CATEGORIES

Agripreneur wins top award for butternut coffee

Bloemfontein-based agripreneur Chantelle de Bruyn has achieved global recognition.

Final fresh produce inquiry pins low level of transformation on farming environment

The Competition Commission released its final report on the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry in mid-January, maintaining that transformation in the industry was being impeded by a lack of support for emerging farmers.

Illegal fishing in Australia reveals market gap for farmed sea cucumber

Illegal fishing practices in Australia have revealed a large market opportunity for sea cucumber farming.

An introduction to the Ford Ranger Tremor

In December 2024, the CAR magazine team received the Ford Ranger Tremor to accompany them through the festive season and into the new year. Oliver Keohane looks at what the Tremor is all about.

A farmer's experience with bush encroachment

Farmer David Addenbrooke has worked in the Zimbabwean beef industry for around four decades. Here, he relates his experience with bush encroachment and offers farmers some advice on battling this scourge.

Good rains boost SA's summer grain crop prospects

This week, Absa AgriBusiness analyses several market dynamics and shares its expectations for local grain and oilseed prices over the coming months.

A self-help tool for getting young people engaged in agriculture

The active engagement of the youth in agriculture is pivotal to the sustainability and growth of the sector. Empowering them with the necessary support is key to nurturing future farmers who are equipped to overcome future challenges like the effects of climate change.Dr Primrose Madende, researcher at the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State

Rallying to the cackle of this raucous bird

The gregarious and territorial Green Wood-hoopoe, also known as the Red-billed Wood-hoopoe, is extremely vocal and is often heard before it is seen. And for very good reason,

SA coffee lovers can expect price increase

South African coffee prices are expected to spike sharply in the foreseeable future because of failed crops in the country’s main importing countries: Brazil and Vietnam.

Paving the way for a greener dairy industry

The dairy industry is often criticised for its environmental impact, but a new innovation called DESTiny aims to empower farmers to take control of their carbon footprints. Riana Reinecke, the tool's developer, explained to Glenneis Kriel how it works and how farmers can benefit from it.

A different seedling tray for each specific purpose

Bill Kerr explains the different types of seedling trays available to vegetable producers. They vary in type of material and shape of cavities.

Production principles for hatchery success

The hatchery is the foundation of a fish farm. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, says that by following his six hatchery principles, farmers can set a trajectory for success in the grow-out phase.

veggie Award-winning farmer: don't be afraid to ask for advice!

Vegetable farmer Sophy Litshani Musabeni doesn't miss an opportunity to broaden her knowledge on agriculture. Doing her own research and speaking to those in the know, she has catapulted herself from a small-scale emerging farmer to a commercial success in just seven years.

Laying the foundation: important insights= for emerging farmers.

Farming requires patience, resilience, and strategic planning. Speaking to Octavia Avesca Spandiel, Duncan Serapelwane, owner of Moalosi Bonsmara, shares essential advice for emerging farmers, focusing on sustainability, budgeting, biosecurity, and leveraging nature for long-term success.

The opportunities for South Africa in the G20 year

The year 2025 is going to be very different from what we experienced in 2024.

Upcycling sugar cane trash: the role of small-scale farmers

Involving small-scale farmers in the conversion of sugar cane trash to bioenergy has many benefits, write Prof Aluwani Maiwashe-Tagwi and postdoctoral fellow Unity Chipfupa, from the University of South Africa.

Free fertiliser for all crops

This article showed that South African researchers were tracking bacteria that could help maize and other non-legumes bind nitrogen from the air.

New farmers' seedling pitfalls

Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead

South African avocado production: a success story

Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.

Unlocking value through livestock exports

Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.

An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment

For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.

Empowering dreams, transforming lives

Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.

Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal

South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities

The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture

While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation

Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling

Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.

Tips for better olive production

At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.

More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah

On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.

Farmer protests in Europe

Throughout 2024, farmers have continuously staged protests against their governments in the EU. Most of these protests were in response to farmers feeling targeted by government climate-change policies and legislation.

Global agriculture: news that made the headlines

Farmer protests, droughts and floods dominated international agricultural news throughout 2024. Here, Janine Ryan gives an overview of these challenges.

Something to scratch a head about

This article showed that if you interact with your pigs, your sows will be happy and their piglets will have better growth.