CATEGORIES

Agriculture Is Changing And So Must Agri Economist

It’s not only farmers who have to adapt to the fundamental changes occurring in world agriculture, or go out of business. Agricultural economists also have to adapt. This is the warning from Bongiswa Matoti, president of the Agricultural Economists’ Association of South Africa. The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly.

Pests And Drought Hamper 2017 Canola Yields

Pests And Drought Hamper 2017 Canola Yields

A Farmer's Passion Carrying A Family Legacy Forward

It takes a fine balancing act for Grain SA chairperson, Jaco Minnaar, to serve the interests of members while still leaving enough time to pursue his true passion – being a farmer. Sabrina Dean visited him recently on his family farm near Hennenman in the Free State.

Treating Summer Skin Problems

Summer may mean more time to spend with your horse, but it’s also the season for sweet itch, mange and ringworm, cautions Kim Dyson.

Beef Cattle Conformation Basics

When performing a visual evaluation of the animal, note the following features in particular: frame size, muscle and body structure, and breed character.

Indigenous Trees

South African landowners should become more involved in propagating and using indigenous trees to ensure their survival and increase biodiversity.

Make The Right Connection

Seamless connectivity between machine and operator is at the heart of John Deere’s latest FarmSight precision farming solutions. Joe Spencer reports.

The Beef Master In Limpopo

The growing popularity of the Beefmaster among livestock breeders in Limpopo is indicative of the breed’s ability to adapt to extensive farming conditions. The Hardus Steenkamp Beefmasters stud in Limpopo has proven just how well the breed can perform.

Bumper Maize Harvest Set To Restore SA's Net Export Status

The record crop that the Crop Estimates Committee has forecast for local maize producers will place South Africa firmly back on the export map.

Understanding Crop Rotation

Vegetable growers everywhere seem to think it a crime not to practise crop rotation.

Performance Chipping

Aftermarket computer chips are available to override a vehicle’s air:fuel ratio and other settings to squeeze more power from the engine. Jake Venter explains.

No Room For Favourites

Gugulethu Zondi, the Agricultural Research Council’s 2016 National Emerging Beef Farmer of the Year, says that farming should be treated like any other business, and that beef farmers should choose their breeds based on performance rather than preference.

Brafords Prove Their Worth On Traditional Sheep Farm

Although Van Aardt Greyling from the farm Ricksuhill near Lady Grey in the Eastern Cape is better known for his SA Mutton Merinos, his Beefpower Braford Stud is nevertheless home to the 2017 ARC National Best Elite Braford Cow.

Pecans: High Cost, Big Returns

The boom in nut prices in recent years is expected to continue as consumers opt for healthier foods. This has increasingly led to farmers replacing their crops with nut trees. While pecan farming can be a lucrative venture, aspiring nut growers must begin with a solid foundation, says Shane Eva, farm manager for Halls and Sons.

Some Bacterial And Parasitical Pig Diseases

An overview of eperythrozoonosis, Clostridium perfringens Type C, ascariosis and Glasser’s disease.

The Basics Of Pigeon Pea Production

Pigeon peas have the ability to survive and provide good economic returns in a drought-prone environment and low input farming systems.

Improve Water Management; Don't Make New Laws

Implementing existing laws could have averted South Africa’s water crisis, yet the minister of water affairs has failed to do this, according to Mike Muller, visiting adjunct professor at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Viable ‘Refuge Areas' To Reduce Pest Resistance In Sugar Cane

To curb the development of resistance in pests to the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in genetically modified sugar cane, refuge areas would have to be so large that production might not be financially viable at this stage. This is according to Dirk Human, a master’s student at Stellenbosch University researching refugia in Bt sugar cane.

Maize Price Expected To Decrease Further

White and yellow maize prices are expected to decline by between R150/t and R200/t over the next few months due to high global and local supply levels and the strengthening rand, according to agricultural economist Prof Johan Willemse.

Amendments To Oriental Fruit Fly Control Measures

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has released amendments to the control measures for the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) in South Africa.

What Lessons Has SA Learnt From the Drought?

Dawie Maree of FNB Business reviews the recent drought, which caused suffering, but also taught us several valuable lessons.

The Gift of Self-seasoning

Thai cuisine blesses you with the liberty of self-seasoning in the form of dipping sauces. So let’s cook supermarket fish straight from the box and then elevate it into the culinary stratosphere.

New Breeding Techniques: Effective And Affordable

New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) are a broad range of methods used for the modifying of genomes and gene expression. Hennie Groenewald, executive manager of Biosafety SA, says that NBTs have an important role to play in developing countries such as South Africa, where the lower costs of the technology make it a viable solution in a competitive market.

Land expropriation fears unfounded – Prof Ruth Hall

The motion recently adopted by the National Assembly, in Parliament, to establish an ad hoc Constitutional Review Committee to review and amend Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation has been met with both great anxiety and elation by South Africans.

A 27% Decline In Maize Production Expected For 2017/2018 Season

The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) has released an estimate of about 12,2 million tons for South Africa’s commercial maize crop for the current season, down 27% on the 16,8 million tons produced in 2016/2017.

The Divide Between Knowledge And Experience

Many experts have the theoretical knowledge, but fail to put themselves in the shoes of the rural, small-scale fish farmer.

Wireless Technology: Effortless Irrigation Control At Your Fingertips

A powerful, easy-to-use management tool that saves time, effort and water.

LEPA Close Spacing Irrigation

Thanks to new advances in sprinkler technology, a well-managed centre pivot can be nearly as water- and energy-efficient as a drip system. Senninger offers a proven, award-winning system.

Solar Pumps: Get Expert Help!

Solar panels, a variable-speed drive and a borehole pump are the ideal combination for extracting water on the farm. But to get the most out of it, leave the design up to the professionals.

Dealing With Wheelspin

Jake Venter explores the logic of torque, and how to use a differential lock properly.