CATEGORIES

Small-Scale Pig Farmer Implements Commercial Practices

Buti Malinga, a small-scale pig farmer near Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng, has built up his business, Vukani Piggery, from nothing. Intent on progress, he aims to become a fully-fledged commercial farmer in the near future. Pieter Dempsey visited him on the farm Bronkhorstfontein.

Fresh Produce Theft: Farmers Lose Billions Every Year

The theft of agricultural produce costs South African farmers billions of rand a year, not only through the loss of produce, but in additional expenses, such as fencing, to improve security. Annelie Coleman spoke to industry leaders Dr Jane Buys, Derek Donkin and Tommie Esterhuyse, as well as a Limpopo-based citrus producer who preferred to remain anonymous.

How To Improve The Oil Yield Of A Sunflower Crop

Dr Safiah Ma’Ali, a senior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council’s Grain Crops Institute, outlines a recent South Africa study demonstrating that farmers can significantly improve sunflower oil content and yield by adjusting planting dates.

Make The Most Of The Free Market

Fresh produce growers often try to plan production to capitalise on high prices.

Shooting straight – defending you and yours within the law

South Africa’s farmers and other rural residents are considered easy pickings by determined and often violent criminals. Legislation allows citizens to own and use firearms in defence of life. However, according to experts who spoke to Lloyd Phillips, legal firearm owners must be sure to avoid falling foul of the law themselves.

High-capacity balers from Norway now available in SA

Orkel Dens-X Compactor stationary bale makers were launched in South Africa this month. The event took place at meat value chain company Kameeldrift Voere, based in Cullinan, Gauteng.

The Lady in White

A wartime legend, Perla Gibson stood on the dockside and sang herself into the hearts of thousands of Allied troops as they sailed from Durban for the battlefields of Europe and the Far East. Graham Jooste tells her story.

A bright future awaits the Merino

The Merino is the ideal breed for sustainable and profitable sheep breeding in South Africa, according to LeRoux Fourie, owner of Fourie Boerdery’s Merino Stud near Brandfort. He told Annelie Coleman that the dual-purpose breed’s full potential had not yet been realised.

Protecting South Africa's Trees From The Shot Hole Borer

The polyphagous shot hole borer threatens over 150 South African tree species. If left unchecked, it could cause huge damage to citrus and avocado orchards, amongst others. Prof Wijnand Swart and Dr Gert Marais, who are striving to find a solution to the problem, spoke to Sabrina Dean.

SA's Wine Grapes Under Pressure

With South Africa’s wine grape harvest getting underway, some producers’ irrigation resources were placed under pressure due to rolling blackouts during the second week of January.

Why Africa Needs Fairer Food Laws

Food and agriculture laws hamper food security in Africa and elsewhere, say Tigist Gebrehiwot, Steve Cornelius and Lise Korsten in the journal article ‘Impact of global food and agriculture laws on Africa’s food security’.

Managing wireworm

A vaccine against wireworm has become a vital tool in helping to control the disease and thereby reduce contamination of pasture by the eggs of the parasite.

Glazed gammon with mustard sauce

Glazed gammon may seem like a lot of work, but this spicy dish with the tang of mustard is easy to make, and will surely impress your guests or family members.

Pigs: cost-effective and efficient soil improvers

Western Cape farmer Angus McIntosh has shown that pigs can earn their keep through the eco-services they contribute, as well as the bacon they provide. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his outdoor pigs, whose movement is carefully controlled to make the most of their foraging habits.

Forage harvester's efficiency drives profitability

Improved forage harvesting technology drastically enlarges the silage surface area. This improves the product, benefitting farmers and harvesting contractors, says Stehan Cloete.

A high-yield indoor farming system ideal for the city

As prolonged droughts occur more frequently in South Africa, some entrepreneurs are investing in and developing new technology and farming methods, such as indoor growing systems, that ensure consistent, high-quality food production. Juan-Griffith Pollard, CEO of Urban Cultivation International, spoke to Pieter Dempsey about his scaleable hydroponic farming system.

