CATEGORIES

Choosing Afrikaners For Extensive Beef Production

Jacquies Steenkamp produced the 2019 Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Afrikaner National Performance Test Class bull. Mike Burgess visited him on his farm near Rouxville to see why he believes this indigenous breed is so well suited to extensive beef production in demanding areas.

Saving The Livestock Industry From Covid-19

The COVID-19 global pandemic represents a grave societal threat. In a recent policy brief, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations explains how the livestock sector has been affected, and recommends how to protect the sector and its activities to preserve their contribution to food security and the livelihood of rural communities.

A Passion For Herbs Blooms Into Business Success

The Kasselhoft estate near Leeudoringstad in North West evokes the French countryside with its fragrant lavender and rosemary fields. This is where Trudi and Rina Kasselman run their herbal business and market their cosmetic care and assorted product range. Annelie Coleman reports.

Parasitoids vs chemicals

When the leaf miner first hit South Africa, the results were nothing short of devastating. Farmers spent thousands of rands per hectare on chemicals, but gained only a semblance of control over the pest. The reason was that this particular species, the pea leaf miner (Liriomyza huidobrensis), had already been exposed to pesticides in other countries, and this, combined with its rapid life cycle, meant it had developed resistance to most chemicals by the time it arrived in South Africa.

THE BONSMARA INSPECTION SYSTEM

Louis Steyl, CEO of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa, writes that the society’s strict double-inspection process ensures that only top animals are available for sale.

Birdwatching On Your Farm: A Lucrative Way To Generate Income

Avitourism, or birdwatching, has the potential to provide farmers with an additional source of revenue, write Dr Adam Viljoen and Christelle van Zyl, researchers at North-West University’s Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society.

Improving Beef Yield Through Crossbreeding

David Rakgase of Rakgase Farms in Limpopo makes use of crossbreeding to improve carcass weight. He explained to Siyanda Sishuba how animal nutrition is managed on the farm in order for the cattle to maintain good condition throughout the year.

What Covid-19 Has Taught Us About Food Security

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the importance of agriculture in South Africa and across the continent because of the sector’s capacity to support economic growth, create and sustain jobs, and boost exports, writes Roux Wildenboer, head of agriculture at Absa Corporate and Investment Banking.

Know The Law Before You Hunt

Biltong hunting, popular in South Africa for centuries, is no longer the free-for-all activity of its early years, but a strictly regulated practice. Hunters and landowners need to familiarise themselves with the legislation, Prof Peet van der Merwe of North-West University told Annelie Coleman.

Maximising efficiency against heat stress in cattle

Expected temperature increases due to the effect of global warming will have a negative impact on the productivity of livestock. According to animal science researchers at the Agricultural Research Council, beef farmers will have to follow certain breeding objectives to lessen this effect.

Tread lightly, farm smartly

Among the machinery on display at Fieragricola 2020 in Verona, Italy, were stand-out examples of the latest tractor and implement technology aimed at helping farmers achieve higher productivity, while also farming more sustainably.

The artist who brought South Africa's countryside to life

The Swartland of the Western Cape has produced many famous personalities, perhaps none more so than artist Maggie Laubser. Graham Jooste writes about her life and her remarkable technique.

Feeding pigs for health and profit

A major challenge facing pig farmers today is herd health, with African swine fever in particular having devastated herds worldwide. Researchers are striving to improve the safety of feed, one of the ways in which this disease is spread, while optimising the uptake of nutrients. Nutrition scientists Prof Barry Bradford and Dr Gerardo Morantes spoke to Lindi Botha.

THE EFFECTS OF DIPLODIA EAR ROT ON MAIZE

Diplodia ear rot is a notable maize disease in South Africa. Apart from causing severe damage to the crop, it can also produce a potentially fatal mycotoxicosis in cattle and sheep. It is therefore crucial that a maize producer be able to identify the disease, says Dr Belinda Janse van Rensburg, plant pathologist at the Agricultural Research Council’s Grain Crops Institute.

Curbing maize header losses

Farmers should guard against losing sight of efficiency when increasing productivity. In one US study, up to 60% of all maize losses during harvest were shown to be caused by the maize header. Stehan Cloete introduces a new product that promises to curb these losses.

