CATEGORIES

Help the youth to gain from agrifood systems

When they are given the appropriate support and enabling environment, young people in Africa can take advantage of new opportunities, develop innovative solutions, and contribute to building sustainable and resilient agrifood systems, according to a UN report released in 2022.

The early days of the Springboks

Rugby, it is said, is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen. The gentlemen of the UK and South Africa helped to build that legend. Whether they were playing on foreign fields or fending off a touring side on home turf, South Africa’s early Tests were truly ‘a prelude to greatness,’ as Graham Jooste writes.

Asia Fruit Logistica 2022

The Asia Fruit Logistica 2022 was held from 2 to 4 November in Bangkok, Thailand. Farmer’s Weekly takes a look at some of the innovative equipment on display at this year’s event.

Coffee, chocolate and competition horses

At equestrian events, urine is tested for controlled and prohibited substances such as caffeine and theobromine, says Dr Mac.

The basics of pest and disease control

Unsure of how to spray your crops effectively? Follow these simple guidelines to get the best results and keep your costs down.

Catching pumpkin flies: get your timing right

Pumpkin flies can cause serious yield loss in cucurbits They are especially troublesome when the fruit is young and tender, warns Bill Kerr.

Winterveldt's cucumber king

Planning and forward thinking are important in farming, says Kobela Mokgohloa, the owner of Korema Farm in Winterveldt near Pretoria. He spoke to Magda du Toit about how he grew his cucumber production, as well as his plans for the future.

Santa Gertrudis bulls: tested for two decades

Melville Ferreira, senior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council’s Animal Production unit in Vryburg, and Yolanda Venter, breed manager of the Santa Gertrudis Cattle Breeders’ Society in Bloemfontein, reveal the findings of performance testing of Santa Gertrudis bulls over 20 years under intensive conditions.

Farmworkers' own wine on track for success

As part of an empowerment project, farmworkers at Kleine Zalze wine estate have released the first wines produced from grapes grown in their own vineyards. They spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their achievement.

Big hemp dreams for Gouda

A company and a farmers’ association recently joined hands to start hemp production in Gouda in the Western Cape. They spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their plans to scale up the project to achieve commercial success.

Power in unity

For this year’s editor’s picks, Janine Ryan focuses on the power of community and partnerships as she looks back at various stories published in Farmer’s Weekly during 2022.

'Leave your footprints on the land'

This year’s Agricultural Writers SA Agriculturalist of the Year, Pieter Bruwer, says he was born with a love of agriculture. Bruwer conducts research on a range of subjects, including tillage, cultivar standability, fertilisation and crop protection. He spoke to Magda du Toit about his current work and the state of agricultural research.

Riding the macadamia roller-coaster

Mpumalanga Agriculture’s Young Farmer of the Year of 2022, Org Lindeque, produces macadamia nuts close to Nelspruit. Once heralded as a golden industry, the crop has experienced two poor years in a row. Lindeque shared his view of the industry and its prospects with Lindi Botha.

The year fruit exporters would prefer to forget

Founder of the Le Roux Group and the 2021 Agricultural Writers SA Farmer of the Year for 2021, Jan le Roux, had his fair share of challenges this past year. He spoke to Lindi Botha about his table grape and stone fruit farms, and the interventions needed to ensure a future in this sector.

is the 'Agriculture backbone of society'

First-generation farmer Daniël Opperman, a potato producer from Naboomspruit in Limpopo, was the 2022 TLU SA Young Farmer of the Year. Magda du Toit asked him about his methods, challenges and hopes.

'Be positive and make use of opportunities'

The ALS Group, managed by Cas Joubert, his brother Thys, and partner Johan van Rensburg, was recently recognised as the Agricultural Writers SA Farmer of the Year for 2022. Joubert spoke to Magda du Toit.

'Agriculture is the glue that keeps SA together'

André Brink, 2022 Syngenta/Grain SA Grain Farmer of the Year, joined his father on Groot Phesantekraal in the Western Cape’s Durbanville district during the 1980s when interest rates were high and cash flow tight. This, he told Magda du Toit, taught him the value of careful strategic planning.

Escalating demand for eggs spurs optimism

Despite the soaring input prices of this past year and political uncertainty ahead, Western Cape poultry farmer Agmat Brinkhuis, Agricultural Writers SA New Entrant to Farming of 2021, is upbeat about egg production. He spoke to Lindi Botha about his business, Chamomile Farming Enterprises, and his hopes for the future.

Bird flu sweeps across the US and Europe

As 2022 drew to a close, agriculture and animal health authorities around the world had their hands full trying to mitigate the effects of what looked set to be the worst outbreak of avian influenza in some of the world’s major agricultural sectors, including the US and the EU.

Devastating floods, drought raise risk of food crisis

Unprecedented flooding that hit Pakistan between June and August this year has again underlined the risk posed to food systems by the effects of climate change.

Global agriculture round-up for 2022

In 2022, the supply chain challenges and high input costs faced by farmers in the wake of the COVID- 19 pandemic took a new turn when Russia invaded Ukraine in February. Volatile weather conditions further exacerbated the situation, while commodity prices continued to soar.

Family farmers: our green-thumbed heroes!

True sustainable development will not be achieved by corporate-wealth-accumulation agendas, but by visionary family farmers, says Prof James Blignaut, an ecological and environmental resource economist.

'Smallholders produce 30% of SA's fresh produce'

Recent market research undertaken by the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) indicates that about 30% of total volumes of produce delivered to South Africa's fresh produce markets come from smallholder farmers, each producing on less than 5ha of land.

Ceres Fruit Growers awards top producers

Ceres Fruit Growers, a subsidiary of the Ceres Group, recently celebrated its top apple and pear producers.

Brahman heifer sets new South African record

The in-calf Brahman heifer SER 19 032 recently set a new South African record when she was sold for R1,2 million at the Prima Genetika Brahman Auction held at Castle de Wildt near Modimolle on 19 November.

Farm sales in South Africa looking bullish

A total of 3 864 farms were sold in South Africa between January and October this year, a significant increase from the 3 133 over the same period in 2021, according to Johann Bornman, chairperson of Agri Development Solutions.

Counting the cost of stock theft in South Africa

Stock theft cases during the period July to September of this year totalled about 7 340, an increase of 10,2% year-on-year (2021: 6 660), according to the latest crime statistics released by the South African Police Service.

Rising interest rates put more pressure on farmers

Increasing input and debt-servicing costs may force many farmers to downscale their production, while others will not be able to access the necessary funds to plant crops.

'UK farmers must look further afield as migrant labour costs rise'

More foreign workers are needed in the UK to drive economic growth as the country faces a deep recession. This was according to Tony Danker, director general of the Confederation of British Industry.

Our favourite festive season plants, and how to grow them at home

The most common plants associated with Christmas are holly, mistletoe and poinsettia.