Business
Farmer's Weekly
Convenience Or Performance? (Part 1)
There is no getting away from it. A medium to large aquaculture operation, using solar heating, offers the best chance of success.
2 min |
August 24, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Customised Training For Commercial And Small-scale Interests
South Africa has an urgent need for agricultural training at all levels. The Hoedspruit Hub Agricultural Training Centre provides commercial skills training programmes, practical courses to assist small-scale farmers, and funding for education of the unemployed in surrounding communities. Lindi Botha reports.
5 min |
August 24, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Afrigus - A Game Changer For The Red Meat Industry?
Free State stud breeder Martiens le Roux believes the Afrigus breed is a promising new contestant in the South African beef cattle arena. Annelie Coleman called on him on his farm in the Bethulie district to find out more about this young and relatively unknown breed.
5 min |
August 24, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Managing Gerbils On Your Land: Part 2
By the time the effects of a gerbil outbreak on the crop become obvious, it is too late to take action.
2 min |
August 24, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Toyota: Its History And Its Bakkies
The company is renowned for its manufacturing techniques and excellent vehicles.
2 min |
August 24, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Saddle-horse Experts Share Know-How
FROM OUR ARCHIVES - DEVOTED TO SA FARMING SINCE 1911.
3 min |
August 31, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Want A More Profitable Dairy? Take Care Of Your Calves!
Three key factors can reduce calf mortalities and boost milk yield: correct hygienic practice in calf cages, control of Cryptosporidium parvum, and implementing a colostrum programme. Specialist veterinarian Dr Chris van Dijk and feed specialist Kenneth Botha explain these.
7 min |
August 31, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Effective, Low-cost Soil Conservation
Researchers have estimated that, over the past four decades, the world has lost a third of its arable land due to erosion or pollution. Solutions are constantly being sought. Frans Joseph and Mias van der Westhuizen of the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently tested the mitigating effect of a simple, inexpensive method to address soil erosion.
3 min |
August 31, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Minestrone: Magnificent Italian Soup
Italian cuisine is loaded with astonishing soups. There is, for example, Zuppa Pavese, a chicken based bowl of greatness topped by sourdough bread and a poached egg. At the greatest height, however, is minestrone, a classic with a thousand variations. Here is the version I cooked a few nights ago.
2 min |
August 31, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Rising Food Costs Chewing Into Sa Household Budgets
Food inflation is expected to start escalating towards the end of 2018, which will make it increasingly difficult for the majority of South African households to afford a balanced diet. According to the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), a range of tax factors are contributing to higher food prices.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 7 September 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Hunting Traditionally With The Khomani San
The Khomani San of the Kalahari are revered for their intimate knowledge of bush lore. Now they’re practising these skills commercially and offering hunting packages on the vast tracts of land they own around the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. In so doing, they are creating sustainable livelihoods for their community, too. Keri Harvey reports.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 7 September 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Lipizzaner Stallions In South Africa: Trained For Classical Dressage
Lipizzaners, well known for their highlevel dressage displays, originated more than four centuries ago. However, the breed continues to amaze, says Dr Mac.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 7 September 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Taking Steak To The Next Level
Steak can be cooked and served in a variety of ways, but this Asian-inspired marinade can turn even the tastiest steak into something far more special and appetising.
2 min |
September 7, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Commercial Farmers' Vital Role In Rural Development
Largely failed land reform initiatives are leading to increased tension and uncertainty in the agriculture sector as a whole. Veteran rural development expert Jimmy Lonsdale believes commercial farmers have a key role to play in turning this situation around.
5 min |
February 22, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Tips From The Western Cape's Cucumber Giant
Tunnel production may seem a relatively simple and profitable way to farm, but it involves high capital costs and has a narrow margin of error. Nico Laubscher Jnr spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the lessons that he and his team have learnt at Alzanne, near Vredendal, over the years.
5 min |
February 22, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Know Your Watermelon Varieties
The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) originated in Africa, where tribes in arid areas used it as an emergency water source.
2 min |
February 22, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Weathering The Storm With Shade Nets
Graaff Fruit has been using nets in several of its orchards for more than a decade. Mac Mackenzie spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how this method reduces climatic risks.
3 min |
February 22, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Local Oilseed Prices Feeling The Effects Of A Falling Rand
South Africa’s weakening exchange rate, and other factors affecting the world supply and demand for oilseeds, will continue to support domestic oilseed prices.
2 min |
March 1, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Siting A Hydroponics Operation
Before buying a property on which to build a hydroponics operation, it is crucial to do some research about the site. This includes reviewing climatic data, making enquiries at the municipal or district council, and having the water tested. Research will save you effort and money in the long run.
2 min |
March 1, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
A Methane-Powered Tractor
New Holland recently received an international award for its concept tractor, which offers huge savings in running costs.
1 min |
March 1, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Changing Nature Of The Wine Industry
The future of wine is evolving and the industry has to adapt in order to survive and flourish. This is according to Robert Joseph, an internationally respected wine expert and winemaker, and the author of the soon-to-be published book, The Future of Wine has Changed. Jeandré van der Walt reports.
3 min |
March 1, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
'Ensure Sensible Veld Management After Drought'
The heavy snow and rain that fell recently in parts of the Karoo will aid the recovery of grazing destroyed by the devastating drought, but much more rain was needed for the veld to return to its full potential. This was according to Johan van den Berg, specialised crop insurance manager at Santam Agriculture.
1 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
New Markets Vital To Facilitate Avocado Industry Growth
Despite a current undersupply of avocados in European countries and the fact that these markets are growing year-on-year, South Africa did not have an opportunity to significantly increase exports to the EU.
1 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
New Thoughts On Animal Thinking
Prof Aliza le Roux, head of the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of the Free State’s QwaQwa campus, says the latest ideas in animal behaviour hold farreaching implications for livestock farmers.
4 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Female Tractor Technician Who Is Breaking Stereotypes
Lerato Baloyi is currently the only female agricultural equipment technician employed by John Deere Sub-Saharan Africa. Siyanda Sishuba spoke to the 29-year-old Baloyi about her often-challenging journey in this male-dominated industry, and her passion for her career.
5 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Milco SA's Acquisition Of Clover On Track
The Competition Commission (CompCom) has given conditional approval for the Milco SA consortium’s intended acquisition of all issued shares in Clover for R4,8 billion, also referred to as the Clover Scheme.
1 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Expert Tips To Get The Most From Irrigated Wheat
Irrigated wheat is grown by many South African grain farmers in rotation with summer grains such as maize and soya bean. André du Toit, a senior wheat breeder with Pannar Seed SA, shares his knowledge and experience on how farmers can maximise the productivity, and therefore profitability, of these wheat crops. Lloyd Phillips reports.
5 min |
April 05, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Addressing The Challenges Facing SA's Wheat Industry
The latest wheat production estimate for the 2018/2019 season is about 1,8 million tons, which means that South Africa will have to import about 50% of the country’s wheat demand, according to Mariana Purnell, general manager at Agbiz Grain.
1 min |
April 05, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Africa Needs Cannabis Income
Since the legalisation of cannabis for private use in South Africa last year, there has been much confusion over the legality of farming and trading in cannabis and cannabis-related products. With its ideal climatic conditions for cannabis cultivation, the country is optimally placed to profit from the enormous economic potential of the crop. Lindi Botha reports.
5 min |
April 05, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Long-term Load-shedding Could Bankrupt Fish Farmers
Fish farmers depend on reliable, affordable power. Load-shedding and off-the-grid solutions are both problematic.
2 min |