Business
Farmer's Weekly
Agri Jobs: Why We Need To Be Practical
A lack of experience prevents many qualified young people from finding their first jobs in agriculture. Recruitment specialist Marianne van der Laarse explained the situation to Glenneis Kriel and called for internships and more practical exposure for students.
4 min |
March 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
The convoy that saved Malta
Vice Admiral Edward Syfret’s superb planning and leadership qualities helped save the small but strategically crucial island of Malta during the Second World War, writes Graham Jooste.
5 min |
March 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
NEW IRRIGATION SYSTEMS: making do with less
With dwindling water supplies and a greater emphasis on efficient use of resources, irrigation technology is evolving to make do with less. While the initial capital costs of the latest equipment and software may be high, its increased efficiency, higher yield and reduced water usage cannot be beaten. Lindi Botha spoke to experts about the latest advances in irrigation.
6 min |
March 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Kyalami '70
It is said that in boxing, one cannot make a successful comeback.
2 min |
March 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Constitutional amendment won't address poverty issues
Prof Ruth Hall of the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies at UWC says that the call to change Section 25 of the Constitution in an effort to allow for expropriation without compensation will not secure equitable access to land for all South Africans.
5 min |
March 27, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Diversification: An Essential Approach In A Tough Economy
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket; if you fall, you run the risk of not having breakfast. Farmers should spread their risk by adding a second component to an existing farming operation, or even by investing in industries unrelated to agriculture, says Dawie Maree, head of information and marketing at FNB Agriculture.
4 min |
March 20,2020
Farmer's Weekly
Coronavirus In Horses
While coronavirus in horses has not been seen in South Africa, there have been reported cases in other parts of the world
2 min |
February 21, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Unlocking the potential of the Merino Landsheep
The Merino Landsheep is rapidly gaining popularity in South Africa due to the breed’s impressive performance in the feedlot as well as its value as a dual-purpose meat and wool sheep. Merino Landsheep stud breeder Ben du Plessis spoke to Annelie Coleman.
6 min |
March 20,2020
Farmer's Weekly
Township vegetable garden empowers women
The Siyazama Community Garden in Khayelitsha has changed the lives of a group of women in the township. During a media tour to the garden hosted by Coronation Fund Managers, two of the farmers, Nokwanda Nkqayi and Liziwe Stofile, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about their organic farming practices and the impact that the garden has had on their lives.
4 min |
March 20,2020
Farmer's Weekly
The slow, sure road to sustainable wheat production
Since he started with conservation farming more than 12 years ago, MG Lotter has learnt that there are no quick fixes in grain production. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about managing his farm in the Overberg.
5 min |
March 20,2020
Farmer's Weekly
The basics of dairy farming: Part 1
Modern dairies tend to be large-scale and highly automated. Yet the essence of managing cows and maximising production has not changed.
3 min |
March 20,2020
Farmer's Weekly
Preparing a lettuce land
Lettuce grows rapidly and has a relatively shallow root system. This means you have to ensure the crop gets off to a running start. Your initial task is, therefore, to address soil fertility at the soil preparation stage.
2 min |
March 20,2020
Farmer's Weekly
More intensive banana production
50YEARS AGO With the emphasis on improved production, these Mpumalanga banana growers had to adapt and innovate.
2 min |
March 20,2020
Farmer's Weekly
HOW TO INCREASE SA'S WINE SALES RIGHT HERE AT HOME
South Africa’s wine industry has the potential to boost sales to the local market, especially those consumers who are in the emerging middle class. At the recent Vinpro Information Day, Brandon de Kock, director of storytelling at consumer insights agency Whyfive, outlined the changing consumer landscape in the country and its opportunities. Jeandré van der Walt reports.
4 min |
March 20,2020
Farmer's Weekly
Heat stress in competing horses
Heat stress can lead to organ failure and death, and should not be underestimated by horse riders or owners, warns Dr Mac.
