CATEGORIES

The bond between Boer and Zulu

The friendship forged between Louis Botha and Dinuzulu as boys in rural Natal later led to co-operation and land donated to the Boers to establish a new republic around present-day Vryheid, writes Graham Jooste.

Pet-friendly farm stay

Guest-farm owners and animal lovers Annatjie and Chris Geldenhuys treat pets as family, welcoming dogs of all shapes and sizes. They even roll out the welcome mat for cats and birds, writes Linda Piegl.

How the Bonsmara changed the trajectory of beef cattle breeding in SA and beyond

The Bonsmara is a South African breed that was bred to thrive under African conditions, says Louis Steyl, CEO of the breeders' society Bonsmara SA. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about the origins of the breed and the value it has added to sustainable and profitable beef production on a global level.

Students chosen for global poultry programme

Lihle Sindaku, a master's student at North-West University (NWU), has been selected to participate in an international poultry programme aimed at bridging academic study and industry insights.

Harnessing renewable energy: sustainable solutions for SA farmers

Sustainable energy options like solar, wind, biogas, and others enable farmers to reduce their reliance on the national power grid and insulate their farms from electricity price hikes, writes Cobus du Plessis.

Advancing the use of integrated pest management in crop production

Experts in integrated pest management are gaining importance as fruit-importing countries tighten their phytosanitary regulations. Nadine Botha, technical and commercial manager at Insectec, spoke to Magda du Toit about her journey from growing up in a small mining town to taking on a leading role in the field.

Challenges to overcome when direct seeding onions.

Achieving the planned onion population and bulb quality requires precise seeding, especially in summer rainfall areas, writes Bill Kerr.

BMW covers all the bases with all-new X3

In January, BMW rolled out the all-new Rosslyn-built X3. The Citizen's Mark Jones sampled the latest generation of the popular SUV to discover why the three-model line-up caters for everyone.

Global and domestic outlook for canola

Canola is an important global crop, and while South Africa is not a significant player in the industry, production and trade abroad have a significant impact on local production and prices.

A cottage for people sharing the facilities

Dear Jonno, We write to you for some ideas for a cottage that can be built and rented out to people working in our vicinity.

The cost structure of solar energy systems for farms

Transitioning to solar energy involves understanding the various components of a solar power system, the different options available, and how the costs thereof are calculated, writes Cobus du Plessis.

Charred mango and steak salad

The first few twinges of autumn are in the air, but you can keep the tantalising taste of summer alive with this gorgeous salad. Recipe and photo: South African Mango Growers' Association.

Record number of entries for dairy championships|

Judging for Africa's largest and oldest dairy competition, the South African Dairy Championships, recently took place in Durbanville in the Western Cape.

BLUP values vs 'good looks'

In this article, Louis Steyl, CEO of the breeders' society Bonsmara SA, explains why farmers should buy bulls based on both BLUP values and conformation, without prioritising either factor.

ARC donates zeolite-trial vegetables to community

The Agriculture Research Council (ARC) at Nietvoorbij in the Western Cape has embarked on an initiative to donate vegetables produced in its zeolite research trial to underprivileged communities.

An integrated approach is required for fly control in stables

Whether they're a general nuisance or disease carriers, it's essential that flies are controlled throughout their life cycle, writes Dr Mac.

Herbicide management in canola rotations

Careful planning of weed management is essential when introducing canola to a crop rotation system. Adama's Hardus van Vuuren spoke to Glenneis Kriel about achieving effective weed control and preventing herbicide-related crop damage.

Outlook for dairy farmers in 2025

The sharp increase in feed prices in 2024 resulted in weak profits for dairy farmers. Conditions will probably improve slightly during 2025, writes Dr Koos Coetzee.

Second-hand ewes for meat

This story showed that a farmer could make good money with slaughter lambs, provided they had the right stock and followed the correct breeding programme.

From provocation to intricate plots

With the coolness of autumn in the air, the four reads Patricia McCracken has selected this week are rich with ideas that are guaranteed to warm up the grey matter.

South Africa's agriculture sector must prioritise self-reliance and diversified market expansion

South Africa's agriculture sector remains constrained by long-standing domestic challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, inefficient municipalities, unreliable transport networks and the slow release of government-owned land to beneficiaries with title deeds. These structural issues limit the sector's ability to grow sustainably and must be urgently addressed.

Advice for aspiring farmers

Louis Steyl, CEO of Bonsmara SA, offers some advice to prospective farmers about how to go about setting up a cattle farm for future success, and stresses the importance of establishing a solid foundation.

New Plant Health Act aimed at improving agricultural trade and biosecurity

The Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Act (No. 35 of 2024) repeals the Agricultural Pests Act (No. 36 of 1983). Magda du Toit spoke to industry leaders to gain their insights on the implications of the new Act.

The genetically unique Senepol: ideal for beef production in Southern Africa

Since its arrival in South Africa in 2001, the Senepol has become a strong contender in the country's beef cattle arena. Tiekie Muller, owner of the Nooitgedacht Senepol stud, spoke to Annelie Coleman about how the growing number of Senepol stud breeders underpins the value of the breed under exacting African conditions.

Microwave mango and granadilla cheesecake

This delicious mango fridge tart is so easy to make, perfect when you want a quick yet indulgent dessert (it only takes 25 minutes to whip up). The fruit’s gorgeous colour and fragrance are maximised.

Global outlook for wheat in 2024/25

In its latest estimate, the International Grains Council has adjusted global wheat production for the coming season due to poorer-than-expected harvests in the EU. However, global supplies remain strong, while global consumption is expected to increase to reach about 804 million tons. Janine Ryan reports.

From fallow land to award-winning wines: the Newstead story

Newstead Lund Family Vineyards, a relatively new wine estate, has established itself as one of the best producers of sparkling wine in South Africa. Owners Doug and Sue Lund spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their production philosophy, rise to success, and possible expansion plans.

Fact file of fungal diseases in wheat

Wheat is a significant crop, and like other crops, is susceptible to a range of infections. Here, we provide information on the most important fungal diseases that affect wheat.

Soil preparation for wheat and other cereals

For seed to germinate and plants to grow, soil often needs to be prepared. The manner in which it is done depends on the type of soil, the organic matter and moisture it contains, the crop to be planted, as well as the previous crop that was planted in the field. Magda du Toit spoke to cereal experts and farmers for guidance.

The origin of the Bonsmara

The Breed of the Month for March is the Bonsmara. In this first article, we take a look at the man behind this popular cattle breed, as well as how it was developed.