Business
Farmer's Weekly
Selecting Beefmasters For Functional Efficiency
Selecting breeding stock using economically important criteria over many years has enabled Tony Spolidoro to build up a stud herd of hardy, productive, no-nonsense Beefmaster cattle second to none. Chris Nel visited him on his farm near Magaliesburg in North West.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Returning To His Farming Roots Paid Off
Viking Farming near East London in the Eastern Cape is a small but intensive vegetable operation that supplies supermarkets and processors across the Eastern Cape and even the Western Cape. Mike Burgess visited Valhalla farm to better understand how owner Mike Pedersen-Horn has managed to build up this adaptable and profitable business over the past 20 years.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Highlights Of Zimbabwe's ADMA Agrishow
Case IH played a starring role in the fourth annual ADMA Agrishow. Joe Spencer reports.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Is Agripreneurship The Future For SA's Smallholders?
‘Agripreneurship’ has become a catchphrase of international agriculture, particularly for largerscale commercial operations. However, Dr Maxwell Mudhara, director of the Farmers’ Support Group at the University of KwaZuluNatal, discusses whether this concept is applicable as a development tool for the world’s smallholder farmers, especially the women and youth of rural South Africa.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 10 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Freedom: It's In The Taste
Robert Patson of Happy Land Farm in Kyalami believes freerange chickens not only hold the answer to healthy food, but that his model of farming could help alleviate poverty for individuals and communities. He spoke to Gerhard Uys.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 10 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Healthy Flour, Healthy Profits
Gideon Milling, a stone ground milling company in the Western Cape, was launched in 2013 by a group of entrepreneurs to improve farmers’ profitability and food security. Aubrey Terblanche and Jurianne Schreuder spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the company’s vision and success.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 10 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Controlling Brown Stomach Worm In Sheep And Goats
These parasites occur in the lining of the stomach. If not treated in time, they can cause production losses and even result in death.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 10 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Ascochyta Blight: A Growing Problem In Common Bean
This seed-borne disease seems to be spreading in South Africa, and is also more virulent than in earlier years. Fortunately, fungicides are available to deal with the problem.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 10 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
No-till On A Small Farm: Part 1
A big problem with a small farming operation is that it is usually cash-strapped and therefore cannot afford mechanisation. This makes it difficult to compete against larger farms.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 10 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Coming Soon: A Fresh Look For The Cape Town Market
At the recent annual general meeting of the Sandveld Potato Producers’ Association held in Velddrif, Philé van Zyl, director at the Cape Town Market, spoke about plans to expand and upgrade the facility’s trading floor. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel.
4 min |
July 6, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Getting Settled On Carnarvon Estates
In 2009, the managing director of Nerpo, Aggrey Mahanjana, took charge of the 5 000ha Carnarvon Estates land reform farm in the Eastern Cape. Today he can look back on a successful journey, but one that has had its share of bumps and potholes. Mike Burgess reports.
4 min |
July 6, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Indigenous Goats Flourish In Free State
Indigenous Veld Goat breeder Erik de Witt is following his dream of preserving indigenous livestock breeds. Sabrina Dean visited him and learnt that with innovative marketing, it is also possible to make handsome returns on these unique animals.
5 min |
July 6, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Saving Our Land: The Basics Of Biodiversity
South Africa’s rich biodiversity is not only fascinating and beautiful; it provides a wide range of products and services for commercial and subsistence purposes.
3 min |
July 6, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Boiling Point In Agricultural Labour Relations
Collective bargaining, which involves sitting around a table and coming to a mutually acceptable agreement, is a cornerstone of the democratic process. The protests that occurred recently in the Sundays River Valley were coercion, not collective bargaining. This is according to Jahni de Villiers, Agri SA’s head of labour and development.
4 min |
July 6, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
New Thinking In Beef Cattle Breeding
Winners of the Agricultural Research Council’s Beef Performers Awards, Llewellyn Angus (2017 National Beef Cattle Improvement Herd) and Sanele Mbhele (2017 Emerging Beef Farmer), attended this year’s Beef Improvement Federation Symposium in the US. In part one of a two-part series, Llewellyn Angus shares his notes.
