CATEGORIES

First-Hand Experience Of An African Retail Giant

South Africa’s Shoprite Group has had to jump over numerous hurdles to expand its network of stores across Africa. Today, as the largest retailer on the continent, the group sources produce from 450 South African farmers and 700 farmers from elsewhere in Africa. Dr Johan van Deventer, general manager of Freshmark, the group’s fresh produce division, believes that trustworthy relationships have been at the heart of this success. He spoke to Lindi Botha.

Performance Testing For The Commercial Breeder: Part 2

Performance testing involves more than simply weighing an animal at certain stages; it requires the evaluation of all economically important traits, from conception to marketing. This is according to Thokozani Ndonga, senior research technician at the Agricultural Research Council, Irene.

Plastic Packaging Should Focus On Recycling

There is ‘no silver bullet’ to address South Africa’s plastic conundrum, according to Lorren de Kock, project manager for the circular plastics economy at the Worldwide Fund for Nature – South Africa. However, the fruit industry can start addressing the issue by moving away from packaging that is aesthetically pleasing to recyclable and reusable packaging methods.

A Classroom In Your Pocket

With South Africa’s ageing farming population, a new generation of farmers is needed to secure the future of the industry. But with the high cost of education, and limited space in tertiary facilities, the youth and farm workers are discouraged from embarking on this path. Lindi Botha spoke to Agricolleges International founder Howard Blight about accessible education at a fraction of the cost.

How To Weed Potato Lands

This article focused on the best way to apply herbicides and eradicate weeds with the minimum risk to potato crops.

Meatmasters: Bred For Tough Conditions And Good Meat

Jean Du Plessis Refers to Himself as a ‘bush Breeder’, Someone Who Selects With the Eye and Farms in Harmony With His Natural Environment. Sabrina Dean Visited Him in the Arid Northern Cape to Find Out More About His Extensive Meatmaster Sheep Farming Operation.

A Word Of Warning For Start-up Producers

Recently I heard of a proposed project that planned to produce 90t of tilapia annually from a green house based system in the southern coastal region of South Africa.

Farming On The Metropolitan Fringe

An article on the model farming enterprise of Dr Carl Nicholson of the farm Witfontein between Pretoria and Jan Smuts Airport (today OR Tambo International), described the challenges, pitfalls, disadvantages and advantages of farming in close proximity to an expanding urban population. It was featured in our issue of the above date.

Free And Very, Very Fair!

Deregulation and the free market system have made the local fresh produce market the success it is today. Gerhard Uys spoke to Lindie Stroebel, general manager of the Produce Marketing Association Southern Africa.

Over-stimulating Vegetative Growth

The survival mechanisms that enabled the ancestors of modern crops to survive in the wild will influence the efficacy of the fertiliser we apply to these crops today.

Horses at Weddings

Brides love being photographed with horses but there can be complications.

Farming With Nature In The Sandveld

After venturing into the organic fresh market, the owners of Sandveld Organics on the West Coast created a niche for themselves in the organic seed market. Susi Engelbrecht spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their journey.

Treating Nosebleeds In Horses

Horses that suffer from pouring nosebleeds after exercise should be examined by a vet, says Dr Mac.

Ford Motor Company

Henry Ford’s first pickup was a converted Model T. Today, the Ford Ranger, which is available in South Africa in 42 variations, is a top seller. By Jake Venter.

Africa's Violent Trade In Cattle, Guns And Bullets

The circulation of illicit arms has made cattle rustling more violent and harmful. East Africa has lessons to share on prevention, say Duncan E Omondi Gumba and Nelson Alusala of the Institute for Security Studies Africa.

How To Create Successful, Commercial Black Farmers

Many in the agriculture sector believe that government’s efforts to develop successful black farmers since 1994 have largely failed. Frans Cronje, CEO of the South African Institute of Race Relations, says this is because government spending is incorrectly prioritised, and that not nearly enough is being spent on farmer development.

Alfie Does It The Hard Way

38 YEARS AGO Alfie Brett, a Merino farmer in the GraaffReinet district, says that his strict adherence to a culling programme ensures that his sheep remain hardy and adaptable.

What Do Chickens Want?

In this first article of a three-part series on the basic principles of planning, constructing and maintaining poultry housing, independent poultry consultant Jan Grobbelaar discusses the environmental requirements, and temperature management in particular, to which poultry houses must adhere in order to offer chickens a safe and comfortable shelter.

Rethinking Sustainable Development

Growing awareness of the interconnectedness between water, energy and food security is resulting in a more holistic way of measuring sustainability, says Dr Nadine Methner from the African Climate and Development Initiative at the University of Cape Town.

Making The Most Of Calcium As A Soil And Plant Nutrient

Despite being a vitally important element for optimal crop production, calcium is often largely undervalued by farmers and agronomists. Plant health expert Heather Raymond explains why this outlook needs to be changed, and gives tips on how to enhance calcium in soils and plants.

Beef Blup Basics

Producers use breeding values to determine the long-term value of certain animals to their herds.

Turnerland Knows Its Onions

Turnerland’s equipment enables a producer to harvest onions with minimum labour, thereby reducing costs.

Research findings on pollination of Hass avocados

At the 2017 SA Avocado Growers’ Association research symposium, University of Pretoria researcher, Mart-Mari Nieuwenhuizen, presented new findings on the best pollinisers for Hass avocados. She also explored the effectiveness of bees as pollinators. Alita van der Walt reports.

Fodder Beet – A Technical But Top-yielding Livestock Fodder Crop

To remain sustainably profitable, modern farming operations need to continually evolve their production systems for optimal returns on investment. For SA’s dairy farmers, fodder beet presents an intriguing opportunity to do just this. Lloyd Phillips spoke to Dave Sharpe of the international seed company Barenbrug.

The Vital Role That Mentoring Can Play In Agriculture

Successful mentorship in agriculture depends on building a relationship of mutual trust and understanding between mentor and mentee.

Diversification Success For Eastern Cape Farmer

Former extension officer, Sithembele Malgas, started farming in the Idutywa area of the former Transkei in 1990. Today, he produces cabbages, spinach and butternut in rotation on 3,5ha under irrigation and farms more than 500 beef cows near Cathcart in the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess reports.

Unravelling The Myths Of Moordenaar's Kop

On 13 November 1847, during the 7th Frontier War, five British officers were attacked and killed by Xhosa warriors on a hill, still known as Moordenaar’s Kop, in the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess visited the site and asked amateur historian Dr Patrick Hutchison how his research had corrected some of the misconceptions, long held to be true, about the skirmish.

The Electric Car: Not Squeaky Clean

An electric car is environmentally expensive to manufacture, and its ‘fuel’ is only as clean as the nearest power station.

An Opportunity To Glimpse Into The Future

Farmers contemplating a trip to Europe later this year might want to time their visit to include DLG Feldtage 2018,

Drought Remains Biggest Risk To Maize Crop

Any reports of good rainfall over the next few weeks are welcome as there are still some regions where maize crops are under stress due to dry conditions, according to Grain SA CEO, Jannie de Villiers.