Monday, September 7, 2026
SUBSCRIBE
22 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARDS
Food For Mzansi
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
Food For Mzansi
No Result
View All Result
in Farmer's Inside Track

Podcast: Discover the sprouting magic of an in-furrow starter

Don't stress if you not entirely sure what an in-furrow starter entails. Our expert explains the ins and outs as well as the several benefits of this type of application which is gaining traction in modern agriculture

by Octavia Avesca Spandiel
5th January 2024
Podcast: Discover the sprouting magic of an in-furrow starter

Rupert Vermaas, technical adviser at AECI Plant Health. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsApp

Are you familiar with the in-furrow starter application? Also known as a “pop-up” fertiliser, this agricultural strategy enables easier administration and placement of nutrients near the sprouting seed, encouraging plant growth.

In this episode, Rupert Vermaas, technical adviser at AECI Plant Health, looks into the importance and benefits of an in-furrow starter.

Explaining what exactly is referred to as an in-furrow starter application, Vermaas explains that it has been quite a debatable topic for the last few years now.

First, for a grower to apply a product in-furrow, there must be an in-furrow applicator around the grower’s planter. “Most of the new-age planters have options for in-furrow applicators that can be fitted onto planters,” he says.

Vermaas also shares that in-furrow applications are becoming more relevant in the modern agricultural way of thinking.

Benefits and application

Products can be applied in-furrow in row crops for various reasons and in the episode, Vermaas breaks these down. Apart from stimulating plant growth, it also stimulates soil biology and specific micro-organisms. There are other benefits, which are also explored.

In addition, he also shares details about the active ingredients found in in-furrow products, whether in-furrow products can replace fertilisers, how to best determine the kind of in-furrow products needed on your farm, and more.

In this episode, Vermaas also discuss:

  • Best uses for in-furrow products
  • The importance of applying products with a specific goal in mind and more

Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track. 

Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).

Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device. 

Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.

ALSO LISTEN TO: Agri Enterprises dishes up plenty of uplifting initiatives

Sign up for Farmer’s Inside Track: Join our exclusive platform for new entrants into farming and agri-business, with newsletters and podcasts.  

Octavia Avesca Spandiel

Raised by a close-knitted family who loves her deeply, Octavia believes in the philosophy of ‘I am because you are'. This former news and content editor for radio is now living her best life in the agricultural sector as a commercial journalist at Food For Mzansi. Her soft spot for poetry and passion for life, writing and traveling inspires her to write compelling stories. Apart from being an excellent writer, Octavia has an educational background in youth work and loves working with people. 

Tags: AECI Plant HealthCommercialising farmerplant healthSoil HealthTeach me
ONCE-OFF USE; DO NOT REPUBLISH
News

Foot-and-mouth crisis hits SA dairy industry with R1-billion loss

by Nathan Geffen
4th September 2026

South Africa’s worst foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak has devastated dairy farms. Beyond staggering financial losses and plummeting milk yields, the...

Read moreDetails
Tough times, hardy cattle: Why Mzansi farmers are choosing Nguni

Tough times, hardy cattle: Why Mzansi farmers are choosing Nguni

3rd September 2026
Dragon fruit thrives in KZN valley despite tough national season

Dragon fruit thrives in KZN valley despite tough national season

3rd September 2026
The future of Mzansi's sugar industry hangs in the balance

Government hikes sugar import price, but industry warns of gap

3rd September 2026

Chicken is booming, but the real money is in the supply chain

2nd September 2026

Dragon fruit thrives in KZN valley despite tough national season

Rising costs, climate risk push Swartland wheat farmers to the brink

Chicken is booming, but the real money is in the supply chain

Farmers rethink water use as shortages threaten food production

This week’s agri events: 07–11 September

Join Food For Mzansi's WhatsApp channel for the latest updates!

JOIN NOW!
Next Post
Farmers believe latest petrol price cut is just a drop in the ocean

Farmers believe latest petrol price cut is just a drop in the ocean

THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

With 21 global awards in the first six years of its existence, Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication. It is a movement, unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture. We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society.

This week’s agri events: 07–11 September

Tiger Brands CEO calls for stronger food value chain

Plant, pick, protect: The rising potential of urban foraging in SA

RSVP now: Emerging farmers’ programme at Nampo Cape

Community-led farms boost food security and incomes in Limpopo

Farmers rethink water use as shortages threaten food production

  • Awards & Global Impact
  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

  • Awards & Global Impact
  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Chat Options

I'm Lerato, your AI assistant!
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought

Copyright © 2024 Food for Mzansi

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.