SOIL HEALTH: Why liming the soil is so important

Applying lime is an often-overlooked soil maintenance practice in farming. But abused soil can be very costly to repair, and can lead to irreversible conditions, such as soil erosion and desertification.

The bagrada bug: a serious threat after transplanting

The bagrada stink bug is an important pest worldwide, and can cause severe economic losses for brassica farmers, warns Bill Kerr.

A new strategy for maize marketing

Markus Monteiro, Bennie Grové and Nicolette Matthews of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State provide an alternative hedging strategy for the South African maize market.

Hugenoot: SA's beef cattle genetic treasure

The award-winning Koperkop Hugenoot stud has proved the breed’s economic value in the exacting farming conditions south of the Soutpansberg. Owners Henk and Gerda van Rensburg told Annelie Coleman how the breed fares in an area where animal diseases such as redwater, heartwater and anaplasmosis are rampant.

How to spot a potential top-class dressage horse

Horses are expensive, and if you choose to buy a horse with a well-defined lineage in any sporting discipline, it is not unusual to pay in excess of R100 000 for an unbacked filly or colt. But what should you be looking for before making this kind of investment? Janine Ryan reports.

Get more bang for your buck by diversifying

Diversification enables farmers to spread risk and add additional income streams, but within the opportunities lie some hazards. Lindi Botha spoke to farmers who have successfully integrated their current operations through multicropping and other methods about how to tackle this juggling act without dropping the ball.

Rooibos producers positioned for growth

Werner Nieuwoudt, chairperson of the newly formed Rooibos Tea Producers’ Association, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the launch and vision of the organisation, and how rooibos farmers could benefit.

Land reform will not result in 15% growth

Giving land to inexperienced farmers while retaining property rights will not improve agricultural sustainability. Fixing problems such as load-shedding, vaccine shortages and infrastructure will, says Dr Koos Coetzee.

EU's carbon border tax: new report shows Africa stands to lose billions in revenue every year

Prof David Luke, strategic director at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics and Political Science, discusses the EU’s new carbon border tax, and its possible impact on Africa.

Climate goals should not stunt Africa's growth

Developing countries are bemoaning the heavy burden of reaching climate goals as pressure mounts in the lead-up to the next Conference of the Parties (COP28) that will be held in Dubai in December.

Event marks progress in cannabis sector

The Phakisa Action Lab was convened recently to prioritise more urgent policy implementation.

Good trading season ahead for cotton farmers, report shows

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Cotton and Wool Outlook 2023 showed a steady increase in global trade. The projection in the report indicated an increase of up to 43 million bales, the second-highest total since 2012/13.

Project to boost agri jobs for youth in KZN

KwaZulu-Natal’s minister of agriculture recently outlined strategies to support young farmers as he visited a number of projects around the province. He praised the creation of jobs in the region. Jyothi Laldas reports.

Ceres Fruit Growers celebrates its centenary

Ceres Fruit Growers (CFG) is celebrating 100 years in business. The company, which owns 50% of Tru-Cape, handles about 135 000t a year of fresh apples and pears of shareholders and nonshareholders, representing roughly eight million packed cartons for the local and export markets.

Farmers take action against livestock theft

Theft of livestock is leaving many farmers out of pocket. Annelie Coleman writes about SAPS and local farmers' initiatives.

Ample harvests and robust grain output set to slow food inflation in SA

South Africa had a challenging start to the 2022/23 summer crop season. Excessive rain slowed the planting activity in various regions from October 2022, when the season started, until the end of the year.

How to grow bananas

This article contained points to consider when establishing a new banana plantation.

The status of women in agrifood systems

Declines in women's employment in agrifood systems are evident in most regions, and few women are involved in the more profitable activities across various value chains, according to a new report.

Droughts are old news

When the good rains come and the frogs come out, it is easy for people to forget the poverty and misery that intensely dry periods have brought over the centuries

Curry with potato, apple, peanuts and chickpeas

A hearty dish ideal for winter. As it stands, this delicious curry is a vegetarian dish, but you can easily add chicken pieces for some extra protein and texture.

Dealing with sporadic caterpillar pests in cabbages

They may not always be present in your lands, but you still have to look out for these pests, or risk losing your cabbages

The basics of growing turnips

Turnips are an ideal garden vegetable. In South Africa, they are best grown as a cool season crop for harvesting during early spring.

How to handle agrochemicals safely

At a Vineyard Workers' Development course held recently in Paarl, Rosa Kruger and Trix Quixley spoke about the importance of the safe and responsible handling and use of agrochemicals.

Risk mitigation Part 4: the jackal and rooikat 'problem'

PJ Mommsen, a freelance risk mitigation strategist, speaks about the importance of managing risk as it relates to predators.

KZN farmers still reeling from the effects of last year's floods

The flooding in April 2022 has been described as the most catastrophic natural disaster yet recorded in KwaZulu-Natal, and farmers are still recovering from the destruction.

The fundamentals of sheepdog training

Sheep and cattle dogs play an essential role in many small-stock and livestock operations. Janine Ryan discusses how to get your dog training programme off to a smooth and confident start.

Sports brand says no to mutilation of lambs

The Four Paws animal welfare organisation has welcomed a decision by sportswear brand Nike to commit to the certified Responsible Wool Standard, which excludes products made from wool from sheep that have been subject to mulesing, a practice carried out to prevent flystrike.

Bayer positions itself to cash in on regenerative agriculture

Bayer's CropScience division is planning to capitalise on opportunities presented by the shift to regenerative agriculture. Glenneis Kriel reports on the company's plans.

Guava industry looks for growth and improved cultivars

Despite a marginally lower crop predicted for this season, plenty of opportunities await guava producers in South Africa. Glenneis Kriel reports on the industry's recent annual general meeting.

Traveller arrested with lion bones in his luggage

The slaughtering and smuggling of captive-bred lions in South Africa to meet the demand for lion bones is an abomination, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife South Africa’s operations and stewardship manager.