Animals-and-Pets
Farmer's Weekly
Stagnating pecan yields: dig deep to find the solution
The yields of mature pecan nut orchards are failing to reach optimal levels, and concerned producers have been searching high and low to find answers, investigating everything from foliar applications to soil management. The latest indications are that the solution seems to lie in the trees’ roots. Lindi Botha reports.
8 min |
February 4 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Don't be too hasty to throw away old seedlings!
It’s expensive to throw away perfectly healthy seedlings. Rather keep them in limbo until you can plant them, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
February 4 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Producing piglets
With pigs, it is necessary to oversee all mating procedures. Avoid using a boar younger than 10 months of age.
3 min |
February 4 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Mexican chicken tray bake
The avocado is an indispensable ingredient in Mexican-style cuisine, and this tasty chicken dish is a case in point. Recipe and photo: South African Avocado Growers’ Association.
1 min |
February 4 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Decaying infrastructure: a growing threat to South Africa's producers
South African farmers can be counted as some of the most efficient producers of food and fibre in the world; however, the deterioration of the country’s infrastructure has eroded their competitive edge, according to Francois Strydom, chairperson of Agbiz. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about some of these challenges, and the possible solutions.
5 min |
February 04, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Contaminants threatening the health of soil and water
The fouling of fresh water supplies with pollutants emanating from primary agriculture has become a serious issue in South Africa. In this article, the Agricultural Research Council discusses the origins and impact of so-called contaminants of emerging concern.
4 min |
February 04, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Commercialising communal goat farming in KwaZulu-Natal
Since 1975, a rural development project in KwaZulu-Natal has been helping communal farmers improve their production of indigenous goats. Today, these farmers are focused on herd health and adopting technology to gain market access and establish small businesses that support their industry. Susan Marais reports.
8 min |
February 04, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Assessing veld condition
Taking a good look at every camp on your farm will reveal if your veld management system is on the right track, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
3 min |
February 4 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How intensive sheep farmers can improve traceability and profits
Intensive sheep farming has given eastern Free State farmer Gareth Angus the opportunity to increase his lambs’ survival rate, boost profits and ensure traceability from birth to farm gate, while also decreasing predation and elemental risk. Susan Marais visited Angus’s farm during the 2021 LRF Stockman School.
7 min |
January 21, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Why wetlands are vital for humans and nature: Part 1
Wetlands vary greatly in type, yet all are indispensable for purifying water and controlling its flow. They include mountain springs, midland marshes, flood plains, coastal lakes, mangrove swamps and estuaries.
2 min |
January 07 - 14, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
‘COVID-19 deaths help drive up goat sales'
Communal goat farmers in South Africa can set their own prices due to a shortage of the animals brought about by COVID- 19-related deaths, according to Gugu Mbata, project manager of the Mdukatshani Rural Develpment Project.
2 min |
January 28, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
SA breeder's new cultivar sparks fresh love for passion fruit
Mpumalanga-based granadilla breeder Darryn Stoltz has developed a delicious new passion fruit cultivar that offers several advantages over previous varieties. One of these is longer shelf life, enabling the export of better-quality fruit. He spoke to Lindi Botha.
7 min |
January 28, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The layperson's guide to ley farming
Over the past few years, monocropping has largely given way to the crop rotation system, and ley farming has gained popularity in grain-producing areas such as KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, the Free State and North West, where many farmers also produce livestock. Prof Chris Dannhauser spoke to Susan Marais about how the rotating of grain crops with planted pastures can be a highly useful practice.
8 min |
January 28, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The good and the bad of chimera
Chimera can be mistaken for a viral or bacterial infection, but it is actually a genetic disorder that could benefit some producers.
2 min |
January 28, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Massey Ferguson launches new tractor for orchards
With interest in the production of orchard crops on the rise, Massey Ferguson has launched the MF 3300 narrow-width tractor series in SA.
3 min |
January 28, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
John Deere self-driving tractor is ready for commercial use
John Deere recently launched a fully autonomous tractor at the Consumer Technology Association’s show in Las Vegas, and it will be on sale in the US later this year.
2 min |
January 28, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Making it with medical cannabis
Thinking of producing medical cannabis? Glenneis Kriel spoke to industry pioneers about the opportunities and pitfalls for growers of this crop.
6 min |
January 28, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Indigenous veld goats: the ideal option for extreme conditions
Changing weather conditions and Africa’s severe poverty demand tough, easy-to-care-for livestock. The answer, says breeder Deon Vlok, is indigenous veld goats. Annelie Coleman reports.
4 min |
January 28, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Combating the effects of soil pollution
Soil pollution is a serious challenge worldwide, resulting in environmental damage and potential health hazards to people and animals. This report examines affordable ways in which farmers can limit its effects on their crops and reduce further soil degradation.
5 min |
January 28, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
A matter of finetuning
Making money from an egg unit depends on many factors, and each has to be fine-tuned to optimise profits, as this article revealed.
4 min |
January 28, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The Boathouse
Seclusion. Quiet. Natural beauty. There’s plenty of all three at The Boathouse on Boskop Dam, a delightful spot where you can relax, do a bit of fishing, canoeing, and birding, and watch gorgeous sunsets from the waterside deck. Riaan Hattingh reports.
4 min |
January 21, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Putting an end to the problem of food waste
In South Africa, about 30% of local agricultural production is wasted every year, which is equivalent to an estimated R60 billion, or around 2% of GDP. In a country where 30% of households are at risk of hunger, 31% experience hunger and 13 million children live in poverty, this waste is unsustainable and needs to change, says James Brand, a senior associate in ENSafrica’s Natural Resources and Environment department.
5 min |
January 21, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Crop spraying
The knapsack sprayer is ideal for controlling small outbreaks of pests, as it’s economical, can be applied quickly, and is very accurate, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
January 21, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Worthy winners: a robot harvester and an innovative planter
Of the 16 silver medals awarded by the German Agricultural Society, organiser of the 2022 Agritechnica Innovation Awards, one went to the manufacturers of an autonomous robot for broccoli harvesting, while another recognised an implement that combines sowing and crop residue management.
2 min |
January 21, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How to save money in 2022
With the Christmas tinsel tidied away for another year, it’s time to face the economic realities of 2022. For many farmers, this means focusing on how to ensure a profit in the face of soaring input costs. Susan Marais asked industry experts for their suggestions on how to cut expenses without compromising farming operations.
7 min |
January 21, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Protecting the rhino through translocation
Due to the demand for rhino horn, populations of this iconic mammal have declined over the years. One solution to this is to introduce rhino species into other environments. Mike Knight, chairperson of the African Rhino Specialist Group at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, describes the process of translocation.
5 min |
January 21, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Good weather predicted for summer 2022
Favourable weather patterns have been forecast for the Southern African Development Community countries in 2022. High rainfall, for example, is predicted for South Africa‘s summer grain production region. Annelie Coleman reports.
3 min |
January 21, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Balancing risk to build a table grape brand
When the Beukes brothers expanded their table grape farming operation from the Hex River Valley to Brandwacht near Worcester in the Western Cape, they had no idea of the challenges this would bring. Jacques Beukes shared some of the lessons they learnt with Wouter Kriel.
8 min |
January 21, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Are you geared towards these developing trends?
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rate of digital integration and sped up advances crucial to the future success of many industries, including agriculture. Lindi Botha reports on the main trends that will influence farming this year.
7 min |
January 21, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
A herd health and production management plan
Dr Danie Odendaal, director of the Veterinarian network, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about what to consider when drawing up a herd health and production management plan for sheep and cattle. His advice can be applied to most other livestock.
8 min |