CATEGORIES

Enhancing your soil solution

For plants to thrive, the soil solution must be balanced in terms of nutrient concentration as well as pH and moisture levels

Helping small-scale farmers produce quality maize during a drought

Abeeb Babatunde Omotoso, senior lecturer at Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology at NorthWest University, and Abiodun Olusola Omotayo, senior lecturer and researcher at North-West University, discuss how a mix of old and new techniques produced a superior maize harvest in the dry North West.

Managing large-scale retrenchments

Dismissals due to operational requirements are usually considered the last resort for employers after alternative measures have been considered first

The importance of knowing how to grade slaughter livestock

Whether you're a big or small producer, knowing how to grade your lifestock is essential for the profitability of your business

The three common bacterial leaf diseases of beans.

Bill Kerr gives advice on how to recognise and treat halo blight, common blight and bacterial brown spot in a bean crop.

Using animal impact for better grazing

Simbra farmer Kobus Bester spoke to Zunel van Eeden about the advantages of high-density grazing, which entails the grouping of high numbers of livestock to graze small areas of land over short periods.

Why are Japan's melons so expensive?

Japan is renowned for its culinary delights, including Wagyu beef and expensive melons. In this article, we take a look at why Crown melons fetch such exorbitant prices.

Upsurge in maize exports is expected in 2024/25 marketing season - Agbiz

Local supplies of grains and oilseeds are deemed adequate, as the Crop Estimates Committee places South Africa's 2023/24 harvest of these crops at 15,9 million tons

A simple calf feeding system

An Eastern Free State Farmer used this cheap, effective, labour-saving method to raise his calves.

South Africa makes strides in protecting rhino populations against poaching

A significant drop in the number of rhinos poached was recorded during May and June as a result of dehorning and policing efforts. Lindi Botha reports on the efforts behind this significant development.

Financial management of a farm: the basics of budgeting

Cobus du Plessis explores the fundamentals of budgeting for farm management, explaining its importance, the different types of budgets, and key concepts like fixed and variable costs.

The profound importance of the feed conversion ratio

To grow an aquaculture concern efficiently and profitably, the quality of feed and the price point need to be correct, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.

New Zealand abandons green policies to bolster economy

New Zealand’s green credentials are in jeopardy following the government’s decision to backtrack on key environmental reforms in a bid to bolster the economy and live up to the promises it has made to voters, according to Reuters.

Opening the doors to finance for SA farmers

Agriculture is a crucial pillar of South Africa's economy, providing livelihoods for millions and contributing significantly to the nation's GDP. However, farmers face numerous challenges, including securing adequate financing to sustain and grow their operations. Cobus du Plessis looks at some of the key features and pros and cons of the financial opportunities available to producers.

'My mentor played a huge role in my success'

According to Vincent Mhlonitshwa, making the transition from a communal to successful commercial farmer requires mentorship. Mike Burgess visited him near Elliot in the Eastern Cape to better understand how a mentor helped establish the foundations on which he built a mixed farming operation on less than 1 500ha.

Choosing the right show for your horses

Should you take your stud horses to an agricultural show or a riding show? It depends on what you want to achieve

Happy, healthy flyers win the big prizes

In this article, the final in a three-part series on pigeon racing, Thomas Smit looks at ways to help your birds settle in a loft, as well as the best nutrition to enhance their health and stamina during long races.

Banking on Beefmasters

The Stapelberg family will be hosting their first Beefmaster production sale in Indwe, Eastern Cape, on 3 September. Marcel Stapelberg, co-owner of the Cornish Beefmasters stud, spoke to Mike Burgess to give him a better understanding of why and how the family established their stud in less than a decade.

Bacterial diseases in beans are your crop's biggest threat

Bill Kerr says he can't overemphasise the importance of making sure that the bean seed you purchase is disease free.

Pomegranate's ruby-red allure is hard to beat

As unfussy as they come, pomegranates are a relatively easy crop to cultivate. With market conditions picking up, the fruit offers first-time, part-time and long-time farmers an attractive option should they find themselves in the right climate.Lindi Botha reports on the success of a farm in Gauteng.

New Spier wine collection highlights the strength of diversity

The recent launch of the Spier Wine Farm Farmer Angus collection also featured insightful talks on the benefits of regenerative farming and community resilience, writes Glenneis Kriel.

Agriculture's massive rail burden

New ways of reducing tariffs on farm livestock and products were under consideration.

French elegance and Hollywood glamour in the heart of Cape Town

Brian Berkman stayed at The Marly Boutique Hotel and Spa, where you can forget about seasonal ups and downs, because the Camps Bay strip cooks all year round.

Losing a horse: reflecting on a personal experience

There is a special bond between a rider and their horse, and when that bond is broken, it is difficult to cope with the loss, writes Dr Mac.

SUV shoot-out: the verdict

Six of the most rugged and capable ladder-frame SUVs set out on a thrilling expedition across the Cape and through the challenging terrain of the Karoo. Car Magazine provides its assessment of each vehicle.

Underground problems.in a field of beans

Bill Kerr says the benefits of growing crops in healthy, organic soil was never adequately taught to him during his agricultural education.

Fire-smart farming: how to tame the flames and be prepared

As we head for what is predicted to be another hot and dry summer, farmers must remain vigilant about the risk of fires, writes Brendon Adams, after-sales product and technical support at Husqvarna South Africa.

Free-roaming cheetahs: researchers and conservationists join forces with farmers

Cyril Stannard, project manager and field officer at the Cheetah Outreach Trust, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about the progress of the Free-roaming Cheetah Census, which covers the entire area where this iconic cat occurs in South Africa and neighbouring countries.

Kenya's Boran breeders' society joins SA Stud Book

The Boran Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa has welcomed Kenya's Boran Cattle Breeders' Society (BCBS) to join SA Stud Book, the South African animal registering organisation.

UK farmers don't fear lab-grown meat

A new report from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) in Gloucestershire, England, suggests that lab-raised meat may not be as threatening to traditional farming as previously thought.