CATEGORIES

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.

Bonsmara Breeders Team Up To Achieve 100% Sales Success

Due to its insistence on uncompromising quality, Frontier Bonsmaras in the Eastern Cape has sold every one of the bulls on offer at its annual sales over the past 12 years. Sabrina Dean joined the group on this year’s pre-sale tour to find out how the event fits into Frontier’s formula for success.

Growing Tomatoes: Part 1

Tomatoes are an important part of our diet, as well as being highly nutritious. Bill Kerr tells us more about this versatile fruit, and the varieties that are most suitable for growing at home.

When Six Is Better Than Four

Improvements have resulted in far more powerful four-cylinder tractor engines. But Case IH has bucked the trend, adding a six-cylinder engine to its Maxxum range.

Chicken Thighs With An Ancient Seasoning

The superb flavour of this quick and easy dish comes from an extremely old Middle Eastern seasoning, za’atar, that is still a mainstay in the region. For the chicken, use thighs rather than breasts; they are more succulent and offer superior flavour.

Kalahari Farmer

46 YEARS AGO A farmer in the normally dry Kalahari stunned his neighbours when he produced a bumper crop of watermelons, beans, maize, pumpkins and sunflower.

Wind Farms: Huge Potential In South Africa, Big Opportunity For Farmers

Fickle power supply and ever-increasing tariffs are spurring South Africa’s agriculture sector to look at alternative sources of electricity. Jacobus Treurnich, the land rights manager of G7 Renewable Energies, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about wind farms and the opportunities that farmers will have to rent out their land for wind-generated power.

Digital Revolution Links Fresh Produce Farmers And Buyers

For those already using it, a newly launched and innovative online trading platform is reportedly revolutionising the way that South Africa’s fresh produce sellers and buyers conduct their typically time-sensitive and demanding trading with each other. HelloChoice’s co-founders explain how the platform works and its benefits to both sellers and buyers.

The Future Of Boer Goats In South Africa

Boer goat stud breeders from across the country were in Bloemfontein at the start of May to participate in the annual Boerbok, Kalahari Red and Savanna World Show. Sabrina Dean spoke to Boer goat breeders Kobus Lötter, Andries Vollgraaff, Casper Byleveld and Lukas Burger about the current state of the Boer goat industry, and what the future holds for it.

Glanders: What You Should Know

While glanders is no longer present in South Africa, it is still found in other regions and can be brought back into the country through the importation of equines, says Dr Mac.