CATEGORIES

Is SA's rural economy on the road to ruin?

Dilapidated country roads are a direct threat to South Africa's agricultural and rural economies, yet farmers and communities have largely encountered a wall of indifference from government. In an attempt to be heard, Agri SA and its affiliates conducted a countrywide survey amongst 311 primary production units, many of which expressed frustration over the authorities' lack of action. Susan Marais reports.

Guidelines for recording accurate and reliable BLUP breeding values

Frans Jordaan and Dr Ben Greyling of the Agricultural Research Council provide recommendations to help breeders apply good management and recording practices that can optimise their herds' genetic evaluations.

Fertilising tomatoes

Tomatoes are an expensive crop to grow, so it makes sense to fertilise them according to a soil analysis. The cost of the analysis is negligible compared with the benefits, says Bill Kerr.

Breeding for conformation

Conformation is essential when breeding horses for a specific purpose, says Dr Mac. As conformation is achieved mostly through genetic means, breeders need to choose dams and sires with care.

Braford: a superior yet affordable breed

Braford cattle are fairly new to South Africa, yet already outperform some other breeds in terms of beef quality, feed conversion, maternal qualities and adaptability. Jan Meaker, president of the Braford Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this breed's growing popularity.

Beneficial bacteria bring 98% packout for Brassica farm

They are notoriously tricky crops to grow in summer, but broccoli and cauliflower flourish on Southern Block farm in KwaZulu-Natal. By focusing on optimal soil and vigorous plants, this farm uses minimal chemical inputs. Lindi Botha spoke to the team about their winning recipe.

'Respect people' - A top farmer's winning formula

The Agricultural Writers SA Farmer of the Year for 2021, Jan le Roux, has earned himself a reputation among his staff as a perfectionist and a stickler for detail. At the same time, he believes in giving as much responsibility as possible to his 6 000 workers in order to promote empowerment. Lindi Botha visited the Le Roux Group's operation in the Western Cape to learn more about Le Roux's methods for developing an efficient workforce.

An innovative new harvesting tool

Enter the PickLogger, a new harvesting tool developed by Agri Technovation, that allows for more accurate yield management.

US cuts red tape to increase food production and fill Ukraine gap

The US government has announced a variety of measures to encourage farmers to introduce double-cropping on their farms.

The unique pollination strategies of plants ensure their survival

South Africa is filled with an array of remarkable plant species. Landscape designer Leon Kluge spoke to Magda du Toit about this mysterious world of flora and the tricks they have developed to attract pollinators in order to survive.

Understanding a tomato seedling's instincts

Plants are programmed to fight for survival in the competition for nutrients and light. To get the best fruit out of a tomato plant, for example, you have to fool it

Thriftiness pays in cattle ranching

This article revealed some of the production secrets of one of South Africa's original Beefmaster herds.

Russia-Ukraine war continues to wreak havoc on global markets

AGRIBUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

Smith Power's new four-meter disc mower

In early 2022, Smith Power Equipment introduced the Kubota DMC8540R, the widest disc mower with conditioner in its portfolio.

Seizing the opportunity in SA's seed market

Despite South Africa's economy and infrastructure being under severe stress, global agtech company Syngenta is investing in the country's seed market. Gaël Hili, Syngenta's regional director for Europe, Africa and Middle East Seeds, spoke to Susan Marais about the potential that South African agriculture holds.

SA citrus exported through Maputo port again

The Port of Maputo has the capacity to load 300 containers a week.

Micro-cloning powers SA avocado production

Allesbeste Nursery, established in the 1980s, has been expanded many times. Yet the end is still not in sight, according to Zander Ernst, the company's director of marketing and production. Magda du Toit asked him about the history of Allesbeste and its pioneering efforts to improve South Africa's avocado production.

FMD is not going away

Foot-and-mouth disease is costing the South African livestock industry billions of rands. Unfortunately, the disease will endure, and a national traceability system is the only solution to the problem.

Danie Theron: fearless fighter, bold leader

An impressive 25m-high monument near Fochville in Gauteng commemorates the bravery and death of one of the most respected Boer fighters of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), writes Mike Burgess.

Legal and regulatory policies impeding agri financing in Africa

AGRI-FINANCE

How new farmers can get the funds they need

Stellenbosch University academics Nick Vink and Johann Kirsten emphasise the importance of subsidies for developing farmers, and suggest a workable subsidy programme to allow for this.

First-aid basics for small-scale poultry farmers

Commercial poultry producers have their own vets on call, but it's not always easy for small-scale farmers to reach a vet in an emergency. In the final segment in our series on livestock first aid, Prof Cheryl McCrindle looks at fundamental healthcare for chickens.

Farming tips for winter

Many communal farmer households run cattle and have fruit trees to provide fresh produce for the family or as a business initiative. In winter, you need to pay special attention to both animals and plants

Dealing with strikes and violence: the toughest job of all

When facing labour unrest, you have to manage the situation carefully. This can be extremely difficult, which is why it's so important to get professional help to manage the situation

A Look at Alternative Food Sources

In a new report, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations looks at alternative food options that could be used to feed the world’s growing population. However, as the report shows, not all of these options are feasible yet, and steps for safety assessment regarding human consumption might be required.

'Agriculture Is a Journey, Not a Race'

Achmad Brinkhuis was named the Agricultural Writers SA's New Entrant for Farming in 2021. He spoke to Lindi Botha about his egg and vegetable operation, and the challenges and opportunities facing his business.

Read this before growing tomatoes

Tomato production can be highly profitable, but you need to choose your tomato type and cultivar with care, says Bill Kerr.

Moving South Africa's apple industry forward

Cape Sweet Nursery is revolutionising the production of apple plant material on dwarfing rootstocks. Farmer Retief du Toit and ZZ2 production manager Hendrik Pohl spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their work.

Tips for small-scale poultry producers

Gladys 'Nana' Towbola of Peezel Farms not only farms broilers and layers, but is passionate about uplifting other small-scale growers through regular workshops. She spoke to Susan Marais about what it takes to start and run a small poultry farm.

Hertzogville Show 2022

The Hertzogville Show was held on 11 and 12 March. There were six cattle breeds and 145 cattle on show, and champions were crowned in each category.