4 min |
November 09, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Harnessing Science To Open More International Markets For SA Citrus
The economic viability of Southern Africa’s citrus industry relies mostly on exports. Dr Vaughan Hattingh, CEO of Citrus Research International, says scientific research and development are essential to ensure that international markets remain open to Southern African citrus, conditions of access are optimised, and new markets become available. Lloyd Philips reports.
6 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Staying Ahead In The Wine Game
Agri Western Cape’s Young Farmer of the year, Johann de Wet of De Wetshof Wine Estate, tells Glenneis Kriel how he and his brother, Peter, are keeping their family’s wine-making legacy alive.
6 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Right Advice Saves The Day
Shadrack Mbele has been getting good returns from sugar bean since first planting it in 2014. Sabrina Dean visited him in the eastern Free State to find out more about his production techniques, and how he brought this season’s crop back from the brink of disaster.
5 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Quarantining A New Horse To Prevent The Spread Of Disease
A new horse on the farm can introduce both disease and parasites, warns Dr Mac.
2 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Beware Of That Foliar Feed Mixture!
Company representatives often bombard farmers with products claimed to increase yield at little cost. One of their favourites is foliar feed spray mixtures, which, they say, supply virtually every mineral that a crop needs to flourish.
2 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Putting Surplus Production On Farms To Good Use
Non-profit organisation FoodForward SA is making it easier for South African farmers to donate surplus produce to less fortunate communities, thanks to its recently launched Second Harvest programme.
2 min |
13 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Savanna Goats: Tougher Than Tough
World champion Savanna goat breeder Koenie Kotzé believes in strict selection, the best possible genetics, and top conformation and type. Annelie Coleman visited him on his farm Niekerkshoop in the Northern Cape to learn more about his exceptional stud.
5 min |
13 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Be Flexible, And Profit!
The marketplace for fresh fruit and vegetables is becoming increasingly globalised and interconnected. This affects the way that fresh produce is transported from its origin to its destination. The Fruit Logistica Trend Report 2018 looks at ways in which the supply chain must evolve to meet these challenges.
6 min |
13 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Saving Our Land: The Importance Of Wetlands
A wetland, whether smaller than a hectare or covering a vast area, is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. We urgently need to conserve them.
2 min |
13 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Better Spraying: Water Quality And Nozzle Care
Proper application of chemicals ensures crop safety, optimal efficiency and cost savings. Calibration and maintenance of spray equipment are therefore essential.
2 min |
13 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Water Rights: What To Do When Expanding An Operation
Adding to a farming operation or agribusiness is not simply a matter of obtaining more land. James Brand, senior associate in environmental affairs at law firm ENSafrica, discusses the legalities involved in securing water rights on additional land, and environmental authorisation for clearing indigenous vegetation.
3 min |
20 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Getting More Value From Our Basic Wood Fibre Resource
According to Sappi CEO Steve Binnie, the group’s latest financial results show that it is ready to capitalise on market moves away from plastic to natural fibre and paper-based packaging. Sappi Biotech executive vice-president Louis Kruyshaar outlines the company’s plans to Lloyd Phillips.
5 min |
20 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Farm On The Stock Market, And Increase Your Profits
While food and agricultural stocks are often overlooked as investments, many companies offering these products represent excellent value for money. Glenneis Kriel asked a number of investment officers about the opportunities available, and what advice they had for would-be investors.
5 min |
20 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
A Bullish Outlook For Wagyu In SA
During its recent roadshow events in Gauteng, the Free State and the Western Cape, the Wagyu Society of South Africa introduced new and prospective breeders to the opportunities that exist to grow the high-value beef segment in South Africa. The society also launched its certification programme for locally produced Wagyu beef. Denene Erasmus reports.
5 min |
20 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Couscous Salad Inspired By North Africa
Couscous may have originated on this continent, but the addition of avocado gives this dish a distinctly Mexican look and taste.
1 min |