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South Africa is currently facing renewed concern around the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs (WOAH, 2025). While the disease poses little risk to humans, it can have devastating impacts on livestock health, farming livelihoods, and the agricultural economy (WOAH, 2025). Recent outbreaks in several provinces have prompted the national government to intensify efforts to control the disease. Containing FMD requires a coordinated response between farmers, veterinarians, government departments and agricultural organisations. 
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A few weeks ago, the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy had the privilege of hosting a fascinating and insightful workshop with Wesley Soule from SoilScopes. SoilScopes is a new organisation that was established in 2022 and has already left a big impact on the South African agricultural world over the past few years. SoilScopes brings in modern, regenerative agricultural practices to farmers on how to tend to their soil more naturally.
This year’s AGM was a special occasion as we celebrated 10 years of active project implementation, alongside highlighting the impactful work of the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy across a range of environmental projects. What started with the employment of our first 3 full-time staff members has grown into a thriving organization, now employing 10 full-time, while creating contract work for over 120 people annually. A Decade of Alien Clearing One of our most significant achievements over the past decade has been our alien clearing program. Since 2014, we’ve successfully cleared 18,823 hectares, with follow-ups on 15,870 hectares, creating over 100,747 days of employment. On average, this translates to 43 full-time jobs each year. This program not only provides job opportunities but also ensures the preservation and health of our local ecosystems, protecting them from alien invasive species and providing the natural vegetation to grow back. Expanding into Restoration Thanks to funding from the IKI small grant and IUCN, our restoration projects have expanded over the past year. The restoration work supports sustainable agricultural practices, healthier river systems, job opportunities, and capacity building. These efforts are crucial for climate stability and river security, as well as for maintaining biodiversity. We've trained over 20 people in restoration work where half of the time is spent working within a nursery, how to propagate local indigenous species, how to do cuttings and splitting, and the correct planting methods. Our work in active restoration spans 3 different sites, including private landowners and public areas, showcasing diversity, in both species and partnerships, which is key to building environmental resilience. Keynote Address: River Restoration and Agriculture Our keynote speaker, Dana Grobler, shared his invaluable insights on river restoration, using his experience with various river systems as an example. Dana’s talk focused on the impact of agriculture on the environment, particularly on river systems, and how sustainable practices can mitigate these effects. He emphasized the importance of understanding river geomorphology and the natural flood zones to implement effective restoration strategies. His close collaboration with landowners has resulted in improvements to their local environment and enhanced the health of their rivers. Through the removal of invasive species and better management of sediment transport, Dana's efforts have shown how landowners can contribute to restoring riparian zones, creating a balance that benefits both the environment and the agricultural landscape.  Dana Grobler A Journey Through Time with Thys Swart Another highlight of the day was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, presented by one of our members, Thys Swart. Thys captivated the audience with stories about the rich history of theGrootvadersbosch Valley, dating back to the 1700s. He shared fascinating tales about the first settlers, the old farms, and how the conservancy has evolved over the centuries. This historical perspective added depth to the celebration and left everyone feeling more connected to the land we are working to protect.  Thys Swart, giving us a ride down memory lane and interesting history facts of the GVB era New Projects and Looking Ahead We’re excited to announce our upcoming three-year project, funded by the Nedbank Green Trust, which will focus on water resource protection in the Tradouw and Huis river systems. This project is a continuation of our partnership with the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve and aims to further our conservation and restoration efforts in the region. Additionally, we’ve recently assisted to restoration the Barrydale Caravan Park, which now features a medicinal and useful plant garden, indigenous tree rehabilitation, and a picnic area. This area serves both as a conservation effort and a recreational space for the community to enjoy. The Future is Bright As we look forward, we remain committed to furthering our restoration and conservation work. We are proud of what we have achieved over the past decade and are excited about the future projects we have planned. Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. Together, we are building a more sustainable and resilient environment for the Grootvadersbosch area and beyond. And as always, we had a wonderful wine tasting the evening of the fabulous Olifantsberg Wines and a fantastic meal from the Grootvadersbosch Farm that Michelle Moodie prepared Thank you to everyone who attended! The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy has recently launched an exciting new project called the "Comfy Cows" Initiative, aimed at addressing climate change while enhancing animal welfare on local farms. In collaboration with a progressive dairy farmer, the Conservancy is implementing strategic tree planting within agricultural pastures, creating a natural solution to heat stress and promoting sustainable farming practices. This unique partnership is a shining example of how conservation and agriculture can work together to benefit both the environment and the farming community.  