Animals-and-Pets
Farmer's Weekly
Conservation Farming - The Basics Of Agro-ecology
Climate-smart agro-ecology includes proven, practical techniques such as mulching, intercropping and zero-tillage to promote sustainability.
2 min |
May 11, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Global Impact Of Zoonoses
Statistics indicate that more than 15% of the human population will pick up a zoonotic infection at some stage of their lives. Veterinary specialist in public health Dr Jan H du Preez takes a closer look at the threats presented by some of the more common zoonoses across the world.
3 min |
May 11, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
DowDuPont Repositions Its Agricultural Services
DowDuPont is restructuring to enhance efficiencies and improve product offerings in the agriculture sector. Glenneis Kriel asked James Collins, the chief operating officer of the company’s Agricultural Division, about these changes.
4 min |
May 11, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The 13th Annual Cleaver Awards
Over 30 000 public nominations were received for this year’s 13th Cleaver Awards, according to Rudi van der Westhuizen, executive director of the South African Meat Industry Company, who was speaking at the annual awards ceremony held in Johannesburg recently.
1 min |
May 11, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Becoming A Motorcyclist: Part 2
Getting used to a bike can be tricky because the controls are in different positions, but it’s worth it for the mobility and fun offered, says Jake Venter.
3 min |
May 25, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
How To Work Out Reproduction Parameters
Recording the reproduction of your ewe flocks during each breeding season will help you identify potential fertility problems.
3 min |
May 25, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Getting Started With Bananas (2)
In order to ensure good yield, growers must fertilise and irrigate their crops appropriately.
2 min |
May 25, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Calving problems licked
30 YEARS AGO John Webb, owner of the Kirsty South Devon Stud, which was run on the farm Bronkhorstfontein in the Free State, found that calving problems disappeared when he switched from a high-protein lick to a salt-phosphate lick.
3 min |
June 22, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Investing In The Future Of Farmworkers' Children
Gelukwaarts School near Van Stadensrus in the Free State was launched by commercial farmers in the late 1990s to serve their workers’ children. Sunet Wessels spoke to Mike Burgess about the vibrant school that today educates 292 pupils on the farm Longlead.
5 min |
June 22, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing With Anthracnose
This fungal disease can wipe out a dry bean crop. Here’s how to prevent, and treat, this problem.
2 min |
June 22, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
A World Of Machinery On Display At Agrishow Brazil
Agrishow, a giant showcase of Brazilian agriculture that takes place in Ribeirão Preto, a city in south-east Brazil, celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. The event is one of the largest of its kind in the world, drawing almost 160 000 visitors from 70 countries. Denene Erasmus, who attended the show in May, reports on some of the highlights of the show’s machinery exhibition, which attracts manufacturers from around the globe.
3 min |
June 22, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Mpumalanga Hailstorm Will Have Long-Term Fallout
The devastating hailstorm that hit Mpumalanga on 27 May will have a long-term effect on, among others, the citrus production industry in the Lowveld.
1 min |
June 15, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Department Of Health Halts Listeria Testing Of Meat Imports
With the number of listeriosis cases reportedly having declined markedly in recent months, the Department of Health (DoH) no longer conducts testing for this pathogen in imported meat products.
1 min |
June 15, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Double Whammy For Guava Producers
The ongoing drought in large parts of South Africa as well as falling market prices are expected to have a severely negative impact on guava production this season.
1 min |
June 15, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Best Fish Species For Aquaponics
While the Nile tilapia is the fastest grower, it is easier to obtain a permit for the slower-growing Mozambique tilapia.
2 min |
June 15, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
A Healthy Profit From Pasture-raised Eggs
As a technician specialising in the installation and repair of gates, Rico Vergotine had little reason to be interested in agriculture. His life changed, however, after a chance meeting, and today he manages 2 500 pasture-raised chickens that produce 1 900 eggs a day. Jeandré van der Walt visited him on Boschendal wine estate to find out about his farming techniques and future plans.
4 min |
June 15, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Growing Out And Fattening Cattle In A Feedlot
Most cattle sold through abattoirs are feedlotted. This new series looks at the basics of feedlotting and how an operator can increase profit margins.
3 min |
June 15, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
How The State Is ‘Capturing' Aquaculture
Legislative control of the aquaculture industry in South Africa is so restrictive that it impedes any development.
4 min |
23 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Business And Legal Implications Of An Agritourism Venture
Once you have conducted the necessary feasibility studies and determined the exact format of your agritourism business, the next step would be to decide on an appropriate business structure for the venture.
5 min |
23 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
‘Chicken Dumping Will Cripple The Economy And Kill Off Jobs'
Francois Baird, founder of the FairPlay advocacy movement, tells Annelie Coleman why chicken dumping is an illegal practice, and describes how it threatens South Africa’s chicken and grain industries, the country’s economy, and the jobs and food security of poorer consumers.
5 min |
23 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Meet The Mighty JD 8400R!
This new record-breaking John Deere tractor made its first appearance in the UK at the recent Cereals Event at Boothby Graffoe in Lincolnshire. Joe Spencer reports.
1 min |
23 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Man Who Made Matjiesfontein
One of South Africa’s great entrepreneurs, James Logan, was also instrumental in making the game of cricket popular throughout the country, writes Graham Jooste.
4 min |
23 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
From Our Archives
Miniature horses – not just for aesthetics and pleasure
3 min |
30 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
SA Macadamia Production Set To Triple By 2025
Production volumes of South African macadamias are expected to increase from 46 000t in 2015 to 70 718t by 2021. Based on current plantings, this figure could further rise to 125 980t by 2025. Such an increase, however, would require significant investment in processing capacity.
3 min |
30 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Premium Beef Business
Gary Jackson of Jackson’s Real Food Market, Chris Paulsen of the Bull and Bush butchery, restaurateurs Steve Maresch and Llewy Mateza of The Local Grill, and Roelie van Reenen of Beefmaster, are determined to offer the finest traceable, aged and ethically produced beef to discerning clients. But doing so is not without challenges, writes Gerhard Uys.
4 min |
30 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Olive Oil Success Through Innovation
The Greenleaf Olive Company near Cape Agulhas in the Overberg planted its first trees in 2006. Just 10 years later, the olive oil produced here is one of South Africa’s premium local brands.
5 min |
30 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing With Fluorine Poisoning
This condition is difficult to diagnose due to the natural levels of fluoride that occur in all animal tissue. The highest levels are found in teeth and bones.
2 min |
30 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Hydroponic Water Requirements
About 70% of the earth is covered with surface water, but 97% of this is seawater. With only 3% consisting of freshwater, and less than 1% available to living organisms, hydroponic production can play an important role in reducing agricultural water usage, says Prof Gert Venter.
2 min |
20 January 2017
Farmer's Weekly
A Business Built On The Versatility Of Olives
When Roleen Basson started Darling Olives about 10 years ago, she didn’t even eat olives. However, today her business produces about 30 product lines, and the Darling Olives footprint will soon extend to supermarkets beyond the Western Cape. Jay Ferreira reports.
5 min |
20 January 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Addressing The Risk Of Polluted Irrigation Water
A recent study published by the Water Research Commission highlights the urgent need for identifying on-farm treatment options to help reduce the high levels of microbial contamination in irrigation waters, thereby reducing the associated food safety hazards for consumers. Denene Erasmus summarises some of the report’s key findings.
5 min |