To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Pioneer South Africa, the company hosted four region-specific agronomy days across the country. These days were held in Sannieshof, Hoopstad, Harrismith, and Bethal.
SA Graan/Grain attended the event at De Rots, the farm of Chris Schoonwinkel, in the Hoopstad area. Wet, gloomy weather and almost impassable roads could not keep guests away from this interesting and informative day.
These events provided producers and industry stakeholders with the opportunity to gain practical, field-based insights into crop performance, seed genetics, agronomic management practices, and digital farming technology.
Research and development
Casey Onstot, vice president of Corteva’s Global Corn Division from Iowa in the United States, attended the memorable occasion and acted as keynote speaker. He is also a sixth-generation producer.
During his address, Onstot emphasised that while it is important to understand where the company comes from, it is even more important to know where it is heading.
He highlighted four key focus areas: the company’s vision to develop the best products; to maintain strong, ethical relationships with employees, stakeholders, and producers; to grow the market without misrepresentation; and to support producers through sales and expertise in achieving maximum profitability.
Onstot stressed the fact that Pioneer globally invests $4 000 000 daily in research to help producers in a variety of ways regarding the following issues:
- Insects: 20 to 40% of the global crop is lost due to insects.
- Weed control: Weeds limit production as they compete with crops for nutrients, sunlight, and moisture.
- Extreme weather: Changes in rainfall, temperatures, droughts, and floods all hamper crop production and food security.
- Disease: Plant diseases cost the global economy $220 billion annually.
- Food and feed: The goal is meeting the demand for healthier, more nutritious foods, produced sustainably.
- Fuel: Renewable and cleaner forms of energy can boost the agricultural economy. The company is busy with extensive research on sustainable aviation fuel.
Pioneer is currently doing a great deal of research on gene editing, which according to Onstot will be the next big yield curve. ‘It will bring so many more new options and will make the gene pool wider and deeper. Gene editing will advance agriculture like never before.’
Trial fields
Producers who attended the day had the opportunity to visit trial fields planted by Chris and William Schoonwinkel to do side-by-side cultivar comparisons, observe crop performances in the field, get practical field insights, and discuss cultivar performances and management practices with Pioneer agronomists.
Keep riding
The day concluded with an inspiring motivational talk by Joey Evans, who completed the Dakar Rally 2017 on his motorbike.
In his distinctive and engaging style, Evans shared how he was left paralysed after a motorcycle accident and how his dream of competing in the Dakar Rally became the driving force behind his recovery.
He spoke about the long road back – relearning how to walk, how to ride a bike and with the unwavering support of his wife and daughters, raising the R1,1 million entry fee in just six months.
The race itself presented relentless challenges. On the second-to-last day, a racing car drove over his bike, leaving him stranded. After battling on, knowing that he will not finish on the damaged bike, he managed to source parts from another bike – left on the road by an injured contestant – and continued through the night. Against all odds, Evans finished the race.
Photo: Tharien Hendrikse, Pioneer
While receiving his medal at the end of the rally was a proud moment, he described his true victory when arriving at OR Tambo International Airport, where his family, friends, and supporters were waiting to welcome him home.
His message to producers was clear: resilience is essential, no matter the obstacles.
‘Sometimes you have to keep riding through the night. Just keep twisting the throttle so that one day you can have your airport moment.’
Did you know?
- Pioneer was founded in 1926 by American producer and scientist Henry A Wallace, a pioneer in the commercial production of hybrid maize seed.
- Pioneer genetics are now planted by producers in more than 90 countries worldwide.
- Pioneer forms part of Corteva Agriscience, a global agricultural company focused on seed, crop protection, and digital agriculture solutions.
- Pioneer invests extensively in research and development, with thousands of scientists and breeders working to improve crop genetics.
- In South Africa, Pioneer has built strong, long-term partnerships with grain producers through locally tested maize, soybean, sunflower, and canola seed.
