Early rains worry Bloemfontein maize farmer over mid-summer drought
A maize farmer in Bloemfontein has expressed his concern with the recent early rains. Farmer Laurens Schlebusch says the early rains are not conducive for planting maize.
Schlebusch says the early rains are a sign the province could experience mid-summer drought which can be detrimental to maize growth.
He says the province experienced heavy rains in the eastern parts.
Schlebusch, however, expressed satisfaction with the rains, as they can work and plant crops for their livestock to have grazing land.
Schlebusch elaborates, “Unfortunately, not the optimal time to plant maize. Our optimal time is around 16 December, old people said that. So, we are concerned if we plant at the moment, if we plant let’s say next week, we are concerned that we might have a mid-summer drought in February. I think that’s out biggest concern at this stage. It looks like La Nina will flatten out in January.”
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