CATEGORIES

Financial management of a farm: the basics of budgeting

Cobus du Plessis explores the fundamentals of budgeting for farm management, explaining its importance, the different types of budgets, and key concepts like fixed and variable costs.

The profound importance of the feed conversion ratio

To grow an aquaculture concern efficiently and profitably, the quality of feed and the price point need to be correct, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.

New Zealand abandons green policies to bolster economy

New Zealand’s green credentials are in jeopardy following the government’s decision to backtrack on key environmental reforms in a bid to bolster the economy and live up to the promises it has made to voters, according to Reuters.

Opening the doors to finance for SA farmers

Agriculture is a crucial pillar of South Africa's economy, providing livelihoods for millions and contributing significantly to the nation's GDP. However, farmers face numerous challenges, including securing adequate financing to sustain and grow their operations. Cobus du Plessis looks at some of the key features and pros and cons of the financial opportunities available to producers.

'My mentor played a huge role in my success'

According to Vincent Mhlonitshwa, making the transition from a communal to successful commercial farmer requires mentorship. Mike Burgess visited him near Elliot in the Eastern Cape to better understand how a mentor helped establish the foundations on which he built a mixed farming operation on less than 1 500ha.

Choosing the right show for your horses

Should you take your stud horses to an agricultural show or a riding show? It depends on what you want to achieve

Happy, healthy flyers win the big prizes

In this article, the final in a three-part series on pigeon racing, Thomas Smit looks at ways to help your birds settle in a loft, as well as the best nutrition to enhance their health and stamina during long races.

Banking on Beefmasters

The Stapelberg family will be hosting their first Beefmaster production sale in Indwe, Eastern Cape, on 3 September. Marcel Stapelberg, co-owner of the Cornish Beefmasters stud, spoke to Mike Burgess to give him a better understanding of why and how the family established their stud in less than a decade.

Bacterial diseases in beans are your crop's biggest threat

Bill Kerr says he can't overemphasise the importance of making sure that the bean seed you purchase is disease free.

Pomegranate's ruby-red allure is hard to beat

As unfussy as they come, pomegranates are a relatively easy crop to cultivate. With market conditions picking up, the fruit offers first-time, part-time and long-time farmers an attractive option should they find themselves in the right climate.Lindi Botha reports on the success of a farm in Gauteng.

New Spier wine collection highlights the strength of diversity

The recent launch of the Spier Wine Farm Farmer Angus collection also featured insightful talks on the benefits of regenerative farming and community resilience, writes Glenneis Kriel.

Agriculture's massive rail burden

New ways of reducing tariffs on farm livestock and products were under consideration.

French elegance and Hollywood glamour in the heart of Cape Town

Brian Berkman stayed at The Marly Boutique Hotel and Spa, where you can forget about seasonal ups and downs, because the Camps Bay strip cooks all year round.

Losing a horse: reflecting on a personal experience

There is a special bond between a rider and their horse, and when that bond is broken, it is difficult to cope with the loss, writes Dr Mac.

SUV shoot-out: the verdict

Six of the most rugged and capable ladder-frame SUVs set out on a thrilling expedition across the Cape and through the challenging terrain of the Karoo. Car Magazine provides its assessment of each vehicle.

Underground problems.in a field of beans

Bill Kerr says the benefits of growing crops in healthy, organic soil was never adequately taught to him during his agricultural education.

Fire-smart farming: how to tame the flames and be prepared

As we head for what is predicted to be another hot and dry summer, farmers must remain vigilant about the risk of fires, writes Brendon Adams, after-sales product and technical support at Husqvarna South Africa.

Free-roaming cheetahs: researchers and conservationists join forces with farmers

Cyril Stannard, project manager and field officer at the Cheetah Outreach Trust, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about the progress of the Free-roaming Cheetah Census, which covers the entire area where this iconic cat occurs in South Africa and neighbouring countries.

Kenya's Boran breeders' society joins SA Stud Book

The Boran Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa has welcomed Kenya's Boran Cattle Breeders' Society (BCBS) to join SA Stud Book, the South African animal registering organisation.

UK farmers don't fear lab-grown meat

A new report from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) in Gloucestershire, England, suggests that lab-raised meat may not be as threatening to traditional farming as previously thought.

Flying the flag for female Cap Classique winemakers

Brian Berkman visited Klein Botrivier Farm, on Karwyderskraal Road in the Overberg's Bot River, to learn about Melissa Genevieve Nelsen's Méthode Cap Classique winemaking.

New weapons in the fight against grapevine leafroll disease

Research, genetic selection, machine learning and drones are being investigated as possible means to strengthen the fight against grapevine leafroll disease. Glenneis Kriel spoke to the experts.

Running a Meatmaster stud on just 65ha

Innovative Meatmaster breeder René Rossouw runs her 350-strong Jumike Meatmasters stud on only 65ha on the family farm, Alice, in Wesselsbron in the Free State. She spoke to Annelie Coleman about how she manages to effectively run her flock on such a small piece of land.

Cats' catastrophic impact on biodiversity

Various international studies have found that domestic cat predation has a negative impact on mammals, reptiles, birds and other animals. Mike Burgess looks at the findings of a South African study done in 2020.

Discover the art of running a good hotel business

While past owners of the Karoo Art Hotel failed to find and keep their market, the current proprietors have survival lessons to share with everyone in the hospitality industry

Review: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD VX-R

Car Magazine's Kyle Kock recently attended the South African introduction of the fifth-generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in Mozambique. He writes that this latest model has been worth the wait.

How to get fertilisation of your bean crop right

Providing the correct nitrogen stimulus when growing beans is vitally important for achieving top yields

The effective monitoring of body temperature in cattle

Accurate monitoring of cattle's body temperatures is crucial for ensuring optimal herd health and productivity. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to animal health experts for tips on precise temperature readings, early disease detection, and maintaining biosecurity in a herd.

Pest and disease control under shade netting

As fruit-importing countries become increasingly intolerant of pest infestations and diseases posing phytosanitary risks and equally intolerant of the use of pesticides, South African fruit producers have had to revisit their pest and disease management strategies

Key factors for achieving successful production under nets

Agriculture has seen countless innovations over the centuries, one of which is the use of shade netting to protect crops. In South Africa, the area under netting is expanding rapidly as farmers try to reduce the risks associated with production in harsh environments. Magda du Toit explores the science of orchard netting.