Approaching the end of my schooldays, other than a vague inkling that farming would feature in some way in my future, I hadn’t the slightest idea as to the career path I’d follow.
Mentioning this to a school career guidance counsellor, she grimaced and pointed out that farmers needed business skills, and as bookkeeping wasn’t one of my chosen subjects, she strongly recommended I avoided anything in commercial farming.
“How about becoming a teacher?” she suggested.
“Why not?” I thought, and off to university I went to prepare for a teaching career.
It didn’t last long. Exposure to the wider wonders of the animal and plant kingdoms brought my embryonic agricultural instincts to the surface and, influenced by a brilliant zoology lecturer, I ended my university career with a degree in entomology.
My first job had me testing insecticides and counting insects on citrus and cotton crops, and as time moved on I found myself the boss of a small team of operators.
We were turning out results and information on new products when I discovered that one of my team members had being seriously neglectful about calibrating spray equipment.
To add insult to injury, when confronted, he became abusive in full view of his colleagues. I had to take action against him, but what?
Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 6+13 January 2023-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra Farmer's Weekly 6+13 January 2023-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom
IPM requires a completely different mindset
You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.
