CATEGORIES

Electronic Eyes For The Operator

Many of the innovations at the Agritechnica 2017 awards were aimed at making the work of the machine operator easier. Joe Spencer reports on two examples.

Biological Control Of The Chain-Fruit Cholla: Part 2

The cochineal insect is a highly effective biocontrol method for dealing with this invasive cactus; it can kill a large cactus in a relatively short time.

Adult Mohair Demand Up, Kid Mohair Demand Drops

Mohair gained 1,7% at the second sale of the 2017 winter season in Port Elizabeth, with 144 821kg on offer. The average market indicator closed on R191,44/kg.

KZN Agriculture Staps In To Help Drought-Stricken EC Farmers

Farmers, agribusinesses and even private citizens in KwaZulu-Natal have rallied to provide emergency livestock feed desperately needed by Eastern Cape farmers affected by drought and wildfires.

Waste Management: How Spier Estate Turns Trash Into Cash

Worldwide, waste generation is fast overtaking landfill availability. Heidi Newton-King, sustainability and human resources director at Spier Wine Estate, recently shared how the estate has succeeded in reducing its proportion of landfill waste to total recycled waste to less than 2%. Jeandré du Preez reports.

Help Veld Recover With Good Management

Following a drought, farmers should sow seed to help grasses become re-established, as well as follow a sound grazing management programme. This combination will improve grazing and create a sustainable fodder bank. Pasture consultant Frits van Oudtshoorn spoke to Gerhard Uys.

Controlling Leaf Miners- Part 2

As if we don’t have enough tomato pests already, a new one recently arrived in South Africa: the tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta). The pest originated in South America, and has worked its way down Africa to South Africa.

Preparing To Plant Carrots

Vegetable Prodution

Dealing With Blight In Sunflowers

Severe brown blight infection in sunflowers results in smaller seeds, a reduced yield, and lower oil content.

Dog Training: Why And How

37 years ago A dog can be a farmer’s best friend. It can be trained to herd livestock, be a formidable watchdog and protect your family. But all dogs need careful and consistent training to reach these goals.

Concern About KZN's Water Supply

Despite the nationwide drought being broken more than a year ago, farmers in KwaZulu-Natal remain deeply concerned about the future of the province’s water supply.

Prudent Use Of Antimicrobials Crucial In Livestock Farming

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a global problem in both human and animal medicine. Veterinarian Dr David Gerber, the chief technical officer at South African animal health company V-Tech, explains the problem, and highlights the potential benefits of a surveillance programme.

Performance Testing For The Commercial Breeder: Part 1

This selection, breeding and management tool can improve the efficiency and profitability of any beef operation, says Thokozani Ndonga, senior research technician at the Agricultural Research Council, Irene. He begins this series by exploring the prejudices against performance testing.

Renewables Will Soon Be Cheaper Than Eskom Power

Without decisive intervention, Eskom’s unsustainable debt levels will plunge the entire economy into darkness. But the rising prominence of renewable energy is providing hope.

Lessons Learnt On A Wine Farm

Reyneke Wines was among the first organic wineries in South Africa to receive a five-star rating in Platter’s Wine Guide. Owner Johan Reyneke spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his long and often challenging journey to establish a successful chemical-free wine grape operation.

Wheat Producers, Treat Fungicides With Caution!

South African wheat producers should guard against over-application of fungicide, according to Dr Tarekegn Terefe, senior researcher at ARC-Small Grain, Bethlehem. The unnecessary use of fungicides can harm the environment and result in the emergence of fungicide-resistant strains. Farmers should also rotate between fungicides from different chemical groups, he writes.

Feeding Cattle During And After A Drought

During a cattle information day hosted by the Berg Farmers’ Association in Barkly West, Johan Mouton, manager of research and development for ruminants at RCL Foods, shared some advice on how to manage feeding for livestock after a drought. Sabrina Dean reports.

Water Quality And Quantity Reach Crisis Levels

The billions of litres of raw sewage flowing into the country’s rivers daily has reached crisis levels, and pose a threat to the country’s agricultural exports, according to a water specialist.

Growing Chillies: Part 1

Individual consumers and communities have widely varying tastes when it comes to the flavour and pungency of chilli.

Another Tough Season For Olives

While production statistics are not yet available, it is evident that olive production has not yet normalised following the drought in the Western Cape, said Karien Bezuidenhout, the manager of SA Olive.

Growing Tomorrow's Farmers: A Win-win For A Top Fruit Producer And A Community

When Tomahawk Farm was sold in a land claim, the owners faced a crossroads: up and leave, or stay and help. With the future success of the farm and the livelihoods of the local community in mind, they opted to equip a new generation of farmers to take the reins. By Lindi Botha.

Selecting Beefmasters For Functional Efficiency

Selecting breeding stock using economically important criteria over many years has enabled Tony Spolidoro to build up a stud herd of hardy, productive, no-nonsense Beefmaster cattle second to none. Chris Nel visited him on his farm near Magaliesburg in North West.

Returning To His Farming Roots Paid Off

Viking Farming near East London in the Eastern Cape is a small but intensive vegetable operation that supplies supermarkets and processors across the Eastern Cape and even the Western Cape. Mike Burgess visited Valhalla farm to better understand how owner Mike Pedersen-Horn has managed to build up this adaptable and profitable business over the past 20 years.

Highlights Of Zimbabwe's ADMA Agrishow

Case IH played a starring role in the fourth annual ADMA Agrishow. Joe Spencer reports.

Is Agripreneurship The Future For SA's Smallholders?

‘Agripreneurship’ has become a catchphrase of international agriculture, particularly for largerscale commercial operations. However, Dr Maxwell Mudhara, director of the Farmers’ Support Group at the University of KwaZuluNatal, discusses whether this concept is applicable as a development tool for the world’s smallholder farmers, especially the women and youth of rural South Africa.

Freedom: It's In The Taste

Robert Patson of Happy Land Farm in Kyalami believes freerange chickens not only hold the answer to healthy food, but that his model of farming could help alleviate poverty for individuals and communities. He spoke to Gerhard Uys.

Healthy Flour, Healthy Profits

Gideon Milling, a stone ground milling company in the Western Cape, was launched in 2013 by a group of entrepreneurs to improve farmers’ profitability and food security. Aubrey Terblanche and Jurianne Schreuder spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the company’s vision and success.

Controlling Brown Stomach Worm In Sheep And Goats

These parasites occur in the lining of the stomach. If not treated in time, they can cause production losses and even result in death.

Ascochyta Blight: A Growing Problem In Common Bean

This seed-borne disease seems to be spreading in South Africa, and is also more virulent than in earlier years. Fortunately, fungicides are available to deal with the problem.

No-till On A Small Farm: Part 1

A big problem with a small farming operation is that it is usually cash-strapped and therefore cannot afford mechanisation. This makes it difficult to compete against larger farms.