Building trust for 78 years: Meadow Feeds' proven strategy for livestock production success

Since 1942, animal feeds manufacturer Meadow Feeds has grown to become a trusted name in Southern African agriculture. As a long-time client, pig producer Steve Caldecott can confirm that a key contributor to the company’s ongoing success is the strong and enduring relationships that Meadow Feeds management and employees have built with their customers.

New Predator Insects May Help Fight Major Maize Pests

Two newly identified parasitoids promise major benefits as biological control solutions for maize pests in Africa and Europe. Researchers Paul-André Calatayud, senior research scientist at the French Research Institute for Development, and Sevgan Subramanian, principal scientist and insect pathologist at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, wrote about their recent discovery.

Moving From ‘Cheap' To Premium Beef

Wagyu South Africa is investing heavily in research and technology to ensure that South African beef can enter the lucrative, high-value beef export markets.

Your Horse And Lockdown

The national lockdown poses a problem for horses and riders. As a result, the South African Equestrian Federation is in negotiation with relevant stakeholders, says Dr Mac.

The Role Of Farmers During The Covid-19 Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic had brought new appreciation for the pivotal role that South Africa’s agriculture sector plays in the provision of healthy, sufficient and affordable food, according to Derek Mathews, chairperson of Grain SA. He spoke to Annelie Coleman.

Is The World Ready For Gene Editing Of Humans?

While gene editing has the potential to reduce human suffering, irresponsible use could be devastating, according to Dr Jamie Metzl, futurist and author. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Controlling Viruses In Lettuce

In South Africa, two viruses are a particular threat to lettuce: tomato spotted wilt (TSWV) and lettuce mosaic virus (LMV). Both can be highly destructive and spread quickly via vectors such as sucking insects and thrips.

Optimising in-calf cow nutrition before winter

A commercial beef producer’s primary income is derived from animals produced and sold. For this reason, it’s crucial to keep breeding female animals in optimal condition at all times. Mike Rennie, a KwaZulu-Natal beef cattle farmer, spoke to Lloyd Phillips about his multi-pronged strategy.

Optimal nutrient application

In this article, Stehan Cloete writes about the importance of broadcast spreader technology to improve application efficiency.

Optimal liming is key to preventing soil acidification

As much as 30% of South Africa’s agricultural soil resource is deemed to be acidifying, mostly due to inefficient or incorrect liming practices. This is according to a recent presentation by Dr Pieter Haumann, CEO of the Fertilizer Association of Southern Africa. Sabrina Dean reports.

NATURE FRIENDLY FARMING REDUCES COSTS FOR POTATO FARMER

Managing plant health and strict water monitoring have paved the way to success for AL 3 Boerdery in Dendron, Limpopo. CT van der Merwe spoke to Lindi Botha about the production practices that keep his farming business profitable.

Urgent fixes needed for global food systems

In this article, Stuart Gillespie, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute, writes that the coronavirus disease pandemic presents a huge challenge for food systems, as well as exposing the inequitable way in which these systems operate.

Latest Technology Improves Macadamia Quality Output

Achieving the near impossible, Dian Pretorius reduced unsound kernel recovery in his macadamia crop from 6% to 1,7% over just one season, adding R1,7 million to his profit in the process. He spoke to Lindi Botha about the technology that helped him achieve this improvement.

How Agricultural Economics Keeps Up With The Times

The evolution of agricultural production and value chains requires that agricultural economics adapts quickly to remain relevent and helpful. Prof Theo Kleynhans, head of Stellenbosch University’s Department of Agricultural Economics, spoke to Lloyd Phillips.

Why Kenya Has Banned The Slaughter Of Donkeys

Kenya legalised the trade in donkey meat and hides in 2012. But according to Monicah Maichomo, director of the Veterinary Sciences Research Institute at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, the country has subsequently decided to ban the commercial slaughter of donkeys. This was after a report published in 2019 warned that the rise of donkey abattoirs in Kenya could wipe out the entire population of these animals in the country by 2023.