Business
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 |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Blood tests: a quick, accurate guide to your horse's health
Why do veterinarians take blood tests from a horse and what are they looking for? Dr Mac explains the basics of this crucial diagnostic tool
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
How to prepare cabbage for transplanting
Nitrogen and irrigation play a crucial role in successful transplanting and help to ensure healthy plants in the longer term
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Three Australian invaders threatening SA environment
These alien invader plant species, all of which are acacias, grow rapidly in South Africa. By law, they must be removed and destroyed
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Maize: a priceless crop
In this article, Janine Ryan looks at the importance of maize production in the world today, and its value for food security. She also explores the history of maize and how it evolved into a crop that is widely cultivated
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The importance of shows for farmers
Agricultural shows are a great way for farmers to earn recognition for their animals, while also acting as a marketing platform for them
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Global economy at a 'highly uncertain moment'
South Africa faces the same uncertainties as the global economy, as well as the effects of load-shedding, high unemployment and huge government and private sector debt
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Traceability is key to a sustainable agriculture
Justin Platt, founder and managing director of agricultural technical services companies Zylem and RegenZ, explains how South African agriculture stands to benefit by implementing traceability systems
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
What Nampo Harvest Day means to the farmers
Magda du Toit, Glenneis Kriel and Lindi Botha find out from several farmers what Nampo Harvest Day means to them
10+ min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Legend sticks of a beast that sucks goats' blood
There is no real evidence of El Chupacabra, and most sightings have been debunked and attributed to other animals. However, the myth continues to intrigue people across the world
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Diesel vs petrol. Which one is right for you?
Which car you should invest in is a difficult choice, as there are so many options on the market. First to consider, however, says Janine Ryan, is whether you should invest in petrol or diesel
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Nongqawuse's disastrous false prophecy
A grave in the Alexandria district of the Eastern Cape is believed to belong to an infamous prophetess who in the mid-1850s convinced many Xhosa to sacrifice their cattle and crops
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The ideal accommodation for visiting Cape Town's hip Kloof Street
The Mother City’s Kloof Street has become famous for its casual eating and ultra-cool atmosphere. Brian Berkman recommends the nearby Hippo Boutique Hotel if you want to explore this neighbourhood
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
A successful cabbage crop starts with good seedlings
Growing your own seedlings requires experience. Mistakes are inevitable and you’ll need to adjust your system accordingly
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Solving the kiwi puzzle for optimal production
A sunrise industry in South Africa with potential to expand markets locally and abroad, kiwifruit offers good returns on a small piece of land. Malcolm Deacon, owner of Gold Tree Farms, cautions, however, that knowledge gaps abound, and until the industry matures, farmers will have to troubleshoot their way through production
8 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Empowering communities to cope with climate change
Local communities need to be part of the process of better understanding climate change adaptation. Moreover, supporting small green economies could assist in job creation for the community. An enviromental project in Eldorado Park is seeking to do just this
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
How citizens can combat invasive seaweed
Sien van der Plank, of the University of Southampton, Kwasi Addo Appeaning and Winnie NA Sowah, lecturers at the University of Ghana, and Philip-Neri Jayson-Quashigah, also of the University of Ghana, write about the battle against golden seaweed
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
New era for Orange River raisin producers
The Vine Academy and Model Farm were officially launched in May 2022 to improve the sustainability of raisin farmers. Ferdie Botha, CEO of Raisins SA, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this development
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Old-fashioned shepherding: a solution to livestock predation?
Heidi Hawkins, research fellow, honorary research associate at the University of Cape Town, writes about how shepherding could help farmers stave off predator attacks on their livestock
4 min |