CATEGORIES

How to irrigate during cold spells

To prevent water freezing on the crop, you need to time the irrigation with care, says Bill Kerr.

Growing litchis: Part 1

Litchis are well adapted to different soil types, but grow well in sandy soil in South Africa’s cooler subtropical areas. The key to success, however, lies in appropriate irrigation practices.

Steady growth for global organic farming

According to the 2021 statistics yearbook ‘The World of Organic Agriculture’, which presents the latest statistics and emerging trends in organic farming from 187 countries around the world, organic farmland increased by 1,1 million hectares in 2019, and organic retail sales continued to grow.

Consistent quality: key to Boerboel breeding

Beverli Katz, one of South Africa’s top Boerboel breeders, claimed the prestigious national award of SA Stud Book Stud Herd of the Year for other species in 2020. In addition, her stud has bred the two highest-appraised male Boerboels in the world. Jeandré van der Walt visited her at Klein Sandfontein Boerboels and Boarding Kennels on the outskirts of Caledon to learn about her breeding techniques.

Accurate machine guidance made affordable

The improved efficiency offered by machine guidance means that most of these systems ultimately pay for themselves. The question is, at what accuracy level and price should a farmer invest in such a system, particularly now that the market is becoming more competitive? Stehan Cloete explores these issues.

BREEDING THE FINEST SA BOERPERD

The SA Boerperd is synonymous with versatility and hardiness; the breed excels in both English and Western riding disciplines, and can survive with little input on farms. Pieter Dempsey spoke to Frikkie Combrink, a top Boerperd breeder from Mpumalanga, about running a successful Boerperd stud.

A rare vegetable

Okra could be useful to farmers in torrid areas with a good water supply, said Hennie Nel of Hoedspruit. However, he added, the market was prone to over-supply, which put downward pressure on prices.

Eggless Banana-And Pecan-Nut Loaf

This moreish loaf is quick and easy to make, and requires only a few ingredients, says Prenusha Moodley. If you don’t like pecans, you can replace them with walnuts or even hazelnuts.

Bigger, Better, Bester! Young Producer Wins With Precision Farming

As the TaU Sa Young Farmer of the Year 2020, Danie Bester epitomises the ideal modern farmer: energetic, curious, techsavvy and connected to his peers globally. While his precision farming techniques have yielded him a bumper soya crop, this ambitious producer plans to do even better. Lindi Botha reports.

KNOW YOUR CATTLE TYPES

Bos indicus, B. taurus or Sanga cattle: which do you choose? Dr Michiel Scholtz and Prof Japie van der Westhuizen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about these breeds.

‘Choose good-quality Beefmaster bulls for heavier weaners'

Hal Budler, who runs the Budler Beefmaster stud in the Eastern Cape, says that breeding with top-quality bulls is the most effective way to improve weaning weights. He also strictly selects for maternal traits to produce adaptable and hardy Beefmasters.

It's time to plan for winter

Before we know it, winter will be upon us. Make sure you are properly prepared to help your crops withstand the first frost, says Bill Kerr.

Understanding thermal imaging

This non-invasive diagnostic tool can identify ‘hotspots’ that are linked to unsoundness, says Dr Mac.

Succession planning: get expert help and understand your options

Even if succession seems straightforward, as when passing on operations to a single heir, several steps are needed to facilitate the transfer of the farm from one generation to the next, says Trevor Dickinson.

A true escape to the countryside

Brian Berkman recently explored the dell in the Overberg that time forgot. Here he discovered warm hospitality, surprising luxury and spectacular scenery on a working protea farm.

A strategy for bush encroachment control

When sweet thorn competes with grazing plants for light and water, it starts to suppress grass production. It is therefore important to implement control measures to manage this encroachment. Dr Louis du Pisani, an independent agricultural consultant, discusses some of the factors that should inform a farmer’s bush encroachment management strategy.

A proven recipe for a successful family agri-processing business

When Ina Lessing started her home-made jams and preserves business 25 years ago, she had no idea that she would one day be supplying outlets across South Africa. Yvonne Fontyn reports.

Boom Or Bust For Expanding Orchards?

With prices remaining high, the citrus, avocado and macadamia industries have boomed in recent years and producers have continued expanding. This has left many wondering whether the situation is too good to be true and whether the bubble might be due to burst. Lindi Botha spoke to a number of industry experts.

Planning and timing: crucial success factors in cattle production

Lerato Senakhomo, the 2020 Agricultural Research Council's National Emerging Beef Farmer of the Year, runs her Nguni herd in a semi-intensive feeding system. She believes the keys to successful cattle production are proper planning and good time management. Siyanda Sishuba visited her farm in Gauteng.

Breakthrough ahead for SA honey industry

A group of South African beekeepers travelled to Australia during the first All-Australia Bee Congress and returned with a recommendations for improving South Africa’s local bee industry.

High-productivity hay and forage equipment

For most South African farmers, hay-making may not necessarily be crucial to their businesses. However, it still contributes to the revenue stream through direct sales or as a feed cost for a livestock unit. Stehan Cloete discusses ways to ensure quality feed and low production costs.

Tackling climate change and biodiversity loss

Climate change is inextricably linked to the accelerating destruction of nature. This report discusses how natural climate solutions, which include land management programmes that increase carbon dioxide storage and reduce carbon emissions, can help tackle both problems simultaneously.

NUTS: Growing cashews: Part 3

The final instalment of this series discusses cashew production from flowering to harvesting and oil extraction. The challenging process of shelling is carried out either by hand or mechanically in factories.

Carmingo apricots breathe new life into Koo Valley

The arrival of Carmingo apricot varieties enables producers to generate up to three times more income per season than with traditional varieties. Glenneis Kriel spoke to Pierre Burger and Sam Sieberhagen, two successful farmers in the Western Cape.

Succession planning: the time to talk is now

In this first article in a new series on how to run a family farm successfully, Trevor Dickinson, CEO of specialist consultancy Family Legacies, writes that the key to a profitable, long-lasting business is to start a family conversation about succession planning. And this needs to happen sooner rather than later.

The essentials of pruning

The pruning of fruit trees is a simple form of tree manipulation, yet many farmers overcomplicate the practice. Horticultural consultant Dr Nigel Cook explains to Glenneis Kriel how to maximise the value of pruning.

Adapting technology to tackle stock theft and other farm crimes

Property theft on South Africa's farms ranges from the petty and opportunistic all the way to well-planned, syndicate-led invasions, and profoundly affects incomes, production and the well-being of rural communities. but farmers and security experts are not taking this scourge lying down. Lloyd Phillips reports on how remote digital technology is being adapted to create practical, and highly effective, solutions.

Drought Feed Provides Handy Income

Jan Blignaut of Hertzogville began planting prickly pears to act as a supplement for his cattle during drought. However, he found that the crop provided a steady income stream for fresh and processed fruit.

Africa's women farmers need better access to information

Women play a vital role in Africa’s agriculture sector, growing about 70% of the continent’s food. Yet Africa’s smallholder women farmers come up against various barriers that limit their potential as growers. A climate-smart agriculture project aims to provide these farmers with the skills and resources needed to boost their businesses and succeed over the long term. Jeandré van der Walt reports.

Turning disaster into opportunity

After a fire destroyed the Tomis Group’s meat-processing facility, the owners decided to reinvent the business as a market leader in meat quality and safety. Managing director Laurie Terblanche spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the recovery and transition.