Farmer's Weekly - July 26, 2024

In this issue

Crop protection a comprehensive guide to fungicides. Avocado plantings on the rise in the Western Cape. Why macadamia farmers need stock throughput cover. Facial recognition technology a new weapon against stock theft.

The riding horse

David Stubbs and Elizabeth Howard wrote this column entitled 'Talking Horses'.

3 mins

Farmers and landowners on brown locust alert

Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager at CropLife South Africa, recently called on farmers and landowners to be on the lookout for brown locust (Locustana pardalina) egg-laying sites, especially in those areas in the Karoo that had received good rains so far this year.

1 min

Climate-proofing agricultural production

As climate change leads to decreased rainfall and more extreme weather events across South Africa, producers must rethink their farming practices to enhance climate resilience

3 mins

Woolworths invests R2m in young entrepreneurs

The Woolworths Youth Makers Competition, launched in 2023, attracted hundreds of entries this year.

2 mins

Uganda sees dramatic boom in coffee exports to Türkive

Uganda's coffee industry has realised a major breakthrough in the Turkish market, with exports surging by an astonishing 2 200% in the five years to 2024.

1 min

Sharp increase in kudu rabies in Namibia

Following a marked spike in the occurrence of kudu rabies in Namibia this year, the Namibian Professional Hunting Association recently issued a serious call to the country's hunting fraternity to limit kudu hunts, in particular the hunting of young and breeding bulls.

1 min

Avocado production: Western Cape vs the northern provinces

Avocado production in South Africa has traditionally been linked to the hot and humid northern provinces. Recently, though, Western Cape plantings have grown. Louis Vorster, who has extensive experience in avocado production, spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee about the differences in production between these regions.

4 mins

The ins and outs of irrigation: a basic guide for crop farmers

As climate change intensifies and water resources dwindle, innovative irrigation techniques and sustainable water management become increasingly vital. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to industry experts about the importance of irrigation for crop farmers.

4 mins

How irrigation can help small-scale farmers

Irrigation has resulted in significant crop yield improvement across the globe. In some regions, irrigation is essential for successful crop production; however, it remains out of reach for many small-scale farmers. Janine Ryan reports.

5 mins

Precision irrigation: empowering agriculture amid water scarcity

Precision irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, maximising efficiency and sustainability in agriculture. Zunel van Eeden spoke to Netafim South Africa's Charl van Reenen about this irrigation technique, which can help South African farmers address the challenges brought about by a water shortage.

4 mins

Facial recognition tech: a breakthrough in the fight against stock theft

Facial recognition technology is poised to revolutionise livestock management. Annelie Coleman spoke to experts about this Australian-developed technology and its potential to reshape livestock production in South Africa.

4 mins

Everything you need to know about fungicides

Fungicides are indispensable tools in disease management, offering protection against fungal pathogens and ensuring the health and productivity of crops and plants. In this guide, Zunel van Eeden aims to improve producers’ understanding of the different types of fungicides, their various modes of action, and more.

5 mins

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Farmer's Weekly Magazine Description:

Farmer’s Weekly is an agricultural magazine based in South Africa, targeting the whole of Southern Africa. The magazine is committed to advancing the interests of the region’s farmers and its agricultural industry by serving as a mouthpiece for the industry and by keeping its readers informed of the latest developments in the agricultural sector.