CATEGORIES

‘Use top-quality cows for commercial success'

Simmentaler stud owner Willem Botha from the eastern Free State says the quality of the breeding cows in a beef cattle herd is crucial to producing the best product and hence fetching the highest prices. This makes them a key component of profitability. Annelie Coleman reports.

The hope and heartbreak of the almost-Springboks

Graham Jooste tells of some great South African rugby players who saw bad communication, injury, politics, and inexplicably bad luck shatter their hopes of Springbok glory.

Proper pruning: key to pecan grower's success

Pecan farming is still in its infancy in South Africa, but with the global demand for nuts increasing, more producers are seeing opportunities to diversify their farms with pecans. Lindi Botha spoke to seasoned Gauteng-based pecan farmer Albert Bouwmeester Jnr about how he gets the most from his pecan orchard.

Harvesting, grading and storing wheat

Wheat is usually harvested over November/December, but spring and summer wheat can be harvested later.

Challenge turned to opportunity with the right partners

Corona beer, which originated in Mexico, is traditionally served with lime. But when beer-brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev added the brand to its line-up, it encountered a problem: a shortage of limes in South Africa. This presented a novel opportunity to increase local lime production and develop new farmers. Lindi Botha reports.

Global body launches goals for sustainable beef production

The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), an initiative established in 2010, recently launched its global sustainability goals, which are aimed at advancing and improving the sustainability of the global beef value chain

Pöttinger launches mechanical crop-care range

Pöttinger, the Austrian specialist manufacturer of grassland, tillage and seeding equipment, recently announced that it would offer rotary hoes, constant-pressure hoes and vario hoes from August this year. The company also launched the third generation of its high-performance-series loader wagons.

Getting started with egg production

From small beginnings and facing many challenges in poultry production, Kobedi Pilane, who farms near Parys in North West, has grown his egg farm into a 5 000-layer commercial operation. Pieter Dempsey spoke to him about his journey.

Find relaxation and adventure at the foot of the Luonde mountain

Farm tours, fishing and more await those who book a stay at Softwaters Farm Guesthouse, which looks out over Limpopo’s beautiful Levubu Valley

Court ruling clarifies the land rights of individuals

The recent judgment against the Ingonyama Trust with regard to traditional land rights has far-reaching implications for South Africa. Wouter Kriel reports.

Cattle remain key to sustainable food systems

The cattle industry is one of the chief targets of climate activists who propose plant-based diets as a way of reducing global warming and moving towards sustainable food production. Sara Place, chief sustainability officer at Elanco Animal Health, spoke to Lindi Botha about the underestimated power of cattle to contribute to the well-being of people and the planet.

Making Optimal Use Of Scarce Water Resources

Water availability has become one of the greatest limiting factors in agricultural production in South Africa. Johan Kotzé, director of Dutoit Agri Eastern Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how the company is managing this problem and producing more fruit per litre of water used.

Overcoming Food Safety Fears In Fukushima After Nuclear Disaster

A new generation of farmers in the Koriyama area of the Fukushima Prefecture in Japan have been teaming up with like-minded foodservice businesses to rebuild the image of the local area.

Management Of Important Grain Diseases

Plant pathology scientists Dr Gert van Coller and Dr Bradley Flett spoke to Pieter Dempsey about some diseases that pose significant threats to South Africa’s maize and wheat production, and how to control them.

Managing heifers and cows: Part 3

Heifers and first calvers need good nutrition and extra care, such as keeping them in separate herds, if you want to have mature cows that grow out to their full genetic potential for size.

Growing onions: Part 3

Latitude plays a key role in determining which onion types are best for your region. And there are also early and late varieties, says Bill Kerr.

How to write a winning business proposal

If you intend to start farming, or have plans to expand your existing operation, you are almost certain to require funding. But before you can apply for this, you will need to put together a business plan to convince investors that your endeavour is worth their risk. Prof Sanlie Middelberg of North-West University summarises the main elements of a sound business proposal based on research by master’s student Sicelo Masuku.

Citrus industry hits back at ‘Bitter Oranges' report

A report slamming labour practices in the citrus industry has been labelled as subjective and an unfair generalisation by the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa. Lindi Botha reports.

Tillage practices for wheat

Unnecessary tillage costs money, time and effort, and valuable soil water is lost in the process. It also results in re-compaction of the soil, a problem that has to be addressed later.

The nuts and bolts of Holistic Management

People often confuse Holistic Management with land management, when in reality the former is a flexible decision-making and planning framework. Brothers Roland and Sholto Kroon, who farm in the Eastern Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the philosophy behind this approach to farming, and how it is working for them.

Helping heifers grow into ideal cows

Groot Brakrivier dairy farmer Candice de Jongh and her husband Coenraad have finetuned their formula for raising the ideal milk cow. A central component is ensuring that both heifers and dry cows are in optimal condition all year round. Robyn Powell reports.

A slice of paradise in the Boland

With its famed gardens, imaginative tours, luxurious cottages and restorative tranquillity, all set against a beautiful mountain backdrop, Babylonstoren is everything a getaway should be, says Brian Berkman.

Bean aggregator helps small-scale farmers grow

Lusanda Moletsane runs an aggregator of small white beans from two farming clusters located in Nigel and Bronkhorstspruit respectively. She spoke to Pieter Dempsey about her passion for helping small-scale farmers become commercial producers, her success so far, and her dream for the future.

Why Beefmaster Is The ‘Profit Breed'

Riana de Beer, a Beefmaster breeder in the Senekal district in the Free State, runs the Quardsen Beefmaster stud on veld and says that selecting for the ‘Six Essentials’, which helps eliminate poor performers, makes the breed profitable under all farming conditions.

Why You Should Consider A Prenuptial Agreement

Together with a restrictive shareholder agreement, a prenuptial agreement ensures that an ex-spouse will not automatically be a family business shareholder. If the subject is raised far in advance of marriage, or with children before they enter into serious relationships, it is less likely to result in arguments and hurt feelings.

Digital tool helps solve problems in advance

The FruitLook system helps Western Cape farmers monitor key production parameters in orchards and vineyards, and identify potential problems. Dianca Yssel and Annaline Smith, application coaches at agricultural consultancy Blue North, describe case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of the technology.

Droughts: a global crisis that hits the poorest

According to a new report by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, drought constitutes a global crisis that risks becoming a ‘pandemic’, causing widespread starvation if countries do not take urgent action on water and land management.

Driving transformation in the citrus industry

Shaun Brown, owner of Eden Agri packhouse, has brought together a group of citrus producers from the Kat River Valley to collaborate on creating a better future for the area and its people. Wouter Kriel reports.

Growing onions: Part 2

It is important to understand the size and shape demanded by your market before choosing an onion variety to grow, says Bill Kerr.

Hugenoot breeder's scientific success

Yusuf Ravat, who runs the Yari Hugenoot Stud on his farm in Limpopo, has a passion for acquiring knowledge and working with accurate data. He farms according to scientific methods to achieve the best possible outcome for his stud, and in just three years has achieved remarkable results. Pieter Dempsey reports.