CATEGORIES

Farmer Development Based On Solid Plans

In 2019, professional services company Optimal Agricultural Business Systems (OABS) launched its Integrated Farmer Development Programme to facilitate sustainable transformation in agriculture. Daan Louw, chairperson of OABS, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the programme.

Lack Of Transformation Bedevils Agriculture

In this first instalment of a new monthly column, agricultural economist Dr Sifiso Ntombela discusses the lack of transformation in South Africa’s farming sector.

Crop Sprayers, Big And Small

Even though most major agricultural shows have been cancelled for 2020, equipment manufacturers are forging ahead, bringing farmers improved machinery and technology solutions. Denene Erasmus looks at some of the latest releases in crop spraying technology, from large, self-propelled sprayers to small, backpack models.

NAMPO VIRTUAL: The show goes online

Nampo Harvest Day has become a staple on the South African agricultural calendar. And while COVID-19 means that the physical event cannot continue, the show goes on.

Keeping rhythm

A well-balanced horse and rider will move rhythmically at all paces in all disciplines, says Dr Mac.

Mycorrhiza: The Symbiotic Relationship In Soil That Promotes Plant Health

Healthy soil is essential for profitable and sustainable crop production. And a key component of healthy soil is mycorrhizae, root-colonising fungi that send out filaments into the soil to increase plant nutrient uptake. Regenerative agriculture experts Gary Farr and Lindy Anderson explained this amazing symbiotic system to Lloyd Phillips.

Bread - Nutella & Chocolate Babka

Babka is a sweet Jewish bread that originated in Eastern Europe. While traditional babka calls for a cinnamon and jam filling, this version, submitted by Janine Ryan, uses the chocolate and hazelnut spread Nutella, and chocolate chips.

The Quest For Healthy Farming Systems

Changing to a healthier production system may pose new challenges, but is worthwhile in the long run. Glenneis Kriel spoke to a number of influencers and pioneers about making the switch.

Healthy Yields Start With Healthy Soil And Roots

Biodiverse, nutrient-rich soil is the basis of consistently good harvests. Madumbi, a South African distributor of proven bioproducts, helps farmers build up and maintain optimal soil conditions.

Widespread relief as ban on tobacco sales is lifted

South African tobacco producers, who have suffered greatly since the ban on tobacco products was announced in March, have expressed relief about the lifting of the ban. Annelie Coleman reports.

What SA farmers can learn from Kenya's smallholders

Prof Cyril Nhlanhla Mbatha, director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research at Rhodes University, writes that by embracing digital solutions, like those used by farmers in Kenya, South African small-scale farmers can achieve greater market access and be better prepared to weather disruptions.

Sowing the seeds for the future

The South African National Seed Organisation is determined to build capacity in the seed industry to ensure that its members acquire the best talent to take the industry forward.

LAND REFORM: lack of government support at the root of community's struggles

The Mswati Communal Property Association (CPA) in Mpumalanga was one of the earliest beneficiaries of the new South African government’s land reform programme. More than 20 years later, the community is still struggling to get the crucial support from the state that would enable them to grow their farming businesses, says CPA committee member Maria Magagula. She and her daughter, Sanet, spoke to Siyanda Sishuba.

Weighty matters

Technological advances are making it easier to weigh livestock and use this information to influence herd management decisions. Glenneis Kriel spoke to a number of experts about the advantages of weighing livestock regularly.

A revered modern saint

Elizabeth Paul was an Anglican preacher and healer whose ministry in the Eastern Cape drew large numbers of people. Today, 56 years after her death and seven years after she was canonised, pilgrims still visit her prayer room in Tsolo in the hope of blessing and healing, writes Mike Burgess.

Keeping Records Of Your Animals

Louis Steyl, CEO of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa, explains the basics of record-keeping, and offers a guideline on how farmers can implement record-keeping processes on their farms.

Farm Technology On Show At New York Art Museum

Big Agriculture, Big Energy and Big Data are on display at the Guggenheim’s ‘Countryside, The Future’ exhibition, which explores the evolution of food production, as well as profound changes in rural areas.

Finding A Niche Market For Flavoured Cheeses

Kasselshoop, a small cheese factory near Stilbaai in the Western Cape, is a success story that started with a family’s compassion towards fellow farmers in the area. Co-owner Liesel Kasselman spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about the cheese-making venture.

Covid-19 And Its Effect On Small Food Businesses

COVID-19 has hit small- and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa’s food sector hard. Andrew Bowman, a lecturer at the Centre of African Studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and Dr Reena das Nair, a senior researcher at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development at the University of Johannesburg, discuss some of the approaches that can be followed to better support these businesses.

SWITCH TO REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE

Regenerative agriculture is well researched and documented, but what actually happens on farm level might differ from results achieved during controlled trials. Stehan Cloete provides advice on how to address these challenges and introduce regenerative practices while remaining profitable.

Performance recording in small stock

It takes discipline and effort to record flock parameters, but the data is invaluable in the long run.

‘To profit from pigs, aim for efficiency and quality'

Award-winning piggery owner Khulile Mahlalela says that to maximise profits, a farmer must get the pigs market-ready as rapidly as possible, and produce a low-fat carcass with tender meat. Siyanda Sishuba reports.

Beware of pathogens and pests

As seedlings are the start of the new crop, you need to take every precaution to ensure the plants remain free of pests and diseases. These will not only compromise the seedlings but cause an outbreak after transplanting.

Ensuring Food Safety In A Family-Run Cheesery

South Africa’s deadly listeriosis outbreak in 2018 showed how a food brand could suffer devastating consequences from shortcomings in its food safety system. The Gourmet Greek, a dairy business in KwaZulu-Natal, is taking no chances in this regard. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Debate On Live Sheep Exports From South Africa Intensifies

Agricultural organisations in favour of live sheep exports by sea have welcomed the recent all-clear verdict of veterinary health experts on Kuwaiti export company Al Mawashi’s premises in the Eastern Cape. Meanwhile, as the controversy surrounding these live exports rages on, more organisations are expressing their opposition to the practice. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Backyard Broilers: Working Towards A Large-Scale Business

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and Emmanuel Gumede has taken this proverb to heart in his dream to one day own and operate a large-scale broiler farming operation. He shared his experiences as a fledgling broiler grower with Lloyd Phillips.

How Omnia Turned The Tide

Diversified chemicals group Omnia Holdings has rebounded. Its results for the year ended 31 March 2020 showed an operating profit of R789 million, up from R24 million in 2019. Headline earnings per share were positive, net debt was down, and R2,2 billion in cash was generated. CEO Seelan Gobalsamy, who took office last year, spoke to Sabrina Dean.

Brinjals Bring Stability For Vegetable Producer

Any farmer will tell you that there is no such thing as a perfect crop, as each has its own challenges. From a production point of view, brinjals are as easy as they come, but limited demand puts a brake on large-scale production. Theuns Kotzee, a director of AAL Boerdery in Limpopo, explained to Lindi Botha how they manage this crop.

Minimum tillage for difficult sugar farms

55YEARS AGOFinding a way to work with your farm’s topography may be the difference between failure and success, as this farmer came to learn.

Performance recording in small stock: Part 2

Incorporating record-keeping in your flock management requires planning and dedication, but the benefits will prove invaluable.