CATEGORIES

Drakensberger: made in SA for our farmers!

The Drakensberger evolved in Southern Africa centuries ago, and is thus superbly adapted to the region’s harsh and highly varied climate and veld. This explains why the breed thrives under extensive production, Jean van der Merwe, president of the Drakensberger Breeders’ Society of South Africa, told Glenneis Kriel.

The trends driving global tea production

Innovation and premium brands characterise the tea market, which is attracting a growing number of young buyers, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Morocco's drive to increase citrus production

Citrus is a major exportable commodity for Morocco, and that country's government has aimed various initiatives at improving its production of this fruit.

Mobilise your allies beneath the soil surface!

The return on investment for conventional farms has declined by an average of 1,4% per year in real terms since 1986. But every farmer has a microbe army that can fight back against this trend. Susan Marais found out more at a recent regenerative conservation agriculture farmers' day in Mpumalanga.

Weathering the storm in the fruit industry

For South African fruit farmers, 2022 has already been described as one of the most challenging years on record. Leonard Droomer, who produces stone fruit and wine grapes in the Western Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how his farm is managing the situation.

The MF 9300: a serious sprayer at an affordable price

Volksrust farmer Japie Landman was looking for a no-frills yet high-quality sprayer. The latest MF 9300 has more than satisfied his requirements.

Facing reality can prevent a nightmare scenario

Neglect succession planning for your family farm, and you could leave your loved ones with a financial and emotional disaster, says Trevor Dickinson. Carry it out properly, and you'll earn their lasting respect.

Stunning mountain views in Pringle Bay

Pringle Bay delivers the full rural and close-to-nature experience with the benefit of fine delis and eateries, as well as the proximity of many attractions along the Overstrand, says Brian Berkman.

Mineral deficiencies in tomatoes

Even if you start off by applying nutrients according to a soil analysis, there is no guarantee that deficiencies of certain elements will not manifest later. Bill Kerr offers advice on spotting and treating common deficiencies.

Listening to your horse's gut

A veterinary examination of a horse should always include listening to its intestinal sounds. However, the owner can do this too, says Dr Mac.

Saving by scanning

There are more advantages to using an ultrasound scanner on sheep than simply saving money, as this article showed.

Taking care of tomatoes after transplanting

You can save money by scouting your tomatoes regularly and catching diseases and pests such as African bollworm early, before they establish a bridgehead in your crop

Grapefruit: the basics

A subtropical citrus fruit, grapefruit requires relatively warm and well-watered conditions. In South Africa, it is grown mostly in Limpopo and Mpumalanga and the bulk of the fruit is exported.

INDIGENOUS MEDICINE - Growing hoodia (ghaap)

In traditional medicine, this plant is used for the treatment of heart disease and diabetes, as a thirst quencher, a mood enhancer, a cure for severe abdominal cramps, stomach ache, indigestion and hypertension.

Sustainable farming plus technology win the day!

Mahela Group is a third-generation farming business in Limpopo. Eddie Vorster, director of the company's citrus division, spoke to Magda du Toit about the strategies and farming practices they follow to achieve their considerable success.

Great pork, good profits - thanks to top genetics

Growing demand for lean pork and a more muscled carcass, plus the need to run an efficient, productive operation, have put ever-greater pressure on pig farmers. Superior genetics remain the surest route to success. Lindi Botha reports on how the Benson piggery in KwaZulu-Natal has progressed in this respect.

The fascinating history of the Drakensberger

The Drakensberger has a centuries-old history, and was initially bred for pulling wagons and ploughs. However, it has since evolved into an efficient meat-producing animal.

Pollination's bitter truth

With bees pollinating approximately one-third of the world's crops, commercial pollination services are a crucial and sought-after resource for many farmers. However, unscrupulous industry players are doing more harm than good, exacerbating the problem of dwindling bee populations.

What is the role of financial institutions in sustainable agriculture?

Given the complexities facing the agriculture sector, it seems that the road ahead will be impossible to navigate without both the financial support and expertise of banking institutions and financiers

Keeping tomatoes off the ground

If a tomato plant's foliage or fruit make contact with moist soil, the plant will become diseased. That's why they are usually staked, says Bill Kerr.

Growing wild rosemary

Wild rosemary is indigenous to South Africa. It's very pretty, generally easy to grow, and valued for its flavour and fragrance.

Sisal: a truly local crop

The term 'sisal' may refer either to the plant's common name or the fibre produced, depending on the context.

Brafords: the best of two breeds

The Braford was developed with improved efficiency and meat quality in mind. Today, the breed thrives on the veld and in feedlots. It is also renowned for its early maturity.

Mauritius: paradise is better than ever!

Whether for adults only or families travelling together, Brian Berkman finds Mauritius the perfect holiday destination. It offers luxury hotels, great food and exciting activities, and is just a short flight from South Africa.

How the fiery Grietjie Badenhorst defeated an English general

Margaret Badenhorst of Colesberg in the Northern Cape was a tough lady. She wasn’t the least bit intimidated by John Denton Pinkstone French, 1st Earl of Ypres, when he served as a British army general stationed in her town during the Anglo-Boer War. One of Badenhorst’s direct descendants, Pieter Badenhorst, told Annelie Coleman the tale of this formidable great-great-great-grandmother of his.

How to control powdery mildew in vineyards

When it comes to managing powdery mildew in grape orchards, prevention is better than cure, and the key lies in taking action early in the season. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Monitor your dairy farm's emission rates online!

Milk producers face a multitude of challenges, with low profits and strict biosecurity demands high on the list. In addition, the industry is often lambasted for its perceived contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, despite efforts to mitigate these. Researcher Riana Reinecke now offers dairy farmers a tool to help them measure, and demonstrate, the effects of any regenerative conservation methods they introduce. Susan Marais reports.

The problem with inflation

Jannie Rossouw, visiting professor at Wits Business School at the University of the Witwatersrand, writes that sustained price increases erode consumers' spending power.

Brafords breed abundance

What do you get when you cross a Brahman with a Hereford? You get the Braford: a fertile animal with amazing mothering abilities that has a long life expectancy and produces a carcass that can be compared with South Africa’s best. Susan Marais travelled to Bethal in Mpumalanga to learn more about this exceptional breed from Gert van der Merwe and Johan de Jager, owners of the Bonheur Brafords stud.

Farming Simulator game adds Kubota to its fleet

The popular virtual farming game Farming Simulator has added a range of realistically depicted Kubota machinery to its ever-expanding fleet of agricultural machinery.