Why alpaca is a good choice for South Africa

While most commonly produced in South America, the alpaca's grazing habits and adaptability to diverse climates make it an attractive option for farmers wishing to diversify production, reports Janine Ryan.

The case for increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere

The past 70 years have been a golden time for the human race. It has grown exponentially in numbers and health.

From green savannah to great desert

a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Helsinki in Finland, explores research into a period 6 000 to 11 000 years ago called the Green Sahara or North African Humid Period.

Domed homes seem to be coming back into fashion

This week I thought that as so many of our human population seek a secure and comfortable home to reside in, I would turn back the clock thousands of years to when building a domed home was the order of the day.

Not easy to get best of both worlds farming in communal areas

The stakes are high so it is important to select your cattle according to the type of environment that you are farming in,

Set up your own business rescue plan

With the collapse of state services and infrastructure, it's crucial you protect your enterprise.

Bold changes to Merc's G-Wagon and Toyota's Land Cruiser

Alex Shahini, for CAR, describes some of the striking modifications that have been made to popular models in the Mercedes and Toyota stables.

Know your dairy cow breeds: Part 1

Holstein cows are a breed of dairy cattle known for their distinctive black-and-white or red-and-white coat coloration. They are the most common breed of dairy cow and are renowned for their high milk production.

Achieving effective weed control in a carrot land

There is a universally used herbicide for carrots that can be applied pre- and post-emergence to control weeds. This product is linuron. There are ways to get the most benefit from it,

Prospects for dairy production in 2024

The US Department of Agriculture recently released its latest report on dairy production in the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and the trends driving trading.

Stay in a stone cottage next to a river and surrounded by mountains

At this quaint stone cottage at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains you will be disturbed by nothing more than birdsong,

Many unanswered questions bugging the arbour industry

The alien invasive polyphagous shot-hole borer beetle, with its deadly fungus Fusarium euwallaceae, has created widespread havoc in South Africa. As multiple research teams study the insect, it is clear there is no single solution to deter it. Magda du Toit recently joined a media information session hosted by Hortgro, during which various aspects of a research project under the auspices of Stellenbosch University were discussed, with visits to trials in the pear orchards at Lourensford Estate in the Western Cape.

He took the bull by the horns to achieve success

Luvo Kiyane is not only at the helm of a profitable livestock initiative on a shared state land reform farm in the Elliot district of the Eastern Cape, but also owns a vibrant wool services business.

Green hydrogen: a win for SA and the world

Global green hydrogen demand is set to increase sevenfold by 2050. With South Africa possessing all the ingredients to make and export hydrogen, the country could become a major world player, with benefits even extending to farmers.

Benefits of having a welltrained dog for farmers

Dog trainer Jarred Hodgson says a well-trained dog can be a game changer for farmers in the country.

Living on the brink of a disastrous future

Floods, extreme temperatures and other natural disasters are reducing global agricultural production, threatening the most vulnerable, according a recent study.

Tough year looms but support for sector bodes well

Role players are committed to supporting local production, Jyothi Laldas reports.

This tunnel farmer has gone loco

Western Cape farmer swears by old, converted, coal-burning locomotives A for heating tunnels, and they cost less than conventional units.

Leading family-owned fresh produce business celebrates 130 years in South Africa

The Dutoit Group is celebrating 130 years as a leader in South African agriculture.

A harmonious blend of agriculture, sustainability and luxury

Wine connoisseur Cobus du Plessis finds a case study for sustainable agriculture at Terre Paisible, an estate producing fine wines, olive oil and lemons in the fertile Franschhoek Valley.

Understanding carrot fertilisation

Whether to apply fertiliser or not depends on which crops were grown in the land previously, among various factors,

Ford's new Ranger Tremor built for off-road performance

Ford will introduce its Ranger Tremor to the South African market in the first half of 2024, Siyavuya Mbaduli of CAR magazine reports.

Private landowners are vital custodians of biodiversity

BirdLife South Africa explains why private landowners’ co-operation can be extremely helpful and is actually essential for the protection of biodiversity.

Three beautiful but dangerous aliens

As humans travelled to explore, trade and wage war, plants established themselves in their wake to flourish in areas they had never been seen before. Mike Burgess looks at three alien species whose pretty flowers belie their destructive impact on South African biodiversity.

Good advice and hard work tripled this farmer's potato crop

Potatoes are a notoriously tricky crop to produce, making transformation in the sector extra-challenging. However, through collaboration with Potatoes SA L and mentorship, Limpopo farmer P Walter Mathidi has boosted production. Lindi Botha reports.

Mixing the traditional with modern technologies

Reindeer farming is an ancient practice that involves the herding and hunting of reindeer for meat, hides and horns. Janine Ryan looks at a brief history of reindeer farming, and how modern technologies are being used to improve efficiency.

What does the new year hold for agriculture?

Agriculture leaders and role players look back at 2023 and express their wishes for 2024.

South Africa's grain and oilseed outlook for 2024

Magda du Toit examines the trends and forecasts for maize, soya bean, sunflower and wheat in the year ahead.

From trash to power!

Nkweauseh Reginald Longfor, a doctoral candidate at Sophia University in Japan, explains how to harness energy from Africa's rubbish dumps, and save billions in future damage.

More wildfires means more destruction

Once again the spotlight shines on climate change as wildfires have engulfed large farming communities across Europe, North and Southern Africa and North America during their summer seasons.