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A small farm that's big on service, cuisine and sheer luxury

La Petite Ferme is a boutique hotel in Franschhoek in the Western Cape Winelands. Brian Berkman sings its praises, highlighting its stunning views, deluxe accommodation, and delicious dining.

Unlocking value for smallholder raisin producers

Eksteenskuil Agricultural Co-operative has helped to empower a community and improve lives, demonstrating the true value of the co-operative concept. Filomaine Schwartz, office manager of the co-operative, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the entity’s role in raisin production in this part of the Northern Cape.

Identifying lameness in livestock and treating

Lameness can lead to a loss of productivity, and has a negative impact on animal welfare

Empowerment farm drowns in debt

What started as a dream come true has turned into a massive disappointment for a farmer and his workers on a vineyard in the Orange River Region.

Know your soil

To make the best of their land and remain financially viable, farmers need to know the potential of their soil. Karabo Puswe, agricultural specialist at FarmSol, explains how this knowledge is gained.

The Household Cavalry and the Coronation

These soldiers who participate in parades on horseback are on active duty, and also drive tanks in war zones

How to control weeds effectively in cabbage

These days, using herbicide makes far more sense than hand-hoeing or mechanical cultivation. But application rate is crucial

Raising gilts and sows: Part 2

This week, we look at mating your pigs. Oestrus normally lasts 21 days and occurs regularly until the sow or gilt becomes pregnant. Gilts tend to have a shorter cycle of 18 to 20 days

Top new apple variety available to SA growers

Magic Star, a new bicoloured red apple that has taken the European market by storm, is now available for production in South Africa. Glenneis Kriel reports on its introduction to Western Cape farmers

Risk mitigation in farming: Part 2

In this second part of our series on risk mitigation for sheep producers in South Africa, freelance strategist and writer PJ Mommsen looks at the riskiest periods that both mutton and wool farmers have to contend with

A step-by-step guide to the process of artificial insemination

There are many benefits to using artificial insemination of a commercial or stud herd or flock, but the process is complicated and requires knowledge and practice

Leadership and vision ensure success for community company

Since 2000, the government has invested more than R74 million in the Blocuso community in the Northern Cape. Dirk Claassen, financial manager of the Blocuso company, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how the community has managed these funds to establish and run a thriving wine grape and raisin farm

Nampo 2023 wrap-up

From exciting new launches to plenty of boerekos, Nampo 2023 ended with a bang on 19 May. We take a look at some of the highlights of the 55th presentation of this much-loved agricultural show. Nampo is not only about business, with its huge number of exhibitors, but provides a great outing for the family

Cotton SA's new leadership to focus on expansion

The cotton industry in South Africa has gone through monumental changes over the past few decades. Witnessing these changes front and centre has been Cotton SA CEO Hennie Bruwer. Now retired, he spoke to Lindi Botha about the lessons learnt, while acting CEO Dr Annette Bennett shared the way forward

Why cholera continues to threaten many African countries

Samuel Kariuki, chief research scientist and director of the Centre for Microbiology Research at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, explains why the scourge of cholera is still prevalent across much of Africa

The Mitsubishi Triton prototype breaks cover

The Mitsubishi Triton Halo AT35 prototype has been extensively modified with an Arctic Trucks AT35 kit

How spacing affects cabbage head size and yield

Intra-row spacing in conjunction with variety will influence the health of the cabbage, its head size, and the overall yield

Growing lablab

This legume cover crop can handle high temperatures, and can be used to improve soil conditions and provide good grazing for ruminants

Raising gilts and sows: Part 1

The sow should farrow large, healthy litters, and have the genetic potential to improve the production characteristics of her progeny

Advice from a successful organic raisin producer

Gawie Steyn, an organic raisin producer of the Orange River Valley, has proved that organic production can be commercially viable. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his production practices

Succeeding with a big Simbra herd in the unforgiving Klipveld

Rocco Botha runs a commercial herd of Simbra cattle on North West's Klipveld, an aptly named area noted for its rocks and sourveld. Annelie Coleman spoke to him about his veld and animal management

An introduction to risk mitigation in farming: Part 1

Farmers face the most serious risks experienced in the total value chain of food production. In this first part of a new series, PJ Mommsen, a freelance strategist, looks at the less common of these risks

A huge agribusiness with solid family values

Despite having diversified into mining, construction, civil contracting, and heavy equipment hire, the ALS Group remains at heart a family farming business characterised by attention to detail, professionalism and integrity. Magda du Toit recently visited some of the agricultural and other business ventures in which the award-winning ALS Group is involved, and filed this report

Baboon bonds: how friendships make up for a bad start in life

Dr Elizabeth Lange, an assistant professor in biological science at the State University of New York Oswego, says that strong adult bonds may be a way to overcome childhood adversity, as seen in a recent study on wild baboons done in Kenya

How to boost food security in your community

Food prices in South Africa have soared in recent months, making it harder than ever to buy nutritious food for a family. Now is the time for communities to grow as much food as they can for themselves

How to manage a company and how not to

The governance and management crisis in our state-owned enterprises will eventually lead to their collapse, says Peter Hughes. But people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. How is your organisation doing?

Oilseed output set to grow 7% due to boost in soya bean production in South America

The US Department of Agriculture recently released its latest Global Oilseed Report, which predicts an increase in the production of soya bean, sunflower seed and canola

Demand for dairy set to decline as consumers remain under pressure

A recent report by the South African Milk Producers' Organisation paints a bleak picture for future demand for dairy and dairy products in South Africa over the short term

Moving to net zero: easier said than done

According to delegates at the International Juice Conference held in the Western Cape, there is growing concern over the sustainability of food production

European Commission under fire for 'restricting' Ukrainian grain

According to Politico, agriculture ministers from 12 EU countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Luxembourg, Estonia, Denmark and Slovenia, have raised concern over a recent compromise reached by Brussels and five Eastern members of the bloc to restrict imports of Ukrainian agricultural products