Business
Farmer's Weekly
The amazing return of the fossil fish
Eighty-five years ago, a trawler docked in the East London harbour with a prehistoric-looking fish on board. The specimen would spark global interest, as these fish were thought to have been extinct for 65 million years. Many more have since then been found alive. Mike Burgess tells the remarkable story of the coelacanth.
2 min |
August 11, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The new ISUZU D-MAX Arctic AT35
With exceptional off-road capabilities, the D-MAX Arctic is the second iteration of ISUZU’s specially developed ultimate double cab bakkie.
2 min |
August 11, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Bahia grass: a dual-purpose crop
This perennial pasture improves the condition of the soil and provides good grazing for sheep, in particular, and cattle.
3 min |
August 11, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Controlling the spread of white mould in cabbages
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the fungus responsible for white mould, spreads via the soil and airborne spores. Speedy action is required
2 min |
August 11, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
A learnership to empower youth
Country Bird Holdings, in partnership with government, is a participant in the Yes4Youth programme, which is aimed at giving young South Africans practical experience in the workplace. Theunis Eloff explained to Melinda Shaw how CBH works with Amphi SA to mentor trainees.
3 min |
August 11, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Essentials for housing poultry
Chickens and other poultry are generally delicate creatures, and need careful attention. Amongst their requirements is secure, dry, warm shelter. In this article, we look at the essentials you need for a chicken house.
2 min |
August 11, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Get the best out of good seed - practise good seed storage!
Peter Craven, seed supply and quality lead at Syngenta, and Kobus van Huyssteen, technical manager at the South African National Seed Organisation, spoke to Magda du Toit about the importance of proper seed storage.
5 min |
August 11, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Living up to its name, Siyavuna is harvesting growth
Started in 2008 to help ensure food security for a charity, the Siyavuna programme has expanded to focus on farming, training and growing its value chains.
7 min |
August 11, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Get to know your livestock's nutritional requirements
If you understand the essential nutrients that your cattle need, and how to provide these, you will end up with a profitable livestock business, says Shane Brody. Here's how to ensure that the animals get enough to thrive.
3 min |
August 11, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Relationships are the basis of good business
Personal relationships are the rails on which your business runs. Don't leave them to chance. Work on them consciously, with sincerity, professionalism and deep respect
3 min |
August 11, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Hybrid maize brings massive yields
This article reported on the tremendous strides made in maize production in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in the early 1970s.
3 min |
August 11, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
These Irish farmers influence public opinion
Public opinion on farming practices has taken a negative slant the world over as social media perpetuate stereotypes of farmers who only seek profit, to the detriment of the environment. Irish farmers Pete and Paula Hynes are challenging those views by placing their farm firmly in the spotlight. Lindi Botha reports
9 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
Black rot: take care to prevent this destructive disease
Xanthomonas campestris can destroy a cabbage plant. It can also occur on dead organic matter under the proper conditions, warns Bill Kerr
2 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
Kissing spine can be inherited
Scientists have found a gene that predicts kissing spine, a disease affecting mainly Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds
2 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
The reality of livestock and climate change
Livestock are often said to be unfriendly to the environment, costing a huge amount of feed and water to produce. However, these statements are largely inaccurate
5 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
Five ways to make sure fermented food is safe for eating
A typical West African menu is not complete without a fermented food or drink, which are foods transformed by natural processes involving ‘friendly’ micro-organisms such as bacteria or yeast
3 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
Guideline to the most popular cannabis extraction methods
The effective extraction of cannabinoids, terpenes and other components is crucial in the production of cannabis products. Thomas Walker discusses various extraction techniques, and how they affect the end product
2 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
It's time for SA to rethink its food security strategies
In these trying times of high food prices, we need to reconsider how all South Africans can be afforded access to safe, nutritional diets that enable them to live healthy lives
3 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
Solar energy could boost water supply
Renewable electricity research conducted on KZN's North Coast could bolster the local economy
2 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
SADC talks focus on agriculture, food security and youth unemployment
At its recent Plenary Assembly Session, the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum addressed how agriculture could resolve socio-economic crises. Jyothi Laldas reports on the concerns raised
3 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
Creation Wines ranked fourth in world's top vineyards
Creation Wines, in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in the Western Cape, has moved from the 38th position in 2022 to fourth in the 2023 World’s Best Vineyards ratings
2 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
Zim authorities wary of deadly rabbit disease in SA
Zimbabwe's rabbit farmers' lobby group, the Zimbabwe Commercial Rabbit Breeders' Association (Zicorba), has called for an immediate ban on the importation of live rabbits from South Africa
1 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
Why the renewal of AGOA is so important for South Africa
Readers who follow international relations will know that the US Congress is due to review the countries included in the African Growth and Opportunity Act
3 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
The advance to automation in potato planting
This article examined the move towards greater mechanisation in the production of potatoes
3 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
The pros and cons of freezing meat
Dr Kedibone Modika and Tebogo Pitse, agricultural economists at the Agricultural Research Council, look at how the flavour, colour and tenderness of beef change during the freezing and thawing process
3 min |
Farmer's weekly 4 August
Farmer's Weekly
Wool up in Australia
At the last sale of the Australian woolselling season, the market for Merino wools of between 19 and 22 microns closed 3% up on the previous sale. A total of 43 697 bales were on offer, of which 92% were sold. According to Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), wool of 19 microns sold for A$1 479c/kg (about R183/kg), while wool of 18 microns was sold for A$1 621c/kg (R200/kg).
1 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Politics, princesses, and high-flying drama
Patricia McCracken reviews a political and historical satire on our country, Lady Anne Glenconner's second memoir, a jet-speed thriller of confusion and betrayal, and a lively children's book that teaches a love of nature.
3 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
A sturdy tree house overlooking a dam
Jonno Smith is a registered architect.
1 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Five-ingredient chunky guacamole
Guacamole is a firm favourite the world over. It is used as a side, meal topper, dip, sauce and filler, and even as an entire meal in its own right.
1 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
SHEEP: Bapedi sheep - the basics
Pedi sheep arrived in what is now Limpopo in about 1500 CE with the Bapedi (Northern Sotho) people, who migrated southwards from Central Africa.
1 min |