CATEGORIES

Soya Bean Hulls In Feed Boost Milk Profits

Partially substituting maize with soya bean hulls may lower dairy cattle feeding costs while increasing income generated from milk solids. Anesmé van der Vyver, a master’s student at Stellenbosch University, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about her research findings.

Managing High Nitrate Levels In Paddocks

High nitrate levels acidify the soil, leading to an abundance of weeds. Dr Mac explains how to manage this, and prevent it from occurring.

‘Farming For Profits Without Social Responsibility Is Foolish'

Being named the 2018 Agri SA/Toyota Young Farmer of the Year is wonderful recognition, says North West potato producer JP van den Berg, However, simply being able to farm and contribute to food security is a daily highlight. He adds that his hardworking staff are pivotal to his farming success, and he devotes much energy to caring for their welfare. Annelie Coleman reports.

To Get The Most, Waste Nothing

Herby oversees the conservation aspect of the operation and cultivates tomatoes as a paying hobby, while his sons run the farm.

Financial Planning: Crucial To Sustainable Production

To weather the impact of market fluctuations and extreme climatic conditions, producers have to think strategically about farming. Pieter de Jager spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his strategy.

Strict Selection The Key To Boer Goat Meat Production

Award-winning stud breeder Gerald Calitz runs a 200-strong Boer goat stud on his 70ha farm near Ventersdorp in North West. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about his breeding techniques.

Charity Begins At Home

Growing up on a farm gave Lion du Plessis insight into the problems faced by farmworkers. But after studying human rights he gained an even deeper understanding of these issues, which spurred him on to create a charity that uplifts rural communities. Lindi Botha reports.

Tapping Country Talents

28 Years ago Recruiting latent local talent to serve campers was a profitable sideline project, according to Major James Sclanders, who retired from the South African Air Force in 1974.

Tips For Taking Cover Crops To The Next Level

Improving and maintaining soil health is not an overnight fix, but a lifelong endeavour that requires patience and experimentation. In this second part of a three-part series on cover crops and soil health, US farmer and cover crops coach Steve Groff shares a number of valuable tips on using cover crops as a tool for achieving sustainable soil health. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Food Security: Africa Should Be The Answer

With the relentless increase in world population, particularly in Africa, food production has become the subject of much attention. This provides a golden opportunity for science and skills transfer to position Africa as the solution to the food security conundrum, says Dr Peter Oberem, founder and CEO of Afrivet.

Medicinal Cannabis: This Is No Weed!

Since the legalisation of cannabis for private use in South Africa, various industries have been gearing up to produce medicinal cannabis on a large scale. However, misinformation abounds about the level of intricacy in growing the plant and extracting the oil. Lindi Botha spoke to a medicinal cannabis farmer to learn more.

Baba Ghanoush: A Middle Eastern Delight

Whatever you choose to call it – brinjal, aubergine or eggplant – there is nothing as magical as converting three of these wondrous things into a sesame influenced, za’atar-enhanced, smoky spread.

ABS: Racing Driver Braking For Us All

ABS brakes save lives every day. Jake Venter explores how these technological marvels work, and why they sometimes don’t.

Irish Agrifood Sector To Bear The Brunt Of Proposed Brexit Import Taxes

Proposed tariffs on Irish imports to the UK was one of the main topics of discussion at the Navigating Global Trade Conference hosted by the Irish Farmers Journal in Dublin, Ireland, in the second week of March.

Designing An Irrigation System According To Soil Type

Dr Willem de Clercq, a researcher at the Water Institute at Stellenbosch University, says that all farmers, and especially those who practise conservation agriculture, need to approach irrigation in a holistic manner that will ensure sustainable production.

Be Ready For The Political Noise Before The Election

Expropriation of land without compensation in South Africa will remain one of the few political weapons in the arsenal of some factions within the ANC in the build-up to the national election on 8 May.

New System Shows Benefits Of Deep Root Irrigation

A locally developed irrigation system designed to transport water directly to plants’ roots and thus eliminate evaporation has achieved outstanding success in trials.

Tractor Training For Tomorrow's Farmers

An agreement between John Deere and Peritum Agri, an SA training organisation, will enable the manufacturer to contribute to farmer development and gain exposure to future buyers.

Solar Energy Takes Centre Stage In South Africa

High electricity prices and unreliable supply have resulted in a fresh surge of interest in renewable energy solutions on farms.

Mass Tilapia Farming: Real Potential In The Right Areas

Tilapia farms in Zambia with slightly cooler than ideal minimum temperatures have produced good harvests. These results are easily replicable in parts of South Africa.

Hall Of Fame

The Steiger family’s induction into the Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers’ Hall of Fame coincides with half a century of tractor manufacturing in Fargo. Joe Spencer reports.

The Sky's No Limit: Using Drones For Precision Farming

To stay profitable in an increasingly tough environment, farmers must use their land and other resources to their maximum potential. The amazingly detailed imagery captured by unmanned aerial vehicles can help achieve this. Lloyd Phillips visited Agri-Sense International to find out more.

Dropping Fences Helps Game Reserve And Community Thrive

Warne and Wendy Rippon, owners of Buffalo Kloof Wildlife Safaris in the Eastern Cape, were concerned about the poverty in neighbouring Yendella community. So much so, that they launched an initiative where they and the community work together to benefit from the reserve.

Engineering Vs Physics Vs Maths

Engineering demands accurate mathematics. But in this imperfect world, engineers have to use approximations and common sense.

El Alamein's Zulu War Hero

Disregarding landmines, intensive enemy fire and a shrapnel wound, Lance Corporal Lucas Majozi continued evacuating the wounded soldiers from the battleground.

Forestry SA Reports Advances In Transformation And Training

While South Africa’s forestry sector should be proud of the fact that it is a national leader in implementing broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) and other transformation initiatives, much more could still be achieved in this regard.

SA Economy Expected To Gain Momentum Following The Election

While economic growth could still be slow in the immediate future, the winds of change are blowing more strongly, according to the chief economist at Old Mutual, Johann Els.

Reviving The South African Beef Shorthorn

Allistair and Laurence Brown, owners of the Duncraggan and Primeston Beef Shorthorn studs, produced the 2018 Agricultural Research Council National Special Performance Beef Shorthorn bull. Mike Burgess visited the brothers’ farm near Alexandria in the Eastern Cape.

New CEO For Agri Western Cape

Jannie Strydom took over the reins as CEO of Agri Western Cape in March, after the retirement of Carl Opperman, who served in this position for 20 years. Strydom spoke to Glenneis Kriel.

Dealing With The Bias In SA's Labour Tenancy Claims System

Based on his extensive experience in representing mostly KwaZulu-Natal landowners in labour tenancy claims lodged against them, attorney Rob McCarthy of McCarthy and Associates believes the process is inherently biased in favour of claimants. He speaks to Lloyd Phillips about this challenge, and gives landowners advice on how best to fight false labour tenancy claims.