CATEGORIES

Tyre Rotation

To operate optimally, modern cars require tyre rotation at 10 000km intervals.

Planting And Fertilising Cucurbits

Planting And Fertilising Cucurbits

New Hope Through Farming

Through its agricultural community development programme, Manger Care Centre addresses food insecurity in poverty-stricken parts of Johannesburg. Siyanda Sishuba reports.

Drought Relief, And The Hope It Brings

Drought has taken him to the depths of depression, destitution and hopelessness, says Naudé Pienaar, Agri North West deputy CEO. However, it has also taught him about the kindness of people, and the 'miracle' that can happen when South Africans join forces to alleviate the plight of farmers caught in the grips of drought.

Low-cost Efficiencies Essential For 2018 Sugar Cane Production

Gordon Mallen was named the 2017 Nedbank Eston Sugar Cane Grower of the Year.

Macadamia Sector Needs Greater Investment Into Processing Facilities

The macadamia nut crop is set to increase globally, according to the International Nut Council (INC). The INC figures showed that the in-shell macadamia nut crop was expected to increase 8,4% to 193 462t in 2017.

Dupont Invests R100 Million In Local Technology Hub

Innovation and science company, DuPont, has invested R100 million in a technology centre that currently employs 200 African scientists and skilled technicians to support local research efforts in testing locations across South Africa and the continent.

Reared In Brackish Water, And Worth Its Salt!

Brackish water can be put to good use in the cultivation of tilapia. Despite being primarily a freshwater species, tilapia are salt-tolerant and actually thrive in saline conditions.

Economic & Ecological Benefits Of Hunting In Namibia

In Namibia, hunting is a vital part of conservation and contributes to the economic sustainability of mixed farming operations, private game farms, and more importantly, communal conservancies. Gerhard Uys spoke to Tanja Dahl, CEO of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association.

The Origin Of Tomatoes

A clever man, it’s said, knows tomatoes are fruit, but a wise one will never use them in a fruit salad.

Resolving Agriculture's Transformation Deadlock

James Martin, an independent agricultural transformation consultant and facilitator, says that transformation is a critical goal, but expecting power imbalances and prejudice to simply disappear is unreasonable. He believes that real change will only happen once we start changing human behaviour to shift perceptions, so that we can meet as equals.

Protecting The Lappet-Faced Vulture – A Matter Of Survival

The endangered lappet-faced vulture, which was selected as BirdLife South Africa’s 2017 Bird of the Year, faces many threats, with poisoning being at the forefront. Conservationists are urging farmers to join in the fight to save it from extinction, while various initiatives seek to educate the public about the bird’s important role in nature. By SANParks Times reporter, René de Klerk.

Tips For Successful Poultry Farming

Glenneis Kriel spoke to poultry industry experts about the challenges facing small-scale producers and ways in which these can be overcome.

At Home On The (Free) Range

As a small but significant addition to an intensive operation, Thorntree Farm’s free-range eggs are quietly making a name in this niche market. Ryan Stegmann spoke to Chris Nel.

Farewell To General Motors

Jake Venter takes a walk down memory lane in a tribute to ‘The General’, as GM pulls out of SA.

Global Grain Production Down, But Expected To Recover Next Year

The International Grains Council’s (IGC) May estimate for global grain production has been adjusted downwards by nearly two million tons month-on-month.

Choosing The Right Ventilation System For Your Poultry House

In this final article of a three-part series on the basic principles of chicken housing, independent poultry consultant Jan Grobbelaar discusses natural and environmentally controlled ventilation.

Biosecurity: Your First Line Of Defence Against Disease

Dr Fambies van Biljon, veterinarian at Sovereign Foods, talks to Glenneis Kriel about the crucial need to establish a well-run biosecurity programme at a poultry production facility.

Using Nitrogen Smartly

I often come across a farmer who thinks his land might have a nitrogen deficiency, but then rules this out as he has fertilised with nitrogen at the usual rate and no leaching rain has fallen. 

Planting And Caring For Peas

Peas are not unduly sensitive to pH, and can easily be grown in a garden vegetable patch. They do require protection from birds, however.

Beefmasters: A Winning Breed

After being introduced to the Beefmaster in 2001, North West cattle farmer Connie van Vuuren developed a passion for this hardy, beefy breed. He established the Cona Beefmaster Stud in 2017, and selects for adaptability and good milk production, amongst other traits.

Caring For Cucurbits

Caring For Cucurbits

Dealing With The Shying Horse

A horse that gets into the habit of shying at every perceived danger can be both irritating and dangerous. Fortunately, there are ways of teaching it to become more confident.

Waste Management Fundamentals

By law, you are required to store or dispose of waste responsibly. Failure to do so may result in a fine. More seriously, it harms the environment.

Resurrecting The Pietperd From Genetic Remnants

Boerperd breeder, Dirk Odendaal, has spent over 40 years trying to recreate a true-to-type Pietperd, a legendary but now-extinct horse breed. Mike Burgess spoke to Dirk on his farm near Barkly East about his relentless quest.

Electronic Eyes For The Operator

Many of the innovations at the Agritechnica 2017 awards were aimed at making the work of the machine operator easier. Joe Spencer reports on two examples.

Biological Control Of The Chain-Fruit Cholla: Part 2

The cochineal insect is a highly effective biocontrol method for dealing with this invasive cactus; it can kill a large cactus in a relatively short time.

Adult Mohair Demand Up, Kid Mohair Demand Drops

Mohair gained 1,7% at the second sale of the 2017 winter season in Port Elizabeth, with 144 821kg on offer. The average market indicator closed on R191,44/kg.

KZN Agriculture Staps In To Help Drought-Stricken EC Farmers

Farmers, agribusinesses and even private citizens in KwaZulu-Natal have rallied to provide emergency livestock feed desperately needed by Eastern Cape farmers affected by drought and wildfires.

Waste Management: How Spier Estate Turns Trash Into Cash

Worldwide, waste generation is fast overtaking landfill availability. Heidi Newton-King, sustainability and human resources director at Spier Wine Estate, recently shared how the estate has succeeded in reducing its proportion of landfill waste to total recycled waste to less than 2%. Jeandré du Preez reports.