{"id":447,"date":"2017-08-11T09:04:49","date_gmt":"2017-08-11T07:04:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/?p=447"},"modified":"2017-08-31T08:28:59","modified_gmt":"2017-08-31T06:28:59","slug":"profile-on-skilderkrans-farm-manager-hilary-weyers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/?p=447","title":{"rendered":"Profile on Skilderkrans Farm Manager Hilary Weyers"},"content":{"rendered":"

NAME: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>Hilary Weyers\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

FARM\u2019S NAME: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong>Skilderkrans<\/p>\n

AREA: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong>Limpopo<\/p>\n

PRODUCE\/COMMODITY:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Citrus<\/p>\n

FARM SIZE:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>170 hectares, of which 163.5 hectares are planted<\/p>\n

HECTARES BREAKDOWN:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>56.5 ha oranges (Midknight, Valencia Late, Gusocora)<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>100 ha lemons<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>7 ha grapefruit (Star Ruby)<\/p>\n

NETTING: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>No<\/p>\n

PACK-HOUSE ON THE FARM:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>No (packs at Soleil Citrus Pack-house, Hoedspruit)<\/p>\n

EXPORT MARKETS:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>European Union, Middle East & Far East<\/p>\n

ACCREDITATIONS:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 SIZA & GLOBAL G.A.P.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

With 26 years\u2019 experience in citrus farming, a can-do approach towards farming and life in general, rock-solid faith\u00a0and a caring attitude towards his staff and farmworkers, Hilary Weyers epitomises the inspiring South African farmer who knows what it takes to run an export citrus farm successfully. He manages Skilderkrans near Hoedspruit, Limpopo \u2013 a stone\u2019s throw from the Kruger National Park. The farm\u2019s 32 ha of new lemon trees have been boosting SAFE\u2019s overall citrus volumes.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. How do you ensure that Skilderkrans grows top-quality export fruit?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In the first place, you have to determine whether your farm\u2019s soil is suitable for citrus. Buy your young trees from a registered nursery so you don\u2019t introduce any diseases to your farm, and choose varieties suited to your environment. Look after those young trees and prune them correctly – it\u2019s like raising a child. Ensure your orchards are irrigated, sprayed and fertilised accurately and adequately, and remember strict, thorough scouting is essential. Our scouts are our \u201ceyes\u201d in the orchards.<\/p>\n

    2.\u00a0<\/strong>What is the most critical part of citrus farming?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Delivering clean, spotless, residue-free fruit! It\u2019s also important to apply scheduled spraying against black spot and fruit fly. As the Hoedspruit community we\u2019ve decided to, once we notice a fruit-fly outbreak, spray the whole area to control it effectively.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. How do you ensure the social upliftment, as well as safety and healthy living conditions of your 55 farmworkers?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \"\"Our assistant manager, Jaco Visser, and I firmly believe our workers should be treated with respect and human dignity. I cannot emphasise this enough: if your workers aren\u2019t happy, your farm\u2019s not going to make it. On our farm our people are happy and they\u2019re proud \u2013 we look after them. Besides a comprehensive external training programme presented by Skills For All, we also have a 35-pax training venue at Skilderkrans where we offer internal training – not only to enhance our workers\u2019 skills, uplift and empower them, but also to instil pride. Moreover, we offer fully-serviced housing for 20 key personnel on the farm.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. How has farming changed over the last five years and what are some of the changes you have implemented?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Since we arrived here in 2013, we switched over from flood irrigation to micro irrigation, and deforested 60 ha after obtaining the necessary permits from government. If you could only see what Skilderkrans looked like before! We\u2019ve invested a lot of hard work here. Today the farm is fully developed and we\u2019re delivering above-par volumes; we\u2019re looking at picking 500\u00a0000 cartons in 2020.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. How does SAFE ensure that Skilderkrans remains modernised and keeps up with the latest farming\u00a0\"\"technology?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          One shouldn\u2019t be scared of new technology. When we first started to implement irrigation probes, I was opposed to them and didn\u2019t believe they would do the job. That was until I saw how much water they save us: up to 30%! The\u00a0same goes for the environment-friendlier pest control we apply today. It\u2019s new technology; it\u2019s easier.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Tell us about a day in the life of Hilary Weyers?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Every Monday a reverend visits Skilderkrans to pray for our farm, workers and harvest, and every morning we open with prayer. We also never ever work on Sundays; that\u2019s a rule \u2013 even if it means we have to start spraying chemicals at 1:00 on a Monday morning to comply with globally-prescribed spraying conditions. We\u2019re strict here, but also very fair. For my workers, my door\u2019s always open. I cannot tell how much it helps being able to converse with them in Sotho, a language I learnt growing up on a farm \u2013 something I\u2019ll forever be grateful for.<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. W\"\"<\/strong>hat ambitions do you have for Skilderkrans?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              I think we\u2019ve tamed Skilderkrans by now; so, we\u2019re looking for more or other challenges, because one shouldn\u2019t stagnate. I cannot wait to tackle those new challenges!<\/p>\n

               <\/p>\n

                \n
              1. What is most fulfilling about your job?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Firstly, I work on a farm with the most beautiful mountains. I don\u2019t have labour problems, and when you enter the gates of Skilderkrans, you can sense the peace. Farming is incredibly hard work, but when you\u2019ve sent your product overseas and receive the feedback, you feel good and know it\u2019s been worth the effort. I also enjoy working for SAFE, as they give us freedom and don\u2019t box us in. I farm on Skilderkrans as if it\u2019s my own farm.<\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Which three qualities does one need to be a successful farmer in South Africa today?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Be hardworking, be motivated and have your own vision!<\/p>\n

                   <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  With 26 years\u2019 experience in citrus farming, a can-do approach towards farming and life in general, rock-solid faith\u00a0and a caring attitude towards his staff and farmworkers, Hilary Weyers epitomises the inspiring South African farmer who knows what it takes to run an export citrus farm successfully. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=447"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":462,"href":"https:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447\/revisions\/462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safe.co.za\/SAFENews\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}