Newsletter
July 2003We are now in full swing of the shipping season. The Repens harvesting season is behind us and what a hectic time it was. The 30 ha of Repens and Compacta planted over the last 7 years are starting to produce nicely and we harvested in excess of 300,000 Repens blooms, in addition to purchasing from our trusted suppliers.
The flowering season started earlier than normal, there were hundreds of crates standing at any given time over a period of two months, waiting to be handled in one form or another and hung for drying. Much overtime was worked in this department. Fortunately earlier in the year, we extended the working space in that department, which made for increased efficiency.
Now it is the turn of the packers to ensure that our clients’ needs are met. Special packing is in the order of the day, and it is their turn to put in overtime (they opted for overtime rather than to employ additional people).
There has been a definite trend, both locally and overseas, for more “finished goods” like bouquets and made-up bunches. This meant identifying and training more people with the necessary “eye” and skills. We continue to be impressed by the versatility of our workers.
The bleaching department has been hard at work to cope with the demand. A number of new bleaching tanks have been installed to increase the output. Landscaping around this facility has now almost been completed and the roads have been tarred to keep down the dust. Fortunately we have had very little wind this year, which was quite unusual.
The unusual calm weather has meant a drastic change in the weather pattern, with less than normal early winter rain. Farmers to the west of us have been hard-hit by the drought and expect a very small grain crop. Our water-springs, originating in our mountains are fortunately holding their own with a continued supply of fresh water.
We continue to spend a considerable amount of our resources on eradication of alien invasive plants, to ensure that we maintain bio-diversity of this species rich region. The pine plantation, planted in the early 1950’s is now being felled; the income from this goes back into the clearing project and into maintaining our extensive road system. After a few seasons of adverse burning conditions, the weather has been just right and large portions of controlled burns have been done to renew the landscape – Fynbos is naturally regenerated by fire!
The department of Agriculture has put a prohibition on trade of invasive plants that harm our environment. The Industry body, SAPPEX, has made successful application for continued trade in some of these species, under strict harvesting and handling control. The only item we are no longer allowed to harvest and trade is Rooikrantz. |
