Business
Farmer's Weekly
The stories that got us through a tough year
Farmer’s Weekly editor, Denene Erasmus, looks back at some of the top stories of 2020 that not only inspired her, but also served as an example to all South Africans of the remarkable resilience and determination shown by the farming sector during this most unusual year.
9 min |
December 18, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
SA Harvest: fighting hunger and food waste one meal at a time
Small beginnings can lay the foundation of great success. This holds true for SA Harvest, a food rescue and distribution organisation. Ali Conn, regional manager at SA Harvest, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about the organisation’s journey over the past year and its future plans.
5 min |
December 18, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Diversifying with a new variety pays off for pumpkin producer
The demand for convenient meals and easy-to-prepare vegetables is opening up marketing opportunities for the Hokkaido pumpkin, a newcomer to South Africa. Small, and with an edible peel, the variety holds much promise for expanding cucurbit cultivation. Lindi Botha spoke to Francois Steyn about farming the Hokkaido.
5 min |
December 18, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Citrusdal's hidden treasure
Petersfield cottages, near Citrusdal in the ‘golden valley’ of the Olifants River, offer a farm stay with privacy, stunning views, and utter peace. Brian Berkman reviews a remarkable getaway spot.
4 min |
December 18, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Alcohol-free beer
Alcohol-free beer is a perfect alternative to fizzy drinks, and is increasing in popularity amongst professional riders around the world, says Dr Mac.
2 min |
December 18, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
A farm that brings hope
A group of subsistence farmers in the Western Cape have put their differences aside and come together to realise their individual dreams of owning a farm. Glenneis Kriel reports on the launch of Thembelitsha Farming.
7 min |
December 18, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
‘Society, Not Government, Should Decide On Fracking'
It should be society, and not government departments and their officials, deciding on whether or not potentially environmentally damaging mining for natural gas and other fossil energy reserves should be permitted in South Africa.
2 min |
November 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Improving heat stress management in beef cattle
Anette Theunissen, an animal scientist based at the Vaalharts Research Station, explains the results of a study conducted by researchers at the Agricultural Research Council’s Animal Production Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, to evaluate the use of a temperature-humidity index as a measuring tool for heat stress in beef cattle.
4 min |
December 11, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
More on earthworms
In last week’s article (FW, 4 December), I looked at the three types of earthworm (epigeic, endogeic and anecic), and their differences and similarities. This week, I’ll explore in more detail the benefits that earthworms provide.
2 min |
December 11, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Why the DA views farm murders as hate crimes
During a recent elective conference, the official opposition party in South Africa, the Democratic Alliance (DA), adopted a policy resolution to have farm attacks and murders declared hate crimes and priority crimes. DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard spoke to Annelie Coleman about the party’s decision.
5 min |
December 11, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
SA farming's dust pollution problem
Frank Eckardt, associate professor of Environmental and Geographic Science at the University of Cape Town, writes that new research has shown persistent emission of dust from the western Free State. Unlike natural dust emission, these dust clouds, which are the result of soil loss, could influence air quality and threaten future food security. One solution would be to consider land-use changes to suppress dust.
3 min |
December 11, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Controlling fungus on Cripps Pink apples
A recent study of the effect of two pesticides on Phylctema vagabunda, a fungus that causes significant post-harvest losses of the Cripps Pink apple cultivar, revealed interesting results. Dr Alana den Breeyen and Dr Julia Meitz-Hopkins explain.
3 min |
December 11, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Continual improvement is important, says New Era grain farmer
Paulus Mosia from Edenville, Free State, a finalist for the 2019 Grain SA/ABSA/John Deere Financial New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year award, says that by using better inputs and improving production management, he increased his maize yield from 3,2t/ha to 5,2t/ha in just one year. Siyanda Sishuba reports.
5 min |
December 11, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Cleaning up dirty eggs
30YEARS AGO In order to ensure the safety of consumers and chicks, eggs must be cleaned thoroughly.
3 min |
December 11, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Award-winning mango producer says 100t/ha is possible
Jaco Fivaz, farm manager of Mohlatsi farm in Limpopo, is a pioneer of high-density mango orchards, which achieve a greater yield per hectare than conventional orchards. Pieter Dempsey visited this award-winning grower to find out more about his passion for experimentation, and how he manages a diverse mango business.
