CATEGORIES

Agriculture: a viable option for mining towns

Buyambo Mantashe, business development manager at Agri Enterprises, argues that creating more diverse economies in mining towns through agricultural development can ensure that these towns remain economically active, even when the mines close down.

Queen of the veld

Two well-known cattle breeders from Limpopo advised other farmers not to overlook the Nguni, as this article revealed.

A new answer to SA's high demand for red cattle

The demand for red cattle has always been high in South Africa. To enter this market and offer breeders an alternative to the traditional options, the Du Plessis family, who owns the Brandwater farming business, managed to establish one of the country’s most successful Droughtmaster studs. Chris du Plessis spoke to Denene Erasmus.

Beet cyst eelworm

While the nematodes themselves may not be visible in the early days of infestation, the crop will show signs of patchy growth and water stress, says Bill Kerr. Keep a sharp lookout if the pest occurs in the area.

Improving honeybee forage management

Certain areas in South Africa face a shortfall of honeybees for the pollination of crops, particularly fruit. According to Tlou Masehela, a scientist at the South African National Biodiversity Institute, there is an urgent need to increase forage resources in order to boost honeybee farming in the country.

Tips for dipping sheep

Sheep need to be dipped to prevent the spread of lice, scab and other economically important ectoparasites.

Growing papayas

Young papaya plants are ready to be planted out in the open when they are about 200mm tall, measured from the base of the stem to the growing point. It is important that they be planted upright.

SA Veterinary Council committed to change

According to Dr Alfred Tlolo Kgasi, president of the South African Veterinary Council, the transformation of the veterinary profession is a priority. Annelie Coleman reports.

Pasture varieties and their potential in SA

Summer-planted pastures can boost a farmer’s profits by keeping animal production high. Renowned grazing specialist Prof Chris Dannhauser says there is a variety of these crops to choose from and, as Susan Marais found out, many can also be used in winter in the form of hay, foggage and silage.

Cutting-edge crop-spraying drones for Africa

Unitrans Africa has recently purchased seven Chinese-made DJI T30 Agras drones, which the company will use to provide crops praying services to farmers in a number of African countries.

Robot boosts blueberry picking efficiencies

Agritech company Arci technologies is in the process of developing South Africa’s first semi-autonomous agricultural robot. three of the company’s founders spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their machine.

Sheep farmer creates her own work and success

Emily Kok, a Karoo sheep farmer and winner of several carcass competitions, spoke to Wouter Kriel about the challenges of communal farming on government-owned land, and how she is overcoming them.

Apple Packout Rate: Size Means Everything

The Zulch family of Wakkerstroom farm won the prize for the highest average income per hectare of apples in the 2020 Ceres Fruit Grower Awards. Fourie Zulch spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this accomplishment.

How good management aids soya bean health

Plant health is one of the key contributors to high yields and good profits, and soya bean is no exception. Magda du Toit spoke to a number of experts about how to achieve these goals through sound management.

General anaesthesia

There are several reasons why your horse may need surgery under a general anaesthetic. Here is what to expect before, during and after the anaesthetising process, says Dr Mac.

Farming profitably on leased land

Richard Mashinini runs a flourishing commercial farm in the Free State. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about his education and the people who helped him succeed, and the uncertainty of farming on rented land.

‘Politicking, corruption has led to ruined roads'

The systemic problems in the Free State government’s Department of Police, Roads and Transport is of such an extent that any turnaround strategy would take a long time.

Building a reputation in the SA beef industry

Extensive veld tests by the Bosveld Santa Gertrudis Study Group have made a valuable contribution to establishing the breed’s reputation amongst other beef cattle in South Africa. .

Carbon credits: grain farmers have much to gain

the carbon landscape is changing quickly as grain farmers realise the value that lies in building carbon in their soils. but how can farmers best utilise their land to gain maximum financial value? Lindi Botha spoke to expert Dr Hendrik Smith.

Social protection for sustainable food systems

Social protection programmes to help farmers become more resilient aren’t just safety nets, but can help them make investments and meaningfully engage in markets, says the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.

Potato volumes fall on the back of poor weather

Adverse weather conditions, in particular heavy rain and frost in parts of South Africa, have resulted in lower volumes of potatoes on fresh produce markets, and a resultant increase in prices.

Tourism and value-adding keeps family farm afloat

Heinrich Lategan is the fifth generation to farm on Tevrede, between Worcester and Wolseley in the Western Cape. Tevrede has traditionally been a grape farm, but the family has had to embrace an ethos of diversification in order to keep the business going. The past two years have proved to them just how important value-adding can be. .

UK consumers could face a turkey shortage this coming Christmas

Changes to UK visa regulations that allow farmers to recruit workers from abroad have come too late and could result in a shortage of Christmas turkeys this year, farmers have warned.

‘Biosecurity task team strategy must be prioritised'

South Africa’s agriculture sector is still waiting on announcements by the recently formed Task Team on Animal Biosecurity pertaining to a biosecurity strategy and its implementation.

Tractor Shopping: Tips For First-Time Buyers

Just as you wouldn’t use a spoon to dig a ditch, you wouldn’t use a 13kW tractor to pull a 16-row planter. It is crucial to understand your farming needs, both present and future, so that you can choose the right type of tractor and make sure your hard-earned money is spent wisely. Lindi Botha reports.

Green bonds: it pays to invest in nature

Agriculture has an important role to play in funding a greener future for the planet. Green bonds, which are fixed-income financial instruments that offer environmental and/or climate benefits, will give farmers the opportunity to lower their carbon footprints. Wouter Kriel reports.

A beginners' guide to auctions

Livestock auctions offer a relatively safe way for farmers to trade their animals, with a fairly low barrier to entry. Cornel Landman and Anton Vos spoke to Glenneis Kriel about factors that producers have to consider when participating in these events, and the administrative processes that need to be adhered to.

Growing nutrientdense vegetables using regenerative farming

Gert Janse van Rensburg produces vegetable crops on the family-owned farm, Langplaas, in North West. He spoke to Pieter Dempsey about the regenerative farming techniques he employs.

India set to secure 45% of global rice trade with record exports

India, the world’s second-largest rice grower after China, could account for as much as 45% of global rice exports this year due to expanded port handling capacity, which will enable the country to ship record volumes to buyers in Africa and Asia.

New headquarters for Argo Tractors

A groundbreaking ceremony in Kempton Park saw Argo Tractors begin work on its new, state-of-the-art facility designed to optimise the company’s offering to its Southern African clients. Magda du Toit reports.