CATEGORIES
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Achieving Employment-Intensive Land Reform In SA
A new study suggests that significant increases in the employment intensity of agriculture can be achieved if land, situated specifically in four local municipalities, is redistributed to smallscale farmers. According to Ben Cousins, emeritus professor at the University of the Western Cape’s Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, by focusing on specific types of farming in these four areas, almost 24 000 job could be created.
Plans to revive SA's groundnut industry
Due to drought and a lack of new cultivars, the country’s groundnut industry is in a precarious position. North West producer Lourens de Kock and Adri Botha, chairperson of the South African Groundnut Forum, spoke to Annelie Coleman about what needs to be done to turn the tide.
The many benefits of good tyre traction
Hennie Hattingh is responsible for original equipment sales at the Johannesburg branch of a major Southern African tyre and tube distributor. Stehan Cloete spoke to him about the effect of tyre pressure and tractor ballasting on fuel efficiency and productivity.
Sweet thorn encroachment in the Eastern Cape
A number of woody encroacher species are expanding both their distribution and density in the Eastern Cape. Sweet thorn (Vachellia karroo), the most common of these, detrimentally affects the quality of grazing in the province, writes independent agricultural consultant Dr Louis du Pisani.
Beefmasters produce heavy weaners despite drought
Coenraad Viljoen, who ran the Josephus Beefmaster Stud on Sunny Slopes near East London, said that strict selection criteria had paid off in the long run.
Insect Farm's Plans For Sustainable Protein
Insect farming, which is increasingly regarded as a sustainable alternative source of protein, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing agricultural industries. Dr Michael Woods, co-founder and CEO of Susento, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about the advantages of insect farming and his goal of producing a high-quality protein sports drink from fly larvae.
The Master Architect Of The Highveld
Dutch architect Sytze Wierda left a unique and timeless legacy across the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek before the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902).
Rapid Spread Of Invasive Species
According to researchers at the Centre for Invasion Biology at Stellenbosch University (SU), a total of 1422 alien species are currently naturalised or invasive in South Africa. Much more action is needed to counter the increasing threats posed by invasive alien species in the country, warns Wiida Fourie-Basson, science writer in the SU Faculty of Sciences.
New Harvesting Solution For Premium Red Wine Grapes
New Holland’s new Braud 8030L CombiGrape offers an effective and user-friendly destemming and grapesorting solution to suit the needs of medium-sized vineyards.
Varied Tech Solutions Required For Small-Scale Farming
The dual nature of South Africa’s agricultural landscape precludes a one-size-fits-all approach to technology solutions. Small-scale farmers have limited budgets and challenges that cannot be solved without taking their distinctive circumstances into account.
Social Media Takes Farmer From Part-Time To Full-Time Tonota
When establishing a new business, investors often struggle with what to focus on first: the market or the product. Pork farmer Hannes Richards had little difficulty with this decision. A single advertisement on social media triggered such demand for his product that he had to expand his operation as rapidly as possible. Lindi Botha visited him on his farm in Limpopo.from part-time to full-time
EU's Proposed Food Labelling Bad News For Farmers
Key proposals in the European Commission’s new Farm to Fork strategy include enhancing protection for consumers and the environment. However, according to Roberto Moncalvo, vice-president of the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations in the EU, the strategy may have negative consequences for farmers as well as consumers, as it makes it difficult, if not impossible, to produce a host of wholesome traditional foods that are the backbone of many farming regions.
Dental Sinusitis And Apical Tooth Disease
A rotten cheek tooth root can cause sinusitis and extensive facial swelling, warns Dr Mac.
The Psychology Of Retirement
Retirement is not a single event; it involves both emotional and financial considerations
Don't Take Shortcuts With Seedlings
When I mention seedlings in my articles, you may take it for granted that I’m referring to professionally grown seedlings in cavity seedling trays.
Meet The Future Of Agriculture
The Syngenta Leadership Academy is aimed at empowering a new generation of leaders in South African agriculture. Siyanda Sishuba spoke to three alumni about the skills and knowledge they gained from the academy’s programme.
Speedlings sweeten seed cane propagation efficiency
Conventional stick seed cane, while long relied on as the source of plant material for commercial sugar cane crops, comes with unavoidable inefficiencies. Experts in seed cane propagation explain how the ‘speedlings’ concept provides an alternative, cost-efficient option that has already proven itself in South Africa’s deman ing sugar cane farming industry.
Transporting cattle
Every cattle operation has to get its animals from A to B, despite the stress it places on them. Here’s how to carry it out smoothly and humanely.
THE DEATH MARCH
Graham Jooste dips into the diary of Rudolph Jordaan, who, with other Allied prisoners of war, was forced to work, and ultimately walk, across much of Europe towards the end of the Second World War.
Making waves: should South Africa's livestock exports by sea be allowed to continue?
South Africa’s exports of live animals by ship to the Middle East presents a major new opportunity for the country’s red meat farming industry. But the initiative has generated huge controversy within the industry and from animal welfare experts. Lloyd Phillips looks at both sides of the story.
Flicking flies in Barkly East
Fly fishing is as synonymous with the Eastern Cape district of Barkly East as are Merino wool and snow-capped mountains in winter. As Mike Burgess writes, the legacy of fly fishing in the region is not only rich, but evolving.
Favouring quality over quantity on a small piece oF land
The Patience family started farming on 95ha of rented land in Saron in the Western Cape in the 1960s, beginning with just 10 sheep and a handful of cattle. Today, Therecia Patience and her son, Gary, are on the same land, and are systematically improving the genetics of their Dohne Merino sheep. They spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about their successful operation.
Stress In Cattle
As part of an animal’s stress response, its body releases cortisol, a hormone that provides energy to help the animal escape the stressor. If the stress persists, however, the animal’s health will suffer.
Tooth Caps In Young Horses
Deciduous teeth that are not shed can be problematic in young horses in training, warns Dr Mac.
Beefmaster Breeders Enjoy A Packed, Informative Tour
The annual Beefmaster tour took place in Mpumalanga this year, and included visits to nine prominent Beefmaster breeders who collectively own about 8 300 animals.
Good News For Landowners Defending ‘Vexatious' Land Claims
Landowners who previously had to personally foot the bill for legal fees to successfully defend themselves against vexatious or frivolous land claims will now have the option to request a court to award costs orders against the state or its legal representatives. Lloyd Phillips reports.
Coping Strategies To Deal With Uncertainty
South African agriculture is a uniquely risky environment, yet its farmers are well-known for meeting challenges with courage and resilience. Glenneis Kriel spoke to four prominent farmers to discover how they deal with uncertainty.
Seedlings: Well Begun Is Half Done!
Seedlings are the start of a new crop, so the better their condition, the more likely you are to benefit at harvest time. Most experienced farmers will confirm that when seedlings grow rapidly into a uniform stand, the crop usually ends up well.
Health-Conscious Consumers Drive Up Fresh Produce Prices
Consumer interest in healthy eating is pushing up sales of fresh produce. But looking at the commodities that experienced the highest growth over the past few years, one thing is clear: information, marketing, packaging and branding hold the key to increasing demand and staying competitive. Lindi Botha spoke to industry experts Jaco Oosthuizen and Kandas Cloete.
Are Top-Priced Genetics Really Worth It?
The logic seems to dictate that some livestock producers must suffer buyer’s remorse after purchasing an animal for an eye-watering price. Glenneis Kriel asked a few farmers whether their record-breaking acquisitions have paid off, and found the answer to be unanimous.