CATEGORIES

Pasture varieties and their potential in SA

Summer-planted pastures can boost a farmer’s profits by keeping animal production high. Renowned grazing specialist Prof Chris Dannhauser says there is a variety of these crops to choose from and, as Susan Marais found out, many can also be used in winter in the form of hay, foggage and silage.

Cutting-edge crop-spraying drones for Africa

Unitrans Africa has recently purchased seven Chinese-made DJI T30 Agras drones, which the company will use to provide crops praying services to farmers in a number of African countries.

Robot boosts blueberry picking efficiencies

Agritech company Arci technologies is in the process of developing South Africa’s first semi-autonomous agricultural robot. three of the company’s founders spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their machine.

Sheep farmer creates her own work and success

Emily Kok, a Karoo sheep farmer and winner of several carcass competitions, spoke to Wouter Kriel about the challenges of communal farming on government-owned land, and how she is overcoming them.

Apple Packout Rate: Size Means Everything

The Zulch family of Wakkerstroom farm won the prize for the highest average income per hectare of apples in the 2020 Ceres Fruit Grower Awards. Fourie Zulch spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this accomplishment.

How good management aids soya bean health

Plant health is one of the key contributors to high yields and good profits, and soya bean is no exception. Magda du Toit spoke to a number of experts about how to achieve these goals through sound management.

General anaesthesia

There are several reasons why your horse may need surgery under a general anaesthetic. Here is what to expect before, during and after the anaesthetising process, says Dr Mac.

Farming profitably on leased land

Richard Mashinini runs a flourishing commercial farm in the Free State. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about his education and the people who helped him succeed, and the uncertainty of farming on rented land.

‘Politicking, corruption has led to ruined roads'

The systemic problems in the Free State government’s Department of Police, Roads and Transport is of such an extent that any turnaround strategy would take a long time.

Building a reputation in the SA beef industry

Extensive veld tests by the Bosveld Santa Gertrudis Study Group have made a valuable contribution to establishing the breed’s reputation amongst other beef cattle in South Africa. .

Carbon credits: grain farmers have much to gain

the carbon landscape is changing quickly as grain farmers realise the value that lies in building carbon in their soils. but how can farmers best utilise their land to gain maximum financial value? Lindi Botha spoke to expert Dr Hendrik Smith.

Social protection for sustainable food systems

Social protection programmes to help farmers become more resilient aren’t just safety nets, but can help them make investments and meaningfully engage in markets, says the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.

Potato volumes fall on the back of poor weather

Adverse weather conditions, in particular heavy rain and frost in parts of South Africa, have resulted in lower volumes of potatoes on fresh produce markets, and a resultant increase in prices.

Tourism and value-adding keeps family farm afloat

Heinrich Lategan is the fifth generation to farm on Tevrede, between Worcester and Wolseley in the Western Cape. Tevrede has traditionally been a grape farm, but the family has had to embrace an ethos of diversification in order to keep the business going. The past two years have proved to them just how important value-adding can be. .

UK consumers could face a turkey shortage this coming Christmas

Changes to UK visa regulations that allow farmers to recruit workers from abroad have come too late and could result in a shortage of Christmas turkeys this year, farmers have warned.

‘Biosecurity task team strategy must be prioritised'

South Africa’s agriculture sector is still waiting on announcements by the recently formed Task Team on Animal Biosecurity pertaining to a biosecurity strategy and its implementation.

Tractor Shopping: Tips For First-Time Buyers

Just as you wouldn’t use a spoon to dig a ditch, you wouldn’t use a 13kW tractor to pull a 16-row planter. It is crucial to understand your farming needs, both present and future, so that you can choose the right type of tractor and make sure your hard-earned money is spent wisely. Lindi Botha reports.

Green bonds: it pays to invest in nature

Agriculture has an important role to play in funding a greener future for the planet. Green bonds, which are fixed-income financial instruments that offer environmental and/or climate benefits, will give farmers the opportunity to lower their carbon footprints. Wouter Kriel reports.

A beginners' guide to auctions

Livestock auctions offer a relatively safe way for farmers to trade their animals, with a fairly low barrier to entry. Cornel Landman and Anton Vos spoke to Glenneis Kriel about factors that producers have to consider when participating in these events, and the administrative processes that need to be adhered to.

Growing nutrientdense vegetables using regenerative farming

Gert Janse van Rensburg produces vegetable crops on the family-owned farm, Langplaas, in North West. He spoke to Pieter Dempsey about the regenerative farming techniques he employs.

India set to secure 45% of global rice trade with record exports

India, the world’s second-largest rice grower after China, could account for as much as 45% of global rice exports this year due to expanded port handling capacity, which will enable the country to ship record volumes to buyers in Africa and Asia.

New headquarters for Argo Tractors

A groundbreaking ceremony in Kempton Park saw Argo Tractors begin work on its new, state-of-the-art facility designed to optimise the company’s offering to its Southern African clients. Magda du Toit reports.

Southern Africa's hunger hotspots

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Food Programme’s Hunger Hotspots report highlights the countries most at risk of increased food insecurity from August to November 2021. In Southern African, these include Mozambique, Madagascar, Angola and the DRC.

Tender pork chop casserole served with potatoes

this simple recipe takes less than an hour to put together. the apples add sweetness to the pork, while the mustard brings with it some good flavour and a touch of heat. Recipe and photo: Potato Nation.

Summer visitor to SA expected within weeks

One of the more unusual birds of prey that occurs in South Africa, the European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), is expected to reach the country by the end of October after migrating approximately 10 000km. The species feeds exclusively on wasps, bees and hornets.

To show or not to show, that is the question

While agricultural shows are stressful for farmers and livestock, time-consuming and expensive, most industry players believe they still hold value. Susan Marais reports.

Nature-Based Farming Secures A Solid Future For Limpopo Farm

Reducing inputs costs and increasing yields are the foundation of a profitable enterprise. However, true sustainability comes from investing in practices that increase your farm’s ability to produce over time. Lindi Botha spoke to Leon Eksteen of Bufland Boerdery about choosing the right investments.

Fresh Apples For Top-Quality Cider

Larry Whitfield, owner of Loxtonia, an apple, pear and plum farm, has successfully branched into cider production. Unusually, he uses fresh apples to produce his award-winning ciders. He spoke to Wouter Kriel.

Regulatory Apathy Limits Cannabis Growth In SA

The wheels for the legalisation of commercial cannabis production in South Africa were set in motion in 2018. More recently, this campaign gained further momentum when the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development released the Draft Cannabis Master Plan. Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, chairperson of the Fair-Trade Independent Cannabis Association, spoke to Pieter Dempsey about the challenges that remain.

Blueberries: A Booming Business In SA

According to a new report by the International Blueberry Organization, South Africa is one of the countries to watch when it comes to global blueberry production, following a surge in export volume in recent years.