CATEGORIES
فئات
Regenerative grazing management
Although ultra-high-density grazing is still quite controversial in some circles, many farmers have had good results when using it as a means to restore veld and increase carrying capacity. Susan Marais reports.
Swainson's francolin
The Swainson’s francolin is considered a pest by some farmers and a boon by hunters, as this article showed.
The rise of Dutch Warmbloods
The Dutch Warmblood has become a familiar sight at high-level equestrian events. Dr Mac looks at the breed’s fascinating history.
Breathing New Life Into The Guava Industry
The Agricultural Research Council is undertaking various trials aimed at making guava production more profitable. Glenneis Kriel spoke to Salomie Willemse and Chris Smith, experts involved in the programme.
The Future Of Farm Robots
Robots are predicted to play an ever-increasing role in agriculture, but there is much debate about whether these will be large or small machines. Glenneis Kriel reports.
Data Show Dire Climate Outlook For Africa
Recent climate change projections by the UN confirm that most parts of Africa will likely experience drier, hotter conditions, while also being prone to more frequent heavy rainfall events. All of which, writes Victor Ongoma, an assistant professor at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco, will have an overwhelming impact on millions of people in Africa whose livelihoods depend on dryland agriculture.
Drones Are Leading The Way In Crop Spraying
To Tim Wise, whose sugar cane-growing family had always battled with the quality of crop spraying delivered by aeroplane, drones seemed to be a workable alternative. This led to research into drone technology in 2016, and the subsequent creation of Precision Agricultural Systems. The company has since been the driving force in having crop-spraying drones approved for commercial use in South Africa. Wouter Kriel reports.
How To Prevent A Family Feud
Most volatile family agribusiness disputes have deep-rooted causes that stem from secrecy, distrust and avoidance. By confronting these issues early on, conflict can be avoided, says Trevor Dickinson.
Fire and regenerative rangeland management
Fire is a management tool and, like a hammer, it can have good or bad consequences, depending on how and when it is used. This requires careful consideration of a farm’s conditions, writes Colin Nott, a regenerative agricultural consultant based in Namibia.
Watch out for glyphosate contamination
The repeated use of the herbicide glyphosate has been found to compromise fruit production. James Dick, co-owner of production consultancy DNS Crop Institute, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this problem.
Meet the ‘Barbarians'
A display of part of farmer Herman Dewing‘s huge collection of barbed wire. FW ARCHIVE
Tennis tapestry
There was a period in South Africa’s past when a well-kept tennis court was as much a part of a prosperous farm as a vegetable garden or a tractor. And this applied in the dusty Karoo as well as in the lush Lowveld, says Graham Jooste.
Saving Southern Africa's smallest wild cat
Marion and Richard Holmes, who live near Cradock in the Eastern Cape, have made it their life’s ambition to conserve the vulnerable black-footed cat and African wildcat. They spoke to Annelie Coleman about the methods they employ.
Increasing sugar tax will cost more jobs – industry
With the ending of the moratorium on increases to the Health Promotion Levy (HPL), or so-called sugar tax, in 2022, renewed calls to double the levy could cost the sugar industry millions of rands.
Improving seed import/export regulations in Rwanda
GLOBAL INSIGHT
Higher milk production, lower carbon footprint
Pressure is mounting on dairy farmers to reduce their carbon footprint. The good news is that research shows it is not only possible, but can be done in a way that increases productivity. Lindi Botha reports.
Growing onions
Cutworms and thrips are major threats to onion plants, and must be dealt with timeously to save your crop, says Bill Kerr.
Growing Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts attract their fair share of pests. Here’s how to identify and control the important species.
Droughtmaster: the ticket to breeding more uniform calves
Now semi-retired from farming, Adriaan Odendaal of Villiers in the Free State is able to devote most of his time to the improvement of his almost 10-year old Rocky Droughtmaster stud. With the use of a new breeding method, he is confident that he will achieve his goal of breeding a uniform herd that is true to type within a few short years. Denene Erasmus reports.
Embryo flushing: a sure way to accelerate genetic progress
To stay ahead of their competitors in the breeding game, livestock farmers have to continually improve the genetics of their animals. Nollie and Pieter Stofberg, owners of Platdrif Sussex Stud in the Western Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how they make use of embryo flushing to achieve this goal.
Growing Brussels sprouts: Part 2
Irrigation, fertilization, and weed control all play a crucial role in the success of this crop. It’s also important to harvest at the right time when the heads are bright green, firm, and large enough.
Exploring the beauty of a small seaside town on SA's West Coast
Yzerfontein is home to stretches of beautiful fynbos. Atlantica, with its panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, is the ideal place to stay while visiting this tranquil harbour town, says Brian Berkman.
Preventing and fighting veld fires
Fire protection associations play an integral part in managing fire risk during the dry winter season. Pieter Dempsey spoke to Johann Breytenbach, general manager of the Free State Umbrella Fire Protection Association, about the importance of these organisations and how they can grow their capacity and capability.
New feed waste solution for dairy farmers
The UK-based agriculture solutions company, JF Hudson, has designed a first for the dairy industry: an attachment that can help to greatly reduce feed wastage in dairy sheds and save farmers money.
Training a yearling
Your horse doesn’t have to be a racehorse to follow the training programme employed for starting Thoroughbred yearlings, says Dr Mac.
Complying With SA's Demanding Labour Laws
Western Cape pome fruit producer Steven Versfeld earlier this year became the first farmer to achieve platinum status with no non-compliances from the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa for his workforce management. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this accomplishment.
Breeding Chickens For The Show Ring
What started out as a hobby for Helene Roodt six years ago has since turned into a full-time and surprisingly intricate and successful show chicken breeding business. Annelie Coleman visited Roodt to find out more about her enterprise.
Zondo Commission: a line in the sand, or not?
The Zondo Commission, South Africa’s ambitious project to unravel the networks of state capture in the country, is wrapping up its work. Theo Venter, an independent political and policy specialist and lecturer at the North-West University Business School, takes a look at some of the achievements of the commission thus far, and how its work may influence the future of the country.
Mohair price up 75% year-on-year
The 99% sales clearance achieved at the first winter season sale of mohair was a good indication of healthy demand for mohair. There were 88 723kg on offer.
Market access initiative for beef farmers launched
A new livestock initiative is set to provide a platform for the formal selling and buying of cattle for Eastern Cape beef cattle producers. This was according to Roelie van Reenen, supply chain executive at the Beefmaster Group.