CATEGORIES

Drakenstein Rewinds Keeps Motors Running In The Boland

Replacing a burnt-out electric motor can cost a great deal, whereas rewinding it can return it to tip-top condition at much lower cost. Rashad Williams and Fa-eez Appollis spoke to Jeandré du Preez about how their rewinding business saves farmers money and production downtime. 

Livestock And Climate Change

Across the world, climate change is likely to adversely affect animal production. South Africa will be no exception, warn Mokgadi Seshoka, Anette Theunissen and Prof Michiel Scholtz.

Dramatic Savings With Low-Flow Drip Irrigation

By switching from micro-irrigation to low-flow drip irrigation, macadamia farmer Dawid de Kock has reduced his irrigation water usage by 50%. With the subsequent savings on electricity, fertiliser and labour, the system has significantly improved his bottom line.

Farming Without Title In Tylden

In 2010, Tembi Xamesi was awarded the 1 165ha Riversdale farm near Tylden in the Eastern Cape via the state land reform programme. He has made steady progress with livestock and a cash-crop lucerne initiative, but a lack of title has been a serious hindrance to further development. Mike Burgess visited him.

SA's First Cricketing Giant

All-rounder Jimmy Sinclair played in 25 Tests from 1890 to 1911. He scored South Africas first three Test centuries and was the first player from any country to score a century and take five wickets in an innings in the same Test. He was also a rugby Springbok! By Graham Jooste.

Angola Or Bust!

A desire to escape from British rule, drought and hostile tribes led to the trekboers’ epic journeys. The Dorsland Trek was one of the toughest, says Graham Jooste.

Rural Crime: Both Police And Farmers Need To Up Their Game

Despite being continually under the spotlight, rural crime in South Africa continues to plague farmers. Some respond by leaving the sector; others struggle on after having lost property or even loved ones. However, studies show that while the justice system receives much of the blame, farmers should be doing more to secure themselves. Lindi Botha reports.

Cost Squeeze In Poultry Production Set To Hit Profits

High feed prices and lacklustre economic conditions that are depressing consumer spending will conspire to yield a tough year for poultry producers.

Humane Fish Slaughter

Compared with most other agricultural industries in South Africa, the farmed fish industry is in its infancy. With no legal framework yet in place, fish farmers and animal welfare organisations are at loggerheads about how to kill fish with the least suffering. Gerhard Uys reports.

Clear Combine Blockages Fast

The dynamic feed roll reverser from New Holland enables the CR combine harvester operator to clear blockages from the cab, maximising productivity and safety. Joe Spencer reports.

Know Your Invasive Plant Species

This article looks at the black wattle, bloodberry and other plants that must be controlled or eradicated.

'Stock Theft In North West Worse Than Statistics Indicate'

Stock theft remains a serious problem in North West and has increased 8% over the past financial year, according to Sakkie van Zyl, chairperson of the North West Red Meat Producers’ Organisation.

Concern About 'Rushed' New Cigarette Tracking System

Rushing in a new system to track cigarettes may fail to curb the illegal cigarette trade, which is worth billions of rands, the Tobacco Industry of South Africa (TISA) has warned.

Broiler Health Tips

Farmer’s Weekly spoke to various leading role players about the greatest disease threats to poultry and ways to manage these in different production systems. The consensus is that animal welfare is crucial to raising healthy, resilient broilers. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Ensuring Ethical Pesticide Use In SA's Forestry Sector

With pesticide use under increasing scrutiny by governments and the private sector, stakeholders in the forestry sector should be mindful of how they use these agrochemicals. Roger Poole, chairperson of the Timber Industry Pesticide Working Group, spoke to Lloyd Phillips.

Saving Water And Inputs With Variable Rate Irrigation

Cost-effective farming practices and optimal efficiency are both crucial to the survival of South Africa’s sugar cane industry. Faced with dwindling sugar prices and high input costs, RCL Foods is trialling variable rate irrigation on one of their farms, with excellent results. Lindi Botha reports.

Estimating Farm-level GHG Emissions: Part 2

In order to adopt good management strategies, farmers need to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions that are produced by their farms, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.

The ABC Of Turning Waste Into A Resource

Industrial-scale wood recycling offers numerous benefits to clients, including clearing invasive trees and vegetation and providing usable biomass.

Capsicum Seed And Bacterial Spot

Capsicum seed bought from a seed company is usually free of bacterial diseases.

Farmer Tests Game Export Market

This article explored the economic viability of game farming as a separate concern.

Tips For Top-quality Irrigation Water For Intensive Cropping

Growers of irrigated crops need to have access to properly treated irrigation water. Mike Kruger, owner of Top Crop Nursery, explains how he uses flocculation and chlorination to maximise the safety of the water he sources from the nearby Umgeni River. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Putting The Punch Into Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit’s peculiar appearance and exotic name are enough to make anyone take a second look. But beyond novelty appeal, the fruit holds considerable promise for South African producers. Lindi Botha visited Howard Blight at his nursery near Tzaneen to learn about this remarkable crop.

The Athleticism Of The Arab

Arabs are not only beautiful, but also excel at many disciplines, including dressage and showjumping. They are well known for their stamina in endurance races and make exceptional horses for children, writes Dr Mac.

Growing Good Carrots: Part 2

How to plant, fertilise and irrigate carrots to ensure a large, top-quality crop.

How To Reduce The Risk Of Viruses

Seed is a potential source of viruses in capsicums.

Quick Pork & Asparagus Stir-Fry

There’s real joy to be experienced in the production of this meal.

Macadamia Production To Continue Strong Growth

South Africa is currently the world leader in macadamia production, but with the industry still experiencing buoyant growth, countries such as Australia, China and Kenya are fast gaining ground.

Game: Seeing The Bigger picture

Game rancher Dr Peter Oberem, founder of Afrivet, director of Wildlife Ranching SA and newly appointed director of the National Animal Health Forum, discussed the exporting of game meat and various health aspects of game ranching with Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Making Sense Of Aerial Imagery

Since its launch four years ago, agri tech company Aerobotics has been working on algorithms to improve the interpretation of aerial data. James Paterson, Andrew Sheard and Marloe van Niekerk spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the software.

Bathurst Pineapple Industry Set For Growth

A unique microclimate in the southern Eastern Cape has given rise to a niche cropping industry that requires intensive precisionproduction over a five- to seven-year cycle. Sabrina Dean paid a visit to large pineapple producer Mark Harris to find out more.