'Go-to tractors' for dairy farmers
Farmer's Weekly|September 23, 2022
Nick Stubbs owns and runs a large dairy in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, and says a reliable tractor is vital to his operation's success.
'Go-to tractors' for dairy farmers

Nick Stubbs and his father have farmed in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands for many years. They run a dairy, and grow maize and ryegrass for cow feed. Stubbs is general manager of the Stubbs Farming Partnership, and says the operation is always developing. It recently diversified into avocado production.

Stubbs manages a herd of Holstein cows that ranges between 2 500 and 3000 animals. "Our aim is for high input and output. We are breeding animals of about 550kg, which produce 8 000-litre lactations," says Stubbs.

"With cattle feed at a premium, our biggest challenge is trying to find a balance between using expensive feed to drive production versus feeding pasture-based grasses that give us production at a more affordable cost, and drives the profitability of our operation," says Stubbs. He sells the operation's milk to a leading private dairy producer in Mount West that, in turn, processes it into a range of milk-based products.

Stubbs recently invested in a Massey Ferguson (MF) Global tractor, which, according to the manufacturer, is defined by its broad utility capability, and ability to fulfil many different tasks on the farm. The MF Global tractor range includes the 4700, 5700 and 6700.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 23, 2022 من Farmer's Weekly.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 23, 2022 من Farmer's Weekly.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من FARMER'S WEEKLY مشاهدة الكل
An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA
Farmer's Weekly

An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA

South American grass species from the genus Nassella were unwittingly introduced to South Africa over 120 years ago and continue to invade montane veld. As Mike Burgess writes, research-based action is required.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 06, 2024
Dream Lodge: a digital detox destination
Farmer's Weekly

Dream Lodge: a digital detox destination

Dinner by candlelight and without digital distractions on an off-grid farm makes this North West lodge the ideal getaway for reconnecting with friends and family, writes Riaan Hattingh.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 06, 2024
Optimising nutrient availability for cattle
Farmer's Weekly

Optimising nutrient availability for cattle

Nutrient circularity in cattle farming can help improve soil health and reduce farming costs. Ernest Makua, livestock technical adviser at Red Meat Industry Services, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about practical strategies for farmers to achieve sustainability and profitability in the industry.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 06, 2024
Canola: a growing force in South Africa's agricultural landscape
Farmer's Weekly

Canola: a growing force in South Africa's agricultural landscape

Zander Spammer, an agricultural resource manager at Southern Oil, spoke to Zunel van Eeden about the growth of the canola industry in South Africa and the main uses for this versatile crop.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 06, 2024
Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA
Farmer's Weekly

Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA

It is of vital importance that that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) be upheld following the recent US presidential election, in which Donald Trump emerged as the winner.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Plum pollen study reveals varietal differences in pollination effectiveness
Farmer's Weekly

Plum pollen study reveals varietal differences in pollination effectiveness

A new study undertaken near George, Western Cape, explored pollination in plum varieties, showing key differences in pollen quality. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports on the research findings.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Study: small cuts to beef production could eliminate years of emissions
Farmer's Weekly

Study: small cuts to beef production could eliminate years of emissions

In a paper published in early November, scientists reveal that pasturelands, in particular those that were once forests, hold great potential for mitigating the effects of climate change.

time-read
1 min  |
November 29, 2024
Harnessing wind for cleaner energy
Farmer's Weekly

Harnessing wind for cleaner energy

At the Windaba Conference and Exhibition, held in October in Cape Town, Western Cape, Niveshen Govender, CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the state of wind energy in the country and the opportunities that farmers can exploit.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 29, 2024
The Cape Grace: a Cape Town icon is reborn, and her new custodians shine
Farmer's Weekly

The Cape Grace: a Cape Town icon is reborn, and her new custodians shine

Brian Berkman has had the exceedingly good fortune of spending many nights at the Cape Grace Hotel over the years. He revisits it to find it as impressive as ever.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Cutting-edge tech aiding the agri sector
Farmer's Weekly

Cutting-edge tech aiding the agri sector

Toyota Material Handling's innovations conserve resources and reduce the environmental footprint of farming operations.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 29, 2024