Farmers in the Western Cape are welcoming the new wheat cultivars that have recently been made commercially available, along with the promising lines showcased at recent farmers’ information days.
By Amelia Genis, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Franco le Roux from Napier, speaking after the SSK grain information day, held on the farm Uitkyk near Riversdale on 27 August, said it was encouraging to see fresh genetic material becoming available, giving farmers additional options. New cultivars, he said, were also useful for comparing against the varieties farmers have planted for years, to evaluate whether they’re still performing as they should. “Competition is always a good thing.”
Another positive development is access to wheat cultivars from Spain and Argentina. Le Roux hopes that Australian cultivars will follow. “Look at how well the canola from Australia is performing here; maybe their wheat can also bring us opportunities.”
He is already planting some of the new cultivars both commercially and on a trial basis. “I’m excited. Let’s see. We’re looking for that extra half tonne.”
As for the value of this information day, Le Roux said it is often just as much about reconnecting with people as it is about the trials. “The day is always a great success. It’s also about the get-together and sharing a meal afterwards.”
The Southern Cape is currently facing an exceptionally dry winter, and Le Roux emphasised how important it was to see how different cultivars performed under dry conditions. “Sometimes you have to make a decision that also takes into account the risk of your weaker years.”
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Farmers Gain from Wider Variety Choice
Andries Theron from Moorreesburg noted that the annual information day of the Swartland Kleingraan Ontwikkelingsgroep (SKOG), held at Langgewens Research Farm on 28 August 2025, drew noticeably more farmers than before.
He said farmers were interested not only in the cultivar trials, but also in the trials with biological agents and the work that Stellenbosch University’s Department Agronomy was doing on weeds.
Theron also expressed optimism about alternative crops for rotation. With the steady increase in canola plantings in the Swartland, he believes farmers will need to look at more options alongside wheat. “On a day like this, it’s good to see what’s available in the market and what potential opportunities there are for us.”
At the same time, he is encouraged by developments in the wheat sector. “Since the introduction of end point royalties and the technology levy, we’ve seen far more international companies becoming involved. Limagrain is here, and DONMARIO – one of the world’s major players – already has a cultivar that’s commercially available.”
According to Theron, the presence of these companies is giving local farmers a wider choice of cultivars, many with strong yield potential. “That little bit of extra yield can help make up for income losses when prices are low.”
Still, he emphasised the importance of local plant breeding programmes. “It’s good to keep them going. Sometimes you need to breed for challenges or conditions that are specific to our region.”
