CATEGORIES

New Combines Even Kinder To Operator And Crop

The three new 250-series Axial-Flow combines launched recently by Case IH offer a number of new automated features designed to allow operators to maximise crop throughput and quality. Denene Erasmus attended a media event in Dresden, Germany, where the machines were put on display.

Kimberley War Hero

This year celebrates the centenary of the Royal Air Force. It is therefore fitting to recall a famous South African fighter pilot whose skill and bravery became renowned during the Battle of Britain. By Graham Jooste.

Dealing With Cucurbit Viruses

Viruses are the greatest threat facing the cucurbit grower. It’s rare that a crop will be grown without some symptoms appearing.

100 Years Of John Deere Tractors

One of the greatest success stories in the agricultural machinery industry started a century ago with the launch of the Waterloo Boy tractor in the US Midwest. Joe Spencer reports.

Blockchain: The Future Of Agricultural Trade

Many farmers are investing in new technologies that can help increase production and efficiency at farm level, but the uptake of digital trading technology has been slower. As a result, farmers are losing out on the opportunity to increase their share of profit earned along the agricultural value chain.

From Our Archives - Good Future For Crocodiles

From Our Archives - Good Future For Crocodiles

Fallout Of US-China Trade War On Soya Bean Sector

Fallout Of US-China Trade War On Soya Bean Sector

Why Farmers Need To Be Marketeers

It’s your job to find unique ways of adding value to your products to drive up profits.

How To Use Equipment And Position Effectively

Successfully hunting jackal requires the right strategy, and the right equipment. Here are a few tips on how to make your hunt count.

What's New Around The World

The drive to increase agricultural productivity and reduce costs continues unabated. This, in turn, spurs the continual development of new implements and systems, as well as ongoing improvements to existing equipment. Joe Spencer reports.

Black Youths Must Be Made Aware Of Agri Sector Careers

In his BCom Hons research paper, Mlungisi Mama examines why so few black youths are interested in agriculture as a career. His conclusion is that they believe the sector comprises little more than farmers and farmworkers, and are unaware of the job opportunities available in various agricultural disciplines. Rectifying this will demand an education campaign run jointly by several government departments.

Aquaponics: A Teenager's Passion Grows Into A Business

A Pretoria-based teenager is running a successful aquaponics farm, and doing so with expertise and foresight.

Farmer's Most Common Financial Planning Mistakes

There are many aspects to successful planning in a farming business, but there’s little doubt that financial considerations are the most crucial.

Drakenstein Rewinds Keeps Motors Running In The Boland

Replacing a burnt-out electric motor can cost a great deal, whereas rewinding it can return it to tip-top condition at much lower cost. Rashad Williams and Fa-eez Appollis spoke to Jeandré du Preez about how their rewinding business saves farmers money and production downtime. 

Livestock And Climate Change

Across the world, climate change is likely to adversely affect animal production. South Africa will be no exception, warn Mokgadi Seshoka, Anette Theunissen and Prof Michiel Scholtz.

Dramatic Savings With Low-Flow Drip Irrigation

By switching from micro-irrigation to low-flow drip irrigation, macadamia farmer Dawid de Kock has reduced his irrigation water usage by 50%. With the subsequent savings on electricity, fertiliser and labour, the system has significantly improved his bottom line.

Farming Without Title In Tylden

In 2010, Tembi Xamesi was awarded the 1 165ha Riversdale farm near Tylden in the Eastern Cape via the state land reform programme. He has made steady progress with livestock and a cash-crop lucerne initiative, but a lack of title has been a serious hindrance to further development. Mike Burgess visited him.

SA's First Cricketing Giant

All-rounder Jimmy Sinclair played in 25 Tests from 1890 to 1911. He scored South Africas first three Test centuries and was the first player from any country to score a century and take five wickets in an innings in the same Test. He was also a rugby Springbok! By Graham Jooste.

Angola Or Bust!

A desire to escape from British rule, drought and hostile tribes led to the trekboers’ epic journeys. The Dorsland Trek was one of the toughest, says Graham Jooste.

Rural Crime: Both Police And Farmers Need To Up Their Game

Despite being continually under the spotlight, rural crime in South Africa continues to plague farmers. Some respond by leaving the sector; others struggle on after having lost property or even loved ones. However, studies show that while the justice system receives much of the blame, farmers should be doing more to secure themselves. Lindi Botha reports.

Cost Squeeze In Poultry Production Set To Hit Profits

High feed prices and lacklustre economic conditions that are depressing consumer spending will conspire to yield a tough year for poultry producers.

Humane Fish Slaughter

Compared with most other agricultural industries in South Africa, the farmed fish industry is in its infancy. With no legal framework yet in place, fish farmers and animal welfare organisations are at loggerheads about how to kill fish with the least suffering. Gerhard Uys reports.

Clear Combine Blockages Fast

The dynamic feed roll reverser from New Holland enables the CR combine harvester operator to clear blockages from the cab, maximising productivity and safety. Joe Spencer reports.

Know Your Invasive Plant Species

This article looks at the black wattle, bloodberry and other plants that must be controlled or eradicated.

'Stock Theft In North West Worse Than Statistics Indicate'

Stock theft remains a serious problem in North West and has increased 8% over the past financial year, according to Sakkie van Zyl, chairperson of the North West Red Meat Producers’ Organisation.

Concern About 'Rushed' New Cigarette Tracking System

Rushing in a new system to track cigarettes may fail to curb the illegal cigarette trade, which is worth billions of rands, the Tobacco Industry of South Africa (TISA) has warned.

Broiler Health Tips

Farmer’s Weekly spoke to various leading role players about the greatest disease threats to poultry and ways to manage these in different production systems. The consensus is that animal welfare is crucial to raising healthy, resilient broilers. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Ensuring Ethical Pesticide Use In SA's Forestry Sector

With pesticide use under increasing scrutiny by governments and the private sector, stakeholders in the forestry sector should be mindful of how they use these agrochemicals. Roger Poole, chairperson of the Timber Industry Pesticide Working Group, spoke to Lloyd Phillips.

Saving Water And Inputs With Variable Rate Irrigation

Cost-effective farming practices and optimal efficiency are both crucial to the survival of South Africa’s sugar cane industry. Faced with dwindling sugar prices and high input costs, RCL Foods is trialling variable rate irrigation on one of their farms, with excellent results. Lindi Botha reports.

Estimating Farm-level GHG Emissions: Part 2

In order to adopt good management strategies, farmers need to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions that are produced by their farms, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.