Two new Cape Wine Masters announced

Marlee Malan of Vinochem Specialities, and Rudolph Steenkamp, co-director of Salt Rock Wines, recently received their Cape Wine Masters diplomas from the Cape Wine Academy (CWA) and the Institute of Cape Wine Masters (ICWM).

More sustainable red rice to make a comeback in Indian rice fields

Rice farmers in Himachal Pradesh in northern India are going back to their roots and growing red rice. According to the country’s Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, red rice had many beneficial qualities and grew well without fertiliser and other chemicals.

Namibia aims to grow international sheep exports

Although the exportation of Namibian lamb to high-value markets is still in its infancy, it is paving the way for a more sustainable sheep production industry in that country. This was according to Roelie Venter, executive manager of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU).

Innovative Free State students win big

Innovation was on display at the Enactus South Africa National Exposition, held at the Sandton Convention Centre, with more than 700 youngsters attending, writes Jyothi Laldas.

The quest for healthy food

The global food system is not broken but its resilience is threatened, according to researchers looking for answers to the problems around nutritional quality and inequalities in the food chains.

BRICS, geopolitics and agriculture

South Africa has been in the global media over the past two months for all the wrong reasons. Most of it falls in the category of scoring own goals! August will be dominated by the BRICS summit that will take place in South Africa, and it is necessary to consider the context of the summit as well as the possible advantages it may have for South Africa and for agriculture specifically.

The lowdown on livestock medicines

While over-medication can be a problem, sometimes leading to poisoning, medications play an important role in functional and profitable farming

Cannabis and mental health

Understanding the endocannabinoid system is essential to understanding how cannabis may affect mental health, says Thomas Walker. Never self-medicate, but rather always consult a doctor first.

Best strategy and management practices

Business books provide a wealth of guidelines for business success, but are often too complicated. Raynor and Ahmed boil it down to three essential rules

How to cope with blackleg on cabbages

This fungus might be pretty rare these days, but it’s still worth knowing how to deal with it

Growing tall fescue

Tall fescue is a species with a relatively high water requirement, but does particularly well with irrigation, since it is a very important species used in fodder flow programmes. It has the ability to grow in dryland conditions in relatively wet areas such as wetlands.

A family success, thanks to Massey Ferguson

Rene de Schmid and his two sons, Jean and Chris, run Frumentum Farming in Namibia, which operates in the maize triangle near Grootfontein, the Otavi region, and the Otjiwarongo area.

New planter unleashes agricultural efficiency

The John Deere 1725C planter offers unique solutions that enable farmers to sow their lands with more precision and consistency.

Ford Ranger Platinum

Give the Ford Ranger chrome treatment, a silky smooth V6 engine and a comprehensive offroading package and you get the Ranger Platinum, the most premium offering within the Ranger family, bar the Raptor. While the Platinum option remains unavailable in South Africa, Oliver Keohane of CAR magazine got behind the wheel to drive it in the icy mountains of Queenstown, New Zealand.

Isuzu adds value-oriented 1.9 LS

Isuzu Motors South Africa has launched a new value-oriented version of its mu-X seven-seater sport utility vehicle in the form of the all-new 1.9 LS 4x2 AT.

Top-of-the-range seeders

Piket has a wide range of seeders available to meet any farmer's needs when it comes to planting grain and fine seed.

Get ready for your own green revolution

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your green journey, Husqvarna has the perfect tiller to meet your needs.

Using sexed semen to get more value from cattle

Breeding using sexed semen can help your bottom line by creating cattle the market demands, says Dr Ken Odde, professor and department head emeritus of the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University.

Good teamwork makes this farm tops!

Stettyn Farm in the Western Cape recently won the Tru-Cape Award for the highest number of class-one pack-outs and income per hectare for apples. Hendrik Botha, the owner, shared his formula for success with Glenneis Kriel.

Could reptiles fill the food supply gaps?

Dr Patrick Aust, conservation scientist for People for Wildlife, looks at how reptiles can help improve food security in Africa.

The cowboy: a history of the American icon

In this article, we look at the history and rise of the cowboy as a modern cultural icon.

Polo is popular and spectators with riders in South Africa

This exciting sport probably originated in Persia and was used for training cavalry. Today, players compete internationally, writes Dr Mac.

Farmtrac scores with Massey Ferguson

A local forestry operation in northern KwaZulu-Natal has seen great success with its newly acquired Massey Ferguson, says the manufacturer.

How to counter club root

Club root is a common disease of cabbages, broccoli, cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts, turnips, and other plants of the Brassicaceae family, says Bill Kerr.

CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE Growing vetches

Vetch has enormous potential as an annual legume species, especially if rotated between two summer-growing grain crops.

Boerperd breeder sets her sights ever higher

Liezelle Whitehead, award-winning SA Boerperd breeder from the eastern Free State, believes the Boerperd has a bright future as probably the most multi-purpose horse in the country. She describes the Boerperd as a genetic treasure trove in the equine world.

The secret that makes this no-till farmer a success

No-till crop cultivation is hardly a novel movement, yet learning curves are still steep as farmers navigate the intricacies of what makes healthy soil. Lindi Botha speaks to Hendrik Odendaal about how a change in his compost regime is making all the difference.

Making a success of aquaculture: Part 1

In this first part of a two-part series, we look at the basics of aquaculture production in South Africa, including the best systems to use and the type of research needed before starting.

Grow African foods to combat food insecurity

Researchers at Stellenbosch University look at the reasons why the consumption of indigenous foods in South Africa is on the decline, and what can be done to help promote their use.

High fertiliser prices behind food shortages

Prof Simon Roberts and economist Ntombifuthi Tshabalala of the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development at the University of Johannesburg, consider the implications of an increase in global fertiliser prices for food security on the African continent.