CATEGORIES

A Farmer's Big Pig Plan

Western Cape pig farmer Leandre Mitchley was named Top Smallholder Farming Entrepreneur at this year’s annual Female Entrepreneur Awards. Her success came after a slow start and a recent major setback, and is testimony to her resilience and discipline. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Making A Difference In Africa

Crop cultivation in sub-Saharan Africa is still largely carried out by hand. A Free State-based inventor is seeking to change that with his range of remarkable equipment.

Brucellosis Can Bankrupt You. Don't Let It!

A widespread problem in sub-Saharan Africa, bovine brucellosis can cripple a cattle or dairy farming operation. As no cure is available, all infected animals are required by law to be slaughtered. This makes prevention and control of the disease a crucial aspect of a cattle operation.

Breeding Thoroughbreds Takes A Lifetime

39 YEARS AGOBreeding top-class Thoroughbreds can be a lucrative business, with The Green Monkey fetching a record-high price for a colt of $16 million [about R239 million] in 2004. However, breeding these animals takes precision, good management and patience.

The Future Looks Bright For Pecan Nuts

Global demand for pecan nuts continues to grow as consumers become more aware of their health benefits. The trade war may also present opportunities for South African exporters.

Growing Swiss Chard

Swiss chard can either be sown directly or transplanted. Both methods have their pros and cons. For example, many areas I visit are infected with beet cyst eelworm, and direct-sowing Swiss chard here can result in the plants being attacked when the young roots start growing. This not only stunts the seedlings, but allows an extra generation of eelworm to breed.

Buying A Canopy For Your Bakkie

Bakkie canopies may all appear quite similar, but there are a number of style and fitment options, and the quality varies considerably.

Data Sharing In The Fresh Produce Industry

According to Ed Treacy, vice-president of supply chain efficiencies for the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), blockchain technology holds great possibilities for improving efficiency and traceability in the fresh produce sector. In particular, it optimises supply chain operations, enhancing quality management, increasing market and business intelligence, reducing costs, and fostering brand protection.

Aquaculture In Africa: The Successes And Failures

Developments such as cage culture of tilapia and small, privately owned pond systems signal a positive trend.

'Red Gold' Brings Success For Small-scale Farming Couple

The Barui-Driehoek Co-op was the ARCs 2017 National Small-Scale Commercial Livestock Producer of the Year. Annelie Coleman visited the owners, husband-and-wife team Kabelo and Matshidiso Mooketsi, to learn more about their top-performing Bonsmara cattle.

The Five Freedoms

Codes of good practice herald a new era in animal production. Following them might seem onerous, but they will boost your profit, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Planting & Harvesting Swiss Chard

Swiss chard should be planted in rows spaced 25cm to 30cm apart, with an intrarow spacing of 15cm to 20cm.

New From John Deere

The 9000 Series features the latest forage harvesting technology to provide customers with 10% more productivity while consuming 10% less fuel. Joe Spencer reports.

How To Build A Horse Crush

The routine handling of horses is simplified if you own a crush pen, says Dr Mac.

It's Time For Smallholder Farmers To Enter Value Chains

The expropriation without compensation debate has been making national headlines since December, with many proponents arguing that it would economically empower the poor. However, Zamikhaya Maseti, a senior specialist for public and sector policy at the Land Bank, says that no land reform policy can be successful if new black farmers do not have adequate access to markets.

Hartebeestpoort Dam

96 years ago Construction of the Hartbeespoort Dam officially began in 1916. However, legal issues, as well as the First World War, hampered production, and the dam was completed only in 1923 after FW Scott tackled the project with renewed energy.

Convenience Or Performance? (Part 1)

There is no getting away from it. A medium to large aquaculture operation, using solar heating, offers the best chance of success.

Customised Training For Commercial And Small-scale Interests

South Africa has an urgent need for agricultural training at all levels. The Hoedspruit Hub Agricultural Training Centre provides commercial skills training programmes, practical courses to assist small-scale farmers, and funding for education of the unemployed in surrounding communities. Lindi Botha reports.

Afrigus - A Game Changer For The Red Meat Industry?

Free State stud breeder Martiens le Roux believes the Afrigus breed is a promising new contestant in the South African beef cattle arena. Annelie Coleman called on him on his farm in the Bethulie district to find out more about this young and relatively unknown breed.

Managing Gerbils On Your Land: Part 2

By the time the effects of a gerbil outbreak on the crop become obvious, it is too late to take action.

Toyota: Its History And Its Bakkies

The company is renowned for its manufacturing techniques and excellent vehicles.

Veld Survey Raises Questions About Rotational Grazing

Dr Heidi-Jayne Hawkins, head of research at Conservation South Africa and an associate at the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about research findings indicating that rotational grazing management has little effect on veld characteristics across the farm fence lines of South Africa.

Commercial Farmers' Vital Role In Rural Development

Largely failed land reform initiatives are leading to increased tension and uncertainty in the agriculture sector as a whole. Veteran rural development expert Jimmy Lonsdale believes commercial farmers have a key role to play in turning this situation around.

Tips From The Western Cape's Cucumber Giant

Tunnel production may seem a relatively simple and profitable way to farm, but it involves high capital costs and has a narrow margin of error. Nico Laubscher Jnr spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the lessons that he and his team have learnt at Alzanne, near Vredendal, over the years.

Know Your Watermelon Varieties

The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) originated in Africa, where tribes in arid areas used it as an emergency water source.

Weathering The Storm With Shade Nets

Graaff Fruit has been using nets in several of its orchards for more than a decade. Mac Mackenzie spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how this method reduces climatic risks.

Local Oilseed Prices Feeling The Effects Of A Falling Rand

South Africa’s weakening exchange rate, and other factors affecting the world supply and demand for oilseeds, will continue to support domestic oilseed prices.

Siting A Hydroponics Operation

Before buying a property on which to build a hydroponics operation, it is crucial to do some research about the site. This includes reviewing climatic data, making enquiries at the municipal or district council, and having the water tested. Research will save you effort and money in the long run.

A Methane-Powered Tractor

New Holland recently received an international award for its concept tractor, which offers huge savings in running costs.

The Changing Nature Of The Wine Industry

The future of wine is evolving and the industry has to adapt in order to survive and flourish. This is according to Robert Joseph, an internationally respected wine expert and winemaker, and the author of the soon-to-be published book, The Future of Wine has Changed. Jeandré van der Walt reports.