGAR CANE! A completely different animal…

Sugarcane, that not-so-humble grass, is known to ADORE water. “And in my two decades in the sugar sector, I'd never even heard the term 'phytophthora', before venturing into the orchards.” - Debbie. Although cane is also ‘fine’ with ‘no’ water (most KZN cane farms are dryland). So, you might think, why would cane farmers be all that concerned about water?

As we know, farmers love to irrigate, especially our northern cane farmers who relish the sight of their bright green cane leaves dancing in the downpour from overhead sprinklers, almost as if they can hear their crop growing. That is, until droughts play spoilsport. Fearing the worst, they’d ration the sparse water they had, anxious about every drop. And here’s the twist – their final figures showed they were better off!

“Wait, how’s that even possible?” was what the general chorus heard.

Yes, although they had sent fewer trucks off to the mill, the results were better. Turns out, the stressed cane was sweeter, a higher RV (Recoverable Value), which is what sugar farmers are after. Plus, think of the saved costs from using less water and electricity.

Recall the 2016 drought?

Well, we at TropicalBytes (then called SugarBytes) had the privilege of front-row seats, navigating alongside some epic farmers as they adapted and changed the way they farm.

Curious about the details? Dive into this story → (link) It covers an interesting dissection of the trade-off between quality and quantity…

👇 As this table illustrates, 60t per hectare at 15% RV or 129t at 7%, delivers the same result, with lower costs and water use.

Quite the food for thought, right?

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

Upskill 📚

Preserving Surface Drip Irrigation Lines for Reuse 🔄

Kurt Stock's genius in simplicity caught our eye! His 'windy-windy' tool makes reeling in drip lines a breeze. No instructions needed, just one glance at the images and you've got it.

👉 Learn more from this irrigation whizz → (link)

⏰ Friendly Reminder: Share Your Own Creative Upskill Tips Here

Information ℹ️

Sugar JAFF's and Their Irrigation Strategies 🌟

As you know, TropicalBytes is a treasure trove of invaluable information, but if you’re looking to find that specific pearl, we feel you–it can all be a bit daunting. So, that's why we've gone and highlighted the essentials for you in this feature.

We've interviewed 42 Sugar Farmers, and below is a concise roundup of those who employed irrigation strategies and their choices.

Ready to immerse yourself in their wisdom? Simply scroll through the list of farmers stories here → Top Grower Profiles to find the one you’re after.

Just a heads-up: Our Sugar Farmer stories began in 2017, so they're right at the start (or bottom) of the selection. Keep on scrolling…

Quick note: All our farmers from KZN North & South Coast went the dryland route. Oh, and don't miss the table below—it ties everything together. 👇

Picture 📷

Golden Sunsets in Pongola 🌅

⏰ Friendly Reminder: Share your farm pics, ideas, tips, or solutions with the TropicalBytes community to inspire one another, overcome challenges, and elevate your operations – together. Share Here

Special Offer 🎁

Snag a Pair of TropicalBytes Branded Gumboots - On Us! 🎁

Who couldn't do with a fresh pair of boots? Be it for you or a member of your farm team, we're giving away a pair of TropicalBytes branded boots!

Want them? Here's your game plan:

• Shoot us an email over to [email protected] with the answers to the 6 quick steps.

• To stand out from the crowd, make sure your subject line reads "QUIPS Edition 17 – BOOTS CHALLENGE".

• Entries close midnight on 21st August 2023. The race is on!

Your 6-step ticket to win: 👇

1. Question: Got a farm-related question that's been bugging you? Spill the beans!

2. Upskill: Got a tip or trick up your sleeve that'll help level up our TropicalBytes community? Don't keep it to yourself!

3. Information: What farming topic are you eager to dig deeper into? We're all ears!

4. Picture: Share the coolest farming-related snapshot from your phone. Give us a peek into your farming world!

5. Special Insights: What's your verdict on QUIPS? How has it enriched - or perhaps not - your farming operation? Be frank. We can take it. 😏

6. Boot Size: We want your new boots to be a perfect fit! 👣

We're excited to read your entries!

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! 🌱

The Comment Corner 💬

Join us in the comments section! Share your thoughts, offer your suggestions and enlighten us with your own pearls of wisdom!

Spread The Word! 📢

Enjoyed this newsletter? Spread the love and let others in on the fastest growing subtropical farming community out there! It only takes 30 seconds.

Just copy and paste this link to share with others: https://newsletters.tropicalbytes.co.za/subscribe