CATEGORIES

Seed-eating Birds Survive In The Desert

52years ago A study conducted at the Transvaal Museum investigated the water economy of seedeating birds, and the remarkable ability of certain finches to live in the desert without water for long periods of time.

Thinning Out Fruit On Peppers

The subject of thinning fruit in a pepper crop has many facets. To start with, peppers come in various growth types and have different bearing habits, all of which influence pruning and fruit thinning.

Bridles: Ensuring The Right Fit

Horses are much used in South Africa. Equestrian disciplines are popular, and both horses and donkeys are still utilised as working animals on farms and in townships. Despite this, many horse owners are unaware of the importance of a properly fitted bridle. Vicki Sokolich, an equine complementary care expert, explains that a poorly fitting bridle can result in significant damage to the physiology of the animal. Janine Ryan reports.

Using Technology To Predict Australian Wheat Yield

Wheat yield in Australia can now be predicted accurately two months before the crop matures using machine-learning methods, according to researchers at the University of Illinois in the US.

The Science Of Producing Good Silage

Leading Boran stud breeder Hurwitz Farming in Mpumalanga operates a number of enterprises, the latest of which is a silage contracting business. Pieter Dempsey interviewed Jarren Hurwitz to find out more about the new technology in silage that makes their operation different.

Growing Good Carrots: Part 1

Carrots have been an important vegetable crop in South Africa since the days of early European settlement in the Cape. Today, they are grown countrywide, particularly near urban areas.

Linking Midlands Consumers With Wholesome Foods

Few consumers properly understand how food production works or have any emotional connection with farmers and farming. This is according to Lauren Murphy, who, through her Internet-based farm produce marketing company, is helping to narrow this gap while supplying tasty, nutritious food to her many loyal clients in KwaZulu-Natal. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Is The Agri Sector Focusing On The Wrong Kind Of Growth?

Dr Sifiso Ntombela, a trade economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council, argues that, contrary to some of the suggestions in the National Development Plan, the grain and livestock industries have greater potential than the horticultural industry to create better-paying jobs and alleviate poverty.

Indigenous Crossbreeding Improves Cows' Longevity

Cow longevity is crucial to optimal productivity in beef cattle production, says Anette Theunissen, an animal scientist based at the Vaalharts Research Station. Annelie Coleman reports.

Will Load-Shedding Affect Veggie Prices?

Vegetable prices remained fairly stable at the start of winter, but the risk of load-shedding during the colder months, as electricity usage increases, could have serious consequences for producers and consumers.

Attention To Detail Ensures High-quality Produce

While launching a new farming venture as a first-time farmer may seem daunting, Hannes Wolvaardt is proof that it can be done. He shared his tips on successful sweet pepper production in Limpopo with Lindi Botha.

Farming Valais Black Nose Sheep In New Zealand

On a small lifestyle farm near the rural town of Cambridge in New Zealand, Andrew and Leigh-Anne Peake are establishing the Valais Black Nose sheep as a new breed in the country. The couple have found the journey highly enjoyable, reports Gerhard Uys.

The Golden Cattle

According to Dr Wayne Durdle of Amersfoort in Mpumalanga, Gelbvieh cattle could play an important role in the national beef cattle herd due to the breed’s efficiency in difficult production conditions.

Feast Or Famine

The source of the deadly strain ST6 of listeriosis, which has infected nearly 1 000 people and caused more than 180 deaths in South Africa, has been identified at an Enterprise Foods factory in Polokwane.

Cushioned Overshoes For Horses

In the US, Soft-Ride boots are often used to make a horse more comfortable on a hard floor, such as in a stable or a horsebox. South African owners should consider using them too

Weed Control In Carrots

Successful carrot producers mechanise their operations to reduce labour to the minimum.

Thinking At Gunpoint: It's Time To Fast Track Land Reform

The expropriation without compensation resolution has polarised opinion. We need urgent, innovative solutions to land reform, and must deal with communal land ownership and title deeds, says Malapane Thamaga, an agricultural economist at the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa.

Keep That Fly At Bay

The common housefly remains a significant problem in South Africa.

Reap Returns On Investments By 'Farming The Markets'

‘Farming the markets’ originates from the analogy that exists between personal finance (investing) and farming. Brenthurst Wealth Management financial adviser, Richus Nel, looks at how managing personal finance and investing can be improved by thinking like a farmer.

Farming In Harmony With Mother Nature

Climate change and increased pressure on natural resources have necessitated the introduction of alternative farming practices.

Late Blight: Fungus In The Fast Lane

Unlike Alternaria as discussed last week, late blight (Phytophthora infestans) does not creep into a tomato crop.

'Knock, Knock.' 'Who's There?'

‘It’s me. Detonation. I’m here to wreck your engine.’ Seriously, though, detonation (also called knock) is no joke. Jake Venter explains why it can cause damage, and what is done to prevent it.

Caring For Brachycephalic Breeds

They’re friendly, loyal and feisty, and have become immensely popular as pets, but that cute ‘flat face’ could also cause severe health problems, warns Shane Brody.

Africa: A Continent Brimming With Business Opportunities

Thinking of doing business in Africa? Dr Rutendo Hwindingwi, also known as the ‘African Realist’, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about where the potential profits and pitfalls can be found.

Once-In-A-Lifetime Potato Planning

Potato production is a high-risk, high-reward industry. Farming seed potatoes is even more so. Sabrina Dean visited Gerhard Bruwer of Genade Boerdery in the Northern Cape to find out more about this component of the family farming operation.

Scaling Up Aquaponics

Investing in efficient systems that optimise the use of space and yield, while reducing cost, is one way in which Gauteng-based Ichthys Aquaponics is growing its business. Siyanda Sishuba visited the operation and spoke to owners Justin and Nikki Hess to find out more.

'Feeding 10 Billion People Will Require GM Food'

Genetic modification will become an important tool in feeding the world’s growing population, which is expected to reach 10 billion people by 2050.

Fendt's Beautiful Beast Wins Big

By winning a platinum award in the world’s biggest international design competition, the Fendt IDEAL combine harvester has proved that it’s both beautiful and brawny. Denene Erasmus reports.

The Basics Of The Suffolk Breed

This breed matures early, producing meat with a high ratio of lean meat to fat. This makes it an attractive proposition to the modern consumer.

Cover Crop Breakthrough Promises To Revolutionise Production In Dry Areas

The introduction of a no-till planter that can plant cover crops in vine and tree rows is enabling farmers in the Olifants River Valley to take the benefits of cover cropping to an entirely new level. Glenneis Kriel reports on the planter’s development and the value of cover cropping in general.