CATEGORIES

New System Shows Benefits Of Deep Root Irrigation

A locally developed irrigation system designed to transport water directly to plants’ roots and thus eliminate evaporation has achieved outstanding success in trials.

Tractor Training For Tomorrow's Farmers

An agreement between John Deere and Peritum Agri, an SA training organisation, will enable the manufacturer to contribute to farmer development and gain exposure to future buyers.

Solar Energy Takes Centre Stage In South Africa

High electricity prices and unreliable supply have resulted in a fresh surge of interest in renewable energy solutions on farms.

Mass Tilapia Farming: Real Potential In The Right Areas

Tilapia farms in Zambia with slightly cooler than ideal minimum temperatures have produced good harvests. These results are easily replicable in parts of South Africa.

Hall Of Fame

The Steiger family’s induction into the Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers’ Hall of Fame coincides with half a century of tractor manufacturing in Fargo. Joe Spencer reports.

The Sky's No Limit: Using Drones For Precision Farming

To stay profitable in an increasingly tough environment, farmers must use their land and other resources to their maximum potential. The amazingly detailed imagery captured by unmanned aerial vehicles can help achieve this. Lloyd Phillips visited Agri-Sense International to find out more.

Dropping Fences Helps Game Reserve And Community Thrive

Warne and Wendy Rippon, owners of Buffalo Kloof Wildlife Safaris in the Eastern Cape, were concerned about the poverty in neighbouring Yendella community. So much so, that they launched an initiative where they and the community work together to benefit from the reserve.

Engineering Vs Physics Vs Maths

Engineering demands accurate mathematics. But in this imperfect world, engineers have to use approximations and common sense.

El Alamein's Zulu War Hero

Disregarding landmines, intensive enemy fire and a shrapnel wound, Lance Corporal Lucas Majozi continued evacuating the wounded soldiers from the battleground.

Forestry SA Reports Advances In Transformation And Training

While South Africa’s forestry sector should be proud of the fact that it is a national leader in implementing broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) and other transformation initiatives, much more could still be achieved in this regard.

SA Economy Expected To Gain Momentum Following The Election

While economic growth could still be slow in the immediate future, the winds of change are blowing more strongly, according to the chief economist at Old Mutual, Johann Els.

Reviving The South African Beef Shorthorn

Allistair and Laurence Brown, owners of the Duncraggan and Primeston Beef Shorthorn studs, produced the 2018 Agricultural Research Council National Special Performance Beef Shorthorn bull. Mike Burgess visited the brothers’ farm near Alexandria in the Eastern Cape.

New CEO For Agri Western Cape

Jannie Strydom took over the reins as CEO of Agri Western Cape in March, after the retirement of Carl Opperman, who served in this position for 20 years. Strydom spoke to Glenneis Kriel.

Dealing With The Bias In SA's Labour Tenancy Claims System

Based on his extensive experience in representing mostly KwaZulu-Natal landowners in labour tenancy claims lodged against them, attorney Rob McCarthy of McCarthy and Associates believes the process is inherently biased in favour of claimants. He speaks to Lloyd Phillips about this challenge, and gives landowners advice on how best to fight false labour tenancy claims.

First-Hand Experience Of An African Retail Giant

South Africa’s Shoprite Group has had to jump over numerous hurdles to expand its network of stores across Africa. Today, as the largest retailer on the continent, the group sources produce from 450 South African farmers and 700 farmers from elsewhere in Africa. Dr Johan van Deventer, general manager of Freshmark, the group’s fresh produce division, believes that trustworthy relationships have been at the heart of this success. He spoke to Lindi Botha.

Performance Testing For The Commercial Breeder: Part 2

Performance testing involves more than simply weighing an animal at certain stages; it requires the evaluation of all economically important traits, from conception to marketing. This is according to Thokozani Ndonga, senior research technician at the Agricultural Research Council, Irene.

Plastic Packaging Should Focus On Recycling

There is ‘no silver bullet’ to address South Africa’s plastic conundrum, according to Lorren de Kock, project manager for the circular plastics economy at the Worldwide Fund for Nature – South Africa. However, the fruit industry can start addressing the issue by moving away from packaging that is aesthetically pleasing to recyclable and reusable packaging methods.

A Classroom In Your Pocket

With South Africa’s ageing farming population, a new generation of farmers is needed to secure the future of the industry. But with the high cost of education, and limited space in tertiary facilities, the youth and farm workers are discouraged from embarking on this path. Lindi Botha spoke to Agricolleges International founder Howard Blight about accessible education at a fraction of the cost.

How To Weed Potato Lands

This article focused on the best way to apply herbicides and eradicate weeds with the minimum risk to potato crops.

Meatmasters: Bred For Tough Conditions And Good Meat

Jean Du Plessis Refers to Himself as a ‘bush Breeder’, Someone Who Selects With the Eye and Farms in Harmony With His Natural Environment. Sabrina Dean Visited Him in the Arid Northern Cape to Find Out More About His Extensive Meatmaster Sheep Farming Operation.

A Word Of Warning For Start-up Producers

Recently I heard of a proposed project that planned to produce 90t of tilapia annually from a green house based system in the southern coastal region of South Africa.

Farming On The Metropolitan Fringe

An article on the model farming enterprise of Dr Carl Nicholson of the farm Witfontein between Pretoria and Jan Smuts Airport (today OR Tambo International), described the challenges, pitfalls, disadvantages and advantages of farming in close proximity to an expanding urban population. It was featured in our issue of the above date.

Free And Very, Very Fair!

Deregulation and the free market system have made the local fresh produce market the success it is today. Gerhard Uys spoke to Lindie Stroebel, general manager of the Produce Marketing Association Southern Africa.

Over-stimulating Vegetative Growth

The survival mechanisms that enabled the ancestors of modern crops to survive in the wild will influence the efficacy of the fertiliser we apply to these crops today.

Horses at Weddings

Brides love being photographed with horses but there can be complications.

Farming With Nature In The Sandveld

After venturing into the organic fresh market, the owners of Sandveld Organics on the West Coast created a niche for themselves in the organic seed market. Susi Engelbrecht spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their journey.

Treating Nosebleeds In Horses

Horses that suffer from pouring nosebleeds after exercise should be examined by a vet, says Dr Mac.

Ford Motor Company

Henry Ford’s first pickup was a converted Model T. Today, the Ford Ranger, which is available in South Africa in 42 variations, is a top seller. By Jake Venter.

Africa's Violent Trade In Cattle, Guns And Bullets

The circulation of illicit arms has made cattle rustling more violent and harmful. East Africa has lessons to share on prevention, say Duncan E Omondi Gumba and Nelson Alusala of the Institute for Security Studies Africa.

How To Create Successful, Commercial Black Farmers

Many in the agriculture sector believe that government’s efforts to develop successful black farmers since 1994 have largely failed. Frans Cronje, CEO of the South African Institute of Race Relations, says this is because government spending is incorrectly prioritised, and that not nearly enough is being spent on farmer development.