This was announced during the recent launch of BKB’s R50 million lucerne press in Kimberley, which will be operated by its GrainCo affiliate AlphaAlfa.

GrainCo manager of lucerne, Fanie Brunette, says with export demand for lucerne, also known as alfalfa, growing steadily over the last six years, it was necessary to invest in technology to ensure quality and cost effectiveness.

“We went to visit America to see how they do it because they have been exporting lucerne for 100 years. They export about 4 million tons per year and all of it goes through a press.

“It all goes about quality control and the weight you can load. It’s about getting the maximum weight per truck to be transported to the harbours, as well as the maximum weight you can fit into a container.”

Brunette says South Africa currently produces between 800 000 and one million tons per year, with about 450 000 tons produced in the Northern Cape.

He says they have also decided to follow international practices with the introduction of a new higher grade.

“If you want producer’s to produce a quality product, you need to pay them well. That is why we have introduced an extra grade this year, which is also available abroad. This is known as ‘dairy quality’.”

Previously the top grade of lucerne in South Africa was prime, followed by first and second grade.

Sabrina Dean/OFM News