CATEGORIES

Big Plans For Onderstepoort

The CEO of Onderstepoort Biological Products, Dr Baptiste Dungu, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the repositioning of the state-owned veterinary company as an international player.

The Importance Of Timing To Strawberry Production

Professional Horticultural Consulting, a nursery-turned-strawberry producer, has become one of South Africa’s leading strawberry exporters, thanks in part to its expertise at analysing plant and soil nutritional requirements. Dr. Gavin Linsley-Noakes spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the business.

THE LESOTHO-SOUTH AFRICA BORDER PROBLEM

The strip of land spanning just over 900km along the Lesotho-South Africa border remains a source of economic loss and trauma for the many rural South Africans living there. Sabrina Dean spoke to Dr Jane Buys and Richard Chelin about the safety and security challenges in the area.

The Free State carrot farm where quality meets quantity

Bloemfontein farmer Johannes Griesel started producing carrots on 0,5ha. Today, he grows thousands of tons of this staple crop, harvesting it on every working day of the year. Sabrina Dean reports.

Producing well-balanced animals for maximum profit

Well-balanced stud animals are crucial to the profitability of a commercial beef cattle enterprise, say Jean van der Merwe and Willie Landman, owners of the Black Hills Drakensberger stud near Potchefstroom. They told Annelie Coleman that they breed animals like this by focusing on a number of traits and using a variety of selection techniques.

High-tech innovation at LAMMA

The LAMMA awards not only recognise practical inventions to improve livestock and crop production, but also celebrate online and technological innovation. Janine Ryan reports.

Getting started with turnips: an overview

Turnips are not a difficult crop to cultivate, and grow rapidly with the right care. Sound soil preparation, fertilisation, and plenty of water should ensure a good crop.

Franchising a unique papaw

29 YEARS AGO Len Hobson, the creator of the famous Papino brand, launched the innovative concept of franchising a variety of fruit or vegetable.

FMD auction ban sparks reforms

The latest foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has led to industry-wide reforms with regard to biosecurity and the traceability of livestock. Sabrina Dean and Annelie Coleman report.

Eelworm control: Part 3

When I put up tunnels for my tomatoes, the soil was in a bad state, with little organic content and poor structure. As it was virgin soil, I thought that I was at least safe from eelworms. I was wrong; the pest attacked the crop, which died at the flowering stage.

Fencing System Wins Gold At LAMMA 2020

The LAMMA Show’s innovation awards recognise some of the best advances in agricultural manufacturing and provide a well-attended platform for exhibitors to introduce ground-breaking innovation. Denene Erasmus reports.

Smaller Wine Output, But Better Prices

Due to a lack of water and competition from other commodity crops, the area planted to wine grapes has seen a steady decrease over the past few years. It is expected that production will continue to decline over the next five years, but this is not necessarily bad news for the industry, as South African wine moves into higher price brackets on the export market.

Keeping It Cool: Dealing With Extreme Temperatures

South Africa’s increasingly common heatwave conditions pose a major threat to the country’s farmed cattle, sheep and goats, which often feed and live outdoors. Lloyd Phillips spoke to a number of experts in the field about the negative effects of extremely high temperatures on livestock, and practical methods a farmer can use to mitigate these.

A New Approach To Facial Nerve Paralysis

Electro-acupuncture is now being used as a therapeutic aid to assist in facial nerve regeneration. Dr Mac takes a closer look at the technique.

Building A Mega Business Through Egg Production

Toyota South Africa/Agri SA’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2019, Johan van der Schyff, whose agricultural concern has operations across the Southern and Eastern Cape, has utilised the advantages of economies of scale and technology to build up his substantial concern. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his layer business and other enterprises.

Why The World's Drylands Need Urgent Protection

Drylands are home to two billion people, many of whom are poor and depend directly on the land’s resources for food and energy. Drylands also generate crucial environmental services and contain 35% of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations explains the importance, and challenges, of conserving drylands.

UNCOMPROMISING STANDARDS PAY OFF FOR BONSMARA FARMER

Award-winning cattle farmer Tian Kruger does not believe in shortcuts or compromising on the principles that brought him success. This has earned him a solid reputation for his commercial Bonsmara cattle and above-average prices at auctions. He spoke to Lindi Botha about his approach.

The benefits of Wagyu genetics in crossbreeding

Well-planned crossbreeding with the Wagyu generates hybrid vigour and complementary traits that are crucial for the commercial breeder.

Eelworm control: Part 2

A number of studies have been carried out to understand the mechanism by which marigolds control eelworm.

Concerted effort takes cotton from strength to strength

Cotton farming in South Africa has been a success story over the past decade, with prices paid to farmers rising and increasing hectares planted to the crop. Lindi Botha spoke to Hennie Bruwer, CEO of Cotton South Africa, about how this once flailing industry has been turned around.

Beware of acaricide resistance

Pests can develop resistance to the chemicals that are used to control them. Farmers should take every precaution to prevent this problem from occurring.

Be wary of the lantana

The consumption of the lantana bush can result in severe liver failure and death, warns Dr Mac.

Small-Scale Pig Farmer Implements Commercial Practices

Buti Malinga, a small-scale pig farmer near Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng, has built up his business, Vukani Piggery, from nothing. Intent on progress, he aims to become a fully-fledged commercial farmer in the near future. Pieter Dempsey visited him on the farm Bronkhorstfontein.

Fresh Produce Theft: Farmers Lose Billions Every Year

The theft of agricultural produce costs South African farmers billions of rand a year, not only through the loss of produce, but in additional expenses, such as fencing, to improve security. Annelie Coleman spoke to industry leaders Dr Jane Buys, Derek Donkin and Tommie Esterhuyse, as well as a Limpopo-based citrus producer who preferred to remain anonymous.

How To Improve The Oil Yield Of A Sunflower Crop

Dr Safiah Ma’Ali, a senior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council’s Grain Crops Institute, outlines a recent South Africa study demonstrating that farmers can significantly improve sunflower oil content and yield by adjusting planting dates.

Make The Most Of The Free Market

Fresh produce growers often try to plan production to capitalise on high prices.

Shooting straight – defending you and yours within the law

South Africa’s farmers and other rural residents are considered easy pickings by determined and often violent criminals. Legislation allows citizens to own and use firearms in defence of life. However, according to experts who spoke to Lloyd Phillips, legal firearm owners must be sure to avoid falling foul of the law themselves.

High-capacity balers from Norway now available in SA

Orkel Dens-X Compactor stationary bale makers were launched in South Africa this month. The event took place at meat value chain company Kameeldrift Voere, based in Cullinan, Gauteng.

The Lady in White

A wartime legend, Perla Gibson stood on the dockside and sang herself into the hearts of thousands of Allied troops as they sailed from Durban for the battlefields of Europe and the Far East. Graham Jooste tells her story.

A bright future awaits the Merino

The Merino is the ideal breed for sustainable and profitable sheep breeding in South Africa, according to LeRoux Fourie, owner of Fourie Boerdery’s Merino Stud near Brandfort. He told Annelie Coleman that the dual-purpose breed’s full potential had not yet been realised.