CATEGORIES

SA's century-old black wattle tannin industy

Although only a niche industry in South Africa, tannin extraction from black wattle bark for commercial applications has been practised here for over 100 years. The country’s largest tannin extraction business, NTE Company, celebrated its centenary last year, and Lloyd Phillips visited the plant to learn more about the complex processes of extracting tannin and manufacturing products from this versatile material.

Paying farmers for predation losses is not the magic bullet for conservation

As long as humans have practised agriculture, they have experienced conflict with wildlife. This rivalry leads not only to the loss of livestock to predation, but also the killing of wild animals in retaliation for the threat to livelihoods. An international group of scientists questions whether financial compensation can solve this issue.

Parasite management: the key to farming Boer goats in the Lowveld

André and Brenda Swanepoel started farming Boer goats as a part-time activity on their smallholding in Mpumalanga. In no time at all, they found themselves running a thriving commercial operation, thanks to an almost insatiable local demand for goat meat. Lindi Botha reports on the enterprise and its future.

Rewriting the rules on apple rootstock longevity

The use of Geneva rootstock CG 778, in combination with regenerative farming techniques to ensure healthy soil, has the potential to revolutionise apple production in South Africa, according to Elgin grower Ian Cunningham. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his techniques.

INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES - Queen of the night: Part 1

With no natural enemies in Southern Africa, this cactus can invade the veld with impunity. The law requires that it be controlled in gardens and on farms.

Building up soil's organic content

In my previous article (see FW, 15 & 22 January 2021), I dealt with the chemical and organic fertilisers that need to be worked into the soil.

Good Summer Rain Forecast For SA

Weather experts have predicted above-average precipitation for South Africa’s summer rainfall areas in 2020/2021. Meteorologist Johan van den Berg explained the weather cycles and La Niña/El Niño phenomena behind the forecast to Jeandré van der Walt.

Backgrounding Beef Animals For Higher Profit

Most South African beef producers sell their weaners straight to feedlots for finishing. Chéri-Lynn Steyn, a master’s student in agricultural economics, explains how backgrounding these animals can increase the income of commercial beef farms and even of the feedlots themselves.

Land Reform 2021: Beware Of Fake News

Land reform in South Africa is mired in policy uncertainty and government neglect. At the same time, it is a political football, kicked around shamelessly by some leaders to serve short-term political goals. Glenneis Kriel spoke to three experts in the field to obtain clarity on this crucially important topic.

Economic Outlook 2021: Now Is The Time To Build Reserves

After a particularly tough year for its economy, South Africa faces many challenges in 2021. Reduced spending power, credit downgrades, and a second wave of COVID-19 could put a damper on agricultural profits this year, and farmers will need to consider their marketing plans carefully. Lindi Botha shares advice from two of the country’s leading economists.

SUMMERTIME SALADS

These salads are a celebration of summer, and are perfect to have on their own or as a side. They are also easy to make and super affordable. Bon appétit!

North West farmers extend helping hand to hungry communities

Prompted by their own hardship during a decade of drought, farmers in the Schweizer-Reneke area have recognised the urgent need to help unemployed and hungry families in the local communities. Lindi Botha spoke to Jozeph du Plessis about the farmers’ project to distribute maize meal to the needy.

A Boer Family In Captivity

Maggie Jooste was just 14 years old when she, her mother and five of her siblings were transported to a concentration camp during the Anglo Boer War (1899 to 1902). Her remarkable memoir of this period, written 60 years later but kept in the family, was recently published by her descendants, who include historian Graham Jooste, our regular contributor to this column.

Agriculture: The Silver Lining Of A Difficult Year

Leaders in organised agriculture all agree that the past year has been particularly tough. They concur, however, that the outlook for the sector in 2021 is positive, although a number of challenges will need to be overcome.

Boerseep: A Labour Of Love Inspired By Ouma

Making boerseep takes hours, and the combination of ingredients and timing are crucial to the process. After years of searching for a traditional recipe, Esmarelda van der Walt of Bothaville has become an expert at making this pure, all-purpose, biodegradable soap.

