CATEGORIES

Business And Legal Implications Of An Agritourism Venture

Once you have conducted the necessary feasibility studies and determined the exact format of your agritourism business, the next step would be to decide on an appropriate business structure for the venture.

‘Chicken Dumping Will Cripple The Economy And Kill Off Jobs'

Francois Baird, founder of the FairPlay advocacy movement, tells Annelie Coleman why chicken dumping is an illegal practice, and describes how it threatens South Africa’s chicken and grain industries, the country’s economy, and the jobs and food security of poorer consumers.

Meet The Mighty JD 8400R!

This new record-breaking John Deere tractor made its first appearance in the UK at the recent Cereals Event at Boothby Graffoe in Lincolnshire. Joe Spencer reports.

The Man Who Made Matjiesfontein

One of South Africa’s great entrepreneurs, James Logan, was also instrumental in making the game of cricket popular throughout the country, writes Graham Jooste.

From Our Archives

Miniature horses – not just for aesthetics and pleasure

SA Macadamia Production Set To Triple By 2025

Production volumes of South African macadamias are expected to increase from 46 000t in 2015 to 70 718t by 2021. Based on current plantings, this figure could further rise to 125 980t by 2025. Such an increase, however, would require significant investment in processing capacity.

The Premium Beef Business

Gary Jackson of Jackson’s Real Food Market, Chris Paulsen of the Bull and Bush butchery, restaurateurs Steve Maresch and Llewy Mateza of The Local Grill, and Roelie van Reenen of Beefmaster, are determined to offer the finest traceable, aged and ethically produced beef to discerning clients. But doing so is not without challenges, writes Gerhard Uys.

Olive Oil Success Through Innovation

The Greenleaf Olive Company near Cape Agulhas in the Overberg planted its first trees in 2006. Just 10 years later, the olive oil produced here is one of South Africa’s premium local brands. 

Dealing With Fluorine Poisoning

This condition is difficult to diagnose due to the natural levels of fluoride that occur in all animal tissue. The highest levels are found in teeth and bones.

Agriculture Is Changing And So Must Agri Economist

It’s not only farmers who have to adapt to the fundamental changes occurring in world agriculture, or go out of business. Agricultural economists also have to adapt. This is the warning from Bongiswa Matoti, president of the Agricultural Economists’ Association of South Africa. The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly.

Pests And Drought Hamper 2017 Canola Yields

Pests And Drought Hamper 2017 Canola Yields

A Farmer's Passion Carrying A Family Legacy Forward

It takes a fine balancing act for Grain SA chairperson, Jaco Minnaar, to serve the interests of members while still leaving enough time to pursue his true passion – being a farmer. Sabrina Dean visited him recently on his family farm near Hennenman in the Free State.

Treating Summer Skin Problems

Summer may mean more time to spend with your horse, but it’s also the season for sweet itch, mange and ringworm, cautions Kim Dyson.

Beef Cattle Conformation Basics

When performing a visual evaluation of the animal, note the following features in particular: frame size, muscle and body structure, and breed character.

Indigenous Trees

South African landowners should become more involved in propagating and using indigenous trees to ensure their survival and increase biodiversity.

Make The Right Connection

Seamless connectivity between machine and operator is at the heart of John Deere’s latest FarmSight precision farming solutions. Joe Spencer reports.

The Beef Master In Limpopo

The growing popularity of the Beefmaster among livestock breeders in Limpopo is indicative of the breed’s ability to adapt to extensive farming conditions. The Hardus Steenkamp Beefmasters stud in Limpopo has proven just how well the breed can perform.

Bumper Maize Harvest Set To Restore SA's Net Export Status

The record crop that the Crop Estimates Committee has forecast for local maize producers will place South Africa firmly back on the export map.

Understanding Crop Rotation

Vegetable growers everywhere seem to think it a crime not to practise crop rotation.

Performance Chipping

Aftermarket computer chips are available to override a vehicle’s air:fuel ratio and other settings to squeeze more power from the engine. Jake Venter explains.

No Room For Favourites

Gugulethu Zondi, the Agricultural Research Council’s 2016 National Emerging Beef Farmer of the Year, says that farming should be treated like any other business, and that beef farmers should choose their breeds based on performance rather than preference.

Brafords Prove Their Worth On Traditional Sheep Farm

Although Van Aardt Greyling from the farm Ricksuhill near Lady Grey in the Eastern Cape is better known for his SA Mutton Merinos, his Beefpower Braford Stud is nevertheless home to the 2017 ARC National Best Elite Braford Cow.

Pecans: High Cost, Big Returns

The boom in nut prices in recent years is expected to continue as consumers opt for healthier foods. This has increasingly led to farmers replacing their crops with nut trees. While pecan farming can be a lucrative venture, aspiring nut growers must begin with a solid foundation, says Shane Eva, farm manager for Halls and Sons.

Some Bacterial And Parasitical Pig Diseases

An overview of eperythrozoonosis, Clostridium perfringens Type C, ascariosis and Glasser’s disease.

The Basics Of Pigeon Pea Production

Pigeon peas have the ability to survive and provide good economic returns in a drought-prone environment and low input farming systems.

Improve Water Management; Don't Make New Laws

Implementing existing laws could have averted South Africa’s water crisis, yet the minister of water affairs has failed to do this, according to Mike Muller, visiting adjunct professor at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Viable ‘Refuge Areas' To Reduce Pest Resistance In Sugar Cane

To curb the development of resistance in pests to the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in genetically modified sugar cane, refuge areas would have to be so large that production might not be financially viable at this stage. This is according to Dirk Human, a master’s student at Stellenbosch University researching refugia in Bt sugar cane.

Maize Price Expected To Decrease Further

White and yellow maize prices are expected to decline by between R150/t and R200/t over the next few months due to high global and local supply levels and the strengthening rand, according to agricultural economist Prof Johan Willemse.

Amendments To Oriental Fruit Fly Control Measures

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has released amendments to the control measures for the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) in South Africa.

What Lessons Has SA Learnt From the Drought?

Dawie Maree of FNB Business reviews the recent drought, which caused suffering, but also taught us several valuable lessons.