CATEGORIES

Be Wary Of Spraying Programmes!

I am often asked for nutrition or pest control programmes for various crops. If only farming were so simple! Following a set spray or fertiliser ‘recipe’ may well work, but it can cut into your profits.

Mazda In The Spotlight

The company has a history of innovative technology and produces highly capable bakkies. By Jake Venter.

You Must Eat Your Vegetables

Vegetables are a healthy addition to a braai or any other meat-based meal. However, the way you cook your veggies can make the difference between a great dish and a simply ‘okay’ one.

Cotton Can Be More Profitable Than Maize!

Cotton production in North West can be extremely lucrative, according to Arno Janse van Vuuren, manager of agricultural management at agribusiness NWK. A comprehensive survey by the company shows that the province is well suited to cotton cultivation if production is managed effectively.

Securing The Future Of SA Macadamias

The Southern African Macadamia Growers’ Association has undergone major changes, breaking away from Subtrop to become an independent entity and introducing statutory levies. Lindi Botha spoke to newly appointed CEO Lizel Pretorius about the association’s future.

Voices Of The Past

Before South Africans had television, they relied on live radio broadcasts of important sporting events. Graham Jooste recalls the two greatest sports commentators of their era: Charles Fortune and Gerhard Viviers.

Persistence Pays Off For Award-Winning Citrus Farmer

Noluthando Mbilase, who farms near Fort Beaufort, recently won the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Top Entrepreneur Export Markets title in its annual Female Entrepreneur Awards. The award is testimony to her determination, as well as her willingness to learn, since starting in the citrus industry as a field officer many years ago. Mike Burgess reports.

The Desert: Hot, Dry, And Perfect For Fish Production

Groundwater extracted from arid areas is often unsuitable for irrigation, but it would be ideal for aquaculture.

Agriculture-Driven Economic Transformation

Recent research by the International Food Policy Research Institute and the International Institute for Sustainable Development analysed progress in agricultural development in 117 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to understand which policies have succeeded or failed. It then provided policy guidelines to help countries still at the subsidence farming stage to transform their agriculture sectors.

How Changing Rainfall Patterns Are Reshaping Farming In The Karoo

Justin du Toit, a scientist in pasture research at Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute in Middelburg, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about his analysis of rainfall records in the Central Karoo and how farmers can adapt to climate change.

A Promising Future For Pork Producers

Pork prices in South Africa plummeted after last year’s listeriosis outbreak. While this had a serious effect on producers’ bottom lines, the drop in prices has seen pork become more popular among consumers. Should demand continue to increase, pork production is likely to become lucrative.

Getting Ready To Plant Cucurbits

Before planting a land to any of the cucurbits, you should kill off all broad-leaved weeds nearby, preferably well beforehand.

Western Cape Gears Up For Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has commissioned the University of Stellenbosch Business School to research ways to unlock the advantages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the province. Research associate Angus Bowmaker-Falconer spoke to Glenneis Kriel.

Chinese Digital Trading Takes Off

The Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show 2018 will include a special focus on identifying growth opportunities in China.

A Focus On Quality Produces Success

Nelius Ferreira, the Free State’s Top Young Farmer for 2018, focuses on quality production in a global marketplace. Sabrina Dean visited him on his farm near Harrismith to learn more.

The Pros And Cons Of Subsurface Irrigation

The drought in the Western Cape has sparked renewed interest in research done almost two decades ago on partial root and subsurface irrigation. Pieter Fouché, the viticulturist at the Graham Beck Wine Estate, who participated in these studies, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the farm’s experience with these irrigation methods and whether they’re worthwhile pursuing.

Managing Gerbils On Your Land: Part 1

A gerbil invasion, especially in a grassland or savannah, can lead to serious crop damage. Control begins with understanding the behaviour of this pest, and should always be environmentally sensitive.

New Combines Even Kinder To Operator And Crop

The three new 250-series Axial-Flow combines launched recently by Case IH offer a number of new automated features designed to allow operators to maximise crop throughput and quality. Denene Erasmus attended a media event in Dresden, Germany, where the machines were put on display.

Kimberley War Hero

This year celebrates the centenary of the Royal Air Force. It is therefore fitting to recall a famous South African fighter pilot whose skill and bravery became renowned during the Battle of Britain. By Graham Jooste.

Dealing With Cucurbit Viruses

Viruses are the greatest threat facing the cucurbit grower. It’s rare that a crop will be grown without some symptoms appearing.

100 Years Of John Deere Tractors

One of the greatest success stories in the agricultural machinery industry started a century ago with the launch of the Waterloo Boy tractor in the US Midwest. Joe Spencer reports.

Blockchain: The Future Of Agricultural Trade

Many farmers are investing in new technologies that can help increase production and efficiency at farm level, but the uptake of digital trading technology has been slower. As a result, farmers are losing out on the opportunity to increase their share of profit earned along the agricultural value chain.

From Our Archives - Good Future For Crocodiles

From Our Archives - Good Future For Crocodiles

Fallout Of US-China Trade War On Soya Bean Sector

Fallout Of US-China Trade War On Soya Bean Sector

Why Farmers Need To Be Marketeers

It’s your job to find unique ways of adding value to your products to drive up profits.

How To Use Equipment And Position Effectively

Successfully hunting jackal requires the right strategy, and the right equipment. Here are a few tips on how to make your hunt count.

What's New Around The World

The drive to increase agricultural productivity and reduce costs continues unabated. This, in turn, spurs the continual development of new implements and systems, as well as ongoing improvements to existing equipment. Joe Spencer reports.

Black Youths Must Be Made Aware Of Agri Sector Careers

In his BCom Hons research paper, Mlungisi Mama examines why so few black youths are interested in agriculture as a career. His conclusion is that they believe the sector comprises little more than farmers and farmworkers, and are unaware of the job opportunities available in various agricultural disciplines. Rectifying this will demand an education campaign run jointly by several government departments.

Aquaponics: A Teenager's Passion Grows Into A Business

A Pretoria-based teenager is running a successful aquaponics farm, and doing so with expertise and foresight.

Farmer's Most Common Financial Planning Mistakes

There are many aspects to successful planning in a farming business, but there’s little doubt that financial considerations are the most crucial.