The SASTA 2019 Field Day
This November, SASTA members were treated to an informative Field Day at the SAPPI Shaw Research Centre situated in the scenic Midlands region of KwaZulu-Natal. The Sappi Shaw Research Centre is an innovative research and development centre for tree breeding and seed technology, specialising in pine and eucalypt trees. Their team of scientists also conduct research into streamlining of logistic operations, tissue culture, nursery management and land preparation for agricultural and commercial purposes.
SASTA members were given a detailed tour of the operations at the research centre which included:
- A walk through two tree trials to demonstrate pollination techniques and how operational gains are optimised.
- A drone demonstration. Drone research is used to monitor trials and detect key areas of concern.
- The use of SMART Technology which involves crop modelling from satellite images to optimise tree breeding as well as truck road routes and road monitoring. LiDar technology also forms part of the research conducted in this area.
- A demonstration on the use of NIR technology to sample tree fibre for quality research for the mill.
- A talk on tissue culture research used to breed varietally-pure, high quality, pest- and disease-free trees.
- A walk-through the seed research centre where scientists are involved in ensuring seeds are separated into various grades for commercial purposes as well as for internal trial plantings.
- An overview of nursery technologies and the research done to optimise the operations for tree growth in these sterile environments.
