CATEGORIES

The Search For The South African Unicorn

The discovery of apparent one-horned animals in Southern African rock art resulted in some 18th and 19th century European explorers believing in the existence of unicorns. By Mike Burgess.

Dealing With Powdery Mildew

When it comes to pumpkins and squashes, it’s not a case of if, but when powdery mildew will strike. This fungal disease can be highly destructive, especially late in the season.

Riding The Food-To-Go Wave

The report, ‘Business models to ride the foodto-go wave,’ released by Rabobank, explores the growing trend of precooked and readyto-eat meals, and how retailers and foodservice providers can work together to benefit from this movement.

Weaker Rand, Low Rainfall To Lead To Higher Food Prices

Despite inflation being at its lowest in years, the weaker rand-dollar exchange rate and the possible development of an El Niño event are likely to push food prices up into 2019.

From Food To Feed

A Dutch company that produces animal feed from food waste says this is the only way in which agriculture can remain sustainable. Gerhard Uys spoke to Karel van der Velden from Nijsen/Granico.

Managing Gerbils On Your Land: Part 3

Rodenticides should be used as a last resort and with a ‘big hammer’ approach if an outbreak has to be brought under control.

Hire A Farmer To Grow Your Food

Herenboeren is taking the Netherlands by storm, with city dwellers and urbanites paying farmers to produce food according to their exact specifications. Gerhard Uys spoke to Boudewijn Tooren, a board member of the co-operative, about this radical approach to farming.

Land Reform: Why Repeat The Mistakes Of Other Countries?

At Agri Western Cape’s recent annual general meeting in Rawsonville, Dr Theo de Jager, president of the World Farmers’ Organisation, highlighted examples of land reform projects across the world, and what South Africa could learn from their successes and failures.

Low Rainfall May Support Maize Prices Into 2019

South Africa’s stocks of white and yellow maize are at a high, putting pressure on prices. But an anticipated El Niño event could result in lower-than-average rainfall, leading to reduced plantings or crop losses, lower supply and higher local prices.

Tenacity Wins The Day For Up-and-coming Veggie Farmer

Energetic new farmer Mbali Nwoko started her vegetable farming operation only two years ago, but her determination to succeed has been rewarded and recognised. Last year she was named one of 20 finalists in the prestigious 702 Sage Small Business Awards. Siyanda Sishuba reports.

Vehicle Path Management: Key To Reducing Compaction

Efficient in-field mechanisation is a major contributor to higher yield and lower production costs. Unfortunately, mechanisation also means that machinery wheels regularly compact the soil. According to precision farming specialist Ian Beecher-Jones, traffic-induced soil damage can be limited by implementing controlled traffic farming. Denene Erasmus reports.

No-till: Key To Greater Profits

Tillage over-aerates the soil and stimulates soil organisms to rapidly break down organic materials. This is a difficult concept to grasp, as it seems logical that loosening the soil creates a better growing environment and enables rapid root development.

Barley Gains Ground In The Swartland

The availability of improved varieties, mandate contracts and storage infrastructure promise to turn barley into a lucrative option in the Swartland. Gert Claassen, who five years ago started producing barley on a commercial scale, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this opportunity.

City Rooftops: The Next Frontier For Farming

You don’t have to have green fingers to grow lush vegetables and herbs. But you do have to have a head for heights if you want to join the brigade of farmers transforming their lives and Johannesburg’s inner-city rooftops with their hydroponic gardens.

Share-milking: The Answer To Transformation In The Dairy Industry?

In the first of a two-part series that looks at using a share-milking business model to incorporate Eastern Cape emerging farmers in the dairy value chain, Jannie Strydom, CEO designate of Agri Western Cape, and Prof André Louw, chair of Agribusiness Management at the University of Pretoria’s Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, explore the disparities and opportunities in South Africa’s dairy farming industry.

Self-development For Young Farmers

Dr René Uys, director of Thinking Fusion AFRICA, argues that young South African farmers need to have the emotional fortitude to face up to the often harsh realities of agriculture in this country. In short, they have to be both skilled and brave, which is why self-development is crucial.

The Origin Of American Horses

The use of horses on US ranches and in feedlots to manage cattle can be traced back to the Spanish conquistadors who imported horses to the New World to use as mounts in cavalry.

A Sustainable Approach To Feeding The World By 2050

There is a large shortfall between the amount of food being produced in the world today and the quantity needed to feed an expected 10 billion people by 2050. A World Resources Institute report suggests it is possible to produce enough food sustainably to cater for the rapid increase in demand, but achieving this will require major changes to the way we grow and consume food.

Synchronising Production With Market Demand

Strategies to synchronise produce availability with times of general undersupply can prove highly lucrative, as KwaZulu-Natal fresh produce farmer Andile Ngcobo tells Lloyd Phillips.

Stop. Think.

39 YEARS AGO After poaching and livestock theft got out of hand, farmers in the Eston region of KwaZulu-Natal united with a common goal.

New Commercial Farmer Invests In Asparagus

Up-and-coming commercial farmer Daniel Maqala is diversifying further by investing in asparagus. Sabrina Dean visited him to find out more about his journey so far.

From Our Archives - Condensed Milk Making

DEVOTED TO SA FARMING SINCE 1911

Indigenous Livestock Perfect For Small-scale Farmers

Ross Rayner and his father, Roger, farm 40 Nguni cows and 35 Bosvelder-type ewes on 250ha in the Mankazana Valley near Adelaide in the Eastern Cape. Their operation is an example of what value indigenous livestock holds for small-scale farmers. Mike Burgess reports.

Water Hyacinth - The Solutions

Since 1974, SA has released more biocontrol agents on water hyacinth than any other country.

No-Till: Increasing Soil Organic Content

With no-till farming, you need to try to gradually increase the organic content of the soil.

How To Buy A Used Vehicle

There are four ways to buy the model you want, but none is foolproof. Find out if the vehicle is paid up and make sure it wasn’t stolen. Jake Venter reports.

Time For Africa To Treat Agriculture As A Business

Rural economies in Africa have become zones of economic misery. According to Dr Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank, stimulating economic growth in these areas through agriculture and the food industry should be at the top of the development agenda.

African Agriculture: When Will It Realise Its True Potential?

Agriculture employs 70% of the workforce in Africa and constitutes 30% of total GDP. Yet the continent relies heavily on imports and food aid. Lindi Botha spoke to three leaders | in the African agriculture sector to explain this anomaly.

Prepare For A Further Drop In Milk Prices

Producers should expect the consolidation of buying power in the domestic market to weigh on dairy prices.

Working Together Yields Profits For Keimoes Farmers

The gravel road between Keimoes and Upington unfolds onto the lush, green oasis of Eksteenskuil in the Northern Cape. Here, a group of small-scale farmers have created a vibrant agricultural community through hard work and planning. Annelie Coleman reports.