The Importance Of Planning

Planning goes hand in hand with record-keeping. You need to have the figures from past production in order to plan ahead effectively.

Hungry? Grub's Up!

As the popularity of alternative protein sources rises, the idea of consuming insects has become more palatable to the general population. While insect farming is still a long way from being commercialised on a mass scale, opportunities for both human and animal consumption are set to increase. Lindi Botha spoke to Prof Margaret Matanda from the University of Sydney Business School, Australia, about research being conducted on the feasibility of the industry.

Immune-Mediated Myositis: A Genetic Reason For Emaciation In Horses

This recently described syndrome, which affects mainly American Quarter Horses, can be confirmed using genetic tests, says Dr Mac.

How To Plan For Variable Maize Planting Conditions

The increasing unpredictability of rainfall has made it difficult for farmers in the summer-cropping areas to follow long-held production timelines. Sabrina Dean visited Pierre van Eeden on his northern Free State farm to find out how he has adapted in order to optimise maize production in the face of ever-changing climatic conditions

How The Wealthy Are Stealing Land From The Poor

Land reform should aim to address poverty and create livelihood opportunities for those at the lower end of the historically disadvantaged spectrum. This isn’t happening, according to the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies. Instead, land allocation and access to resources are skewed in favour of well-off beneficiaries.

Farming: The Breeding Ground For SA's Next Millionaires

Agriculture offers many opportunities for wealth creation, and young South Africans who are passionate about the sector should use their skills to establish new businesses, say Soyama Mthongana and Athenkosi Denga, the owners of Lizwe Meat.

From Humble Beginnings To Cream Of The Crop

Over almost three decades, Foundation Farm in KwaZulu-Natal has evolved from a small dairy operation to winner of the Agricultural Research Council’s 2019 Master Dairyman of the Year. The farm’s founders, Alan and Frances Webster, hope that their success story will motivate aspiring and existing farmers to persevere with their agricultural vision.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Continue To Rise

Despite calls for governments and policymakers to take an active approach to the issue of global warming, a new report by the World Meteorological Organization shows that the rate of increase of greenhouse gas emissions is still above average. If urgent steps are not taken to reduce these emissions, the world will suffer catastrophic consequences, the report warns.

World's Fastest Tractor At LAMMA 2020

The 38th LAMMA show, one of the UK’s top agricultural machinery, equipment and technology expos, took place near Birmingham from 7 to 8 January. It featured a special display of the world’s fastest tractor, the JCB’s Fastrac Two.

Turning a hobby into an award-winning stud

What started off as a hobby for Theuns Bruwer and Pierre Veldhoen seven years ago has turned into the registration of an Angus stud with successful and highly respected breeding stock. Jeandré van der Walt visited their stud, Windmeul Angus, outside Paarl in the Western Cape.

STRONG GROWTH FOR POLISH POULTRY SECTOR

The Polish National Agricultural Support Centre recently hosted Farmer’s Weekly news editor Julinda Schroeder on a four-day study tour to Poland, where she had the opportunity to have a closer look at the country’s poultry industry.

Strict selection sees Beefmaster stud thrive

Dawie du Plessis of the Magmar Beefmaster stud in KwaZulu-Natal implements strict selection criteria based on Beefmaster founder Tom Lasater’s six essential traits.

Smithfield's capricious cannon

Ou Grietjie, a cannon in the Smithfield Museum that was used in the Free State-Basotho Wars, is linked by name to another famous Boer gun and a European siege cannon.

Harnessing the dual-purpose potential of Merino ewes

Matthew Morgan of Tarkastad has developed his family farms vertically by establishing permanent mixed pastures for his 3 000 Merino ewes to lamb on. The excellence of his farming won him the title of 2019 Toyota-Agri Eastern Cape Young Farmer of the Year.