Business
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 |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Scaling Up Aquaponics
Investing in efficient systems that optimise the use of space and yield, while reducing cost, is one way in which Gauteng-based Ichthys Aquaponics is growing its business. Siyanda Sishuba visited the operation and spoke to owners Justin and Nikki Hess to find out more.
5 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
'Feeding 10 Billion People Will Require GM Food'
Genetic modification will become an important tool in feeding the world’s growing population, which is expected to reach 10 billion people by 2050.
1 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Fendt's Beautiful Beast Wins Big
By winning a platinum award in the world’s biggest international design competition, the Fendt IDEAL combine harvester has proved that it’s both beautiful and brawny. Denene Erasmus reports.
2 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Basics Of The Suffolk Breed
This breed matures early, producing meat with a high ratio of lean meat to fat. This makes it an attractive proposition to the modern consumer.
1 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Cover Crop Breakthrough Promises To Revolutionise Production In Dry Areas
The introduction of a no-till planter that can plant cover crops in vine and tree rows is enabling farmers in the Olifants River Valley to take the benefits of cover cropping to an entirely new level. Glenneis Kriel reports on the planter’s development and the value of cover cropping in general.
5 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Crop Diversity A Pillar Of Sustainable Production
Including more than three crops in a cash crop system may not only help increase yield, but significantly enhance the long-term sustainability of a farm. Dr Johann Strauss of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the benefits of crop diversity.
4 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
No Slowing Down For This Commercial Cattle Woman
Alwene Ford may be nearing what many would consider normal retirement age, but the 63-year-old commercial cattle farmer has no plans to slow down. Sabrina Dean visited her on her farm near Barkly West in the Northern Cape.
6 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Why Nitrogen Is So Important
Simply put, nitrogen controls the performance of the crop just as the throttle pedal controls the speed of a car.
2 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Assessing Grazing Capacity
The number of grazing camps on a farm should be weighed against the escalating cost of fencing material,
3 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The American Quarter Horse
This breed is not only fast, but is also versatile, and can thus compete in English or Western riding disciplines,
2 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Ammonia-based Fertiliser Explained
The situation gets worse when the soil temperature decreases
2 min |
August 16, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Bringing More South African Game Meat To Dinner Tables
Game meat is an often-prized, but scarce, protein source. According to independent meat safety consultant Dr Tertius Bergh, systems for improving the safety standards of processing game meat could ensure far more widespread consumption. Lloyd Phillips reports
5 min |