Buffalo Bond

Lat Feedlot (Pty) Ltd proposes to convert about 90 hectares (ha) of vacant greenfield rangeland into an irrigated maize farm crop production. The proposed establishment of the irrigated maize farm will entail the clearance of 90 ha of indigenous vegetation during the site preparation phase. The soil is to be prepared using either a Hallow or cultivator to break up the soil and levelling the surface for the plantation of the crop.

According to the South Africa Protected Areas Database (SAPAD) and Local Nature Reserves, the proposed establishment of the irrigated maize farm is occurring within the Buffalo Bond Private Nature Reserve. Therefore, the proposed establishment of the irrigated maize farm will entail the clearance of 90 ha of indigenous vegetation within the Buffalo Bond Private Game Reserve boundary.

The farm has access to an existing dam that will serve as the primary source of sustainable water supply for irrigation purposes. The dam has an estimated storage capacity of 500 000 m3 which is sufficient to cover the proposed cropland irrigation. The irrigated maize farm is to be fenced off to prevent any game animals from entering the cultivation area.