CATEGORIES

The Royal Drakensbergers Of Lesotho

Lesotho’s royal grazing land is remote and harsh, at an elevation of 2 275m and with temperatures sometimes dropping to -12°C. Despite these unforgiving conditions, the 580 Drakensberger cattle that run on this land thrive. Annelie Coleman spoke to Lesotho’s King Letsie III about this remarkable herd.

First-Time Baking: Polenta Cake With Orange Syrup

Demanding only the most basic kitchen skills, this delicious, classic polenta cake is the best way to start your personal experiments in baking.

Exhaust Gas Recycling

This technology lowers combustion temperature and thereby decreases fuel consumption. But it can cause engine problems.

Dealing With Spotted Wilt Virus

Growing Swiss Chard

Growing Swiss Chard

This vegetable has a place in every home garden, says vegetable specialist

Dealing With Downer Cows

With good preparation, this phenomenon can be prevented in communal areas

2020 & Beyond: A Vision For The SA Beef Industry

If South Africa’s beef industry wants to become a serious competitor on the world stage, it must replace exports of ‘cheap meat’ with higher-value cuts, says livestock genetics consultant, Dr Michael Bradfield. He spoke to Lloyd Phillips about the way forward for the industry.

Are South African Farms Over-Valued?

Farm values depend on multiple variables and the decision to invest in farmland is determined, in part, by the prevailing political and policy environment.

Are Rhinos Becoming Too Expensive To Keep?

It is becoming increasingly expensive for the majority of private and state-run parks in South Africa to protect their rhinos effectively from poaching, according to Anthony Minnaar, of the Department of Criminology and Security Science at the School of Criminal Justice, College of Law at the University of South Africa. He was speaking at the recent International Rural Crime Conference in Pretoria.The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly.

Agri SA: New President, New Energy, New Strategy

Free State farmer, Dan Kriek, was elected Agri SA’s new president during its congress in October. He spoke to Sabrina Dean about the association’s new strategy, and its vision to achieve ‘unity about agriculture’, a scenario in which all authorities agree on agriculture’s critical role.

Technology Without Tantrums

The latest tractor technology may be complex, but it’s remarkably easy to operate, says Joe Spencer.

Bringing Your Puppy Home

A badly brought-up dog can end up dysfunctional and even a threat to people. Ensure that your puppy is securely housed and properly socialised from the start, urges Shane Brody.

Bacterial Disease Control

Bacterial Disease Control

The Basics Of Subdividing: Part 1

The assistance of a land surveyor is key to ensuring lawful procedure. Altus Strydom, chairperson of the South African Geomatics Institute, spoke to Gerhard Uys.

Townie - Some Good News Would Be Nice

Eskom CEO Phakamani Hadebe recently promised that there would be no load-shedding this winter.

Using Nitrogen Smartly: Part 2

Using Nitrogen Smartly: Part 2

Only Private Sector Can Boost Rural Development

While rural development is supposed to be a key focus of the South African government, the state is failing in this obligation. Veteran rural development expert Jimmy Lonsdale believes the private sector should take over this responsibility to ensure that meaningful rural development is achieved as soon as possible.

Saving The Cape Vulture

Saving The Cape Vulture

Lightning Strikes And Heatwaves

Lightning Strikes And Heatwaves

Dealing With Powdery Mildew

Dealing With Powdery Mildew

On Political And Climate Change

It’s difficult, even near impossible, to run a farm without power.

TB Control Needs Farmers' Help

24years agoTuberculosis remains a serious illness in South Africa, and farmers can help with the control and eventual eradication of this disease by ensuring their workers are regularly checked for symptoms.

Finding New Export Markets For SA Key To Sector's Survival

Maize exports were being hampered by South Africa’s lack of competitiveness on the international market, which was the result of the relatively high local price, according to Jannie de Villiers, Grain SA (GSA) CEO.

Improving Piglet Health The Natural Way

Improving Piglet Health The Natural Way

Threat Of Illicit Tobacco Trade

The tobacco value chain is facing disaster due to illicit trade. 

A Spread Of Innovations

An operator who wishes to spread two different types of fertiliser in one pass, but at different application rates, can now mount an Amazone ZA-V or ZA-TS spreader on the front linkage.

Australian Wild Rice Could Boost Global Food Security

Australian Wild Rice Could Boost Global Food Security

High Prices Help Producers Recover From The Drought

Increased red meat prices during 2017 had a positive impact on the bank balances of producers still recovering from the devastating three-year drought in South Africa’s summer rainfall areas until mid-2016, according to Hendrik Botha, chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal chapter of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (KZN RPO).

Stronger Rand No Threat For Wool Industry, Says Global Broker

Wool farmers are concerned that a strengthening rand could negatively affect the market but international wool broker Segard Masurel says that, in rand terms, SA wool should be able to sustain the high price levels for the first quarter of the year.

The Basics Of Growing Lemon Grass

Lemon grass requires year-round rainfall of between 700mm and 3 000mm annually. The most popular production areas are in the lowveld of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.