CATEGORIES

SA Cherry Exports Quadruple

Cherries may have excellent potential as an alternative crop, and despite production being small in the Western Cape, export volumes have more than quadrupled over the past four years, according to provincial economic opportunities minister Alan Winde.

Unique Fund Aims To Generate 1 700 Jobs Over Three Years

Hortfin was launched in October last year to create jobs and accelerate transformation in South Africa’s deciduous fruit, table grape and wine industries. Michael Brinkhuis, CEO of Hortfin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the fund and the progress it has made so far.

A Tilapia Model That SA Should Be Emulating

Large-scale cage culture and ownership of the supply chain has enabled a number of countries to produce thousands of tons of tilapia annually. There is little reason why this cannot take place in South Africa.

The Sweet Potato Weevil Hazard

The most destructive pest faced by sweet potato growers in the warmer areas of South Africa is the sweet potato weevil (Cylas spp), of which there are two species in the country.

Cowboy Dressage In South Africa

This riding discipline emphasises the partnership between horse and rider

Oil Change Intervals

When should engine oil be changed? It depends on how and where you drive, and whom you talk to in the motor industry,

Gene Editing: This Is How You'll Benefit

Recent breakthroughs in gene editing technology mean that advancements in the industry can be brought to the farm faster, cheaper and more accurately than before. The result is plants and livestock that are naturally more resistant to disease, crops that are higher yielding, and ultimately, more sustainable, profitable farms.

New Production Trend Hits South Africa

The implementation of regenerative agriculture principles is allowing a growing number of farmers to reduce their inputs while producing similar or even better yields than they would have produced if they used conventional farming practices. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Financing Farming During A Drought

Finding money for agriculture during a drought is difficult. The South African agriculture sector, farmers and financiers alike, is facing a perfect storm, according to Prof Sanlie Middelberg of the School of Accounting Sciences at North-West University. She spoke to Annelie Coleman.

Managing Capsicum Seedlings

Capsicums will grow in a wide range of soil types. The crop should be fertilised according to a soil analysis; this will ensure that the level of each essential element is sufficient and all the elements are in balance with one another.

New Technology, New Techniques

Three manufacturers of agricultural equipment recently introduced enhancements to improve the efficiency of their machines and implements. Joe Spencer takes a closer look at these.

The Nitrate Form Of Nitrogen

The nitrate form of nitrogen is highly mobile in the soil. The way in which you apply it will determine how long the plants will have access to it.

How Award-Winning Broiler Producer Stayed The Course

Bhefika Matshenja of Inhlakanipho Projects and Farms, winner of the Star of Buhle Award for 2019, says that by implementing sound management principles, such as reinvesting profits, he has been able to see his business grow.

Preventing Aflatoxin Poisoning

Aflatoxins can cause severe liver damage and may result in death, says Dr Mac. As such, proper feed storage is crucial.

A Better Food Future For SA

Current methods of food production threaten the environment and human health, and change is thus urgently required in South Africa’s food system. In a report, recently published by the WWF-SA, titled ‘Agri-food Systems: Facts and Futures: How South Africa can produce 50% more by 2050’, the organisation’s senior manager of the policy and futures unit, Tatjana von Bormann, details the changes needed to achieve a better food future for the country.

Inside Sa's Biggest Orchid Business

What started out with a couple of plants bought at an orchid show in the 1960s, has turned into one of South Africa’s biggest orchid companies, Duckitt Nurseries. Wilferd Duckitt, the co-owner of the company

Duck Breasts With Chopped Onions And Garlic

This exceptional meal deserves a special occasion.

Kubota Goes Big In North America

After announcing earlier this year that the company will launch a range of high-horsepow tractors for the North American market, Kubota recently unveiled the M8 Series, its largest tractor ever.

Sowing Seeds Of Hope

Sanna Tibane and her daughter, Ingrid Lerato, believe that a successful vegetable operation requires sound agronomic practices, knowledge of how the formal market functions, the ability to stick it through the tough times, and hard work. 

Red Lice Control In Sheep And Goats

This pest can lead to weight loss and blowfly strike. Fortunately, it can be controlled effectively.

breeding for the future

mecki and brigitte schneider of the okabra brahman stud in the grootfontein district in namibia own one of the largest stud and commercial beef cattle operations in southern africa. wayne southwood investigates how they made significant improvements to their herd by continually applying sound scientific principles.

mechanising farming in africa

global agricultural equipment company, agco, recently announced plans to restructure its asia- pacific region to include africa and increase its operations in africa. gary collar, senior vice-president and general manager (gm) for asia-pacific and africa and nuradin osman, gm for agco africa, spoke to denene erasmus about agco’s plans for expansion in africa that will be driven from the company’s new regional headquarters in johannesburg.