CATEGORIES

Cold-Pressed Sunflower Oil: A Hot New Product

Vergezocht Plant Oils is the first factory in Africa to produce cold-pressed, high-oleic sunflower oil. Sabrina Dean visited the plant in Bloemfontein in the Free State to find out more about Vergezocht’s business plan, which is built around using a niche sunflower cultivar to produce a high-demand product in a world moving towards healthier lifestyles.

Biodiversity: A Valuable Ally For The Farmer

Caring for the indigenous vegetation on a farm not only helps protect plant species from extinction, but benefits the production of crops in several crucial ways. Glenneis Kriel spoke to Cape Nature botanist Rupert Koopman and Stellenbosch University researcher Rhoda Malgas.

'Africa Needs Its Own Agro-ecology Revolution'

An eco-agriculture or agroecology model such as that adopted in India and parts of Asia and Africa could play a major role in improving South African farmers’ incomes by reducing input costs and improving farm productivity and sustainability.

A Bomber Pilot's Supreme Sacrifice For His Comrades

World War II pilot Edwin Swales received a posthumous Victoria Cross for saving the lives of his crew. Graham Jooste tells the moving story of this South African hero.

Strict Selection Criteria Are Vital To Boerperd Breeding

This popular indigenous breed is a hardy and muscular all-rounder that excels in many equestrian sports.

New Holland Debuts Orchard And Vineyard Tractor

During the second annual Nampo Cape 2019 event, which was held in Bredasdorp in the Western Cape from 4 to 6 September, New Holland presented a number of new products, such as the TD3.50F tractor for orchards and vineyards.

Green Beans: History And Varieties

Green beans originated in what is now Central America and Mexico and have been grown in the latter for at least 7 000 years. In time, farmers began differentiating between varieties more suitable to be eaten green, as a whole pod, and those better enjoyed as dry beans, such as haricots, which are used today for baked beans and sugar beans. Green beans and the various dry beans are all members of the same species, Phaseolus vulgaris, and can be crossed with each other.

Reduce Heat Stress In Poultry With Vitamin C Supplementation

High environmental temperature is the most common stressor of chickens in South Africa.

Irrigating Your Home Garden: Part 1

If you apply too much water, you’re in danger of leaching nitrogen out of reach of the plant roots, says vegetable expert Bill Kerr.

Cashing In On The Expanding Plant Extracts Market

Planting alternative crops for the extracts or essential oil market can be profitable, but it’s no easy road to riches. Pietersarel de Bruyn of Herbs Aplenty spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the opportunities and difficulties of this rapidly growing agricultural niche.

What To Look For When Buying Beef Breeding Stock

Breeding with structurally faulty animals can set a herd’s quality, productivity and profitability back several years. Knowledgeable breeders Ting Braithwaite, Tim Hempson and Ndumiso Gule, all based in KwaZulu-Natal, share their tips on what to look for when considering which animals to buy as a nucleus or replacement breeding stock. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Taking Farming Back To Its Collective Roots

Adding vibrancy and diversity to the local food scene in Minnesota in the US, the Hmong-American farmers have earned their place on the agricultural landscape. But they have not been spared the challenges that face small-scale farmers everywhere. Lindi Botha spoke to Pakou Hang about the structures in place to uplift their community.

Going The Extra Mile To Provide Farmer Support And Development

For more than 30 years, the project implementation agency, Casidra, has worked behind the scenes to empower emerging farmers. Ashley Seymour, the current CEO, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about plans to extend support to include entrepreneurial finance, environmental projects and more.

Low Winter Rainfall Under Discussion At Nampo Cape

A difficult harvest awaits Western Cape grain producers due to low winter rainfall in some areas.

'Syria's Wheat Crop Improves But Food Security Still A Challenge'

Food security in Syria remains a challenge despite improved wheat and barley crops this year due to favourable rainfall and better overall security in the country.

Exchange Rate Remains Biggest Macroeconomic Risk – Economist

While South Africa’s economy remains sluggish due to expectations of continued pressure on the exchange rate of the rand, it is hoped that the situation could start improving early next year.

Violence Takes A Toll On Farmers – Agri Associations

Agri SA and the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) have called on government to step up action against the escalating violence currently evident across South Africa.

Wanted: Entrepreneurial Farmers To Transform The Subtropical Fruit Industry

With high start-up costs and a long wait for a return on investment, the subtropical fruit industry faces a major challenge in trying to include more commercial black farmers. Lindi Botha spoke to Derek Donkin, CEO of Subtrop, about the progress made with transformation in the industry.

Traditional Remedy Launches Entrepreneurial Career

Mazoyi Mixture was developed by Lwazi Marawu’s family in the Eastern Cape, and its recipe has been passed down the generations. In recent years, Marawu has taken distribution of this well-regarded remedy to the next level, supplying it to over 400 stores countrywide.

Save Money On Chemicals

Farmers often ask for pest control programmes for their crops. They see them as a form of insurance.

Mpumalanga Show Focuses On Economic Growth

Now in its third year, the annual Mpumalanga Show, held in Mbombela, continues in its efforts to enhance economic opportunities for the central industries within the province, most notably agriculture, tourism, wildlife, forestry and mining.

Mini-infrared Camera System Promises Better Irrigation

A new camera system that combines a regular digital camera with a miniature infrared camera could provide a cost-effective way to monitor crop temperatures and help irrigate crops.

Free State Breeders Use Strict Selection To Produce Top Bulls

Dr Enslin Coetzee and Issie Liebenberg, the owners of the ZEC Angus stud, breed for efficiency and functionality. They produced the bull Match, which took top honours at the Interbreed Bull Growth Test Class 2019 at the Bloem Show. Annelie Coleman reports.

Don't Let Ascaris Eat Up Your Profits

These small intestinal roundworms can easily infect pigs, resulting in weight loss, breathing difficulties, liver damage and other serious problems.

Fat Kills Dogs Too

40years ago As dogs get older, they tend to gain weight, and excess weight is your dog’s greatest enemy, according to this article.

Advanced Production Practices Gaining Ground

In response to ever-more consumers demanding ethically produced food, Butt Farming, a large commercial pig operation in KwaZulu-Natal, is incorporating improved animal welfare practices into its processes while maximising productivity. Lloyd Phillips spoke to Stephen Butt.

'Court Judgments Generate More Questions Than Answers'

Organised agriculture, as well as a land rights organisation, have raised questions about two recent court judgments on land reform.

Rewards And Pitfalls Of Communal Wool Production

Volumes of formally marketed communal wool in the Eastern Cape have increased from 222 610kg in the 1997/1998 season to more than five million kilograms in 2017/2018. Mike Burgess spoke to communal wool farmer Xolisa Bomela about the ups and downs of sheep farming in the Ntseshe region of the former Transkei.

Igloos In The Great Karoo

When trekboers entered the treeless Great Karoo in the early 1800s, they built dome-shaped houses out of stone. Some survive to this day. Mike Burgess explores these remarkable homes.

Growing Daisies For Seed

31 YEARS AGO One of South Africa’s favourite wild veld flowers, the Namaqualand daisy, can be a valuable alternative winter crop for smallholders and farmers if the flowers are used for seed production.