5 min |
December 11, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Supplying Herbs To Major Brands
When Lizette Kloppers started dabbling in tomato-growing on the family farm near Worcester, she had no idea that her little enterprise would develop into a thriving herb business. Today, Rooikrans Kruie produces about 23t of basil and substantial quantities of other herbs each season for some of South Africa’s most recognised food brands.
5 min |
November 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Strong Recovery In Agri Machinery Sales
Following two years of contraction, the farming sector has rebounded strongly during the first six months of 2020, resulting in an increase in the sales of tractors and combine harvesters.
3 min |
November 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Pet And Family-Friendly Accommodation On History-Rich Farm
Welcoming farm sounds and smells, a large stoep, activities in nature, and tranquillity await visitors of the farm Houtenbek in Mpumalanga.
3 min |
November 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
The Many Advantages Of Humus
The volume of organisms in any body of soil is dependent on the soil environment and supply of food for them; it is not a static amount.
2 min |
November 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Mixed Farming Unlocks Rented Farm's Full Production Potential
Cash crop production is allowing Western Cape farmer André Cloete to add value to livestock production and mitigate fruit production risk on the farm he leases near Greyton. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his livestock and cash crop enterprises.
7 min |
December 04, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Helping Small-Scale Farmers Reach Commercial Status
Sinelizwi Fakade is a successful grain farmer in the Eastern Cape, but it is his passion for helping small-scale and subsistence farmers improve production that makes him particularly compelling, says Pieter Dempsey. He spoke to Fakade about his farming operation and his role in mentoring future farmers.
5 min |
November 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
The Basics Of Growing Groundnuts On A Small Scale
Groundnuts are high in protein, tasty, and a convenient and popular food. All of this makes them a potentially valuable source of nutrition in rural communities. Growing and selling them can also earn much-needed income. Loureine Muller, a groundnut agronomist at commodity trading company Triotrade, explains how to produce this crop.
4 min |
December 04, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Genetics Drive Dairy Production Profitability
The use of top genetics and agrotechnology enables Kluitjieskraal Jersey Stud in the Western Cape to weather the impact of volatile prices and rising input costs. Stud manager Arno Schoonwinkel outlined his methods to Glenneis Kriel.
7 min |
November 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Radical veld improvement
In the second of this two-part series, Dr Louis du Pisani, an independent specialist agricultural consultant, discusses how to improve veld to restore the natural water cycle.
5 min |
November 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Standard and long-life wear parts go head-to-head in field test
Replacing worn-out parts on ground-engaging implements is costly. Equipment manufacturer Bednar recently carried out a trial to find out whether long-life parts made more financial sense.
3 min |
November 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Efficient cattle a must for Nigel stud breeder
The 2020 Unistel/SA Stud Book Developing Breeder of the Year, Bookholane Mokoena of Boggie Bonsmaras in Nigel, Gauteng, says that one of his most important breeding aims is to maintain optimal body condition, with the goal of producing cattle that are fit and efficient. Siyanda Sishuba reports.
5 min |
November 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
An Innovative Mobile Macadamia Dehusker
When Fairview Farm was using a static Macadamia Dehusker, KwaZulu-Natal macadamia farmer Robert Carlton-Shields estimated that his pickers each lost about two hours’ productivity a day during the harvest season. He set about remedying this, and his subsequent collaboration with an engineering company has resulted in a mobile macadamia dehusker that saves time and money. Lloyd Phillips reports.
6 min |
December 04, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Mentor-Breeder's Strategy For Profitable Beef Farming
Johan Erasmus, who farms near Derby in North West, is one of the pioneers of the Boran cattle breed in South Africa. He uses his experience as a stud breeder and a commercial crop farmer to assist and mentor new farmers in a number of Southern African countries. Pieter Dempsey reports.
6 min |
November 20, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
A Deadly Face-To-Face In A Fjord
On 10 April 1940, a fierce naval battle took place in a Norwegian fjord between the Royal Navy and the German Kriegsmarine. A South African-born naval officer, Lieutenant Lindsay de Villiers, was amongst the many men who perished in the encounter.
4 min |
November 20, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa's Expropriation Law: What It's All About
Elmien du Plessis, associate professor of law at North-West University, outlines the long road that has been travelled to get to South Africa’s Expropriation Bill in its current form.
5 min |