Creating Comfort for Cows: Trees for Shade and Shelter At the heart of the Comfy Cows Initiative is the planting of indigenous trees and shrubs within the dairy farm’s pastures. These trees will provide essential shade and shelter for the cattle, protecting them from rising temperatures and reducing the impact of heat stress—a growing issue as global temperatures increase. Currently, farmers use shade nets to provide cover for their cows, but these require frequent replacement and maintenance. By planting fast-growing pioneer species alongside long-living, non-toxic trees, the farm is investing in a long-term solution that will not only improve animal welfare but also cut future costs. Over the coming decades, these trees will provide natural shade and significantly reduce the need for artificial shelters. Tackling Environmental Pressures with Sustainable Solutions The Comfy Cows Initiative is also helping local farmers meet the increasing pressures of environmental and animal welfare regulations. With growing global demand for sustainable agricultural practices, farmers are seeking new ways to ensure the health of their animals, soil, and surrounding ecosystems. This project aligns perfectly with these needs by contributing to local biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem services, and supporting carbon sequestration efforts. Through sustainable tree planting, farmers are not only improving conditions for their livestock but also playing a vital role in combating climate change. The project is also creating additional employment opportunities for our newly trained restoration teams who are learning new ways to integrate restoration practices into sustainable agriculture.  A Future Opportunity: Indigenous Fodder Plants In addition to the shade provided by trees, the project has raised interest in exploring the potential of indigenous fodder plants—an area that is not yet well-researched but could offer valuable benefits to both livestock and the environment. As the project grows, this may become another avenue for collaboration with local farmers, creating a more holistic approach to sustainability in agriculture. Comfy Cows: A Model for the Future of Farming The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy’s Comfy Cows Initiative demonstrates how farmers can integrate sustainable practices into their operations while supporting both the environment and their bottom line. By investing in natural solutions, such as tree planting, farmers are taking proactive steps to meet the demands of a changing climate and more stringent regulations, all while ensuring the welfare of their animals. This initiative is more than just a local project; it’s an example of how collaboration between conservationists and businesses can lead to innovative, long-lasting solutions. Through Comfy Cows, the Conservancy is showing that a sustainable future is possible when we work together to create systems that benefit both nature and agriculture. As this project continues to grow, it will serve as an inspiration for other farms and industries looking to adopt eco-friendly practices. The Grootvadersbosch Conservancy is proud to lead the way in building a more resilient, climate-conscious farming community.  Recently we had the privilege of hosting a speaker, Paul Barker, who works closely with identifying and eradicating the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer The Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) is an invasive beetle native to Southeast Asia that has seriously threatened South Africa's trees. The first detection was in 2017 on London Plane trees in the KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Gardens in Pietermaritzburg. The PSHB has since spread to multiple locations across eight provinces. This tiny beetle, about the size of a sesame seed, may seem insignificant, but it carries with it a deadly companion: the fungus Fusarium euwallaceae. The beetle has a symbiotic relationship with this fungus, which it uses as a food source for itself and its larvae. Unfortunately, this fungus is also a tree killer. In susceptible trees, it causes a disease known as Fusarium dieback, which leads to dying branches and, ultimately, tree death.  The Threat to South Africa's Trees PSHB poses a significant risk to a wide range of exotic and indigenous trees in urban, agricultural, and natural landscapes. While the beetle attacks many tree species, it cannot complete its life cycle on all of them. Trees in which the beetle can breed and multiply are known as "reproductive host trees." These include important species such as oaks, maples, willows, coral trees, avocados, and castor beans. On these trees, the beetle establishes galleries (tunnels) where it breeds, and the fungus it carries can thrive, leading to severe damage or tree death. Conversely, there are "non-reproductive host trees" where the beetle may attack but does not establish galleries or breed. The fungus may or may not cause disease on these trees, and they are generally not expected to die. However, the presence of the beetle on any tree is a cause for concern due to the potential for the spread of the fungus. Species at Risk Among the species where both the beetle and fungus flourish are the Box Elder, Weeping Willow, English Oak, and Castor Bean. However, these are not the only species at risk. The PSHB and its associated fungus have been found in a wide variety of tree species across South Africa. For a complete list of affected species, please refer to the attached documentation. Please see attached documents for full plant species lists and more information. Preventing the Spread of PSHB One of the most significant means of spreading this beetle is the movement of infested wood, most importantly, firewood. Proper disposal of infested trees is crucial in reducing the spread of this damaging pest. Methods such as chipping, composting, or solarization of wood are recommended to prevent further infestation. Solarization can be achieved by placing chips in direct sunlight and covering the pile with plastic. Burning is not recommended as the smoke and heat will make the beetles disperse out of the wood before burning is completed. Ongoing surveys are being conducted to monitor the spread of the PSHB across South Africa. Public awareness and involvement are vital to this effort. You can assist by keeping an eye out for symptoms of infestation in your local area and reporting any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities. What You Can Do
By staying informed and vigilant, we can help protect South Africa’s trees from the devastating effects of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer. Remember - Burn it where you buy it! 
