CATEGORIES

Making every drop of rainwater count

In this first of a two-part series, Dr Louis du Pisani, an independent specialist agricultural consultant, explains the basic components of the water cycle and how these apply to the growth of grass on the veld.

The wheat blast disease threat

The recent detection of wheat blast in Zambia raised alarms in the wheat industry in the SADC region. Once established, the disease is difficult to control, say researchers Dr Tarekegn Terefe of the Agricultural Research Council’s Small Grain Institute and Dr Willem Boshoff of the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of the Free State.

New Technology To Detect Mycotoxins In Animal Feed

Prof Cobus Visagie, a mycologist studying fungi at the University of Pretoria’s Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, was recently awarded a prestigious research grant under the Future Leaders’ African Independent Research programme. He explains the impact of mycotoxins on humans and animals.

More money for the Land Bank

Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, announced in his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement that despite serious efforts to curb government spending over the next three to five years, the Land Bank would be allocated another R7 billion to finance its restructuring plans. Denene Erasmus reports.

What's behind the locust swarms damaging crops in Southern Africa?

In this article, originally published by theconversation.com, Prof Frances Duncan of the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, whose research involves investigating the survival strategies of brown locusts, explains what is behind the migratory locust outbreak ravaging crops and pastures across Southern Africa.

Surprise: Africa's farmers are relatively young!

Thomas Jayne, a professor of agricultural, food and resource economics, and Felix Kwame Yeboah, an assistant professor of international development, both at Michigan State University in the US, say it is simply untrue that Africa’s farmers are mostly old and, on average, getting even older. It is also a misperception, they argue, that the continent’s young people are not interested in farming.

New mower and header attachments from CLAAS

German-based agricultural machinery manufacturer CLAAS has announced the launch of two new mower ranges, as well as changes to its line-up of ORBIS row-independent front attachments for the JAGUAR self-propelled forage harvester.

PUTTING NATURE BACK INTO BEEKEEPING

With bee populations dwindling globally, beekeepers are looking for ways to improve the resilience of their colonies. Albertus van Zyl spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how he achieves this.

One Agripreneur, Two Enterprises. Success Despite The Odds!

When the COVID-19 lockdown forced Ncumisa Mkabile to shut down her catering business, she put her entrepreneurial spirit to the test by starting two small-scale farming businesses on a piece of land in Khayelitsha. Jeandré van der Walt reports.

A Vicious Circle Of Poverty - The Scourge Of Child Labour In Agriculture

Across the world, child labour is practised more in agriculture than in any other sector. This is despite the numerous hazards involved in farm work, including unprotected exposure to chemicals, working with potentially dangerous livestock, and carrying heavy loads over long distances. Moreover, a lack of access to quality education means these children not only suffer in terms of development, but are unlikely to escape the poverty trap. Janine Ryan investigates.

The Latest Generation Of Seed-Sowing Robots

AGCO/Fendt is developing the next generation of field robots as part of a strategic research project. The new series of Xaver sowing robots differs markedly from the past two iterations, and in more than just appearance. The inner seed units of the machines are also entirely new.

Know When Your Soil Is Ready!

It’s always a good idea to get soil fertility in balance by providing enough fertilizer and, perhaps, organic matter, but treating the soil well is also very important.

How To Keep The Family Business In Business

Very few family farming operations transition effortlessly from one generation to another. The process requires careful planning, hard work and a lot of patience. Annelie Coleman spoke to several experts about the factors that drive success, and found that timeous succession planning, a family constitution, and a willingness to allow new entrants topped the list.

Chillies: A Hot Crop If You Know What You're Doing

Diversifying with chillies has enabled Klein Karoo stone fruit farmer JD van Deventer to increase cash flow, use orchard space more efficiently, and mitigate the climate- and market-related risks associated with fruit production. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel.

