CATEGORIES

A herd health and production management plan

Dr Danie Odendaal, director of the Veterinarian network, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about what to consider when drawing up a herd health and production management plan for sheep and cattle. His advice can be applied to most other livestock.

Teaching children about the crucial roles of insects in nature

Prof Johnnie van den Berg, an entomologist at North-West University, is passionate about insects and their critical contribution they make to the environment by pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. He is equally committed to teaching preschool children about the importance of insects.

A successful switch from grain to tea tree oil

On a quest to diversify away from the crops traditionally cultivated in Mkhondo, Mpumalanga, André de Waal shifted to the production of essential oils. By growing, distilling and marketing these products, he has gained greater control over the value chain, ensuring his business is both viable and sustainable.

Education and curiosity: crucial to agripreneurship success

As a new producer with no prior knowledge or experience of farming, Vutlhari Chauke of VT Harvest has leaned heavily on her business skills and her willingness to learn. Her approach is paying dividends for her Gauteng-based vegetable and herb farm.

Poultry industry in for a rough ride in 2022

With escalating input costs, consumers’ disposable income under pressure and avian influenza still looming, poultry producers will have an uphill battle to rebuild their flocks in 2022.

Why SA dairy farmers are failing to compete with imports

It is often argued that the ability of the local dairy industry to grow or even survive will depend on the extent to which it can compete with imported dairy products. But can South African dairy farmers succeed when the odds are so clearly stacked against them? Bertus van Heerden, chief economist of the Milk Producers’ Organisation, and Prof Johann Kirsten, director of the Bureau for Economic Research at Stellenbosch University, carried out a price analysis to get some answers.

Southern African Grain Laboratories excels in crop-protection studies during COVID-19

Amid the COVID-19-related challenges faced over the past year, many agricultural institutions were hard hit and some even had to close their doors. For the Southern African Grain Laboratories, however, it was a year of growth and reaching new heights.

This cauliflower is exceptional … but not ideal

To prevent discolouration, the Early Dwarf Erfurt is covered with aluminium foil. FW ARCHIVE

‘Red meat exports must be prioritised in 2022'

South Africa’s red meat industry benefited from the steady increase in the producer prices of beef, mutton and lamb in 2021, but exports of carcasses and live animals now need to increase.

Sexed semen: a game changer for Damara stud

Using sexed semen in an artificial insemination programme carries a 90% assurance that the surrogate animal will deliver offspring of the desired sex. Annelie Coleman spoke to Damara farmer Stan Burger and embryoflushing expert Dr Fanie Steyn about the technical process and how to prepare the surrogate ewes.

Looking forward to 2022

The past year has brought with it many challenges, including a significant increase in the prices of agricultural inputs. However, farmers have shown that there is much strength in unity, and they have managed to push through these difficulties to end 2021 on a high, as these agricultural leaders show.

Garden project aims to boost food security

The COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown measures have exposed huge deficiencies in the food supply networks of the poor and vulnerable. Meyer Conradie of Mosaic Community Developments spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how his organisation is addressing this challenge in various communities.

Top five trends in SA farming in 2021

Farmer’s Weekly editor Denene Erasmus looks at some of the global and local farming trends that shaped the way producers in South Africa farmed and did business in 2021.

APPLES: How to deal with bitter pit in apples

This condition results from low levels of calcium in the fruit, which can be exacerbated when the apples are large or picked too early.

The show that uncovers talent on SA's farms

Eight years ago, Hortgro launched Agri’s Got Talent to give the world a glimpse of the ‘real’ people who work in the South African fruit industry and create a means of recognising talents other than those associated with farm work. Wouter Kriel reports on the unfolding of the competition over the years.

Road-tripping and birdwatching in SA

Long drives across South Africa offer perfect opportunities for birdwatching, says Muller Janse van Rensburg, who lives in Bethlehem in the Free State. Since he and his family discovered the pastime, their annual holiday has become even more exciting and enjoyable. reports.

Commodity boom: have we reached the peak?

They have been a boon for some and a burden for others, but no one has been left untouched by the soaring commodity prices of the past year. What does 2022 hold, and who will be the winners and the losers? Lindi Botha spoke to two agricultural market experts to gauge future trends.

Becoming a jockey

If you have a small body frame, are athletic and enjoy riding, this may the career for you, says Dr Mac.

Alternative crops: subtropical fruit

Looking for a different crop to grow in the Western Cape? At the Subtropical and Minor Crop Workshop held earlier this year, Glenneis Kriel spoke to a number of experts about the fruits highlighted at the event.

Preventing theft on your farm during the holidays

Are you going away over the festive season? Three leaders in agriculture and security explain how common sense, technology, and good relationships with neighbours can help protect your possessions. Glenneis Kriel reports.

What China really thinks of South African beef

The global beef market is highly competitive and difficult to break into. With South Africa’s beef export industry still in its infancy, Susan Marais explores the reasons why Chinese consumers might not be the most willing buyers of our product, and looks at what the local beef industry could learn from its top competitors’ strategies.

Why some horses are ‘bleeders'

Some racehorses bleed copiously from their nostrils after racing. Recent research has shown that a promising drug may prevent this condition, says Dr Mac.

Luxurious safaris in the Cape Floral Kingdom

The Gondwana Game Reserve between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges offers luxurious accommodation for visitors, and an opportunity for guests to become residents. Brian Berkman reports.

The value of informal record-keeping

If you record your production and general farming notes in a diary, you’ll have ready access to a wealth of information in a few years, says Bill Kerr.

Specialist equipment for small farms

To better meet the needs of small-scale farmers, Husqvarna, a Swedish manufacturer of outdoor power products, has engineered a range of equipment specifically for this market, which the company believes can be a game changer for Africa’s small-scale farmers.

Ginger scene hots up

At the time of this article’s writing, ginger production was starting to become popular in the Mpumalanga Lowveld, thanks to the rhizomes made available to farmers there.

Managing early growth stages in maize

This second article in a two-part series on production management of maize during the early growth phases focuses on water and disease management. Three top South African maize producers also provide advice on what farmers should look out for during this period. Magda du Toit reports.

Conservation alliances protect natural heritage

In 1984, when Charl van der Merwe purchased Brakfontein in the Northern Cape for sheep production, he could never have guessed that his farm would one day become a key element in the creation of a 240 000ha interprovincial protected area. Wouter Kriel spoke to two people involved in this far-reaching development.

Avocados continue to gain market share

The avocado industry has continued its upward trajectory of increasing its market share.

The value of pollinators for seed production

In a study to provide a global estimate of the importance of pollinators for plants in natural ecosystems, researchers from Stellenbosch University, led by Dr James Rodger, a postdoctoral fellow in mathematical sciences, found that, without pollinators, one-third of flowering plant species wouldn’t produce seeds at all.