Fire and regenerative rangeland management

Fire is a management tool and, like a hammer, it can have good or bad consequences, depending on how and when it is used. This requires careful consideration of a farm’s conditions, writes Colin Nott, a regenerative agricultural consultant based in Namibia.

Watch out for glyphosate contamination

The repeated use of the herbicide glyphosate has been found to compromise fruit production. James Dick, co-owner of production consultancy DNS Crop Institute, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this problem.

Meet the ‘Barbarians'

A display of part of farmer Herman Dewing‘s huge collection of barbed wire. FW ARCHIVE

Tennis tapestry

There was a period in South Africa’s past when a well-kept tennis court was as much a part of a prosperous farm as a vegetable garden or a tractor. And this applied in the dusty Karoo as well as in the lush Lowveld, says Graham Jooste.

Saving Southern Africa's smallest wild cat

Marion and Richard Holmes, who live near Cradock in the Eastern Cape, have made it their life’s ambition to conserve the vulnerable black-footed cat and African wildcat. They spoke to Annelie Coleman about the methods they employ.

Increasing sugar tax will cost more jobs – industry

With the ending of the moratorium on increases to the Health Promotion Levy (HPL), or so-called sugar tax, in 2022, renewed calls to double the levy could cost the sugar industry millions of rands.

Improving seed import/export regulations in Rwanda

GLOBAL INSIGHT

Higher milk production, lower carbon footprint

Pressure is mounting on dairy farmers to reduce their carbon footprint. The good news is that research shows it is not only possible, but can be done in a way that increases productivity. Lindi Botha reports.

Growing onions

Cutworms and thrips are major threats to onion plants, and must be dealt with timeously to save your crop, says Bill Kerr.

Growing Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts attract their fair share of pests. Here’s how to identify and control the important species.

Droughtmaster: the ticket to breeding more uniform calves

Now semi-retired from farming, Adriaan Odendaal of Villiers in the Free State is able to devote most of his time to the improvement of his almost 10-year old Rocky Droughtmaster stud. With the use of a new breeding method, he is confident that he will achieve his goal of breeding a uniform herd that is true to type within a few short years. Denene Erasmus reports.

Embryo flushing: a sure way to accelerate genetic progress

To stay ahead of their competitors in the breeding game, livestock farmers have to continually improve the genetics of their animals. Nollie and Pieter Stofberg, owners of Platdrif Sussex Stud in the Western Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how they make use of embryo flushing to achieve this goal.

Growing Brussels sprouts: Part 2

Irrigation, fertilization, and weed control all play a crucial role in the success of this crop. It’s also important to harvest at the right time when the heads are bright green, firm, and large enough.

Exploring the beauty of a small seaside town on SA's West Coast

Yzerfontein is home to stretches of beautiful fynbos. Atlantica, with its panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, is the ideal place to stay while visiting this tranquil harbour town, says Brian Berkman.

Preventing and fighting veld fires

Fire protection associations play an integral part in managing fire risk during the dry winter season. Pieter Dempsey spoke to Johann Breytenbach, general manager of the Free State Umbrella Fire Protection Association, about the importance of these organisations and how they can grow their capacity and capability.

New feed waste solution for dairy farmers

The UK-based agriculture solutions company, JF Hudson, has designed a first for the dairy industry: an attachment that can help to greatly reduce feed wastage in dairy sheds and save farmers money.

Training a yearling

Your horse doesn’t have to be a racehorse to follow the training programme employed for starting Thoroughbred yearlings, says Dr Mac.

Complying With SA's Demanding Labour Laws

Western Cape pome fruit producer Steven Versfeld earlier this year became the first farmer to achieve platinum status with no non-compliances from the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa for his workforce management. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this accomplishment.

Breeding Chickens For The Show Ring

What started out as a hobby for Helene Roodt six years ago has since turned into a full-time and surprisingly intricate and successful show chicken breeding business. Annelie Coleman visited Roodt to find out more about her enterprise.

Zondo Commission: a line in the sand, or not?

The Zondo Commission, South Africa’s ambitious project to unravel the networks of state capture in the country, is wrapping up its work. Theo Venter, an independent political and policy specialist and lecturer at the North-West University Business School, takes a look at some of the achievements of the commission thus far, and how its work may influence the future of the country.

Mohair price up 75% year-on-year

The 99% sales clearance achieved at the first winter season sale of mohair was a good indication of healthy demand for mohair. There were 88 723kg on offer.

Market access initiative for beef farmers launched

A new livestock initiative is set to provide a platform for the formal selling and buying of cattle for Eastern Cape beef cattle producers. This was according to Roelie van Reenen, supply chain executive at the Beefmaster Group.

Dexter cattle are ideal for experiments

This article explored how Dexters, being the low-maintenance and inherently docile cattle they are, were ideal material for animal scientists operating in certain fields of research.

Area planted to wheat in England up by 28%, but canola production down

The area planted to wheat in England alone for the current harvest has increased 28% from 2020 to 1,62 million hectares. This was according to the provisional results of the UK’s agriculture ministry’s latest survey.

Dealing With Abortions In Sheep And Goats

Abortions and deaths of newborn sheep and goats reduce lambing and kidding percentages, and hence your profits.

Breeding Natural Enemies To Control Pests

Limpopo insectary Insectec was founded to develop a secure and steady supply of biological pest control solutions for producers of a variety of fruit and vegetable crops. Magda du Toit reports.

Dealing With The ‘Orphan Disease'

Neurocysticercosis, caused by a tapeworm that cycles between humans and pigs, is a leading source of serious neurological disorders such as seizures in people living in certain rural settings, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.

What You Should Know About Mosquitoes

Not all mosquitoes are created equal, say Shüné Oliver and Jaishree Raman of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of South Africa. However, people should be sure to protect themselves when visiting regions known for mosquito-transmitted diseases.

Increasing Your Nut Crop: Diversity Is Key

When choosing a macadamia nut variety to plant, farmers could be tempted to stick with one variety throughout the farm to make management easier. However, diversity is key to obtaining a superior nut crop, as cross-pollination between varieties can lead to a yield increase. Lindi Botha reports.

Chief Kama: the Christian collaborator

The Ann Shaw Mission Church in the Eastern Cape’s former Ciskei is known in Xhosa as KwaKama (Kama’s place) in reference to the nearby grave of the 19th century Xhosa chief William Kama. Mike Burgess tells the story of this devout Christian and controversial collaborator with the British.