Business
Farmer's Weekly
Combine harvester sales up 136% in April 2023
More than 100 units of combine harvesters were sold in South Africa in April 2023, up 136,4% year-on-year. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
SA olive estate shines at international awards
South African olive estate De Rustica recently received international recognition when its Coratina Collection was awarded Best in Class, the Absolute Best Olive Oil, and Best Monovarietal at the EVOOLEUM Awards in Spain.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
SA Stud Book honours top producers at awards
The top livestock breeders, stud herds and flocks, and stud animals falling under the auspices of SA Stud Book were recognised at the organisation's national awards ceremony held recently in Bloemfontein.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Agri budget met with mixed reactions
Role players have had mixed reactions to the recent budget address delivered by Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza. Glenneis Kriel reports.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Cloud-seeding may not solve Mexico's water crisis, say experts
According to Nature, farmers in Mexico have asked the government to 'bomb' the clouds as the country continues to experience its second-worst drought in a decade.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Zambia aims to become Africa's food basket amid climate change
The Southern African state's President Hakainde Hichilema told foreign investors that it was well placed to fill the commodity void left by the Russia-Ukraine war, writes Jeff Kapembwa.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Strategic marketing needed to survive tough potato market, says industry body
Farmers producing spuds need to balance quality and price to survive the cost-price squeeze, according to speakers at Potatoes South Africa’s recent annual general meeting. Glenneis Kriel reports.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Tea made with indigenous fruit a 'game changer'
The production of tea from indigenous fruit is a 'game changer' for the tea industry, according to Stellenbosch University (SU).
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
RPO welcomes new vaccine against bluetongue
The recent announcement by Design Biologix, a vaccine researcher, developer and manufacturer, that it has registered a bluetongue vaccine for South Africa has been welcomed by the Red Meat Producers' Organisation (RPO).
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Bombed sunflower seed
This article described a South African breakthrough in breeding a superior sunflower hybrid cultivar through irradiation.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Amid power cuts, there are factors working in SA farmers' favour
As farmers plant winter crops, including wheat, canola, barley and oats, Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, outlines reasons to feel more optimistic in a challenging operating environment.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
An idyllic blend of beauty, comfort and privacy on the banks of the Breede
River Edge Accommodation offers a superb self-catering stay in cottages on the Breede River near Wolseley in the Western Cape. Camping on the riverbank is also possible, says Brian Berkman.
3 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Protecting and preserving nature
Husqvarna, Cape Nature, Helihack and local landowners came together on Earth Day to safeguard a UNESCO Heritage Site.
2 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Fund aims to boost regenerative agriculture
Switching from conventional to regenerative agriculture may be necessary, but it’s costly. Nic van Schalkwyk, executive director of Restore Africa Funds, spoke to Glenneis Kriel, about his organisation’s solution to this.
6 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
South African apple variety in high demand in India
Flash Gala, a full-red apple from the Bigbucks trees discovered in Elgin in the Western Cape in 2011, is receiving much attention, and there have been many requests for trees and additional information from India over the past season.
1 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Favourable outlook for summer and winter field crops such as wheat, oats and canola
According to the latest report by the Crop Estimates Committee, farmers’ intention to plant suggests a bumper harvest for winter field crops. Glenneis Kriel reports.
3 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
New strategy required to fight crime in Kruger National Park
To slow down losses of rhinos due to poaching, experts have called for the adoption of a comprehensive long-term strategy rather than the current reactive responses. Glenneis Kriel reports.
3 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Coping with coffee on the coast
This farmer had 5 500 coffee trees on 2,5ha, twice the usual planting density, and believed that South Africa could ultimately produce enough coffee to meet local demand.
3 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Engaging the founder and family in the succession process
Are you a consultant or other outsider trying to help a farmer hand over to the next generation? If so, you’re probably meeting with resistance! Trevor Dickinson suggests ways in which to bring about change.
5 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Transplanting and early care of cabbage seedlings
To get the plants off to a speedy start, ensure that the seedling plugs and soil are thoroughly wetted before transplanting, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The basics of growing teff
Teff is a leafy plant with a high yield of grain when in seed. Because it is highly nutritious, it is commonly produced as a hay crop in South Africa. It can cope with high temperatures and, to a limited extrent, drought.
4 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Coffee proves its worth as a valuable intercrop for macadamia farmers
Lowveld farmers have limited options to get around the cost-price squeeze in order to remain profitable amid rising input costs and decreasing crop prices. Father-and-son team Charles and Carel Burger have an innovative approach: they are intercropping coffee and macadamias to maximise returns. Lindi Botha reports.
8 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Angora: good money from a great breed
Mohair production is a valuable farming option even outside the Karoo. This is being demonstrated at two studs in North West’s Wolmaransstad district, as Annelie Coleman found out on her visit to three brothers-inlaw: Petrus Marx, Reco Pieterse and Stephan Erasmus.
5 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
How microbes boost and conserve soil health
Dr WJ Botha, of the Agricultural Research Council: Plant Health and Protection, explains how soil micro-organisms can help to increase crop productivity and reduce the effects of climate change.
9 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Why horses and donkeys still have a place in agriculture
No fuel or batteries required! With the world seeking to go green in the face of climate change, equids such as horses, donkeys and mules might just be the next big thing in farming. Janine Ryan reports.
4 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Child labour: what is harmful, and what isn't?
Child labour on farms can be categorised as hazardous, but not all such activities are harmful. James Sumberg and Rachel Sabates-Wheeler, research fellows at the Institute of Development Studies in the UK, explain.
4 min |
May 19, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
New Holland Agriculture gears up for Nampo 2023
This must-visit agri show enables New Holland to showcase its advanced machines and demonstrate how these can boost profitability. It also gives prospective clients the opportunity to outline their specific requirements
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Tough equipment for bush clearing
Wuhlf is a supplier of heavy-duty equipment for the agriculture, building, mining and forestry industries
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Healthy soil starts with a penetrometer
What more can we do to conserve and nourish the soil, a precious resource? Carel van Niekerk Jr of Piket Implements shares his advice
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Next-Gen Wildtrak: power and pleasure
The Wildtrak will appeal as much to first-generation buyers as to the Ranger faithful, says Ellis Mnyandu, who took it on a 1 200km test drive
2 min |