How Non-Genetic Factors Affect Bull Performance

An Agricultural Research Council study of the performance of Brahman bulls in feedlots across South Africa has highlighted the non-genetic traits, such as environment and herd of origin, that affect the average daily gain and feed conversion ratios of the animals. Researchers Melville Ferreira, Alfredo Lepori and Frans Jordaan explore the importance of the results, emphasising that maximum feed efficiency is essential for the long-term sustainability and profitability of the beef industry.

Producing Cowboy-Style Workhorses Naturally

Pierre and Carine Kleinhans breed horses capable of patrolling large areas of land with minimal inputs, much like the animals used by cowboys in the American Wild West. The couple spoke to Glenneis Kriel on their farm near Touws River in the Western Cape about their operation.

Add Value To Berries: Part 1

Do you want to increase your market turnover? One proven way of doing this is to add value to your crops through agro-processing.

Wine Glut Threatens Industry's Sustainability

Due to the ban on wine sales during the national lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African wine industry has been left with an unprecedented oversupply of wine. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Covid-19 A Wake-up Call To Develop Agriculture In Africa

During the first wave of COVID-19 infections in many countries around the world, the critical role of agriculture in society was highlighted as governments called on farmers and agro-processing industries to continue operations even during lockdown periods, says Prof Charles Kadzere of the Dohne Agricultural Development Institute in the Eastern Cape.

Sustainable Impact Investment In Africa

‘Impact investment’ aims to generate social and environmental benefits as well as solid financial returns. AgDevCo, a UK-based project developer, has 50 agribusiness investments of this type in sub-Saharan Africa, linking more than 375 000 smallholder farmers to markets. CEO Daniel Hulls spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his company’s investment approach.

The prevention and control of West Nile fever

Vaccinate for West Nile fever before the mosquito season starts, says Dr Mac. This is the key to prevention.

Finding new markets for South African fruit

The volume of export-quality fruit being produced by South African farmers is set to increase considerably over the next decade. With ever-larger harvests on the land every year, the race is on for the industry to gain access to new global markets. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Blended Finance Offers Viable Opportunities

A lack of financing and access to capital is one of the biggest barriers to entry for new farmers. With these operations regarded as high-risk undertakings, commercial banks are wary to offer loans, leaving new farmers excluded from the sector. Lindi Botha looks at the possibilities that exist within blended financing to overcome these challenges.

Covid-19 Sees Consumers Turn To Healthy, Local Food

In the climate of unease brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers are turning to healthier, locally sourced food for comfort and certainty, according to Shereen Tromp, senior consultant at Euromonitor International. The consumption of locally grown produce offers new opportunities for local businesses and farmers.

A Self-Adjusting Tractor Tyre

Agricultural machinery company STEYR, in co-operation with Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is developing an ‘intelligent’ tractor wheel equipped with an ultrasonic sensor that ensures optimised tyre pressure at all times and hence reduces compaction.

Consistency, Quality, And A Market On The Doorstep

Cabbage can be undemanding, provided the right checks and balances are put in place and the crop is managed meticulously. Lindi Botha spoke to farmer Bright Matimbe about producing healthy cabbage all year round in the Lowveld city of Mbombela.

Spending That Delivers Tangible Benefits

The agriculture department’s budget needs an overhaul, with more money allocated to delivering services to farmers, and less to administrative functions, according to Annette Steyn, DA MP and member of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.

Double-chocolate brownies

These are the best brownies in the world, and will have your family coming back for more, says Janine Ryan. They have a fudge-like texture and are packed with chocolate!

No-till: better soil at less cost

One sure way of reducing soil degradation is to cut down on tillage. Numerous crops can be grown using the no-till approach, and many farmers who have done so will testify that it cuts costs and improves rain penetration in the soil. The soil also holds more water; in fact, no-till soils generally show drought stress two weeks later than tilled soils do.

The struggle to meet the animal health needs of developing farmers

Much is said about the need for transformation in the red meat value chain, especially among smallholder farmers in traditional authority areas and on land reform farms. Unfortunately, according to former government animal health technician Ginette Bentley, inadequate resources, vacant posts and a lack of cohesion hamper the process. Lloyd Phillips reports.