CATEGORIES

Urgent fixes needed for global food systems

In this article, Stuart Gillespie, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute, writes that the coronavirus disease pandemic presents a huge challenge for food systems, as well as exposing the inequitable way in which these systems operate.

Latest Technology Improves Macadamia Quality Output

Achieving the near impossible, Dian Pretorius reduced unsound kernel recovery in his macadamia crop from 6% to 1,7% over just one season, adding R1,7 million to his profit in the process. He spoke to Lindi Botha about the technology that helped him achieve this improvement.

How Agricultural Economics Keeps Up With The Times

The evolution of agricultural production and value chains requires that agricultural economics adapts quickly to remain relevent and helpful. Prof Theo Kleynhans, head of Stellenbosch University’s Department of Agricultural Economics, spoke to Lloyd Phillips.

Why Kenya Has Banned The Slaughter Of Donkeys

Kenya legalised the trade in donkey meat and hides in 2012. But according to Monicah Maichomo, director of the Veterinary Sciences Research Institute at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, the country has subsequently decided to ban the commercial slaughter of donkeys. This was after a report published in 2019 warned that the rise of donkey abattoirs in Kenya could wipe out the entire population of these animals in the country by 2023.

John Deere Joins The Fight Against Covid-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of John Deere engineers have expanded their search for innovation from making farmers more productive to keeping employees safe. Denene Erasmus reports.

When performance fails to live up to breeding values

Discrepancies between estimated breeding values and livestock performance have led some farmers to doubt the accuracy of these values. They are, in fact, excellent indicators, but animals may not be able to reach their genetic potential.

Rebuilding a livestock enterprise after a drought

In this article, Dr Louis du Pisani, national manager for production advice and development at the National Wool Growers’ Association, explains how to carry out post-drought recovery and reconstruction of a livestock enterprise to achieve optimal, lasting results.

Mildew: a major threat to lettuce

In general, the most common lettuce disease that growers have to contend with is downy mildew.

Breeding a resistant and resilient Sussex stud herd

John Viedge of the Lehana’s Pass Sussex Stud has been breeding cattle that survive in some of the harshest redwater disease areas in South Africa. Wayne Southwood spoke to him about how he manages animal health, breeding and selection in his resilient Sussex stud.

A New, Post-Pandemic Equilibrium For Agriculture

Due to agriculture being declared an essential service during the COVID-19 outbreak, it should not suffer the same level of trade disruptions as other sectors. However, according to Dr Sifiso Ntombela, chief economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council, the impact of the pandemic will be exacerbated by the fact that agricullture was already posting negative growth before the outbreak.

The future of pig genetics

Pork producers can look forward to even greater production efficiency, thanks to improved genetics. Jurgens Reynders of DanBred Africa spoke to Glennis Kriel about these gains.

Blowfly breakthrough

39YEARS AGO The blowfly menace was deemed “about to reach a new watershed,” thanks to the release of two new pesticides:

Kwaaihoek's True Cross

In 1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias erected a stone cross on the Eastern Cape coast. Within decades, it had disappeared and even its location was lost. In the 20th century, thanks to the determination of a dedicated historian, the cross, by then in thousands of fragments, was recovered and lovingly reconstructed,

A tractor for every application

Case IH introduced its brand-new, multipurpose JXE-Series tractors, suited for work in orchards and fields, at the Izmir AgroExpo 2020 in Turkey in February.

New Russian wheat aphid biotype highlights growing resistance concerns

Russian wheat aphid is showing increased cultivar and pesticide resistance, according to entomologist Dr. Astrid Jankielsohn of the Agricultural Research Council. She has identified a new biotype, bringing to five the Russian wheat aphid biotype highlights growing resistance concerns number seen in South Africa. Sabrina Dean reports.

Community farm's drive and discipline rewarded at last

Having suffered several setbacks in their efforts to make their agribusiness profitable, a group of hard-working land reform beneficiaries in KwaZulu-Natal at last got the help they needed from an agricultural transformation organisation. Lloyd Phillips reports on the Gugulethu community.

TECHNOLOGY AND ANIMAL WELFARE IMPROVE PIGGERY PROFITS

Pig stud breeder and farmer CP Kriek is convinced that contented pigs are more productive. For this reason, he has brought his operation, Taaibosch Piggery, in line with European standards of group housing. Coupled with the latest technology, this has resulted in increased production and higher profits. Kriek explained his system and management approach to Lindi Botha.

Water stress in lettuce

As a fast-growing crop with shallow roots, lettuce is susceptible to stress, which often shows up as angular midribs on the outer leaves, rather like elbows.

Profit From Responsible Water Use

Variable rate irrigation has demonstrated water-use savings of up to 30%. At the same time, production costs are reduced and profitability increases, says Stehan Cloete.

Is Data The New Soil In Agri?

With today’s rapidly evolving digital technology, farmers have many options, but at a high cost. Discerning between the hype and the useful is therefore crucial to buying the right tools to increase profit. Digital and technology experts Rudie Raath and Stehan Cloete spoke to Lindi Botha.

An App For Every Farming Task

Mobile applications make life more convenient for farmers while enabling them to be more productive. Glenneis Kriel reports on a number of apps that are changing the way farms are run.

Agri Jobs: Why We Need To Be Practical

A lack of experience prevents many qualified young people from finding their first jobs in agriculture. Recruitment specialist Marianne van der Laarse explained the situation to Glenneis Kriel and called for internships and more practical exposure for students.

The convoy that saved Malta

Vice Admiral Edward Syfret’s superb planning and leadership qualities helped save the small but strategically crucial island of Malta during the Second World War, writes Graham Jooste.

NEW IRRIGATION SYSTEMS: making do with less

With dwindling water supplies and a greater emphasis on efficient use of resources, irrigation technology is evolving to make do with less. While the initial capital costs of the latest equipment and software may be high, its increased efficiency, higher yield and reduced water usage cannot be beaten. Lindi Botha spoke to experts about the latest advances in irrigation.

Kyalami '70

It is said that in boxing, one cannot make a successful comeback.

Constitutional amendment won't address poverty issues

Prof Ruth Hall of the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies at UWC says that the call to change Section 25 of the Constitution in an effort to allow for expropriation without compensation will not secure equitable access to land for all South Africans.

Diversification: An Essential Approach In A Tough Economy

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket; if you fall, you run the risk of not having breakfast. Farmers should spread their risk by adding a second component to an existing farming operation, or even by investing in industries unrelated to agriculture, says Dawie Maree, head of information and marketing at FNB Agriculture.

Coronavirus In Horses

While coronavirus in horses has not been seen in South Africa, there have been reported cases in other parts of the world

Unlocking the potential of the Merino Landsheep

The Merino Landsheep is rapidly gaining popularity in South Africa due to the breed’s impressive performance in the feedlot as well as its value as a dual-purpose meat and wool sheep. Merino Landsheep stud breeder Ben du Plessis spoke to Annelie Coleman.

Township vegetable garden empowers women

The Siyazama Community Garden in Khayelitsha has changed the lives of a group of women in the township. During a media tour to the garden hosted by Coronation Fund Managers, two of the farmers, Nokwanda Nkqayi and Liziwe Stofile, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about their organic farming practices and the impact that the garden has had on their lives.