Episode 2 of 23: Nematodes in soybean production In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’, we catch up with world renowned nematologist Prof Driekie Fourie and discuss the nematodes that are problematic to soybean production in South Africa. The root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are considered the biggest nematode problem in South Africa, but the lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are very widely distributed across all the soybean production areas in the country. The cyst...

Episode 1 of 23 Cane in pain In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’, we re-visit the topic of dry beans in rotation with sugarcane. This episode follows a previous podcast (Episode 5 of 21) with advanced thinking of how to incorporate beans into a rotation with sugarcane. Host Antony Jarvie discusses rotation ideas and practicalities with forward thinking cane farmer, Deon Schröder. The problem with incorporating dry beans into a sugarcane rotation is always going to be the...

Episode 6 of 22 Adopting Success: Zamukele In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’, host Antony Jarvie discusses the Zamukele project with Success Mdluli of the Schoeman Group. Zamukele is a Zulu word that means ‘adopt’, and it is a platform that the Schoeman Group have developed to adopt small-scale farmers into their canning bean enterprise. After an initial screening process, successful applicants to the scheme are assisted with agronomic support, seed and fertilizer inputs to...

Episode 5 of 22 Agronomic strategies for following a wet season In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’, host Antony Jarvie and experienced agronomist Grant Pringle explore the prospects for the 2022/23 summer cropping season.  In this podcast, the agronomic strategies that should be considered are explored in a crop agnostic fashion. The very wet preceding two seasons, which by many accounts has been largely positive for agriculture in South Africa, now lays a foundation for...

Episode 4 of 22: Nitrogen fixation In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’, host Antony Jarvie discusses nitrogen fixation with UKZN’s Professor Mark Laing. The discussion is centred around nitrogen fixation in soybeans, but it broadens into a discussion that covers legumes and non-legume crops. The fragile Bradyrhizobium japonicum used in soybean production is not indigenous to South African soils, so it needs to be inoculated at planting. The importance of out-competing other...

Episode 3 of 22: Grant us technology, in abundance Peering down the Corteva soybean pipeline is a bit like overhearing a farmers’ prayers… grant us technology, in abundance. In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’, host Antony Jarvie brings you both Grant and technology. The guest for this episode is Pannar agronomist Grant Pringle, who shepherds the discussion through the soybean technology on its way to the South African producer through the Corteva pipeline. The new trait package...

Episode 2 of 22: Seedling disorders In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’ host Antony Jarvie talks to product agronomist Grant Pringle about seedling disorders in dry beans. Often poor germination and emergence are blamed on seed quality, but as Grant explains, there are a host of reasons why the germination percentage on the seed bag may not align with what is experienced in field. The cool wet conditions faced this season has resulted in poor germination, un-even emergence, and...

Episode 1 of 22: 2021 year in review Questions from the mail bag ‘We’ve bean around the block’ podcast host Antony Jarvie invites an avid listener, Colin Prince, to critically review the channel and to assist with listener questions. Colin, who is a seasoned enthusiast of podcasts and claims to have listened to all the WBATB episodes, discusses the pros and cons of show length, frequency and seasonality. He then goes on to pose questions raised by listeners. The End Point Royalty...

Episode 11 of 21: What is bugging you, Marlene? Common insect pests of soybean ‘We’ve bean around the block’ podcast host Antony Jarvie interviews Dr Marlene van Rooyen, entomologist at Corteva Agriscience, about the most common soybean pests. The podcast starts off with cutworm- a ubiquitous soil pest plaguing soybean production in South Africa. This polyphagous insect is a common pest to many crops and the best strategy to control plant population loss using an integrated practice of...

Episode 10 of 21: Deidre and the 4 decades We’ve bean around the block host Antony Jarvie interviews Dr Deidre Fourie to celebrate the last four decades of bean research at the Grain Crops Research Institute in Potchefstroom. Deidre has recently retired from leading the team, and the interview covers the last 4 decades of bean research, organized in eras and covers the major decisions, developments and achievements. The intent of the show is to give credit the characters that have dedicated...

Episode 9 of 21: Soybean maturity  In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’, host Antony Jarvie and Grant Pringle wrestle with the topic of soybean maturity. It is such an influential factor in soybean cultivar adaptation, that it warrants detailed discussion. Maturity in soybean is dictated by both genotype and environment and the complex interactions that govern the expression, commonly causes uncertainty in production. The effect of latitude is demonstrated by comparing two...

Episode 8 of 21: Sclerotinia, White mould in soybeans    In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’, podcast host Antony Jarvie talks to Dr Lisa Rothmann about Sclerotinia, which is without doubt the most serious pathogen limiting soybean production in South Africa. Lisa is a plant pathologist and researcher associated with the UFS, specializing in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, commonly known as white mould. Sclerotinia is a major disease of many important agronomic crop species, including...

Episode 7 of 21: The End Point Royalty in soybeans ‘We’ve bean around the block’ host Antony Jarvie interviews John Odendaal about the End Point Royalty system, now in its third collection season in South Africa for soybean grain. John is the National Marketing manager for the Pannar brand of seed, and as such has been instrumental in positioning the company to accommodate this form of revenue collection. In South Africa, the EPR is in fact a statutory levy imposed on grain deliveries that...

Episode 6 of 21: Eat with your eyes  In this episode of ‘We’ve bean around the block’, podcast host Antony Jarvie discusses dry bean market classes and culinary quality with Dr Rob Melis. Rob is a retired Professor of Plant Breeding at the University of KwaZuluNatal who has had a parallel career in commercial breeding of several crop species including dry beans. The historic refining of the local bean industry from a multitude of market classes down to only two (Speckled Sugar bean and...

Episode 4 of 21: Cane and beans- It is a crop rotation strategy, not a cocktail.   In this podcast episode of ‘We’ve Bean around the Block’ host Antony Jarvie joins up with sugar cane extension specialist Dave Wilkinson to discuss the prospects of Sugar cane – Sugar bean rotation. In an industry that is threatened by oversupply and a need for diversification, sugar cane growers are looking for a suitable rotation crop that will fit into their cropping cycles. The sugar cane area of adaptation...

Episode 4 of 21: Driving soybean yield   In this podcast episode of ‘We’ve Bean around the Block’ host Antony Jarvie and guest Grant Pringle analyze the factors that are driving soybean yields. Grant, who is a repeat guest to the show, is a product agronomist with Pannar Seed who has his finger on the pulse of the soybean grain production. In this episode, Grant gives examples of the massive yields that are being recorded this season, which leads to discussion on the factors driving these...

Episode 2 of 21: Soybean rust control: A stitch in time… In this podcast episode of ‘We’ve Bean around the Block’, sponsored by Pannar Seed, host Antony Jarvie interviews his guest Dr Rikus Kloppers about chemical control of soybean rust. In his long career, Rikus has worked on the genetic defense of crops through pathology and biotechnology services and now has turned his hand at chemical protection of the crop. He has a truly 360 degree vision of crop protection, making him the perfect...

We've bean around the block host Antony Jarvie interviews Dean Brown about the Pidelta dry bean production experience.

Episode 1 of 21 is entitled ‘Rust Never sleeps’ and will really be focused on soybean rust or ASR. This episode is sponsored by Pannar Seed. The studio guest for this show is Grant Pringle, a product agronomist with many years of field experience.   The...

Episode 0 of 21: Introduction to We've bean around the block, with Antony JarvieWe’ve Bean around the block is a podcast coming to you from the heart of the KZN midlands. Your host is Antony Jarvie and this episode is a very short introduction to the...