Business
Farmer's Weekly
Kalahari Farmer
46 YEARS AGO A farmer in the normally dry Kalahari stunned his neighbours when he produced a bumper crop of watermelons, beans, maize, pumpkins and sunflower.
5 min |
November 2, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Wind Farms: Huge Potential In South Africa, Big Opportunity For Farmers
Fickle power supply and ever-increasing tariffs are spurring South Africa’s agriculture sector to look at alternative sources of electricity. Jacobus Treurnich, the land rights manager of G7 Renewable Energies, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about wind farms and the opportunities that farmers will have to rent out their land for wind-generated power.
5 min |
July 12, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Digital Revolution Links Fresh Produce Farmers And Buyers
For those already using it, a newly launched and innovative online trading platform is reportedly revolutionising the way that South Africa’s fresh produce sellers and buyers conduct their typically time-sensitive and demanding trading with each other. HelloChoice’s co-founders explain how the platform works and its benefits to both sellers and buyers.
5 min |
July 12, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Future Of Boer Goats In South Africa
Boer goat stud breeders from across the country were in Bloemfontein at the start of May to participate in the annual Boerbok, Kalahari Red and Savanna World Show. Sabrina Dean spoke to Boer goat breeders Kobus Lötter, Andries Vollgraaff, Casper Byleveld and Lukas Burger about the current state of the Boer goat industry, and what the future holds for it.
5 min |
July 12, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Glanders: What You Should Know
While glanders is no longer present in South Africa, it is still found in other regions and can be brought back into the country through the importation of equines, says Dr Mac.
2 min |
July 12, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Save Money When Harvesting Coffee
The Coffee Express 200 Multi self-propelled coffee harvester is coming soon, says Joe Spencer.
2 min |
July 12, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
If They're Wild, They're Out
Johan Blomerus, a Free State Brahman breeder, selected his animals based on their temperament.
3 min |
July 12, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Cost Of Human Error On The Environment
Speaking at a technical information day hosted by the Dried Fruit Technical Services and Canning Fruit Producers’ Association, environmentalist Dave Pepler focused on individual responsibility in terms of climate change and damage to the environment.
4 min |
15 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Some Reasons To Celebrate
Crime has hit our community!
2 min |
March 2, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The ‘Stolen' Pulpit And Pews: The Story Of An Eastern Cape Church
During the Anglo-Boer War, the NG Church in Adelaide, Eastern Cape, became the headquarters of the British garrison and suffered damage to its woodwork. Soon after the war, the church was adorned with a brand-new pulpit and pewss – by mistake!
2 min |
March 2, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing With Navicular Disease
This condition causes chronic lameness in both front legs of a horse. Although there is no cure, it can be managed with special shoeing and anti-inflammatory drugs, says Dr Mac.
2 min |
March 2, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Rear-Wheel-Drive Beam Axle
This type of axle is fitted to most trucks and SUVs. Jake Venter explores the advantages and disadvantages of various designs.
2 min |
March 2, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Ensuring Optimal Yields In Sunflower Production
There are many factors that play a role in seed set and eventual yield in sunflower production of which farmers may not even be aware.
2 min |
March 2, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
SA Cherry Exports Quadruple
Cherries may have excellent potential as an alternative crop, and despite production being small in the Western Cape, export volumes have more than quadrupled over the past four years, according to provincial economic opportunities minister Alan Winde.
1 min |
March 2, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Unique Fund Aims To Generate 1 700 Jobs Over Three Years
Hortfin was launched in October last year to create jobs and accelerate transformation in South Africa’s deciduous fruit, table grape and wine industries. Michael Brinkhuis, CEO of Hortfin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the fund and the progress it has made so far.
5 min |
May 03, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
A Tilapia Model That SA Should Be Emulating
Large-scale cage culture and ownership of the supply chain has enabled a number of countries to produce thousands of tons of tilapia annually. There is little reason why this cannot take place in South Africa.
2 min |
May 03, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Sweet Potato Weevil Hazard
The most destructive pest faced by sweet potato growers in the warmer areas of South Africa is the sweet potato weevil (Cylas spp), of which there are two species in the country.
2 min |
May 03, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Cowboy Dressage In South Africa
This riding discipline emphasises the partnership between horse and rider
2 min |
May 03, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Oil Change Intervals
When should engine oil be changed? It depends on how and where you drive, and whom you talk to in the motor industry,
3 min |
May 03, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Gene Editing: This Is How You'll Benefit
Recent breakthroughs in gene editing technology mean that advancements in the industry can be brought to the farm faster, cheaper and more accurately than before. The result is plants and livestock that are naturally more resistant to disease, crops that are higher yielding, and ultimately, more sustainable, profitable farms.
7 min |
May 03, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
New Production Trend Hits South Africa
The implementation of regenerative agriculture principles is allowing a growing number of farmers to reduce their inputs while producing similar or even better yields than they would have produced if they used conventional farming practices. Glenneis Kriel reports.
6 min |
May 24, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Financing Farming During A Drought
Finding money for agriculture during a drought is difficult. The South African agriculture sector, farmers and financiers alike, is facing a perfect storm, according to Prof Sanlie Middelberg of the School of Accounting Sciences at North-West University. She spoke to Annelie Coleman.
5 min |
May 24, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Managing Capsicum Seedlings
Capsicums will grow in a wide range of soil types. The crop should be fertilised according to a soil analysis; this will ensure that the level of each essential element is sufficient and all the elements are in balance with one another.
2 min |
May 24, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
New Technology, New Techniques
Three manufacturers of agricultural equipment recently introduced enhancements to improve the efficiency of their machines and implements. Joe Spencer takes a closer look at these.
2 min |
May 24, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Nitrate Form Of Nitrogen
The nitrate form of nitrogen is highly mobile in the soil. The way in which you apply it will determine how long the plants will have access to it.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly August 2019
Farmer's Weekly
How Award-Winning Broiler Producer Stayed The Course
Bhefika Matshenja of Inhlakanipho Projects and Farms, winner of the Star of Buhle Award for 2019, says that by implementing sound management principles, such as reinvesting profits, he has been able to see his business grow.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly August 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Preventing Aflatoxin Poisoning
Aflatoxins can cause severe liver damage and may result in death, says Dr Mac. As such, proper feed storage is crucial.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly August 2019
Farmer's Weekly
A Better Food Future For SA
Current methods of food production threaten the environment and human health, and change is thus urgently required in South Africa’s food system. In a report, recently published by the WWF-SA, titled ‘Agri-food Systems: Facts and Futures: How South Africa can produce 50% more by 2050’, the organisation’s senior manager of the policy and futures unit, Tatjana von Bormann, details the changes needed to achieve a better food future for the country.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly August 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Inside Sa's Biggest Orchid Business
What started out with a couple of plants bought at an orchid show in the 1960s, has turned into one of South Africa’s biggest orchid companies, Duckitt Nurseries. Wilferd Duckitt, the co-owner of the company
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly August 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Duck Breasts With Chopped Onions And Garlic
This exceptional meal deserves a special occasion.
2 min |