In this issue

Identifying and managing cutworm. How charity plans to rewild 2 000 rhino in Africa. New Agri Enterprises CEO outlines his vision. The uphill battle of a communal sheep farmer.

A last-minute rescue plan for farmed rhino

Jason Gilchrist, a lecturer at the School of Applied Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University, writes that conservation charity African Parks plans to release 2 000 rhino into the wild across Africa.

3 mins

Calls for support after devastating veld fires

The agriculture sector in the North West had to overcome numerous severe challenges during the past year, of which the loss of more than a million hectares to veld fires was probably the worst, said Willem de Chavonnes Vrucht, Agri North West chairperson. The large-scale foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks also added to the woes of the sector, he said.

1 min

Association says UK government must act fast on artificial fertilisers

UK-based charity The Soil Association has started a petition urging government to put a plan in place to reduce the use of fossilbased artificial fertilisers on local farms. The association said if the government did not do something urgently, they risked missing its climate goals.

1 min

Egg and chicken meat shortages loom as bird flu gains momentum

Continuous outbreaks of bird flu may lead to egg and chicken meat shortages in South Africa.

3 mins

KZN residents urged to vaccinate their animals against rabies

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is urging animal owners to vaccinate their animals to prevent the spread of rabies and reduce the risk of human infection and death.

1 min

Charity always begins at home

We all know the expression 'charity begins at home', but why then do so many people make a mess of it in their own lives and businesses?

3 mins

Set up marketing facilities and community structures

Avoid the situation where buyers are expected to struggle while processing and later loading your livestock because of poor or non-existent facilities

3 mins

'Love for agriculture' will guide new head of Agri Enterprises

Pieter de Jager was recently elected CEO of Agri Enterprises. He spoke to Magda du Toit about his plans for the company.

2 mins

Perseverance despite communal challenges

Zolani Tsheko, the second vice-chairperson of the National Wool Growers' Association, is a wool producer in the communal area of Thornhill near Queenstown in the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess recently visited him to gain a better understanding of the production challenges faced by communal farmers, who Tsheko is obligated to lead in terms of his mandate.

4 mins

The basics of cutworm management

While the presence of weeds strongly influences the pest status of cutworm, the influence of soil moisture on factors such as their biology and behaviour are often overlooked. Entomologist and Bt-maize expert Prof Johnnie van den Berg and Zunel van Eeden, a master's student at North-West University's Integrated Pest Management group, have undertaken research on cutworm behaviour, control and insecticide resistance.

4 mins

Understanding insurance

In this article, Janine Ryan looks at what specific insurance packages are available for farmers in South Africa.

4 mins

Some physiological disorders of cabbages

Oedema, bursting cabbages, tip burn and cold damage may cause concern but they can be prevented and managed

2 mins

Farm accidents: be very careful

Agriculture is a big employer and is also one of the deadliest professions, ranking alongside construction and mining as the most dangerous industry.

4 mins

AGL'S locally blended lubricants to benefit the agriculture sector

An extension of the localisation partnership between global brand ExxonMobil and African Group Lubricants (AGL) holds the promise of an abundant harvest for South Africa's agriculture sector.

3 mins

Read all stories from Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly Magazine Description:

Farmer’s Weekly is an agricultural magazine based in South Africa, targeting the whole of Southern Africa. The magazine is committed to advancing the interests of the region’s farmers and its agricultural industry by serving as a mouthpiece for the industry and by keeping its readers informed of the latest developments in the agricultural sector.