WHAT AUTHORISATIONS ARE NEEDED FOR COMMON FARM ACTIVITIES When does a landowner need an authorisation and when is it not needed? Landowners that have multiple activities going on at once and will sometimes wonder ‘Do I need authorisation in order to do this activity or not?’ Main activities that need environmental authorization include – water-related activities – infilling or excavating – electrical activities – general infrastructure and ploughing of virgin soil. See below for summary guidelines on common farming activities and which activities might trigger environmental authorization procedures. 
 Boere voorsien noodsaaklike voedsel vir ons groeiende bevolking en vorm ook 'n belangrike deel van ons ekonomie, veral in landelike gebiede. Net soos by alle ekonomiese aktiwiteite, is daar 'n omgewingsimpak, en die balansering van boerdery met bewaring vereis noukeurige balansvaardighede. Daar is baie boere wat hard werk om hierdie balans te bereik. Selfs in hierdie moeilike tye is daar omgewingsbewuste boere wat nuwe tegnieke gebruik om die bevolking te voed, terwyl strategieë toegepas word om die agteruitgang van die omgewing te verminder. Ons het onlangs 'n onderhoud met een van hierdie persone, Nico de Kock, die bestuurder van die plaas Riet Valleij, gevoer. Ons wou saam met hom ondersoek hoe hy die boerdery vanuit 'n omgewingsperspektief probeer benader. Eers wil ons egter 'n bietjie agtergrond gee oor die plaas. Riet Valleij is in die negentigerjare aangekoop met die doel van die eienaar om nie net ‘n ekonomiese volhoubare eenheid te bedryf nie, maar om ook 'n sosiale bydrae te lewer, tot die plaaslike dorpe Suurbraak en Swellendam. Saam met hierdie inisiatief wil die boerdery dus ook hou by sy morele verantwoordelikheid om die omgewing te beskerm. Die belangrikste aktiwiteit op die plaas is melkproduksie en dan ook veeteelt vir die vleismark. Die totale grootte van die plaas is 2100 hektaar, bergagtige gebiede en bewerkte lande ingesluit. Van hierdie totaal is 270 hektaar besproeide grond en 250 hektaar droë lande, wat hul ongeveer 1600 beeste ondersteun. Riet Valleij se boerderymetodes kan opgesom word deur drie praktyke: bewaring, volhoubaarheid en modernisering. Nico was nog altyd baie passievol oor bewaring en glo in die filosofie dat “as die natuur grotendeels alleen gelaat word, sou die wêreld in beter balans wees. Die hoof rede waarom die wêreld en die natuur nie in balans is nie, is as gevolg van die mensdom. As die mensdom nie aanpas nie, sal dit erger word. Veral vanuit 'n boerderyperspektief”. Hy het verduidelik dat ons moet streef om in harmonie met die natuur te boer. Hierdie filosofie het hom gelei tot Bewarings Landbou. 'n Praktyk wat beskryf word as 'n volhoubare boerderystelsel, aangepas by plaaslike toestande en gewasse, wat die opbrengste optimaliseer. Dit help met die voorkoming van gronderosie en agteruitgang, terwyl die grondgesondheid verbeter word en die bewaring van natuurlike hulpbronne vergemaklik word (Gonzalez-Sanchez et al, 2015). Onder Nico se leiding het Riet Valleij bewaringslandbou hul eie gemaak deur bewaringsbewerking of minimum bewerking toe te pas. Archer et al (2017) verduidelik dat hierdie metode ten doel het om beter omgewings- en ekonomiese winste aan te moedig, deur die frekwensie en intensiteit van bewerkings, tot die minimum te beperk. Volgens Nico is die minimumbewerking na die Suid-Wes-Kaap en die Overberg gebring deur wyle Jack Human, wat na Australië gereis het om te leer hoe dit werk, voordat hy teruggekeer het om ander boere te leer.  