Business
Farmer's Weekly
SA's 'Little Ships' Go To War
In 1939, South Africa effectively had no navy at all. But that did not stop the brave volunteers of the South African Naval Forces from taking on the enemy.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21 September 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Young Poultry Farmer Thrives Despite Setbacks
Asiphe Pentu started his small-scale broiler business with only R2 000 when he was just 17 years old and still at school. After five years, he has a well-run, 100-chicken operation that turns a profit and has a loyal clientele in the local community. Siyanda Sishuba reports.
4 min |
June 14, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Soil Erosion: A Big Problem With Few Solutions
Long-term food security is set to suffer if the scourge of soil erosion is not brought under control. Dan Pennock, a professor in soil science at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, discusses the extent of the problem and the importance of good soil management.
4 min |
June 14, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
'Nappy Test' For Sheep To Help Optimise Milk Production
Sheep in Brazil were recently dressed in nappies as part of a research project aimed at finding the ideal grass length for maximum milk production.
1 min |
June 14, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
New Report Expresses Support
Farmers unhappy with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s (JSE) location differential system have suffered a setback, with grain expert Prof Matthew Roberts, founder of the Kernmantle Group, recommending that the system be maintained for wheat and maize and, if the JSE deemed it necessary, introduced for soya bean as well.
1 min |
June 14, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Seed-eating Birds Survive In The Desert
52years ago A study conducted at the Transvaal Museum investigated the water economy of seedeating birds, and the remarkable ability of certain finches to live in the desert without water for long periods of time.
2 min |
June 14, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Thinning Out Fruit On Peppers
The subject of thinning fruit in a pepper crop has many facets. To start with, peppers come in various growth types and have different bearing habits, all of which influence pruning and fruit thinning.
2 min |
June 14, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Bridles: Ensuring The Right Fit
Horses are much used in South Africa. Equestrian disciplines are popular, and both horses and donkeys are still utilised as working animals on farms and in townships. Despite this, many horse owners are unaware of the importance of a properly fitted bridle. Vicki Sokolich, an equine complementary care expert, explains that a poorly fitting bridle can result in significant damage to the physiology of the animal. Janine Ryan reports.
6 min |
June 21, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Using Technology To Predict Australian Wheat Yield
Wheat yield in Australia can now be predicted accurately two months before the crop matures using machine-learning methods, according to researchers at the University of Illinois in the US.
1 min |
June 21, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Science Of Producing Good Silage
Leading Boran stud breeder Hurwitz Farming in Mpumalanga operates a number of enterprises, the latest of which is a silage contracting business. Pieter Dempsey interviewed Jarren Hurwitz to find out more about the new technology in silage that makes their operation different.
7 min |
June 21, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Growing Good Carrots: Part 1
Carrots have been an important vegetable crop in South Africa since the days of early European settlement in the Cape. Today, they are grown countrywide, particularly near urban areas.
2 min |
June 21, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Linking Midlands Consumers With Wholesome Foods
Few consumers properly understand how food production works or have any emotional connection with farmers and farming. This is according to Lauren Murphy, who, through her Internet-based farm produce marketing company, is helping to narrow this gap while supplying tasty, nutritious food to her many loyal clients in KwaZulu-Natal. Lloyd Phillips reports.
5 min |
June 28, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Is The Agri Sector Focusing On The Wrong Kind Of Growth?
Dr Sifiso Ntombela, a trade economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council, argues that, contrary to some of the suggestions in the National Development Plan, the grain and livestock industries have greater potential than the horticultural industry to create better-paying jobs and alleviate poverty.
4 min |
June 28, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Indigenous Crossbreeding Improves Cows' Longevity
Cow longevity is crucial to optimal productivity in beef cattle production, says Anette Theunissen, an animal scientist based at the Vaalharts Research Station. Annelie Coleman reports.
6 min |
June 28, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Will Load-Shedding Affect Veggie Prices?
Vegetable prices remained fairly stable at the start of winter, but the risk of load-shedding during the colder months, as electricity usage increases, could have serious consequences for producers and consumers.
2 min |
June 28, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Attention To Detail Ensures High-quality Produce
While launching a new farming venture as a first-time farmer may seem daunting, Hannes Wolvaardt is proof that it can be done. He shared his tips on successful sweet pepper production in Limpopo with Lindi Botha.
6 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Farming Valais Black Nose Sheep In New Zealand
On a small lifestyle farm near the rural town of Cambridge in New Zealand, Andrew and Leigh-Anne Peake are establishing the Valais Black Nose sheep as a new breed in the country. The couple have found the journey highly enjoyable, reports Gerhard Uys.
5 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Golden Cattle
According to Dr Wayne Durdle of Amersfoort in Mpumalanga, Gelbvieh cattle could play an important role in the national beef cattle herd due to the breed’s efficiency in difficult production conditions.
2 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Feast Or Famine
The source of the deadly strain ST6 of listeriosis, which has infected nearly 1 000 people and caused more than 180 deaths in South Africa, has been identified at an Enterprise Foods factory in Polokwane.
1 min |
March 30, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Cushioned Overshoes For Horses
In the US, Soft-Ride boots are often used to make a horse more comfortable on a hard floor, such as in a stable or a horsebox. South African owners should consider using them too
2 min |
March 30, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Weed Control In Carrots
Successful carrot producers mechanise their operations to reduce labour to the minimum.
2 min |
March 30, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Thinking At Gunpoint: It's Time To Fast Track Land Reform
The expropriation without compensation resolution has polarised opinion. We need urgent, innovative solutions to land reform, and must deal with communal land ownership and title deeds, says Malapane Thamaga, an agricultural economist at the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa.
4 min |
March 30, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Keep That Fly At Bay
The common housefly remains a significant problem in South Africa.
3 min |
March 30, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Reap Returns On Investments By 'Farming The Markets'
‘Farming the markets’ originates from the analogy that exists between personal finance (investing) and farming. Brenthurst Wealth Management financial adviser, Richus Nel, looks at how managing personal finance and investing can be improved by thinking like a farmer.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 8 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Farming In Harmony With Mother Nature
Climate change and increased pressure on natural resources have necessitated the introduction of alternative farming practices.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 8 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Late Blight: Fungus In The Fast Lane
Unlike Alternaria as discussed last week, late blight (Phytophthora infestans) does not creep into a tomato crop.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 8 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
'Knock, Knock.' 'Who's There?'
‘It’s me. Detonation. I’m here to wreck your engine.’ Seriously, though, detonation (also called knock) is no joke. Jake Venter explains why it can cause damage, and what is done to prevent it.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 8 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Caring For Brachycephalic Breeds
They’re friendly, loyal and feisty, and have become immensely popular as pets, but that cute ‘flat face’ could also cause severe health problems, warns Shane Brody.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 8 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Africa: A Continent Brimming With Business Opportunities
Thinking of doing business in Africa? Dr Rutendo Hwindingwi, also known as the ‘African Realist’, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about where the potential profits and pitfalls can be found.
5 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Once-In-A-Lifetime Potato Planning
Potato production is a high-risk, high-reward industry. Farming seed potatoes is even more so. Sabrina Dean visited Gerhard Bruwer of Genade Boerdery in the Northern Cape to find out more about this component of the family farming operation.
6 min |