CATEGORIES

New Guinea – Garden Of Eden

The ceremonial use of animal skins and bird feathers in Papua New Guinea threatened the indigenous wildlife, according to this article by Vincent Wager.

Know Your Invasive Species

This issue looks at the blue-leaf cactus, the bramble, and other alien plant species that require eradication.

Well-Managed Soil: The Key To High-Yielding Gold Kiwifruit

Production of the long-term, high-yielding and high-value gold kiwifruit is still in its infancy in South Africa. An important lesson learned by local pioneering grower Peter Nicholson is to have healthy soils for strong vine growth and fruit set. He shares his tips with Lloyd Phillips.

New Regulations A Headache For Fertiliser Industry

A proposed new Fertilizer Bill will, if implemented, affect the fertiliser and related industries in several ways, including adding to the administrative burden of the registration of product. Increased regulation may also result in fertiliser cost increases. Theo Boshoff and Ingrid Boshoff outline their concerns.

Farmworker's Son Becomes Brangus Stud Breeder

Nkosemntu Nika, who farms in the Winterberg near Tarkastad in the Eastern Cape, is the first black Eastern Cape farmer to become a Brangus stud breeder. Mike Burgess spoke to him about his journey from farmworker’s son to the sale of his first ZK Brangus stud bull for R50 000 at the 2018 East Cape Brangus Sale.

Hampshire – Producer Of Super Crossbred Lambs

21 YEARS AGO According to this article, the Hampshire Down breed’s most important economic attributes are its outstanding hindquarters and rapid growth to maturity.

Nutrients For Watermelons

Many farmers ask for a fertiliser programme for each crop. As I’ve said before, this is an unrealistic request, as the organic and mineral content, texture and structure of soil varies from land to land. A soil analysis is the only way to determine fertiliser requirements.

Making A Difference, One Hoof At A Time

The Highveld Horse Care Unit cares for neglected equines. Farryn Day of the unit says that a lack of education is the main reason for the mistreatment of these animals. Janine Ryan reports.

Rhino Poaching: Meet Its Human Victims

In a candid and sometimes emotional interview, Dr Dave Cooper, an award-winning wildlife veterinarian with Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, reveals the toll that the rhino poaching scourge is taking on him and his colleagues.

How To Reduce Tortoise Electrocution Mortalities

Thousands of tortoises are inadvertently killed by electric fences in South Africa each year. Yet there are simple, practical steps that farmers can take to stop this. Dr Luke Arnot of the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science, and Steven Molteno of the global network, Local Governments for Sustainability, explain the extent of the problem, and provide solutions.

On Fixing The Country And My Bakkie

Jacob Zuma is no longer president. He can return to his Nkandla palace and contemplate his future and freedom.

Beat The Winter With Radish

Japanese radish serves as an excellent addition to fodder for livestock, and decreases a producer’s input costs.

Emerging Farmers Gain Access To Finance And Opportunities

North West government has established a fund to help bring black producers into the mainstream of agriculture and to develop projects.

Why SA Leads The World In Effective Lucerne Hay Grading

Lucerne is one of the most important hay crops in South Africa, but differences in quality can have a marked effect on livestock performance and profitability, especially in the dairy industry. Annelie Coleman asked agricultural economist Walter van Niekerk and lucerne specialist Dr Gerrie Scholtz about the benefits of the National Lucerne Trust’s lucerne grading system.

Is Winter Just Around The Corner?

I never thought I would be saying this: “Please, mister weather forecaster, predict a respite in our rainy weather!”

Breed With A Future

The Afrino sheep breed is known for its exceptional grazing ability and fertility, and according to Gray King, a breeder in Bedford, will become much better known and more popular in the future.

Poultry Sector Challenges Highlighted In Parliament

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) recently acknowledged its inability to adequately monitor product quality, which resulted in South African food products not being able to adhere to regulations and standards set by the EU.

Catching A Tan

Daughter Dear’s visit to us so nearly had to be postponed when the ‘Beast from the East’, the recent snowstorms and bitterly cold weather across Europe, attacked Ireland, causing disruption to flight departures. If her bookings had been delayed a day later, her visit would have had to be halted indefinitely.

A Missile On A Mission

This year’s South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race was a great event for SA fanciers

Rough Idling: Causes & Corrections

An engine can idle roughly for one of several reasons. Jake Venter takes a closer look at these problems, and how to solve them.

Looking Back, And To The Future

In-cab, on-the-move adjustments to equipment, row-sensing capability, robotic weeders and sprayers … the last decade has seen these and more move from prototypes to commercially available products. US experts look ahead at the next batch of developments.

Irrigation: A Farmer Learns His Lesson

In last week’s article, I discussed the benefits of irrigation geared for better carrot production. This week, I describe a case where a farmer did not buy into the idea.

The Basics Of Maize

Also known as corn, maize was first domesticated in southern Mexico nearly 10 000 years ago. Many varieties have been bred to suit a range of conditions.

Why Plenty Of Food Means Plenty Of Conflict

A large body of literature claims that where there is a lack of food, conflict is bound to increase as people battle over limited resources. However, researcher Ore Koren suggests quite the opposite, saying that conflict is likely to increase when food sources are abundant.

Producers Urged To Remain Vigilant During Winter

Dr Faffa Malan and Dr Frans Jooste advise livestock and small-stock producers not to neglect animal health during the winter months. Sabrina Dean reports.

First-Ever Rural Crime Conference To Be Held In South Africa

First-Ever Rural Crime Conference To Be Held In South Africa

Cape Forestry Seeks Government Help With Fire-Damaged Plantations

Commercial forestry operations in the Southern Cape region, which had experienced extensive damage from wildfires that rampaged across rural and urban landscapes in June, have pleaded for government assistance with the felling, harvesting and processing of salvageable trees. Failure to speedily undertake these tasks could result in thousands of job losses in South Africa’s forestry value chain. Lloyd Phillips investigates.

The Right Insurance Products Can Secure Peace Of Mind

Weighing up the pros and cons of the insurance products available to SA farmers can be tricky, but expert advice is available.

Growing Unstaked Tomatoes

Growing Unstaked Tomatoes

Industries Rally As Global Trade Wars Create Uncertainty

As a major fruit exporter, South Africa relies on favourable trade agreements and market access to keep the industry profitable and sustainable. Stephanie van der Walt, general manager of Agbiz’s Fruit Desk, spoke to Lindi Botha about the challenges in the global trade environment.