Business
Farmer's Weekly
A New Device For Instant Leaf Analysis
A handheld, hyperspectral leaf imager will enable farmers to measure leaf moisture, chlorophyll content, nutrient level and diseases instantly.
2 min |
April 30, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Riding without reins
Teaching yourself to ride without reins will not only improve your balance, but will also improve the balance of your horse, says Dr Mac.
3 min |
May 28, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
SA's silo certificate system: safe and reliable
Silo certificates form an integral part of trading for those involved in South Africa’s grain industry, according to Johan Strauss, agricultural economy lecturer at the University of the Free State. In an interview with Annelie Coleman, he said the country’s silo certificate system was dependable and highly regarded.
4 min |
May 28, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
More awards for Valtra G Series
The Valtra G Series tractor has amassed an impressive number of accolades since it was unveiled in August 2020.
2 min |
May 28, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Hydrochloric acid dearth could affect citrus industry
The shortage of hydrochloric acid in South Africa could affect the citrus industry, as it is used in packhouses for cleaning.
2 min |
May 28, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
How to make small-scale farmers more bankable
About 87% of South Africa‘s small-scale farmers have not recovered from the effects of the hard lockdown restrictions imposed last year to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
2 min |
May 28, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Free State farm attacks up almost 23% year-on-year
Just under 300 attacks, including 37 murders, took place on farms in the Free State between 1 April 2016 and 31 March this year.
2 min |
May 28, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Early planting: the key to soya bean success
Soya bean farmer Gerrie Schoeman uses careful planning to time his planting perfectly. In addition, he uses the best resources at hand, including experienced service providers and the latest technology, to optimise production for maximum yield. Lindi Botha reports.
7 min |
May 28, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Dehorning your beef cattle can help boost profits
Removing the horns from your cattle holds a number of advantages. Most importantly, it will prevent the problem of bruised meat.
1 min |
May 28, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Care and caution keep poultry disease-free
As every chicken producer can attest, keeping the birds in optimal health is a finicky task, and failure can lead to serious losses. This means that a meticulous biosecurity plan is a top priority. Lindi Botha spoke to broiler producer Ben-Chris Bronkhorst about putting the right systems in place and ensuring that they run efficiently.
7 min |
May 28, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
A weed that's a ticking time bomb
Malva parviflora is a drought-, heat- and cold-resistant weed that is almost impossible to kill once established. If you see any, be sure to destroy them immediately, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
May 28, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Why Less Is More In A Potato Enterprise
Growing and marketing potatoes for maximum profit can be complex, as there is a narrow window for obtaining the highest prices. To ensure his business gets its timing right, GoldenGrow owner Graeme Jarvie employs a ‘less is more’ approach, where the business stays well within its capabilities and so runs smoothly. Lloyd Phillips reports.
7 min |
May 14, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Choosing The Right Pig Breed For Your Farm
Dr Danie Visser, an agricultural adviser and strategic analyst, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the factors that a farmer should consider when choosing which pig breed to farm.
5 min |
April 30, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Breeding For Efficiency Adds Value For This Cattle Farmer
Anneri Otto, who farms near Coligny in North West, never planned on becoming a farmer. However, when unfortunate circumstances forced her to take charge of her husband’s operation, she rose to the challenge, and now produces Hereford and Angus cattle, as well as pecan nuts. Pieter Dempsey reports.
5 min |
May 14, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
A Beautiful Farm That Makes An Ideal Spot For Hunting And Fishing
Enjoy the freedom of being the only guests at this farmhouse, just off the N3 en route to Durban, where you can enjoy a variety of actvities, or simply relax and unwind, says Riaan Hattingh.
3 min |
May 21, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Why Vaccines Are So Important For Your Animals
Many medications are available for treating diseases and other problems, such as worms, in livestock. But by far the most important treatment you can give your animals is vaccinations against the diseases that occur in your area. Shane Brody explains why vaccines are different to other medicines, and why they are so effective.
3 min |
April 23, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Snails: an industry filled to the brim with opportunities
Snail-breeding enterprise CSC Heliculture began as a small-scale operation, but now business is booming thanks to growth in the market. Co-owner Christiaan Jooste spoke to Pieter Dempsey about the company’s success.
5 min |
May 21, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Zululand cattleman adds value with feedlot
The often hot and humid Zululand area may appear lush and bountiful to the uninitiated, but it can be a challenging environment in which to be a commercial beef farmer. One such producer, PJ Hassard, explains how he balances natural with supplied nutrition to get the best from his oxen. Lloyd Phillips reports.
7 min |
May 21, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Kill those weeds as soon as possible!
While that new species of weed on your land might seem innocuous, it could be only a matter of time before it spreads and causes bigger problems. So make sure to take care of the problem in a timely manner, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
May 21, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Comforting lamb stew
With winter upon us, there’s nothing like a bowl of hearty and warming lamb neck stew to make your family and friends happy, says Rene du Toit. The preparation of this dish requires a bit of effort, but it’s well worth it!
1 min |
May 21, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
The precision agriculture benchmark: are we there yet?
The precision agriculture approach was introduced many years ago. Today, as it becomes even more widely used, it is important to measure the adoption of this method of farming supported by technology and assist producers in strategising and defining new goals. Stehan Cloete writes.
5 min |
May 21, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
From rags to riches with fruit farming
When Kitty du Plessis’s husband lost his farming job, they decided to buy a farm no one else wanted. She and her son, Mario, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their journey to success.
8 min |
May 21, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Improving roads and road safety through better management
South Africa’s road network plays a pivotal role in the country’s agri-logistics industry, but heavy-vehicle traffic and the effects of overloading are major problems on roads. Oliver Naidoo, managing director of JC Auditors, explains how the Road Transport Management System aims to improve road safety and increase the productivity of the logistics value chain. Jeandré van der Walt reports.
4 min |
May 21, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
An Endangered Bird Is Forgetting Its Song
Researchers from the Australian National University have found that in areas where there are very small populations of the critically endangered regent honeyeater, the songs of the remaining wild males vary remarkably. Tragically, in some cases, the birds have even adopted the songs of other species.
5 min |
April 16, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Growing sweet potatoes
The sweet potato is a warm-season crop and does not fare well in cool temperatures. Implementing a crop rotation strategy is also essential to keep pests and diseases at bay.
3 min |
May 14, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
The evolution of power in SA's agri machinery market
It is unlikely that South Africa’s commercial agriculture sector would have achieved its internationally respected status were it not for the investment that farmers have made in mechanisation. Lloyd Phillips spoke to a number of experts about some of the main agricultural machinery sales trends.
6 min |
May 14, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Putting crop rotation into perspective
When developing a crop rotation programme, one must take into consideration the various pests and diseases that may infect different crops in order to avoid disastrous results, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
May 14, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
The changing environment
The Internet of Things, where machinery and devices (often fitted with sensors) share data online, has enabled tractors and other agricultural machinery to become far more efficient and easier to operate. This, combined with mechanical innovations, is helping farmers produce more with less. Glenneis Kriel reports.
6 min |
May 14, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Giving farmers the advantage!
New machinery is indispensable as a support for agricultural activities during difficult times such as COVID-19, says Jaco du Preez, product specialist at CNH Industrial, distributor of New Holland in South Africa.
2 min |
May 14, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Improving the stud one animal at a time
Dirco Swart, owner of Blinkmeneer Beefmasters in Frankfort, says that the future of the Beefmaster is bright, thanks to the breed’s adaptability and breeders’ passion for improvement.
4 min |