CATEGORIES

XTractor Around The World Expedition To Hit SA In April

In the second stage of the XTractor Around The World expedition, four of the latest generation McCormick tractors will cover 6 000km of South Africa’s toughest terrain in 48 days.

How To Prevent And Control The Spread Of Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a highly infectious bacterial zoonosis. People contract the disease through direct contact with the infected animal, or its secretions and excretions. Veterinary specialist in public health Dr Jan H du Preez explains the science, symptoms and treatment of the disease.

R35 Million Needed For Matzikama Water Project

The Matzikama Municipality in the northern Western Cape, which includes the towns of Vredendal, Vanrhynsdorp, Klawer and Lutzville, has been particularly hard hit by the drought. Wilfred Stephan, chairperson of the Agricultural Development Association in the region, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the impact on farmers and plans to address the water shortage.

Keep It simple!

Multi-award-winning Limousin stud breeder John Devonport says that a simple and practical approach makes business sense when breeding top cattle. He spoke to Gerhard Uys.

Lamb And Mutton Rally, But Profits Are Not Guaranteed

Low sheep supply, coupled with low feed prices, have led to a welcome recovery in the profitability of lamb and mutton, but consumer resistance to high prices remains a major risk.

How To Extend Your Onion Harvest

It’s possible to have onions from your home garden available almost year-round, says Bill Kerr.

More Carrot Leaf Diseases

A number of diseases target the leaves of the carrot plant. Here are the three most important ones found in South Africa, as well as how to prevent or treat them.

The Electric Tractor Is Almost Here!

The Fendt e100 Vario is the first practical battery-powered tractor that can be used in a normal operation for a full working day without the need for recharging

The Basics Of Pearl Millet Production: Part 2

Pearl millet is a useful low-input, dryland crop that does not require particularly fertile soil. At the same time, fertiliser can help increase yield, while irrigation can improve stand establishment.

Using ‘cow power' to make your dairy farm self-sufficient: Part 2

Anaerobic digestion of feedstock produces biogas and digestate. The former can be used to produce on-farm power; the latter is a superb fertiliser, with many advantages over untreated slurry.

SA's First Commercial Cashmere Success Story

Not only is indigenous iMbuzi goats’ hair used to produce cashmere at the Ivili Loboya production unit near Butterwoth, but local smallholders are also empowered. Siyanda Sishuba reports.

Tapping Into Bees' Bounty

Kola le Roux has loved bees ever since seeing his grandfather’s hives in the eastern Free State more than 60 years ago. Today he manages more than 2 000 hives, from the Karoo to the Transkei, that produce an assortment of honey, including an organic variety derived from the cat-thorn or drogie bush. Mike Burgess reports.

How To Fertilise A Crop Correctly

Readers frequently ask me for specific fertiliser programmes for their crops. I would happily oblige if all crops were the same! Unfortunately, each crop is different because each land is unique. ‘One-size-fits-all’ programmes are always risky. 

SA Scoops 35th Gold Medal At The Chelsea Flower Show

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) team, at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show, won SA’s 35th gold medal in 42 years of exhibiting at the prestigious show, recently held in London in the UK.

Platinum For Orange River Cellars' Muscadel Wines

Muscadel SA recently announced the winners of the 15th Muscadel SA awards ceremony held in Paarl in the Western Cape.

Israel Showcases Its 'simple' Irrigation Solutions

Israel, a world leader in irrigation and hi-tech agricultural innovations, was on hand at Nampo 2017 to showcase the country’s best solutions to water utilisation, amongst others.

Combating Leafroll Virus In The Vineyard

The South African wine industry has made huge strides in halting the spread of leafroll virus through focused research, trial sites and a formalised Leafroll Control Protocol.

Starting Up A Car 100 Years Ago

Before the invention of the electric starter, getting a car in motion was a demanding exercise, with emphasis on the word, ‘exercise’. Jake Venter recalls the days of hand cranking.

Young Farmer Cuts Costs By Focusing On Bonsmaras

Cornel van Heerden is the Eastern Cape’s 2016 TAU SA’s Young Farmer of the Year. Mike Burgess visited him recently on the farm Wildefontein in the Lady Grey district to learn how he established an award-winning livestock enterprise while saving money, and why his extensive Bonsmara beef operation has proved such a success.

What To Do Until The Vet Arrives

Your vet may not be able to respond immediately to an emergency. That means it’s up to you to help your horse as best you can. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do.

Giant Schnauzer: Pet And Protector

This is an excellent all-round breed: good-natured, but a fierce family guardian. However, it can be boisterous and requires an owner willing to walk it daily.

Controlling Bacterial Wilt

Bacterial wilt can wipe out a tomato crop if a susceptible variety is planted in infected soil at a time when the bacteria are active.

Managing Rotation In Dryland Crop Production

If carried out correctly, rotating crops can increase grain yield while reducing weed, insect and disease problems. In a word, this means higher profits.

Potato Prices Down Despite Increased Demand

As the South African potato industry recovers from the drought, there has been an increase in supply. This has resulted in a decline in prices, fuelling sales.

Cart-horses Cut Costs

Input costs have always been difficult to manage. This farmer looked to carthorses to save on machinery costs.

Expropriation Without Compensation A Loss For All

As the ruling party’s elective conference in December approaches, South Africa’s focus is on who will emerge as the ANC’s new leader.

Global Hunger: The Price We Pay For Food

In poorer nations, buying the ingredients for a single meal can use up a significant portion of a person’s earnings. Where there is conflict or economic collapse, it can exceed these earnings outright. Researchers involved with the World Food Programme propose what should be done to ensure true food security

Driving Transformation With 'Old' Legislation

Reviving the Extension and Advisory Programme of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, may kick-start agricultural production on fallow land in communal areas. This could then drive equitable and inclusive transformation and development in the agriculture sector, writes Zamikhaya Maseti, senior specialist for public and sector policy at the Land Bank.

Saving Peas From Global Warming

Global warming is becoming a major limiting factor for pea production, according to plant scientist, Rosalind Bueckert, of the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, who began studying heat stress in peas after seeing older pea varieties struggle to maintain adequate levels of production during very warm periods.

Wildlife Ranching An Industry Under Pressure

Deon Furstenburg, director of wildlife science at Geo Wild Consult, an ecological services consultancy, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about the state of game ranching in South Africa.