CATEGORIES

How microbes boost and conserve soil health

Dr WJ Botha, of the Agricultural Research Council: Plant Health and Protection, explains how soil micro-organisms can help to increase crop productivity and reduce the effects of climate change.

Why horses and donkeys still have a place in agriculture

No fuel or batteries required! With the world seeking to go green in the face of climate change, equids such as horses, donkeys and mules might just be the next big thing in farming. Janine Ryan reports.

Child labour: what is harmful, and what isn't?

Child labour on farms can be categorised as hazardous, but not all such activities are harmful. James Sumberg and Rachel Sabates-Wheeler, research fellows at the Institute of Development Studies in the UK, explain.

New Holland Agriculture gears up for Nampo 2023

This must-visit agri show enables New Holland to showcase its advanced machines and demonstrate how these can boost profitability. It also gives prospective clients the opportunity to outline their specific requirements

Tough equipment for bush clearing

Wuhlf is a supplier of heavy-duty equipment for the agriculture, building, mining and forestry industries

Healthy soil starts with a penetrometer

What more can we do to conserve and nourish the soil, a precious resource? Carel van Niekerk Jr of Piket Implements shares his advice

Next-Gen Wildtrak: power and pleasure

The Wildtrak will appeal as much to first-generation buyers as to the Ranger faithful, says Ellis Mnyandu, who took it on a 1 200km test drive

Blood tests: a quick, accurate guide to your horse's health

Why do veterinarians take blood tests from a horse and what are they looking for? Dr Mac explains the basics of this crucial diagnostic tool

How to prepare cabbage for transplanting

Nitrogen and irrigation play a crucial role in successful transplanting and help to ensure healthy plants in the longer term

Three Australian invaders threatening SA environment

These alien invader plant species, all of which are acacias, grow rapidly in South Africa. By law, they must be removed and destroyed

Maize: a priceless crop

In this article, Janine Ryan looks at the importance of maize production in the world today, and its value for food security. She also explores the history of maize and how it evolved into a crop that is widely cultivated

The importance of shows for farmers

Agricultural shows are a great way for farmers to earn recognition for their animals, while also acting as a marketing platform for them

Global economy at a 'highly uncertain moment'

South Africa faces the same uncertainties as the global economy, as well as the effects of load-shedding, high unemployment and huge government and private sector debt

Traceability is key to a sustainable agriculture

Justin Platt, founder and managing director of agricultural technical services companies Zylem and RegenZ, explains how South African agriculture stands to benefit by implementing traceability systems

What Nampo Harvest Day means to the farmers

Magda du Toit, Glenneis Kriel and Lindi Botha find out from several farmers what Nampo Harvest Day means to them

Legend sticks of a beast that sucks goats' blood

There is no real evidence of El Chupacabra, and most sightings have been debunked and attributed to other animals. However, the myth continues to intrigue people across the world

Diesel vs petrol. Which one is right for you?

Which car you should invest in is a difficult choice, as there are so many options on the market. First to consider, however, says Janine Ryan, is whether you should invest in petrol or diesel

Nongqawuse's disastrous false prophecy

A grave in the Alexandria district of the Eastern Cape is believed to belong to an infamous prophetess who in the mid-1850s convinced many Xhosa to sacrifice their cattle and crops

The ideal accommodation for visiting Cape Town's hip Kloof Street

The Mother City’s Kloof Street has become famous for its casual eating and ultra-cool atmosphere. Brian Berkman recommends the nearby Hippo Boutique Hotel if you want to explore this neighbourhood

A successful cabbage crop starts with good seedlings

Growing your own seedlings requires experience. Mistakes are inevitable and you’ll need to adjust your system accordingly

Solving the kiwi puzzle for optimal production

A sunrise industry in South Africa with potential to expand markets locally and abroad, kiwifruit offers good returns on a small piece of land. Malcolm Deacon, owner of Gold Tree Farms, cautions, however, that knowledge gaps abound, and until the industry matures, farmers will have to troubleshoot their way through production

Empowering communities to cope with climate change

Local communities need to be part of the process of better understanding climate change adaptation. Moreover, supporting small green economies could assist in job creation for the community. An enviromental project in Eldorado Park is seeking to do just this

How citizens can combat invasive seaweed

Sien van der Plank, of the University of Southampton, Kwasi Addo Appeaning and Winnie NA Sowah, lecturers at the University of Ghana, and Philip-Neri Jayson-Quashigah, also of the University of Ghana, write about the battle against golden seaweed

New era for Orange River raisin producers

The Vine Academy and Model Farm were officially launched in May 2022 to improve the sustainability of raisin farmers. Ferdie Botha, CEO of Raisins SA, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this development

Old-fashioned shepherding: a solution to livestock predation?

Heidi Hawkins, research fellow, honorary research associate at the University of Cape Town, writes about how shepherding could help farmers stave off predator attacks on their livestock

Opportunities await SA producers abroad

While rabbit production is relatively small in South Africa, there is great untapped export potential, should the industry meet its challenges head-on

De fabulous De Zalze

Brian Berkman visits the superbly upgraded De Zalze Lodge in Stellenbosch and wishes he could move in.

SA agri exporters should keep a close eye on the rest of Africa

Although I continue to argue that South Africa should expand its agricultural export markets to new frontiers such as India, China, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, this growth drive should not be at the expense of existing markets.

Strategic use of growth regulator overcomes litchi budding problems

Producers need to consider that ethephon applications may be exacerbating problems with erratic flowering, according to Dr Regina Cronjé of Stellenbosch University

Stable political environment needed to end poverty in Africa

On a recent visit to South Africa, agricultural economist Dr Uma Lele of the Institute of Economic Growth at the University of Delhi outlined the reasons for Africa's poor agricultural productivity.