Farmer's Weekly
Synchronising Production With Market Demand
Strategies to synchronise produce availability with times of general undersupply can prove highly lucrative, as KwaZulu-Natal fresh produce farmer Andile Ngcobo tells Lloyd Phillips.
5 min |
January 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Rural Crime: Both Police And Farmers Need To Up Their Game
Despite being continually under the spotlight, rural crime in South Africa continues to plague farmers. Some respond by leaving the sector; others struggle on after having lost property or even loved ones. However, studies show that while the justice system receives much of the blame, farmers should be doing more to secure themselves. Lindi Botha reports.
4 min |
January 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Know Your Invasive Plant Species
This article looks at the black wattle, bloodberry and other plants that must be controlled or eradicated.
2 min |
January 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Humane Fish Slaughter
Compared with most other agricultural industries in South Africa, the farmed fish industry is in its infancy. With no legal framework yet in place, fish farmers and animal welfare organisations are at loggerheads about how to kill fish with the least suffering. Gerhard Uys reports.
4 min |
January 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Cost Squeeze In Poultry Production Set To Hit Profits
High feed prices and lacklustre economic conditions that are depressing consumer spending will conspire to yield a tough year for poultry producers.
2 min |
January 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Clear Combine Blockages Fast
The dynamic feed roll reverser from New Holland enables the CR combine harvester operator to clear blockages from the cab, maximising productivity and safety. Joe Spencer reports.
1 min |
January 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Angola Or Bust!
A desire to escape from British rule, drought and hostile tribes led to the trekboers’ epic journeys. The Dorsland Trek was one of the toughest, says Graham Jooste.
4 min |
January 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
A Sustainable Approach To Feeding The World By 2050
There is a large shortfall between the amount of food being produced in the world today and the quantity needed to feed an expected 10 billion people by 2050. A World Resources Institute report suggests it is possible to produce enough food sustainably to cater for the rapid increase in demand, but achieving this will require major changes to the way we grow and consume food.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 25 January 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Tissue-Cultured Bananas: Uniform And High-Yielding
Establishing a healthy orchard starts with choosing the correct plant material. In South Africa’s only laboratory of its type, banana plants are cultivated from tissue culture to produce clones that offer farmers vigorous growth and high yield. Lindi Botha visited Du Roi Laboratory in Limpopo.
5 min |
January 18, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Search For The South African Unicorn
The discovery of apparent one-horned animals in Southern African rock art resulted in some 18th and 19th century European explorers believing in the existence of unicorns. By Mike Burgess.
4 min |
January 18, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Global Economic Outlook: Growing Gloom Worldwide
Growth in global GDP is expected to slow in both developed and emerging market economies this year and in 2020. The reasons for this include a decline in world trade, due in large part to the trade war between the US and China. In a recent report on the global economic outlook, Rabobank economists provided insight into these and other factors.
4 min |
January 18, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Wheat Industry Plan Gains Momentum
In 2012, South Africa’s wheat industry launched the Wheat Industry Plan to alleviate the country’s dependence on grain imports. Andries Theron, chairperson of Grain SA’s winter cereals working group, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about progress made with implementing the plan.
6 min |
January 18, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing With Powdery Mildew
When it comes to pumpkins and squashes, it’s not a case of if, but when powdery mildew will strike. This fungal disease can be highly destructive, especially late in the season.
2 min |
January 18, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Dairy And Citrus Combine To Ensure Recipe For Success
Huguenot Farms in the Sundays River Valley is implementing a long-term, mixed farming strategy that will see its ‘beautiful soils’ produce to their full potential. Sabrina Dean visited the farm, where the Marais family has established a profitable combined dairy-citrus operation.
6 min |
January 18, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Award-Winning Brangus Breeder's Formula For Success
Christopher Sparks can be counted as one of the top cattle stud producers in South Africa after having claimed two prestigious national titles last year. Sabrina Dean visited him at his Mount Olive Brangus Stud in the Free State to find out what it is he is doing right.
5 min |
January 18, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
A Call For Integrated Research
54 YEARS AGO In this report, Prof H.O. Monnig, former chairperson of the South African Science Advisory Council, explained the importance of co-operation between universities and research councils.
4 min |
January 18, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing With Cucurbit Viruses
Viruses are the greatest threat facing the cucurbit grower. It’s rare that a crop will be grown without some symptoms appearing.
2 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Tapping Country Talents
28 Years ago Recruiting latent local talent to serve campers was a profitable sideline project, according to Major James Sclanders, who retired from the South African Air Force in 1974.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21-28 December 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Rake's Progress
McHale rakes and balers have been tested under the world’s most difficult conditions, resulting in strong, efficient and reliable machines, says Joe Spencer.
1 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Strict Selection The Key To Boer Goat Meat Production
Award-winning stud breeder Gerald Calitz runs a 200-strong Boer goat stud on his 70ha farm near Ventersdorp in North West. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about his breeding techniques.
5 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Smuts: A World Statesman
A renowned scholar, soldier and political figure, Jan Smuts rose to prominence while still in his twenties. He went on to become prime minister of the Union of South Africa, and was a key adviser to the British government in both world wars. Graham Jooste looks at Smuts’s life.
4 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Small-Scale Cotton Farming Can Create Prosperity
The remote community of Khombaso in Mpumalanga has placed all its hope in developing a cotton industry to lift the town out of poverty and prevent further urbanisation of its residents. Lindi Botha spoke to Cotton SA about making small-scale cotton farming viable.
6 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Integrated Financing For Smallholder Farmers
Africa’s agricultural potential can only be realised if smallholders gain access to finance. But loans cannot be focused on just one aspect of the value chain at the expense of others. Antois van der Westhuizen, managing director of John Deere Financial, suggests ways to design integrated financing models for smallholders.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21-28 December 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Look After Those Earthworms!
Earthworms play a crucial role in improving soil quality, and every farmer should try to maintain a healthy population of these remarkable creatures.
3 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Great Reads For The Holiday
From Vietnam to chocolate, from dogs, wolves and opera to Lucas Davenport and Zapiro, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to whiling away those long summer days.
5 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Financial Planning: Crucial To Sustainable Production
To weather the impact of market fluctuations and extreme climatic conditions, producers have to think strategically about farming. Pieter de Jager spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his strategy.
6 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Charity Begins At Home
Growing up on a farm gave Lion du Plessis insight into the problems faced by farmworkers. But after studying human rights he gained an even deeper understanding of these issues, which spurred him on to create a charity that uplifts rural communities. Lindi Botha reports.
6 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
‘Farming For Profits Without Social Responsibility Is Foolish'
Being named the 2018 Agri SA/Toyota Young Farmer of the Year is wonderful recognition, says North West potato producer JP van den Berg, However, simply being able to farm and contribute to food security is a daily highlight. He adds that his hardworking staff are pivotal to his farming success, and he devotes much energy to caring for their welfare. Annelie Coleman reports.
5 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
To Get The Most, Waste Nothing
Herby oversees the conservation aspect of the operation and cultivates tomatoes as a paying hobby, while his sons run the farm.
4 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Difference Half A Degree Of Global Warming Can Make
The recent ‘Global Warming of 1.5 C’ report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights several climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1,5 C, compared with 2 C or more. For example, at 1,5 C warming, the Arctic Ocean is likely to be free of sea ice in summer just once a century on average, whereas at 2°C global warming, the likelihood rises to once a decade.
5 min |