2 min |
March 20,2020
Farmer's Weekly
Automation for dairy cowsheds
A large selection of new technology for dairy farming was on display at this year’s Fieragricola, which took place in Verona, Italy, earlier this year.
2 min |
March 20,2020
Farmer's Weekly
Empowering Smallholders To Access The Supply Chain
Black smallholder farmers are often excluded from the supply chain due to high barriers of entry. A fund established by Tiger Brands is now trying to address this problem. Mary-Jane Morifi, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at Tiger Brands, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about the company’s plans to empower these farmers, as well as black suppliers and distributors.
3 min |
March 13, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Higher Temperatures Increase Risk Of Apple Scab Infection
The dramatic increase in South Africa’s average winter temperature over the past 40 years has altered the susceptibility of apples to fungal disease, with fungi showing a much faster adaptation rate to changing temperatures than apples, writes Dr Julia Meitz-Hopkins, a researcher in the Department of Plant Pathology at Stellenbosch University.
3 min |
March 13, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
The importance of building trust throughout the red meat value chain
One of South Africa’s many socio-economic problems is the general lack of trust between stakeholders in the country’s agricultural value chain and consumers. Dr Pieter Vervoort, managing director of the National Animal Health Forum, says that a national traceability system is one method through which trust can be rebuilt.
5 min |
March 13, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Steering a combine with a joystick
The recently launched Fendt IDEALDrive joystick steering system for combine harvesters eliminates the steering wheel in the brand’s IDEAL Combine series. The joystick steering solution promises to deliver greater visibility for less operator fatigue.
2 min |
March 13, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Small steps to progress
Kleiheuwel Trust, based in Bredasdorp, recently achieved one of the top 10 best prices in the history of South African wool sales, and the highest price so far during this season’s BKB wool auctions. Pam and André Christie-Smith spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their production approach.
6 min |
March 13, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Diligent crop protection is crucial
Several methods are available to help farmers protect their crops from weeds, diseases and pests, says Dr Benard Ngwene, the agricultural advisory manager for AGCO Africa.
2 min |
March 13, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Choosing The Best Time To Breed Your Mare
There are pros and cons to breeding your mare at different times of the year, says Dr Mac.
3 min |
Farmers Weekly 6 March 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Feeding pigs: Part 1
Pigs cannot thrive on leftover scraps from the kitchen. To ensure healthy, productive and profitable pigs, feed them nutritious, balanced rations.
3 min |
Farmers Weekly 6 March 2020
Farmer's Weekly
THE FERTILITY FACTOR IN MOHAIR SUCCESS
Eastern Cape mohair producer Paul Webber has twice won the prestigious Daidoh Trophy Competition for the highest average price for a summer kid clip. Mike Burgess visited him recently on his farm to better understand his mohair production system.
4 min |
Farmers Weekly 6 March 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Private Jackie Baboon's war
During the First World War, the pet baboon of Private Albert Marr followed the soldiers of the 3rd South African Infantry Regiment into the heat and horror of battle
2 min |
Farmers Weekly 6 March 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Know your armyworm species
Effective control of armyworm begins with being able to differentiate between the various species. South African crop farmers need to learn and apply this skill, Dr Annemie Erasmus of the Agricultural Research Council’s Grain Crops Institute told Annelie Coleman.
5 min |
Farmers Weekly 6 March 2020
Farmer's Weekly
From seasonal worker to award-winning farmer
The Agricultural Writers SA New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture winner in 2019, Dirk Louw, is showing that it still is possible to start farming from scratch. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about what contributed to his success, his perseverance against all odds and his plans for the future
6 min |
Farmers Weekly 6 March 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Controlling Gibberella on maize, sorghum and wheat: Part 1
Fungal pathogens belonging to the genus Fusarium can cause severe damage, leading to yield losses and a drop in profits.
2 min |
Farmers Weekly 6 March 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Choosing the right lettuce variety
Bill Kerr is a vegetable specialist and a breeder of a range of vegetables
2 min |