CATEGORIES

Urgent Access To More Avocado Export Markets Needed - Subtrop

A large avocado harvest means the industry needs to access more export markets to remain sustainable, according to the South African Subtropical Growers’ Association (Subtrop).

First Make It Work, Then Survive, Then Prosper

After playing a significant role in corporate South Africa, Dr Reuel Khoza, former chairperson of Nedbank and Eskom, decided to turn his focus back to his roots in the farming sector. He spoke to Lindi Botha about practical transformation and taking hands with commercial farmers.

A Unique Symbiosis Between Farmers And Brown Hyenas

Although the Kruger National Park is a haven for South African wildlife, it is not the ideal home for the secretive and submissive brown hyena, also referred to as the wolf or strandwolf. Farmland outside of protected areas is vital to their survival. Dr Katy Williams, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Mpumalanga, has been finding out why.

The Wonderful Soil Food Web

Because most soil organisms are microscopic, they don’t get the attention they deserve. Yet a teaspoon of good soil may contain a billion bacteria of thousands of species.

Counting The Cost Of Captive-bred Lion Hunting

Lizanne Nel, conservation manager for the South African Hunters’ and Game Conservation Association, says that hunting captive-bred lions is not good for the local hunting industry and will cost the country millions of rand in losses if allowed to continue.

Beefing Up Cattle Using The Continuous Grazing System

While intensive and fast-rotation beef grazing systems are becoming more popular in South Africa, the Duminies of Duminy Boerdery in Vryheid have stuck by their extensive continuous grazing system. They explained their strategy to Lloyd Phillips.

Buying New Tyres For Your Bakkie

Tar road, dirt road, off-road. Mud, sand and rocks. Wet and dry. No single tyre copes well under all conditions. So how do you choose a tyre for your bakkie or 4x4? Jake Venter offers advice.

Land Rover: The Making Of A Legend

The Land Rover, with its strange aluminium alloy panels, was meant to be a stop-gap for Rover. But the world fell in love with it, and it became an icon.

Financing Models Now Make Technology More Affordable

Cost is one of the main reasons why farmers are struggling to adopt energy-saving technologies. Charl du Plessis, head of project development at Energy Partners Solar, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the company’s solution to this problem and new developments in solar power.

A Farmer's Big Pig Plan

Western Cape pig farmer Leandre Mitchley was named Top Smallholder Farming Entrepreneur at this year’s annual Female Entrepreneur Awards. Her success came after a slow start and a recent major setback, and is testimony to her resilience and discipline. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Making A Difference In Africa

Crop cultivation in sub-Saharan Africa is still largely carried out by hand. A Free State-based inventor is seeking to change that with his range of remarkable equipment.

Brucellosis Can Bankrupt You. Don't Let It!

A widespread problem in sub-Saharan Africa, bovine brucellosis can cripple a cattle or dairy farming operation. As no cure is available, all infected animals are required by law to be slaughtered. This makes prevention and control of the disease a crucial aspect of a cattle operation.

Breeding Thoroughbreds Takes A Lifetime

39 YEARS AGOBreeding top-class Thoroughbreds can be a lucrative business, with The Green Monkey fetching a record-high price for a colt of $16 million [about R239 million] in 2004. However, breeding these animals takes precision, good management and patience.

The Future Looks Bright For Pecan Nuts

Global demand for pecan nuts continues to grow as consumers become more aware of their health benefits. The trade war may also present opportunities for South African exporters.

Growing Swiss Chard

Swiss chard can either be sown directly or transplanted. Both methods have their pros and cons. For example, many areas I visit are infected with beet cyst eelworm, and direct-sowing Swiss chard here can result in the plants being attacked when the young roots start growing. This not only stunts the seedlings, but allows an extra generation of eelworm to breed.

Buying A Canopy For Your Bakkie

Bakkie canopies may all appear quite similar, but there are a number of style and fitment options, and the quality varies considerably.

Data Sharing In The Fresh Produce Industry

According to Ed Treacy, vice-president of supply chain efficiencies for the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), blockchain technology holds great possibilities for improving efficiency and traceability in the fresh produce sector. In particular, it optimises supply chain operations, enhancing quality management, increasing market and business intelligence, reducing costs, and fostering brand protection.

Aquaculture In Africa: The Successes And Failures

Developments such as cage culture of tilapia and small, privately owned pond systems signal a positive trend.

'Red Gold' Brings Success For Small-scale Farming Couple

The Barui-Driehoek Co-op was the ARCs 2017 National Small-Scale Commercial Livestock Producer of the Year. Annelie Coleman visited the owners, husband-and-wife team Kabelo and Matshidiso Mooketsi, to learn more about their top-performing Bonsmara cattle.

The Five Freedoms

Codes of good practice herald a new era in animal production. Following them might seem onerous, but they will boost your profit, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Planting & Harvesting Swiss Chard

Swiss chard should be planted in rows spaced 25cm to 30cm apart, with an intrarow spacing of 15cm to 20cm.

New From John Deere

The 9000 Series features the latest forage harvesting technology to provide customers with 10% more productivity while consuming 10% less fuel. Joe Spencer reports.

How To Build A Horse Crush

The routine handling of horses is simplified if you own a crush pen, says Dr Mac.

It's Time For Smallholder Farmers To Enter Value Chains

The expropriation without compensation debate has been making national headlines since December, with many proponents arguing that it would economically empower the poor. However, Zamikhaya Maseti, a senior specialist for public and sector policy at the Land Bank, says that no land reform policy can be successful if new black farmers do not have adequate access to markets.

Hartebeestpoort Dam

96 years ago Construction of the Hartbeespoort Dam officially began in 1916. However, legal issues, as well as the First World War, hampered production, and the dam was completed only in 1923 after FW Scott tackled the project with renewed energy.

Convenience Or Performance? (Part 1)

There is no getting away from it. A medium to large aquaculture operation, using solar heating, offers the best chance of success.

Customised Training For Commercial And Small-scale Interests

South Africa has an urgent need for agricultural training at all levels. The Hoedspruit Hub Agricultural Training Centre provides commercial skills training programmes, practical courses to assist small-scale farmers, and funding for education of the unemployed in surrounding communities. Lindi Botha reports.

Afrigus - A Game Changer For The Red Meat Industry?

Free State stud breeder Martiens le Roux believes the Afrigus breed is a promising new contestant in the South African beef cattle arena. Annelie Coleman called on him on his farm in the Bethulie district to find out more about this young and relatively unknown breed.

Managing Gerbils On Your Land: Part 2

By the time the effects of a gerbil outbreak on the crop become obvious, it is too late to take action.

Toyota: Its History And Its Bakkies

The company is renowned for its manufacturing techniques and excellent vehicles.