CATEGORIES

Improved control and flexibilty over grain revenue

The combine is the single most capital-intensive piece of equipment on a grain farm. Utilising as much of its capacity as possible is important to overall farm efficiency, writes Stehan Cloete.

Growth mediums for greenhouse production

Greenhouse farming is an intensive, high-yielding operation. Using the correct growth medium forms the basis of the operation, and mistakes in this area can cost a farmer dearly, according to producers and experts. Lindi Botha looks at which mediums work best for different crops.

Undercover farming: big investment, greater returns

With its reduced land and water requirements, tunnel farming is a viable option for farmers with little access to natural resources, says Suzanne Oosthuizen, managing director of the Undercover Farming Expo. She spoke to Lindi Botha about the unique benefits of undercover farming.

Don't allow change to catch you napping

At times, new developments might seem to come like a bolt out of the blue. But if you keep up with trends, you’ll be forewarned of change and have time to adapt, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Lettuce: more varied than ever

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) goes back a long way; it has been cultivated for more than 4 500 years. As with most vegetables, it looked very different when first discovered in the Middle East to the roundish, leafy vegetable we enjoy today.

Death in the mountains

Solitary graves on various farms bear witness to ambushes and skirmishes in the mountains of the north-eastern Cape during the Anglo-Boer War, and each town has a memorial to the fallen. Graham Jooste tells of some of the actions in this unforgiving region.

Growing Chinese cabbage

While deemed a ‘weed’ in countries such as Kenya and Zimbabwe, Chinese cabbage is a popular vegetable on local markets.

SHORT LEASES HAMPER GROWTH FOR AWARD-WINNING CATTLE FARMERS

Piet Phahlane and Aaron Makena, the Agriculture Research Council National Emerging Beef Farmers of the Year 2019 winners, say one of the most valuable lessons they have learnt as farmers is the importance of applying good animal health management principles. Siyanda Sishuba visited them on their farm in Rust de Winter, Limpopo.

Preventing hybridisation to protect natural resources

Some farming enterprises, such as wild harvesting, require particular care to ensure long-term sustainability and protect the environment.

On-farm hydroelectric power boosts dairy's bottom line

Hydroelectric power production need not mean massive installations for large-scale commercial supply. KwaZulu-Natal farmer Peter Ward’s small-scale hydroelectric system on his farm generates sufficient power for his dairy enterprise while saving his operation up to R1,3 million a year. At the same time, he uses the precious resource of water sustainably.

MAKING AGRICULTURE MORE BEE-FRIENDLY

With the majority of food crops being pollinated by bees, dwindling colonies pose a threat to agriculture. But while pesticides play a major role in declining bee numbers, monocultures and a lack of biodiversity are the greater problem. Lindi Botha spoke to industry leaders.

The intricacies of crop rotation

The purpose of crop rotation is to prevent the build-up of a pest or disease to which a crop is susceptible. But there is more to rotation than merely switching crops.

Water metering: the first step towards more efficient use?

The newly published regulation by the Department of Water and Sanitation directing all commercial irrigators to install water-measuring devices may seem onerous. However, according to James Brand, a senior associate at ENSafrica for natural resources and environment, it may represent a first step towards the crucial goal of improving water management in the sector.

Ginger: a challenging crop, but well worth the effort

Cultivating ginger is costly on all fronts: time, labour and water. But managed correctly, the crop adds good cash flow to a farming business. Jaco Lubbe of Sabie Valley Ginger in Mpumalanga spoke to Lindi Botha about getting this demanding rhizome to pay off.

21st century update of Kubota ‘dream tractor'

Half a century after exhibiting its first-ever concept tractor at the 1970 Japan World Exposition in Osaka, Kubota unveiled a vastly updated version of its ‘dream tractor’ at a new product exhibition held in Kyoto City in January.

BONSMARA SA RED BREED EVENT: don't miss it!

Despite the national ban on all livestock auctions, the annual Red Breed Event will go ahead in Parys, according to Louis Steyl, CEO of Bonsmara SA.

The Basics Of Lumpy Skin Disease

It is wise to vaccinate cattle against lumpy skin disease, as an outbreak can cause huge financial loss.

Big Plans For Onderstepoort

The CEO of Onderstepoort Biological Products, Dr Baptiste Dungu, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the repositioning of the state-owned veterinary company as an international player.

The Importance Of Timing To Strawberry Production

Professional Horticultural Consulting, a nursery-turned-strawberry producer, has become one of South Africa’s leading strawberry exporters, thanks in part to its expertise at analysing plant and soil nutritional requirements. Dr. Gavin Linsley-Noakes spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the business.

THE LESOTHO-SOUTH AFRICA BORDER PROBLEM

The strip of land spanning just over 900km along the Lesotho-South Africa border remains a source of economic loss and trauma for the many rural South Africans living there. Sabrina Dean spoke to Dr Jane Buys and Richard Chelin about the safety and security challenges in the area.

The Free State carrot farm where quality meets quantity

Bloemfontein farmer Johannes Griesel started producing carrots on 0,5ha. Today, he grows thousands of tons of this staple crop, harvesting it on every working day of the year. Sabrina Dean reports.

Producing well-balanced animals for maximum profit

Well-balanced stud animals are crucial to the profitability of a commercial beef cattle enterprise, say Jean van der Merwe and Willie Landman, owners of the Black Hills Drakensberger stud near Potchefstroom. They told Annelie Coleman that they breed animals like this by focusing on a number of traits and using a variety of selection techniques.

High-tech innovation at LAMMA

The LAMMA awards not only recognise practical inventions to improve livestock and crop production, but also celebrate online and technological innovation. Janine Ryan reports.

Getting started with turnips: an overview

Turnips are not a difficult crop to cultivate, and grow rapidly with the right care. Sound soil preparation, fertilisation, and plenty of water should ensure a good crop.

Franchising a unique papaw

29 YEARS AGO Len Hobson, the creator of the famous Papino brand, launched the innovative concept of franchising a variety of fruit or vegetable.

FMD auction ban sparks reforms

The latest foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has led to industry-wide reforms with regard to biosecurity and the traceability of livestock. Sabrina Dean and Annelie Coleman report.

Eelworm control: Part 3

When I put up tunnels for my tomatoes, the soil was in a bad state, with little organic content and poor structure. As it was virgin soil, I thought that I was at least safe from eelworms. I was wrong; the pest attacked the crop, which died at the flowering stage.

Fencing System Wins Gold At LAMMA 2020

The LAMMA Show’s innovation awards recognise some of the best advances in agricultural manufacturing and provide a well-attended platform for exhibitors to introduce ground-breaking innovation. Denene Erasmus reports.

Smaller Wine Output, But Better Prices

Due to a lack of water and competition from other commodity crops, the area planted to wine grapes has seen a steady decrease over the past few years. It is expected that production will continue to decline over the next five years, but this is not necessarily bad news for the industry, as South African wine moves into higher price brackets on the export market.

Keeping It Cool: Dealing With Extreme Temperatures

South Africa’s increasingly common heatwave conditions pose a major threat to the country’s farmed cattle, sheep and goats, which often feed and live outdoors. Lloyd Phillips spoke to a number of experts in the field about the negative effects of extremely high temperatures on livestock, and practical methods a farmer can use to mitigate these.