Voor die meer omgewingsgerigte boerderybenaderings wat ons tans beoefen, is grond net beskou as die plek waar wortels groei. Daar was nie ag geslaan op die organiese inhoud van grond nie, omdat geglo is dat plante se volle voedingsbehoefte kan deur middel van kunsmis aangevul kan word. Die landbougemeenskap van vandag het besef dat grond meer is as dit. Die Voedsel- en Landbou-organisasie van die Verenigde Nasies (2015) verduidelik dat gesonde gronde gesonde kos vir ons bevolking en diere oplewer. Grond is die basis van ons voedselsisteem en dit is 'n dinamiese, lewende ekosisteem wat vernietig kan word. Om boere te help, ontleed Technifarm, in Swellendam, grondmonsters van die veld om, die grondvoedingstatus, asook grondgesondheidstatus te meet. Die plaas is ook baie waterbewus. Die water in die melkstal word herwin en die water spoel af in 'n dam, waar 'n tenkwa die water na die lande vervoer as 'n bron van organiese kunsmis. Die World Wildlife Fund (2018) skat dat 43% van die beskikbare water in die Wes-Kaap vir besproeiing gebruik word. Klimaatwetenskaplikes voorsien dat die Wes-Kaap gedurende die volgende 100 jaar permanent droër toestande sal ondervind. Die voorspelling is dat reënval teen die die jaar 2050 reeds 30% minder sal wees (World Wildlife Fund, 2018). Boere moet nuwe waterbesparing praktyke beoefen om waterbronne te bewaar. Gekombineer met die herwinning van water, beheer Riet Valleij (met die hulp van die Grootvadersbosch Conservancy) uitheemse indringerplante wat waterbronne uitput en inheemse plante verdring. Die eienaar van Riet Valleij het van die begin af gesê dat alle “Blackwattles” op die plaas uitgeroei moet word. Dit is nou 26 jaar later en die proses is steeds nog nie voltooi nie. ‘n Verdere faktor wat in die landbou in ag geneem moet word, is die konstruksie van infrastruktuur en die impak op die omgewing. Nico het 'n opvangsdam in die berg bo die eiendom gebou, wat volgens die instruksies van die natuurbewaringsowerhede gebou is. Hulle het die terrein besoek en aangedui hoe die dam gebou moet word. Dit bevat ook 'n kleiner pypleiding om te verseker dat daar steeds water vir die natuur deurgelaat word, wanneer die rivier laag loop. Die water vir besproeiing word deur die pypleidings na opgaardamme vervoer. Van daar word besproeiing onder eie gravitasie gedoen. Sodoende is die besproeiing van die boerdery 80% onafhanklik van elektrisiteit. Nico is 'n ywerige voëlkenner en 'n liefhebber van die buitelewe en dit blyk uit sy pogings om inheemse en endemiese flora- en fauna-gebiede op, die plaas te bewaar. Die boerdery beoefen ook vernuwing deur te poog om kunsmisverbruik te verminder. Hulle is bewus van die impak van bemestingstowwe en verminder die volume wat hulle tans gebruik. Deur presisieboerdery toe te pas, word verseker dat 'n land nie oorbemes word nie. Nico besef dat dit te duur kan wees as net die omgewing bewaar word. Die boerdery sal nie oorleef as alle hulpbronne net tot bewaring ingespan word nie. Dit is egter wel moontlik om 'n balans tussen die twee te handhaaf. Balans is die sleutel!  Nico de Kock en sy vrou VerwysingsArcher, L., Im, J., Ransom, B. & Coley, M., 2017. What is Sustainable Agriculture? - Conservation Tillage [Online] UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Available at: https://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/ucsarep/about/what-is-sustainable-agriculture/practices/conservation-tillage [Accessed 17 June 2020].
