CATEGORIES

Early planting: the key to soya bean success

Soya bean farmer Gerrie Schoeman uses careful planning to time his planting perfectly. In addition, he uses the best resources at hand, including experienced service providers and the latest technology, to optimise production for maximum yield. Lindi Botha reports.

Dehorning your beef cattle can help boost profits

Removing the horns from your cattle holds a number of advantages. Most importantly, it will prevent the problem of bruised meat.

Care and caution keep poultry disease-free

As every chicken producer can attest, keeping the birds in optimal health is a finicky task, and failure can lead to serious losses. This means that a meticulous biosecurity plan is a top priority. Lindi Botha spoke to broiler producer Ben-Chris Bronkhorst about putting the right systems in place and ensuring that they run efficiently.

A weed that's a ticking time bomb

Malva parviflora is a drought-, heat- and cold-resistant weed that is almost impossible to kill once established. If you see any, be sure to destroy them immediately, says Bill Kerr.

Why Less Is More In A Potato Enterprise

Growing and marketing potatoes for maximum profit can be complex, as there is a narrow window for obtaining the highest prices. To ensure his business gets its timing right, GoldenGrow owner Graeme Jarvie employs a ‘less is more’ approach, where the business stays well within its capabilities and so runs smoothly. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Choosing The Right Pig Breed For Your Farm

Dr Danie Visser, an agricultural adviser and strategic analyst, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the factors that a farmer should consider when choosing which pig breed to farm.

Breeding For Efficiency Adds Value For This Cattle Farmer

Anneri Otto, who farms near Coligny in North West, never planned on becoming a farmer. However, when unfortunate circumstances forced her to take charge of her husband’s operation, she rose to the challenge, and now produces Hereford and Angus cattle, as well as pecan nuts. Pieter Dempsey reports.

A Beautiful Farm That Makes An Ideal Spot For Hunting And Fishing

Enjoy the freedom of being the only guests at this farmhouse, just off the N3 en route to Durban, where you can enjoy a variety of actvities, or simply relax and unwind, says Riaan Hattingh.

Why Vaccines Are So Important For Your Animals

Many medications are available for treating diseases and other problems, such as worms, in livestock. But by far the most important treatment you can give your animals is vaccinations against the diseases that occur in your area. Shane Brody explains why vaccines are different to other medicines, and why they are so effective.

Snails: an industry filled to the brim with opportunities

Snail-breeding enterprise CSC Heliculture began as a small-scale operation, but now business is booming thanks to growth in the market. Co-owner Christiaan Jooste spoke to Pieter Dempsey about the company’s success.

Zululand cattleman adds value with feedlot

The often hot and humid Zululand area may appear lush and bountiful to the uninitiated, but it can be a challenging environment in which to be a commercial beef farmer. One such producer, PJ Hassard, explains how he balances natural with supplied nutrition to get the best from his oxen. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Kill those weeds as soon as possible!

While that new species of weed on your land might seem innocuous, it could be only a matter of time before it spreads and causes bigger problems. So make sure to take care of the problem in a timely manner, says Bill Kerr.

Comforting lamb stew

With winter upon us, there’s nothing like a bowl of hearty and warming lamb neck stew to make your family and friends happy, says Rene du Toit. The preparation of this dish requires a bit of effort, but it’s well worth it!

The precision agriculture benchmark: are we there yet?

The precision agriculture approach was introduced many years ago. Today, as it becomes even more widely used, it is important to measure the adoption of this method of farming supported by technology and assist producers in strategising and defining new goals. Stehan Cloete writes.

From rags to riches with fruit farming

When Kitty du Plessis’s husband lost his farming job, they decided to buy a farm no one else wanted. She and her son, Mario, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their journey to success.

Improving roads and road safety through better management

South Africa’s road network plays a pivotal role in the country’s agri-logistics industry, but heavy-vehicle traffic and the effects of overloading are major problems on roads. Oliver Naidoo, managing director of JC Auditors, explains how the Road Transport Management System aims to improve road safety and increase the productivity of the logistics value chain. Jeandré van der Walt reports.

An Endangered Bird Is Forgetting Its Song

Researchers from the Australian National University have found that in areas where there are very small populations of the critically endangered regent honeyeater, the songs of the remaining wild males vary remarkably. Tragically, in some cases, the birds have even adopted the songs of other species.

Growing sweet potatoes

The sweet potato is a warm-season crop and does not fare well in cool temperatures. Implementing a crop rotation strategy is also essential to keep pests and diseases at bay.

The evolution of power in SA's agri machinery market

It is unlikely that South Africa’s commercial agriculture sector would have achieved its internationally respected status were it not for the investment that farmers have made in mechanisation. Lloyd Phillips spoke to a number of experts about some of the main agricultural machinery sales trends.

Putting crop rotation into perspective

When developing a crop rotation programme, one must take into consideration the various pests and diseases that may infect different crops in order to avoid disastrous results, says Bill Kerr.

The changing environment

The Internet of Things, where machinery and devices (often fitted with sensors) share data online, has enabled tractors and other agricultural machinery to become far more efficient and easier to operate. This, combined with mechanical innovations, is helping farmers produce more with less. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Giving farmers the advantage!

New machinery is indispensable as a support for agricultural activities during difficult times such as COVID-19, says Jaco du Preez, product specialist at CNH Industrial, distributor of New Holland in South Africa.

Improving the stud one animal at a time

Dirco Swart, owner of Blinkmeneer Beefmasters in Frankfort, says that the future of the Beefmaster is bright, thanks to the breed’s adaptability and breeders’ passion for improvement.

Controlling biting flies

Biting flies are not only a nuisance, but can also transmit diseases and deliver painful bites, says Dr Mac.

A soya bean range for all conditions

Nico Barnard, an agronomist in the central Highveld for Pannar, explains the importance of planting different soya bean cultivars to spread risk. This is how Pannar’s soya bean range can help!

Affordable Biosecurity For Small-Scale Piggeries

In this article Dr Peter Evans, veterinary liaison officer of the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation, shares affordable and practical tips that small-scale pig farmers can implement to improve biosecurity on their farms and protect their livelihoods. Jeandré van der Walt reports.

A Beginner's Guide To At-Home Composting

With at-home composting, you can turn kitchen scraps into fertiliser for your garden. Researchers from Australia’s Griffith University compiled this list of do’s and don’ts for composting beginners.

Towards a fairer trade balance between SA and Botswana

In this article, Thomas Harvey, Absa’s head of AgriBusiness in Botswana, provides an overview of the agriculture sector in that country and explores the linkages between the agriculture sectors of Botswana and South Africa.

Breeding world champion Charolais

When his cattle business was hit hard by drought, fifth-generation North West farmer Loutjie Campher started breeding Charolais as a means of rebuilding his herd. He spoke to Pieter Dempsey about his stud.

Pannar gives you the edge

Pannar’s yellow maize package consistently delivers top-end yield potential across different potential levels, production areas and seasons.