Fritz Ganz
CONTRIBUTER
Steynsrust Boerdery has been crowned the Mayo Macs Top Grower of the 2023 macadamia season for both the Lowveld region and South Africa, a testament to the farm’s dedication to excellence in macadamia production.
At the heart of this success story is Gert Lubbe, a fifth-generation farmer whose journey from a mechanical engineer to an agricultural visionary encapsulates a love for the land that spans generations.
Gert Lubbe’s transition into farming is a narrative of passion over profession. Initially setting his sights on leaving the corporate grind by 45 to embrace farm life, Lubbe, albeit a year later than planned, took the reins at the ripe age of 46. His collaboration with Elsa Steyn, a descendant of the original landholder Willem Sternberg Steyn, marks a continuum of farming heritage that began in 1928 with the acquisition of the farm Schagen in the Nelspruit district.
With a background in mechanical engineering, Lubbe’s hands-on approach has fundamentally transformed the 60-hectare farm’s operations. From personally planting each macadamia tree to installing the farm’s irrigation systems, his ingenuity shines through in the meticulous design and layout aimed at optimising time, notably in crop-dusting efforts.
As Lubbe reiterates, farming comes with its set of challenges shared across the agricultural spectrum. A strong water source remains crucial, while pests and diseases pose relentless hurdles. Lubbe emphasises the importance of community communication in synchronising spray regimes, underscoring the balance between proactive measures and the unpredictability inherent in farming.
When asked what his perspective is on the potential future advancements or changes which could shape the macadamia industry, his passion for the industry is almost contagious. His answer, though, could be summed up with price and marketing. Nut in shell (NIS) prices were roughly R100/kg three years ago. This year, the average NIS price stands at R35/kg. From a business perspective, if prices drop too low, farmers will be unable to cover overheads, and the business model will fail.
Compared to other nuts in the world, macadamias are the nuts that produce the lowest. Countries like India do not even know what a macadamia is. Therefore, major marketing is required to educate the world about macadamias, which, in turn, should increase demand. He says SA Macadamia (SAMAC) has already started with big marketing plans for this reason.
Coinciding with this, SAMAC is working with the government to open new export markets, which will significantly impact production in South Africa. Young crops that have already been planted and will be in full harvest within the next five years will double the local production statistics by then, a simple economic question of supply and demand.
Innovations in farming practices
More on the practical side, Lubbe uses micro-irrigation to save water. Drip irrigation is currently being researched, but micro-irrigation is the preferred method. With the pruning of trees, they follow an approach whereby they cut ‘windows’ on both sides of the trees for better and deeper exposure to sunlight. This reduces density issues within the orchard and contributes to effective spraying.
Feeding the trees, they use a combination of fertigation for root growth, spraying for leave-growth, and general application of fertiliser granules. A few years back, Steynsrust Boerdery had also set up its own drying facility, leading to and allowing for better management.
In a reflection, Lubbe acknowledges the inherent challenges of agriculture, attributing the farm’s achievements to continuous quality assurance and proactive management. The unexpected recognition as the top grower serves as a reminder of Steynsrust Boerdery’s unwavering commitment to excellence in the face of agriculture’s cyclical nature.
As Steynsrust Boerdery looks to the future, Gert Lubbe’s story is a beacon for aspiring farmers and a testament to the enduring legacy of those who cultivate the earth. Steynsrust’s recognition celebrates the fruit of tireless labour and signals a bright future for macadamia farming in South Africa and beyond. Lubbe added that everything they have achieved was only possible by the grace of God.