CATEGORIES
Four apps to improve productivity and more
There are a range of apps available on the South African market to help farmers improve efficiency and production. We explore four of them here.
Fun, games and ancient rites on board the greatest ocean liner still in service
With King Neptune’s permission, pollywog Brian Berkman crossed the equator on board the Queen Mary 2 and is now a proud shellback. He gives the lowdown on the variety of pursuits avaliable on this luxurious ship.
Choosing the right nitrogen type
Various nitrogenous fertilisers are available. Your choice will depend on environmental considerations, cost, availability, and so on, writes Bill Kerr.
Focus on drones and apps
Using drones to ensure the health of your crop
Female-owned KZN agri-business receives aid
Azowel Projects, a female-owned farming enterprise in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), is nothing if not resilient.
Deciduous fruit industry celebrates leadership
Pieter du Toit, director of Dutoit Agri, recently became the third member of the Du Toit family to receive Hortgro’s prestigious OSH Reinecke Frontrunner Award.
Is the polled Merino economically sound?
Polled Merinos are cheaper to produce and have a higher lambing percentage, among other advantages. However, they do come with their own set of issues. John Kingwill of Grootplaats in the Murraysburg district of the Western Cape wanted to breed a more economical sheep under natural conditions. He settled for a polled ram, the founder sire of his 20-year-old stud.
The big appeal of a small Karoo dorp
Van Wyksdorp in the Karoo may not be near to anything, yet exploring its surrounding mountain passes and staying there is a journey very much worth taking.
THE HITCHING POST
I am a retired man and have been a widower for two years. I would like to hear from fun-loving women between 50 and 60 years of age with a good sense of humour.
Theft of horsebox wheels: an ongoing problem
When thieves broke in at her farm recently, they came well prepared with the right tools to forcibly remove locknuts on wheels, says Dr Mac.
How much nitrogen is enough?
Nitrogen is key to profitable vegetable farming. However, the application of this element can be overdone, causing crop loss, or underdone, with the same result, writes Bill Kerr.
Review: Toyota Hilux GR-Sport III
Siyavuya Mbaduli takes a look at Toyota's highly anticipated GR-Sport Ill, which is making a strong entry into the local market as a rugged and ready off-road adventurer.
Medical cannabis production is easier said than done
The production of medical cannabis calls for extreme attention to detail and precision, as well as compliance with intricate legislative requirements and official demands. It also calls for perseverance, as Annelie Coleman found out on a visit to medical cannabis producers Coenie and Ilse Venter near Viljoenskroon in the Free State.
The biggest threats to horse health in South Africa
Janine Ryan looks at the most threatening diseases and conditions in South Africa that impact horses and other equines, including colic, laminitis and Cushing's disease.
Paper: part and parcel of the agriculture industry
Despite the everyday use of electronic communication and other technologies, society is far from becoming paperless. Wood-based paper products are woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. Paper is used in printing, writing and stationery, food packaging, packaging of other goods and medicine, for hygiene and insulation purposes, money, and even in jewellery and construction.
Challenges facing vet services in South Africa
Dr Paul van der Merwe, CEO of the South African Veterinary Association, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the issues discussed at the World Veterinary Association Congress and how these related to the local industry.
Building a farming legacy from scratch
Mac Mabidilala is proof that you don't need to own land to get started in agriculture. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how he is realising his farming dream.
Zambia looks into nuclear energy to save agriculture sector and economy
Zambia is in talks with Chinese nuclear power companies after entering load-shedding stages as the country grapples with devastating drought,
Wine industry embarking on essential repositioning for value growth
Despite being the seventh-largest in the world and celebrating small triumphs in the wine world, the South African industry is under extreme pressure,
KZN Young Farmer of the Year search kicks off
The search is on for the next KZN Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year.
Namibia minister issues groundwater warning
Namibia is experiencing a serious drought, with the lowest run-off recorded in the past 100 years. This is an indication that groundwater resources would become less reliable in future.
Australian farmers battle fruit flies
Southern Australia fresh produce growers have been fighting off fruit flies with large-scale fumigations which have led to increased cost and time lost.
Strategic marketing pays off for pork industry with increased consumption
Organisation says busting myths around pork consumption is an important factor for sales to increase. Lindi Botha talks to industry role players to find out more.
Mac farmer takes Mpumalanga young farmer title
Kobus Pieters, a macadamia farmer from Hazyview, has been crowned Agri Mpumalanga's Young Farmer of the Year 2024. He now proceeds to the national Agri SA Toyota Young Farmer of the Year competition, where he will compete against winners from the other eight provinces for a chance to take home the title and a brand-new Toyota bakkie in October this year.
A cautiously optimistic outlook for consumers, despite some risks uncertainties and
According to Agbiz, South Africa’s consumer food inflation rate has slowed further in recent months. As of the writing of this article, the consumer food inflation rate in April 2024 was 4,4%, down from 4,9% in the previous month.
Breeder’s critical view of Simmentalers
In the Free State there is a Fleckvieh stud breeder who claims there is a marked difference between his breed and German Fleckvieh. According to him, no distinction is made in South Africa between the two breeds, and both are classed as Simmentalers. His animals are out of Swiss Simmentalers.
Gold mine pollution hampering smallscale growers
Lesego Khomo, senior lecturer in the Department of Environmental Science at the University of South Africa, explains how gold mine pollution is poisoning Soweto’s water and soil.
A Karoo-farm holiday for the family or business traveller
This is the ideal Karoo-farm stopover between the Western Cape and Gauteng,
Toyota 48V: hybrid heavyweights in a changing world
Toyota's global mandate to lower overall emissions via a multi-technology approach sees the venerable Hilux and popular Fortuner packages receive their timely respective doses of hybridisation. By CAR.
Promising new cultivars on show at sorghum demonstration day
Magda du Toit recently attended a sorghum cultivar demonstration day and takes a look at the exciting new products making their way onto the market.