CATEGORIES

How To Keep The Family Business In Business

Very few family farming operations transition effortlessly from one generation to another. The process requires careful planning, hard work and a lot of patience. Annelie Coleman spoke to several experts about the factors that drive success, and found that timeous succession planning, a family constitution, and a willingness to allow new entrants topped the list.

Chillies: A Hot Crop If You Know What You're Doing

Diversifying with chillies has enabled Klein Karoo stone fruit farmer JD van Deventer to increase cash flow, use orchard space more efficiently, and mitigate the climate- and market-related risks associated with fruit production. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel.

How Non-Genetic Factors Affect Bull Performance

An Agricultural Research Council study of the performance of Brahman bulls in feedlots across South Africa has highlighted the non-genetic traits, such as environment and herd of origin, that affect the average daily gain and feed conversion ratios of the animals. Researchers Melville Ferreira, Alfredo Lepori and Frans Jordaan explore the importance of the results, emphasising that maximum feed efficiency is essential for the long-term sustainability and profitability of the beef industry.

Producing Cowboy-Style Workhorses Naturally

Pierre and Carine Kleinhans breed horses capable of patrolling large areas of land with minimal inputs, much like the animals used by cowboys in the American Wild West. The couple spoke to Glenneis Kriel on their farm near Touws River in the Western Cape about their operation.

Add Value To Berries: Part 1

Do you want to increase your market turnover? One proven way of doing this is to add value to your crops through agro-processing.

Wine Glut Threatens Industry's Sustainability

Due to the ban on wine sales during the national lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African wine industry has been left with an unprecedented oversupply of wine. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Covid-19 A Wake-up Call To Develop Agriculture In Africa

During the first wave of COVID-19 infections in many countries around the world, the critical role of agriculture in society was highlighted as governments called on farmers and agro-processing industries to continue operations even during lockdown periods, says Prof Charles Kadzere of the Dohne Agricultural Development Institute in the Eastern Cape.

Sustainable Impact Investment In Africa

‘Impact investment’ aims to generate social and environmental benefits as well as solid financial returns. AgDevCo, a UK-based project developer, has 50 agribusiness investments of this type in sub-Saharan Africa, linking more than 375 000 smallholder farmers to markets. CEO Daniel Hulls spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his company’s investment approach.

The prevention and control of West Nile fever

Vaccinate for West Nile fever before the mosquito season starts, says Dr Mac. This is the key to prevention.

Finding new markets for South African fruit

The volume of export-quality fruit being produced by South African farmers is set to increase considerably over the next decade. With ever-larger harvests on the land every year, the race is on for the industry to gain access to new global markets. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Blended Finance Offers Viable Opportunities

A lack of financing and access to capital is one of the biggest barriers to entry for new farmers. With these operations regarded as high-risk undertakings, commercial banks are wary to offer loans, leaving new farmers excluded from the sector. Lindi Botha looks at the possibilities that exist within blended financing to overcome these challenges.

Covid-19 Sees Consumers Turn To Healthy, Local Food

In the climate of unease brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers are turning to healthier, locally sourced food for comfort and certainty, according to Shereen Tromp, senior consultant at Euromonitor International. The consumption of locally grown produce offers new opportunities for local businesses and farmers.

A Self-Adjusting Tractor Tyre

Agricultural machinery company STEYR, in co-operation with Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is developing an ‘intelligent’ tractor wheel equipped with an ultrasonic sensor that ensures optimised tyre pressure at all times and hence reduces compaction.

Consistency, Quality, And A Market On The Doorstep

Cabbage can be undemanding, provided the right checks and balances are put in place and the crop is managed meticulously. Lindi Botha spoke to farmer Bright Matimbe about producing healthy cabbage all year round in the Lowveld city of Mbombela.

Spending That Delivers Tangible Benefits

The agriculture department’s budget needs an overhaul, with more money allocated to delivering services to farmers, and less to administrative functions, according to Annette Steyn, DA MP and member of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.

Double-chocolate brownies

These are the best brownies in the world, and will have your family coming back for more, says Janine Ryan. They have a fudge-like texture and are packed with chocolate!

No-till: better soil at less cost

One sure way of reducing soil degradation is to cut down on tillage. Numerous crops can be grown using the no-till approach, and many farmers who have done so will testify that it cuts costs and improves rain penetration in the soil. The soil also holds more water; in fact, no-till soils generally show drought stress two weeks later than tilled soils do.

The struggle to meet the animal health needs of developing farmers

Much is said about the need for transformation in the red meat value chain, especially among smallholder farmers in traditional authority areas and on land reform farms. Unfortunately, according to former government animal health technician Ginette Bentley, inadequate resources, vacant posts and a lack of cohesion hamper the process. Lloyd Phillips reports.

How A Lockdown Hobby Became A Thriving Broccoli Business

What started as a lockdown project to provide fresh vegetables for the family quickly turned into a flourishing business after Teresa Theron started sending excess broccoli to local supermarkets. Lindi Botha reports.

Incentivise The Private Sector To Invest In Agriculture

While large-scale infrastructure investment is needed to support economic growth in South Africa, Prof Ferdi Meyer and Dr Tracy Davids of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy say that by providing incentives for the private sector to invest in initiatives such as farmer development, government could achieve more without having to increase its spending much.

Onions To The Rescue Of A Sheep Farmer!

Diversifying to vegetable seed production has enabled Karoo sheep farmer PF Theron to reduce his climatic and production risks while greatly improving profitability. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how he has managed this process.

A Model For Agricultural Extension

Agriculture is rife with complaints that extension services are poor, with this blamed as a key factor in many failed farmer-development initiatives. However, William Gillepsie and Felicity Mitchell, authors of a manual on the training of extension services, are showing how proper skills development is setting emerging farmers on the road to success. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Hard Work Pays Off For Home-Made Brand

After losing their farm, Isa Basson and her husband, Sonnie, established a preserved fruit brand. She spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how they have thrived by keeping faith and adding value to fruit.

Agri-Spread International Wants You!

Agri-Spread International has had great success entering the market in South Africa, but is currently looking for new importers to distribute its products to dealers across South Africa and the wider African continent. This could be a golden opportunity for entrepreneurs!

The white flag incident

Charged with the murder of a British officer in a highly contentious incident, Veldkornet Salmon van As was given an unfair military trial and executed. Graham Jooste tells his story.

The building blocks of irrigation scheduling

Having a top-quality irrigation system is all very well, but without accurate irrigation scheduling you will never achieve optimal results, says irrigation expert and agronomist Robbie Childs.

Regain profitability with these post-drought sheep management tips

Prof Tertius Brand, a scientist in animal nutrition at the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, shares advice on how to manage a sheep flock during and after a drought in order for farmers to regain the profitability of their operations. Jeandré van der Walt reports.

Farmer's cherry pie

Michael Feldman submitted this recipe for a traditional cherry pie, which was baked for him by his farmer friend Henry. The cherry filling is made with ground cinnamon, which brings out the flavour and aroma of the cherries so well, says Feldman.

‘To succeed, a new farmer must be a quick learner'

Gauteng-based Gugulethu Mahlangu says volunteering for experienced vegetable farmers gave her the confidence to launch her own successful career in farming. Siyanda Sishuba reports.

Continual improvement wins loyal customers

From small beginnings, Lizemari de Klerk, who farms just outside Pretoria in Gauteng, has expanded her Brahman cattle operation from only three cattle to a breeding herd of around 200 animals. Her relentless quest to improve the quality of her animals has earned her a loyal client base. She spoke to Pieter Dempsey.