Gonzalez-Sanchez, E.J., Veroz-Gonzalez, O., Blanco-Roldan, G.L., Marquez-Garcia, F., Carbonell-Bojollo, R., 2015. A renewed view of conservation agriculture and its evolution over the last decade in Spain [Online]. Available at: http://www.ecaf.org/ca-in-europe/what-is-ca [Accessed 17 June 2020]. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2015. Healthy soils are the basis for healthy food production [Online] Available at: http://www.fao.org/soils-2015/news/news-detail/en/c/277682/ [Accessed 17 June 2020]. World Wildlife Fund, 2018. Agricultural water file: Farming for a drier future [Online] Available at: https://www.wwf.org.za/water/?25441/Agricultural-water-file-Farming-for-a-drier-future [Accessed 17 June 2020]. World bee day is a celebration honouring our bee-utiful buzzing friends, it aims to highlight the importance of bees and beekeeping. In in the spirit of today’s theme we decided to interview our Chairman, John Moodie about bees. John has been beekeeping for the past 50+ years across South Africa and has held many prestigious positions; edited bee journals and been involved in bee related events.  John Moodie pictured on the left How many bee species do we find in South Africa? There are 24 races (Race is below subspecies) of honeybees globally – Africa has ten of these. For our purposes, South Africa has two races Capensis and Scutellata. Capensis is a unique honeybee in the fynbos area that can clone itself – called thelytokous parthenogenesis. For this reason, there is a ban on moving bees in South Africa from one zone to another. Research is ongoing on the Cape Honeybee and recently a specific gene which enables this behavior was identified. What do you believe will happen with the decline of bee populations? I am not sure if there is a decline in the Southern Hemisphere. If so, it is minimal. The issue is that honeybees are becoming more and more important as pollinators of crops that modern man enjoys eating. Onions, fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts all require cross pollination, and this generally means the service of managed honeybees that are moved into crops to ensure seed set. So, the ‘shortage’ may be simply a huge demand for honeybees to cover the increased number of crops needing honeybee pollination. In addition, these crops are often sprayed with pesticides and fungicides which have a detrimental effect on honeybees as well as the targeted pests. Beekeepers, as a result, may have to keep bees during off season by feeding them in order to have them available for pollination when needed. This will, of course, result in a serious increase in pollination charges levied to growers. There is a lot in the press about the threat to bees and the implications for agriculture and nature, in the South African context, are these exaggerated or very real threats? The threats are very real. The advent of additional bee diseases in Southern Africa have presented severe threats to our bees. Varroa Mite, AFB and the Capensis problem in the northern provinces are challenges which remain serious threats to our bees. The shortage of bee forage to support bees throughout the year is exacerbated by the severe droughts we have been experiencing. Bees are selective forages and not all flower types provide nectar suitable for nectar gathering, mountain fynbos may look beautiful but cannot support many bee colonies - unlike Australia with its generous supply of eucalyptus. The threats are exacerbated by increased demand for pollination and increased usage of pesticide on crops. What should the bee industry and agriculture be doing to try and reduce these threats? Easy to say but almost impossible to implement. Increase bee friendly forage, use less herbicide and pesticide on crops, reduce pollination demands, remove bee pests like wasps, baboons and honey badgers, stop bee hive vandalism and theft, and make sure there is sufficient rain to support the forage we have! Better regulation and training of beekeepers would help but that is also difficult to implement in an acceptable format to a group of farmers who seem to have decided to stay under the radar – sometimes for their survival – other times just to be difficult. What can the public do to help protect honeybees? Bees depend on a clean healthy environment with enough bee forage to support them. The public can do plenty to enhance this. Motives of gain and profit with modern industry and development trends, as well as modern agriculture’s need to compete and survive, makes it unlikely that the honeybees will receive the attention they deserve. Of course, public awareness of the harm that we are doing to our environment is evident everywhere. It is just difficult to persuade the public that this harmful trend needs to change, despite clear evidence the recent global shutdowns have shown. Hugging bees is not going to help. Awareness of the problems facing bees and beekeepers will, however, make a difference. Buy local honey, stop the importation of fraudulent honey which floods the market, offer bee sites with bee forage to registered genuine beekeepers and only apply pesticide sprays in accordance with the label instructions.  A swarm in Riversdale taken by John Moodie Any other thoughts on world bee day?
The World Bee Day was declared by the UN in 2017. The document was dated on the 20 May to remember the baptism of Anton Jansa, (born in Slovenia in 1734) who was the author of A Full guide to Beekeeping. In the book he notes: “Bees are a type of fly, hardworking, created by God to provide man with all needed honey and wax. Amongst all God's beings there are none so hard working and useful to man with so little attention needed for its keep as the bee.” It is fitting that we honor this little insect that works so hard for mankind and plays such a vital role in our food chain. A big thank you to John Moodie for sharing his vast knowledge on this important subject. Have a look at worldbee.org to learn more about this special day! In December, we were able to host an erosion control demonstration with best pratice on how to utilise erosion control material. Thank you to Heidi Nieuwoudt and Chris Maartens. The following files were shared to assist with planning. 
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