CATEGORIES

VEGETABLES Potato growing for new farmers: Part 1

The potato is 99,9% fat-free, and yet it's a nutrient-dense food and an important dietary staple in more than 130 countries. Growing it isn't as labour-intensive as you might think, says our veggie expert, Bill Kerr.

Production tips from a top pome fruit farm

Attention to detail has helped Welgemeen Boerdery achieve top honours for its Golden Delicious and Kanzi apples, and Abate Fetel pears. Hannes and Sakkie Hanekom explained their approach to Glenneis Kriel.

How soil can benefit from livestock farming

Despite the common narrative regarding the negative effects that animal agriculture has on the planet and its climate, livestock are, in fact, important components in the maintenance of soil health.

A silver bullet to protect your herds and flocks

Silver hydrogen peroxide is a stable disinfectant with numerous purposes, says Douglas Spinas of Peroxsil Ag+ at Phend Pharmaceuticals.

Unlocking the soil's potential with biochar

Biochar, the residue created by burning biomass, has been increasingly recognised for its remarkable ability to improve soil fertility and store carbon. Kobus Stoop, director of Cape Town-based Senfore Soil Conditioning, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the substance and its potential for agriculture.

Controlling pests and diseases in cannabis cultivation

New technologies can help growers overcome the difficulties involved in producing a healthy and profitable crop as the cannabis business continues to expand and change, says Thomas Walker.

Better times ahead for dairy farmers

For several years, milk producers have been squeezed by stagnant and lower producer prices and higher input prices.

'EU's false codling moth phytosanitary rules threaten citrus sector'

The South African citrus export industry is under immense financial pressure following the EU’s implementation of stringent new phytosanitary regulations.

Guidelines on how to reduce wind damage in citrus orchards

New research has revealed the benefits of planting windbreaks in citrus orchards to prevent wind damage to the fruit.

Renewed calls to exempt chicken from VAT

FairPlay has renewed calls for government to remove South Africa’s 15% value-added tax (VAT) from chicken portions because of “rising agricultural costs, including unreliable and increasingly expensive electricity”.

Legislation to keep 'foreign adversaries' out of US farming

New legislation tabled in the US House of Representatives and the Senate seeks to prevent China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from buying farmland or agricultural companies in the country, according to the National Agricultural Law Center in the US.

Regional winners of 2022 AYuTe Africa Challenge

ThriveAgric, a Nigerian agri-tech company, has emerged as the West African winner of the annual Agriculture Youth Technology (AYuTe) Africa Challenge, receiving a US$1million (about R17,5 million) grant as reward.

Global uncertainty spells trouble for cost of living

The current unprecented level of global uncertainty is not expected to abate in 2023.

Afrikaner breed's surprising water-intake efficiency

The latest research results released by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) have shown that South Africa’s Afrikaner beef cattle breed is ideally suited to counteract the expected impact of climate change on cattle production.

Tough road ahead for South African farmers and consumers

South Africa’s consumer price index inflation remains far above the South African Reserve Bank’s target, despite the most recent interest rate increase since the current cycle of hikes began in November 2021.

The state of food security and nutrition in the world

In 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its global partners released a report titled ‘The state of food security and nutrition in the world’.

Don't forget your snakebite kit: Part 1

This article explained why every farmer should have a snakebite kit on hand, and how to use it correctly.

Learners and communities benefit from holistic health and nutrition initiative

The number of children consuming vegetables on a daily basis at 342 schools in at-risk communities across Gauteng, the Eastern and Western Cape increased by 494% between 2019 and 2022, thanks to INMED's Health in Action (HIA) programme, and the Mondelēz International Foundation.

Succulents under threat as thieves steal Karoo's unique plant heritage

International demand for South African succulents fuels criminality and threatens biodiversity. The Succulent Karoo is being stripped of its unique biodiversity to supply illegal markets, says Dr Carina Bruwer, senior researcher for Southern Africa at ENACT, and urgent steps are needed to halt the illegal harvesting.

Drought may have led to the Hunnic invasions

In a recent study, researchers from the University of Cambridge in the UK argue that Hunnic peoples migrated westward across Eurasia, switched between farming and herding, and became violent raiders in response to severe drought in the Danube frontier provinces of the Roman Empire.

A little piece of paradise for birdwatchers and trout anglers in Mpumalanga

The Prinsloo family have added five comfortable cottages to their working farm to provide a delightful getaway for city dwellers. Riaan Hattingh paid it a visit, and came away well rested and highly impressed.

Understanding the different perspectives on succession

With several stakeholders being involved in succession planning, each person will inevitably reveal a different set of fears and regrets during the process. How this is handled can determine the success or failure of the agribusiness. This week, Trevor Dickinson looks at the situation from the perspective of the founder.

SA litchi farmers rethink production and markets

Market constraints and climate change have slashed profits for local litchi growers, leading to many exiting the industry. Komati Fruit in Mpumalanga has persevered, and is amongst the pioneers of positive change in the industry. Cornel van der Merwe, marketing and packaging director of Komati Fruit, spoke to Lindi Botha.

Capitalising on unused land with goats

The subtropical Lowveld is hardly prime goat country, but with good management, a farmer can add a valuable component to the crops cultivated in the area. Divan Maritz spoke to Lindi Botha about how he manages his goat stud of 300 animals for optimal farm profitability in this climate.

Making hay while the sun shines

The annual Balfour Hay Day held in Mpumalanga serves to whet farmers' appetites for the upcoming hay- and silage-making season. And this year's event, which was held on 19 January, was no exception. The latest equipment was demonstrated on lush, rain-watered veld, and farmers were spoilt for choice.

The impact of China's declining population on SA agri trade

The National Bureau of Statistics of China recently reported that the population in that country is declining. Absa AgriBusiness explores the possible impact of this megatrend on South Africa's agriculture sector.

Hold on input price increases needed to keep citrus industry afloat

Citrus stakeholders in South Africa are appealing for a moratorium on price increases of inputs in an effort to save the industry from collapse. Lindi Botha reports.

Green Week: subdued attack on meat consumption

Calls to end meat consumption and halt livestock farming were noticeably subdued at this year’s International Green Week conference held in Berlin, Germany, in late January.

Hempseed cake a good protein alternative in goat feed

New research has found that including hempseed cake in the diets of goats could produce a number of positive results for producers. Glenneis Kriel reports.

'South Africa sitting on a bluetongue time bomb'

Bluetongue poses a serious danger to sheep production in South Africa, and the spread of the disease is expected to escalate until early autumn 2023.