CATEGORIES

Indigenous Crossbreeding Improves Cows' Longevity

Cow longevity is crucial to optimal productivity in beef cattle production, says Anette Theunissen, an animal scientist based at the Vaalharts Research Station. Annelie Coleman reports.

Will Load-Shedding Affect Veggie Prices?

Vegetable prices remained fairly stable at the start of winter, but the risk of load-shedding during the colder months, as electricity usage increases, could have serious consequences for producers and consumers.

Attention To Detail Ensures High-quality Produce

While launching a new farming venture as a first-time farmer may seem daunting, Hannes Wolvaardt is proof that it can be done. He shared his tips on successful sweet pepper production in Limpopo with Lindi Botha.

Farming Valais Black Nose Sheep In New Zealand

On a small lifestyle farm near the rural town of Cambridge in New Zealand, Andrew and Leigh-Anne Peake are establishing the Valais Black Nose sheep as a new breed in the country. The couple have found the journey highly enjoyable, reports Gerhard Uys.

The Golden Cattle

According to Dr Wayne Durdle of Amersfoort in Mpumalanga, Gelbvieh cattle could play an important role in the national beef cattle herd due to the breed’s efficiency in difficult production conditions.

Feast Or Famine

The source of the deadly strain ST6 of listeriosis, which has infected nearly 1 000 people and caused more than 180 deaths in South Africa, has been identified at an Enterprise Foods factory in Polokwane.

Cushioned Overshoes For Horses

In the US, Soft-Ride boots are often used to make a horse more comfortable on a hard floor, such as in a stable or a horsebox. South African owners should consider using them too

Weed Control In Carrots

Successful carrot producers mechanise their operations to reduce labour to the minimum.

Thinking At Gunpoint: It's Time To Fast Track Land Reform

The expropriation without compensation resolution has polarised opinion. We need urgent, innovative solutions to land reform, and must deal with communal land ownership and title deeds, says Malapane Thamaga, an agricultural economist at the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa.

Keep That Fly At Bay

The common housefly remains a significant problem in South Africa.

Reap Returns On Investments By 'Farming The Markets'

‘Farming the markets’ originates from the analogy that exists between personal finance (investing) and farming. Brenthurst Wealth Management financial adviser, Richus Nel, looks at how managing personal finance and investing can be improved by thinking like a farmer.

Farming In Harmony With Mother Nature

Climate change and increased pressure on natural resources have necessitated the introduction of alternative farming practices.

Late Blight: Fungus In The Fast Lane

Unlike Alternaria as discussed last week, late blight (Phytophthora infestans) does not creep into a tomato crop.

'Knock, Knock.' 'Who's There?'

‘It’s me. Detonation. I’m here to wreck your engine.’ Seriously, though, detonation (also called knock) is no joke. Jake Venter explains why it can cause damage, and what is done to prevent it.

Caring For Brachycephalic Breeds

They’re friendly, loyal and feisty, and have become immensely popular as pets, but that cute ‘flat face’ could also cause severe health problems, warns Shane Brody.

Africa: A Continent Brimming With Business Opportunities

Thinking of doing business in Africa? Dr Rutendo Hwindingwi, also known as the ‘African Realist’, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about where the potential profits and pitfalls can be found.

Once-In-A-Lifetime Potato Planning

Potato production is a high-risk, high-reward industry. Farming seed potatoes is even more so. Sabrina Dean visited Gerhard Bruwer of Genade Boerdery in the Northern Cape to find out more about this component of the family farming operation.

Scaling Up Aquaponics

Investing in efficient systems that optimise the use of space and yield, while reducing cost, is one way in which Gauteng-based Ichthys Aquaponics is growing its business. Siyanda Sishuba visited the operation and spoke to owners Justin and Nikki Hess to find out more.

'Feeding 10 Billion People Will Require GM Food'

Genetic modification will become an important tool in feeding the world’s growing population, which is expected to reach 10 billion people by 2050.

Fendt's Beautiful Beast Wins Big

By winning a platinum award in the world’s biggest international design competition, the Fendt IDEAL combine harvester has proved that it’s both beautiful and brawny. Denene Erasmus reports.

The Basics Of The Suffolk Breed

This breed matures early, producing meat with a high ratio of lean meat to fat. This makes it an attractive proposition to the modern consumer.

Cover Crop Breakthrough Promises To Revolutionise Production In Dry Areas

The introduction of a no-till planter that can plant cover crops in vine and tree rows is enabling farmers in the Olifants River Valley to take the benefits of cover cropping to an entirely new level. Glenneis Kriel reports on the planter’s development and the value of cover cropping in general.

Crop Diversity A Pillar Of Sustainable Production

Including more than three crops in a cash crop system may not only help increase yield, but significantly enhance the long-term sustainability of a farm. Dr Johann Strauss of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the benefits of crop diversity.

No Slowing Down For This Commercial Cattle Woman

Alwene Ford may be nearing what many would consider normal retirement age, but the 63-year-old commercial cattle farmer has no plans to slow down. Sabrina Dean visited her on her farm near Barkly West in the Northern Cape.

Why Nitrogen Is So Important

Simply put, nitrogen controls the performance of the crop just as the throttle pedal controls the speed of a car.

Assessing Grazing Capacity

The number of grazing camps on a farm should be weighed against the escalating cost of fencing material,

The American Quarter Horse

This breed is not only fast, but is also versatile, and can thus compete in English or Western riding disciplines,

Ammonia-based Fertiliser Explained

The situation gets worse when the soil temperature decreases

Bringing More South African Game Meat To Dinner Tables

Game meat is an often-prized, but scarce, protein source. According to independent meat safety consultant Dr Tertius Bergh, systems for improving the safety standards of processing game meat could ensure far more widespread consumption. Lloyd Phillips reports

Tuli Stud Cattle Flourish In Karoo Small-Stock Environment

Tuli breeder Ben Raath believes his indigenous cattle hold their own against top feedlot breeds in terms of profitability on a weight per hectare basis. Sabrina Dean visited his farm near Britstown to learn about the commercial potential of the cattle, particularly with worsening climate change.