Business
Farmer's Weekly
Boer Goat Facts And Figures
The Boer goat, which is bred primarily for meat, is farmed very effectively in combination with cattle due to its browsing ability and its limited impact on the grass cover.
1 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Online Auction: Game Changer In South Africa's Pork Market
The online trading platform, Trigga Trader, is disrupting the way in which pork is sold by enabling farmers to sell their produce to the highest bidder. Walter Frey, the founder of Trigga Trader, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the advantages the platform offers to both buyers and sellers.
5 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
New Principal Sets Out To Reinvigorate Glen College
Glen College of Agriculture on the outskirts of Bloemfontein in the Free State celebrates its centenary this year. Sabrina Dean spoke to its new head, Melvin Makungu, about his views on agricultural education and the college’s new focus on food technology and agro-processing.
5 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Mixed Season For SA Sharon Fruit Industry
As the South African sharon fruit season winds down, it is clear that the early promise of this season’s harvest will not be fulfilled.
1 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Is The Climate In Your Greenhouse Optimal?
Natural ventilation offers a certain amount of cooling, but is generally insufficient in South Africa.
2 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Mohair Market Ends The Season On A High Note
About 98% of the large mohair offering of 127 199kg was sold at the final sale of the season.
1 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Expropriation Will Ruin SA's Food Security And Prosperity
A wide-ranging public participation process is under way on government’s proposal to amend Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for expropriation without compensation. As this gains momentum, agricultural union TAU SA urges that the proposal should not put political point-scoring ahead of South Africa’s food security and socio-economic stability. Danie du Plessis, manager of TAU SA’s Mpumalanga chapter, spells out this view.
4 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Turning Waste Goat Whey Into Profitable Natural Pork
A KZN-based goat dairy operation is using its whey by-product as a highly nutritious, low-cost feed for pigs. Lloyd Phillips spoke to Paul Coetzee and Jan Wiese to find out more.
4 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Curried Prawns
Prawns are a wonderful and healthy dish to serve to any hungry diner or companion. This recipe for curried prawns further enhances the taste of this delicious meat, and will not disappoint!
2 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Ending Non-tariff Barriers Could Unlock Africa's Riches
The Continental Free Trade Agreement, which South Africa has signed, is key to increasing trade revenues, job creation and economic integration on the continent, writes Sifiso Ntombela, head of trade and investment intelligence at Agbiz.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Be Wary Of Spraying Programmes!
I am often asked for nutrition or pest control programmes for various crops. If only farming were so simple! Following a set spray or fertiliser ‘recipe’ may well work, but it can cut into your profits.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Mazda In The Spotlight
The company has a history of innovative technology and produces highly capable bakkies. By Jake Venter.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
You Must Eat Your Vegetables
Vegetables are a healthy addition to a braai or any other meat-based meal. However, the way you cook your veggies can make the difference between a great dish and a simply ‘okay’ one.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Beef Cattle Conformation Basics
When performing a visual evaluation of the animal, note the following features in particular: frame size, muscle and body structure, and breed character.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 8 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Indigenous Trees
South African landowners should become more involved in propagating and using indigenous trees to ensure their survival and increase biodiversity.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 8 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Make The Right Connection
Seamless connectivity between machine and operator is at the heart of John Deere’s latest FarmSight precision farming solutions. Joe Spencer reports.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 8 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Beef Master In Limpopo
The growing popularity of the Beefmaster among livestock breeders in Limpopo is indicative of the breed’s ability to adapt to extensive farming conditions. The Hardus Steenkamp Beefmasters stud in Limpopo has proven just how well the breed can perform.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 8 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Bumper Maize Harvest Set To Restore SA's Net Export Status
The record crop that the Crop Estimates Committee has forecast for local maize producers will place South Africa firmly back on the export map.
3 min |
19 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Understanding Crop Rotation
Vegetable growers everywhere seem to think it a crime not to practise crop rotation.
2 min |
19 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Performance Chipping
Aftermarket computer chips are available to override a vehicle’s air:fuel ratio and other settings to squeeze more power from the engine. Jake Venter explains.
2 min |
19 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Agriculture Is Changing And So Must Agri Economist
It’s not only farmers who have to adapt to the fundamental changes occurring in world agriculture, or go out of business. Agricultural economists also have to adapt. This is the warning from Bongiswa Matoti, president of the Agricultural Economists’ Association of South Africa. The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly.
3 min |
27 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Pests And Drought Hamper 2017 Canola Yields
Pests And Drought Hamper 2017 Canola Yields
1 min |
27 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
A Farmer's Passion Carrying A Family Legacy Forward
It takes a fine balancing act for Grain SA chairperson, Jaco Minnaar, to serve the interests of members while still leaving enough time to pursue his true passion – being a farmer. Sabrina Dean visited him recently on his family farm near Hennenman in the Free State.
4 min |
27 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Treating Summer Skin Problems
Summer may mean more time to spend with your horse, but it’s also the season for sweet itch, mange and ringworm, cautions Kim Dyson.
2 min |
27 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Electric Tractor Is Almost Here!
The Fendt e100 Vario is the first practical battery-powered tractor that can be used in a normal operation for a full working day without the need for recharging
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 29 December 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Basics Of Pearl Millet Production: Part 2
Pearl millet is a useful low-input, dryland crop that does not require particularly fertile soil. At the same time, fertiliser can help increase yield, while irrigation can improve stand establishment.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 29 December 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Using ‘cow power' to make your dairy farm self-sufficient: Part 2
Anaerobic digestion of feedstock produces biogas and digestate. The former can be used to produce on-farm power; the latter is a superb fertiliser, with many advantages over untreated slurry.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 29 December 2017
Farmer's Weekly
SA's First Commercial Cashmere Success Story
Not only is indigenous iMbuzi goats’ hair used to produce cashmere at the Ivili Loboya production unit near Butterwoth, but local smallholders are also empowered. Siyanda Sishuba reports.
4 min |
26 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Tapping Into Bees' Bounty
Kola le Roux has loved bees ever since seeing his grandfather’s hives in the eastern Free State more than 60 years ago. Today he manages more than 2 000 hives, from the Karoo to the Transkei, that produce an assortment of honey, including an organic variety derived from the cat-thorn or drogie bush. Mike Burgess reports.
5 min |
26 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
How To Fertilise A Crop Correctly
Readers frequently ask me for specific fertiliser programmes for their crops. I would happily oblige if all crops were the same! Unfortunately, each crop is different because each land is unique. ‘One-size-fits-all’ programmes are always risky.
2 min |