Bats: The Answer To Macadamia Pests?

Despite being well known for their pest control abilities, bats remain understudied and misunderstood, and their numbers have been on the decline for various reasons. Now research is showing that these mammals may be invaluable to macadamia farmers, whose pest control costs are rising while their nut quality is dropping. Lindi Botha spoke to Dr Valerie Linden about bats’ potential to save the industry millions of rands.

Managing calf health for maximum long-term productivity

Prevention is better than cure, and this mindset is especially applicable when it comes to preparing calves for their productive adult lives. Dr Schabort Froneman, technical manager for ruminants at Zoetis, provides some pointers on how to raise healthy calves that can become healthy adult animals.

The stories that got us through a tough year

Farmer’s Weekly editor, Denene Erasmus, looks back at some of the top stories of 2020 that not only inspired her, but also served as an example to all South Africans of the remarkable resilience and determination shown by the farming sector during this most unusual year.

SA Harvest: fighting hunger and food waste one meal at a time

Small beginnings can lay the foundation of great success. This holds true for SA Harvest, a food rescue and distribution organisation. Ali Conn, regional manager at SA Harvest, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about the organisation’s journey over the past year and its future plans.

Diversifying with a new variety pays off for pumpkin producer

The demand for convenient meals and easy-to-prepare vegetables is opening up marketing opportunities for the Hokkaido pumpkin, a newcomer to South Africa. Small, and with an edible peel, the variety holds much promise for expanding cucurbit cultivation. Lindi Botha spoke to Francois Steyn about farming the Hokkaido.

Citrusdal's hidden treasure

Petersfield cottages, near Citrusdal in the ‘golden valley’ of the Olifants River, offer a farm stay with privacy, stunning views, and utter peace. Brian Berkman reviews a remarkable getaway spot.

Alcohol-free beer

Alcohol-free beer is a perfect alternative to fizzy drinks, and is increasing in popularity amongst professional riders around the world, says Dr Mac.

A farm that brings hope

A group of subsistence farmers in the Western Cape have put their differences aside and come together to realise their individual dreams of owning a farm. Glenneis Kriel reports on the launch of Thembelitsha Farming.

‘Society, Not Government, Should Decide On Fracking'

It should be society, and not government departments and their officials, deciding on whether or not potentially environmentally damaging mining for natural gas and other fossil energy reserves should be permitted in South Africa.

Improving heat stress management in beef cattle

Anette Theunissen, an animal scientist based at the Vaalharts Research Station, explains the results of a study conducted by researchers at the Agricultural Research Council’s Animal Production Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, to evaluate the use of a temperature-humidity index as a measuring tool for heat stress in beef cattle.

More on earthworms

In last week’s article (FW, 4 December), I looked at the three types of earthworm (epigeic, endogeic and anecic), and their differences and similarities. This week, I’ll explore in more detail the benefits that earthworms provide.

Why the DA views farm murders as hate crimes

During a recent elective conference, the official opposition party in South Africa, the Democratic Alliance (DA), adopted a policy resolution to have farm attacks and murders declared hate crimes and priority crimes. DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard spoke to Annelie Coleman about the party’s decision.

SA farming's dust pollution problem

Frank Eckardt, associate professor of Environmental and Geographic Science at the University of Cape Town, writes that new research has shown persistent emission of dust from the western Free State. Unlike natural dust emission, these dust clouds, which are the result of soil loss, could influence air quality and threaten future food security. One solution would be to consider land-use changes to suppress dust.

Controlling fungus on Cripps Pink apples

A recent study of the effect of two pesticides on Phylctema vagabunda, a fungus that causes significant post-harvest losses of the Cripps Pink apple cultivar, revealed interesting results. Dr Alana den Breeyen and Dr Julia Meitz-Hopkins explain.

Continual improvement is important, says New Era grain farmer

Paulus Mosia from Edenville, Free State, a finalist for the 2019 Grain SA/ABSA/John Deere Financial New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year award, says that by using better inputs and improving production management, he increased his maize yield from 3,2t/ha to 5,2t/ha in just one year. Siyanda Sishuba reports.