CATEGORIES

The cost of labour

Bill Kerr suggests some labour-saving methods and a way of ensuring that your workers are more productive.

Simplifying work

How much money you make from your farm depends on how profitable it is, and this is often the result of efficiency and productivity. In short, you need to get more out of every hour, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Preventing a sugar crash

The future of the country’s sugar cane sector has never been more uncertain and, as a result, the livelihoods of many thousands of people hang in the balance. Could the South African Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan be the lifeline that the industry has been waiting for? Susan Marais reports.

Nissan Navara single cab: a capable, well-priced workhorse

Nissan has introduced a new range of South African-built Navara single cabs that are sure to prove popular. These robust bakkies are a fine match of functionality, handling and comfort. Pieter Dempsey reports.

Maize production: the first 40 days

In this article, the first in a two-part series, Magda du Toit speaks to experts about the different growth stages of a maize plant in the vegetative phase, as well as the crucial management practices to follow during this time to achieve optimal yield. Advice on weed control is also included.

Getting the work done with TGB's quad bikes

TGB recently launched its Blade 600 range of all-terrain vehicles in South Africa. The range includes models for recreational and commercial use, and could be a wonderful on-farm helper. Janine Ryan reports.

Cows and cars should not be conflated in climate change debate

Discussions about, and analyses of, the impact of livestock as emission polluters often fail to distinguish between different farming systems. According to Ian Scoones, professorial fellow at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex in the UK, intensive and extensive production systems have different effects on the environment.

Fruit burn

This week’s article in the series looks at factors that cause sunburn and ways to reduce the problem, such as the use of irrigation and shade nets.

Attention to detail: the key to broiler production

Poultry production has significant challenges, with high input costs and narrow margins being near the top of the list. However, Dale Shepherd, owner of Plaston Chicken Farms in Mpumalanga, has found that meticulous management and keeping a close eye on finances can bring business success. Lindi Botha reports.

Working together to tackle agro-crime

Agricultural crime is a global problem, and collaboration across the sector is crucial in the battle against this issue.

A popular breed for all the right reasons

Don McHardy says his interest in Droughtmasters was a natural progression in his quest to breed more efficient beef cattle that are able to realise optimal financial returns. Denene Erasmus reports.

Simplifying work

Better planning can save you a great deal of money in the long run. And it need not cost your business a cent, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Grading lucerne: good for animals, good for your pocket

The uniform quality and grading of lucerne hay is important to ensure that animals are as productive as possible, according to Dr Gerrie Scholtz, consultant to the National Lucerne Trust and a lucerne specialist.

Fruit burn

Sunburn is the damage caused to fruit by too much exposure to the sun. It tends to occur on fruit that is at least 45mm in diameter.

How best to help farmers

In this article, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN calls for urgent reform of government support to farmers so that more sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly food systems can be brought about.

Looking after your horse's heart

The health of your horse’s heart can be affected by pathogens, worm load or toxins, says Dr Mac.

Deneys Reitz: soldier, lawyer, politician, ambassador, and author

Deneys Reitz is known to generations of South Africans for Commando, his thrilling first-hand account of action during the Anglo-Boer War. But his achievements went far beyond his books, explains Graham Jooste.

A better hive for easier beekeeping

Beekeeper Ryno Barnes recently replaced his wooden hives with hives made of polyvinyl chloride foam board, a unique lightweight, eco-friendly material. So impressed was he with the results that he launched a separate company to manufacture these hives for other beekeepers. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Dung beetles, nature's recycling experts, benefit farmers too

The beneficial role of insects in agriculture should not be underestimated, and this is equally true of dung beetles. As these fascinating recycling experts go about their daily business of breaking up and distributing dung in nature, they also offer a variety of benefits to the agriculture sector. Magda du Toit reports.

Hunting on the southern slopes of the Magaliesberg

At this guest house on a game farm in North West, visitors are provided with a comfortable stay and plenty of things to see and do, including hunting exotic game species, says Riaan Hattingh.

African horse sickness: controlling biting midges

With the rainy season upon us in the African horse sickness-infected zone, it is crucial that horse owners keep a close eye on their animals’ behavior and implement strict control of flying insects, says Dr Mac. This is especially important due to the apparent vaccine shortage.

Animal ‘weed-eaters' to the rescue!

JP de Villiers has not used any herbicides on his farm for the past three seasons. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his use of sheep, pigs and chickens to overcome soil health problems in his orchards and vineyards.

Reining in the influence of ‘Big Food' companies

Despite the well-documented harm that ultra-processed foods pose to human health, large corporations are still able to produce and sell their products. With the market for ultra-processed foods, which are associated with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, saturated in developed countries, these corporations are moving into industrialising countries like South Africa. This article explores the strategies behind this move.

Karoo sheep farm survives drought with beer and cheese

According to Peter and Francy Schoeman of Langbaken Karoo Cheese, their cheese business has enabled them to survive the prolonged drought in the area. They spoke to Wouter Kriel about how they developed their sheep farm into a cheese operation.

Anti-plague action necessary

In this article, farmers were advised to act quickly in the fight against a gerbil plague, and a researcher gave instructions on how to use zinc phosphide to eliminate these and other rodents.

The Eastern Frontier's Martello tower

The Eastern Cape town of Fort Beaufort is home to a Martello tower, a structure used for coastal defence as early as the 15th century to ward off Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean. Mike Burgess looks at why one was built on the Cape’s 19th century Eastern Frontier more than 100km from the ocean.

Using the drought to up your game

The Northern Cape’s Williston district is sheep country through and through, but six years of drought have made extensive sheep farming here desperately difficult. Wouter kriel spoke to producer Hannes esterhuyse about how he has adapted his operation to run optimally despite the drought.

Grain storage innovation needed

In this, part one of a two-part series, Mariana Purnell, a consultant with eGrain, a provider of electronic warehouse receipts for the grain industry, discusses the challenges that changes to grain quality control pose for the industry. In particular, she focuses on producing maize according to particular standards for niche

Northern Cape farmers need ‘patient capital'

Agri Northern Cape is extremely concerned about the financial resilience of farmers in the province’s drought-stricken areas, even after the good rainfall reported in late October. This was according to Nicol Jansen, president of Agri Northern Cape.

Want optimal irrigation? Don't make assumptions

Plan, execute, control and verify. These are the four elements that constitute the irrigation approach of Indigo Fruit Farming in Mpumalanga, where every drop of water is used to its full potential. Farm manager Willem Kieviet spoke to Lindi Botha about his methods of irrigating to achieve the best crop yields.