| Posted: 01.06.2009 | ||||||||
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Oak Valley is committed to producing its range of products in an environmentally sustainable way, and will continue to employ these techniques wherever possible into the future. Oak Valley has a long history of eco-management which the following points will serve to highlight:-
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN: Oak Valley commissioned a comprehensive EMP in December 2000 which was drafted and compiled by Janette Selley, a qualified environmentalist. The recommendations documented in this plan have been implemented, or are in the process of being implemented, and the plan is reviewed on an annual basis.
ACCREDITATIONS: Oak Valley is both Eurepgap and Natures Choice accredited and this process involves an annual audit by independent auditors. Oak Valley was one of the first three farms outside of Europe to achieve Natures Choice accreditation and has earned Natures Choice Gold status. Oak Valley is also IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) accredited. Oak Valley was one of the first farms in SA to be WIETA audited in terms of ethical trading and is fully accredited.
WATER RESOURCE: Oak Valley has a total of 4756 megalitres of water at its disposal which is sufficient to irrigate 793 hectares of orchards/vineyards. The water resource is carefully managed and all irrigation is monitored using the neutron probe technique, with the actual irrigation systems being computer controlled. A progressive conversion from microjet irrigation to drip irrigation has been implemented, with a planned saving of 30% of water usage over time. The water resource is primary mountain water and water quality monitoring is conducted on a regular basis. A detailed analysis entitled the "Oak Valley Water Resource Study" was commissioned through the consulting engineers Melis and du Plessis in August 1992. This enables the NPV of water to be calculated for any given site requiring irrigation on the farm property. The study also gives a comprehensive comparative cost analysis of different water storage and pumping cost options.
ELECTRICITY: To save on cost and electricity usage Oak Valley constructed its own power grid with power drawn directly from the local Eskom substation. Power usage is carefully monitored and water transfers take place at off-peak times wherever possible. A sophisticated auto reclosure unit has been installed to enable detailed analyses of power consumption. Stand-by generating capacity has been installed in key result areas such as the greenhouse complex and head office (computers). Geyser blankets have been installed in all staff houses to assist with electricity saving for households (90 houses).
FUEL: A comprehensive fuel monitoring system for every vehicle is drawn up on an ongoing basis and analysed monthly to ensure that inefficiencies in fuel usage are minimized, allowing for timeous servicing of units, where appropriate. Used engine oil is stored in a special facility and dispatched for recycling.
WASTE DISPOSAL: The German system of 5-way waste sorting has been introduced. Waste is sorted by all households in separate bins which contain plastics, metal, paper, glass and organics. The waste is delivered to the local municipality pre-sorted into bags to facilitate recycling. There are 90 households living on the property and each participates in the system. The organic component of waste is composted.
SOCIAL INVESTMENT: Over the years Oak Valley has invested in social infrastructure of the highest standard in order to promote the upliftment of its employees and their families. This investment includes housing, a crèche, community hall and sports facilities which have been used as benchmark examples for sa agriculture as a whole.
PEST CONTROL: Oak Valley was the first in SA to employ the mating disruption technique for codling moth control, whereby pheromone emitters are employed to blanket orchards with pheromone, thus mitigating the need for chemical sprays. Oak Valley was also the first in SA to use the sterile insect technique for codling moth control. Male moths are sterilized by low intensity radiation and released into the orchards to control this pest. The same technique, combined with baiting, is used to control Mediterranean Fruitfly. Trunk bands, to which a non-toxic sticky substance is applied, are used to prevent the upward migration of pests into the canopies of the trees. Where technically feasible, the use of non-toxic products is employed to control pests and diseases, even when this option is more expensive to use.
FAUNA: Oak Valley is a participant in the annual Blue Crane population survey. A detailed survey by an Orthinologist has documented the total number of bird species seen on the property, whilst Oak Valley was a co-sponsor of an AGRED survey conducted by UCT's Sir Percy Fitspatrick Institute to analyse the threatened gamebird population in the Elgin Valley. No trapping or hunting of game is permitted on the farm. Oak Valley is host to beehives which are farmed in a honey-badger friendly way and requires a similar certificate of compliance from the operators of pollinator services retained by the company.
FLORA: Oak Valley has 500 hectares of pristine mountain fynbos and was the 7th accredited member of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI). In terms of this initiative, an undertaking was given to the effect that the fynbos area will be preserved from development in the future. A flora mapping survey was conducted by Dr John Rourke and Dr Dave Macdonald of the SA Botanical Society and 5 red data species of fynbos were documented, including the largest known colony of the Protea Stokoei, considered to be one of the big five of the protea family. During the 1980's Oak Valley pioneered the semi-commercial cultivation of Disa hybrids in collaboration with the well known disa breeder Prof Sid Cywes. An original and unique system of growing tables with flowing water was developed to stimulate the natural growing conditions of the Disa in their mountain environment. Oak Valley is a founder member of the Groenlandberg Conservancy and also a founder member of the Green Mountain Eco Route which was formed to promote eco-tourism in the region.
