CATEGORIES

New Principal Sets Out To Reinvigorate Glen College

Glen College of Agriculture on the outskirts of Bloemfontein in the Free State celebrates its centenary this year. Sabrina Dean spoke to its new head, Melvin Makungu, about his views on agricultural education and the college’s new focus on food technology and agro-processing.

Mixed Season For SA Sharon Fruit Industry

As the South African sharon fruit season winds down, it is clear that the early promise of this season’s harvest will not be fulfilled.

Is The Climate In Your Greenhouse Optimal?

Natural ventilation offers a certain amount of cooling, but is generally insufficient in South Africa.

Mohair Market Ends The Season On A High Note

About 98% of the large mohair offering of 127 199kg was sold at the final sale of the season.

Expropriation Will Ruin SA's Food Security And Prosperity

A wide-ranging public participation process is under way on government’s proposal to amend Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for expropriation without compensation. As this gains momentum, agricultural union TAU SA urges that the proposal should not put political point-scoring ahead of South Africa’s food security and socio-economic stability. Danie du Plessis, manager of TAU SA’s Mpumalanga chapter, spells out this view.

Turning Waste Goat Whey Into Profitable Natural Pork

A KZN-based goat dairy operation is using its whey by-product as a highly nutritious, low-cost feed for pigs. Lloyd Phillips spoke to Paul Coetzee and Jan Wiese to find out more.

Curried Prawns

Prawns are a wonderful and healthy dish to serve to any hungry diner or companion. This recipe for curried prawns further enhances the taste of this delicious meat, and will not disappoint!

Ending Non-tariff Barriers Could Unlock Africa's Riches

The Continental Free Trade Agreement, which South Africa has signed, is key to increasing trade revenues, job creation and economic integration on the continent, writes Sifiso Ntombela, head of trade and investment intelligence at Agbiz.

Be Wary Of Spraying Programmes!

I am often asked for nutrition or pest control programmes for various crops. If only farming were so simple! Following a set spray or fertiliser ‘recipe’ may well work, but it can cut into your profits.

Mazda In The Spotlight

The company has a history of innovative technology and produces highly capable bakkies. By Jake Venter.

You Must Eat Your Vegetables

Vegetables are a healthy addition to a braai or any other meat-based meal. However, the way you cook your veggies can make the difference between a great dish and a simply ‘okay’ one.

Cotton Can Be More Profitable Than Maize!

Cotton production in North West can be extremely lucrative, according to Arno Janse van Vuuren, manager of agricultural management at agribusiness NWK. A comprehensive survey by the company shows that the province is well suited to cotton cultivation if production is managed effectively.

Securing The Future Of SA Macadamias

The Southern African Macadamia Growers’ Association has undergone major changes, breaking away from Subtrop to become an independent entity and introducing statutory levies. Lindi Botha spoke to newly appointed CEO Lizel Pretorius about the association’s future.

Voices Of The Past

Before South Africans had television, they relied on live radio broadcasts of important sporting events. Graham Jooste recalls the two greatest sports commentators of their era: Charles Fortune and Gerhard Viviers.

Persistence Pays Off For Award-Winning Citrus Farmer

Noluthando Mbilase, who farms near Fort Beaufort, recently won the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Top Entrepreneur Export Markets title in its annual Female Entrepreneur Awards. The award is testimony to her determination, as well as her willingness to learn, since starting in the citrus industry as a field officer many years ago. Mike Burgess reports.

The Desert: Hot, Dry, And Perfect For Fish Production

Groundwater extracted from arid areas is often unsuitable for irrigation, but it would be ideal for aquaculture.

Agriculture-Driven Economic Transformation

Recent research by the International Food Policy Research Institute and the International Institute for Sustainable Development analysed progress in agricultural development in 117 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to understand which policies have succeeded or failed. It then provided policy guidelines to help countries still at the subsidence farming stage to transform their agriculture sectors.

How Changing Rainfall Patterns Are Reshaping Farming In The Karoo

Justin du Toit, a scientist in pasture research at Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute in Middelburg, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about his analysis of rainfall records in the Central Karoo and how farmers can adapt to climate change.

A Promising Future For Pork Producers

Pork prices in South Africa plummeted after last year’s listeriosis outbreak. While this had a serious effect on producers’ bottom lines, the drop in prices has seen pork become more popular among consumers. Should demand continue to increase, pork production is likely to become lucrative.

Getting Ready To Plant Cucurbits

Before planting a land to any of the cucurbits, you should kill off all broad-leaved weeds nearby, preferably well beforehand.

Western Cape Gears Up For Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has commissioned the University of Stellenbosch Business School to research ways to unlock the advantages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the province. Research associate Angus Bowmaker-Falconer spoke to Glenneis Kriel.

Chinese Digital Trading Takes Off

The Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show 2018 will include a special focus on identifying growth opportunities in China.

A Focus On Quality Produces Success

Nelius Ferreira, the Free State’s Top Young Farmer for 2018, focuses on quality production in a global marketplace. Sabrina Dean visited him on his farm near Harrismith to learn more.

The Pros And Cons Of Subsurface Irrigation

The drought in the Western Cape has sparked renewed interest in research done almost two decades ago on partial root and subsurface irrigation. Pieter Fouché, the viticulturist at the Graham Beck Wine Estate, who participated in these studies, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the farm’s experience with these irrigation methods and whether they’re worthwhile pursuing.

Managing Gerbils On Your Land: Part 1

A gerbil invasion, especially in a grassland or savannah, can lead to serious crop damage. Control begins with understanding the behaviour of this pest, and should always be environmentally sensitive.

New Combines Even Kinder To Operator And Crop

The three new 250-series Axial-Flow combines launched recently by Case IH offer a number of new automated features designed to allow operators to maximise crop throughput and quality. Denene Erasmus attended a media event in Dresden, Germany, where the machines were put on display.

Kimberley War Hero

This year celebrates the centenary of the Royal Air Force. It is therefore fitting to recall a famous South African fighter pilot whose skill and bravery became renowned during the Battle of Britain. By Graham Jooste.

Dealing With Cucurbit Viruses

Viruses are the greatest threat facing the cucurbit grower. It’s rare that a crop will be grown without some symptoms appearing.

100 Years Of John Deere Tractors

One of the greatest success stories in the agricultural machinery industry started a century ago with the launch of the Waterloo Boy tractor in the US Midwest. Joe Spencer reports.

Blockchain: The Future Of Agricultural Trade

Many farmers are investing in new technologies that can help increase production and efficiency at farm level, but the uptake of digital trading technology has been slower. As a result, farmers are losing out on the opportunity to increase their share of profit earned along the agricultural value chain.