Animals-and-Pets
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing with botulism
Botulism, also called lamsiekte, is a disease of cattle, goats and sheep. It paralyses the muscles of animals so that it is difficult for them to get up or walk. Proper management can help prevent the disease.
2 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The critical element that determines cabbage yield
Farmers know that nitrogen is necessary for growing cabbages and other crops, but many do not fully understand its importance for maximising yields
2 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Opportunities and propagation tips for traditional plants
Traditional medicine is used in the treatment, prevention and cure of various ailments and injuries. There are many opportunities in the traditional medical sector for the propagation of these plants
10+ min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Focus on longevity gives dairy the edge
Fair Cape Dairies won the ARC National Master Dairyman of the Year Award for the fourth time in 2022. Johannes Loubser spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the drivers of the dairy's success.
6 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Farm-baked rusks are hot off the shelves
Almost two decades ago, Heather van Zyl began baking rusks in her kitchen for neighbours and friends. Today she sells 60t across five provinces. Mike Burgess visited her recently on the farm Van Zylsrust near Lady Grey in the Eastern Cape to better understand her secret to success.
4 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Retrenchments - what employers need to know
The retrenchment process is clearly set out in the Labour Relations Act and must be followed to ensure that it is substantively and procedurally fair
2 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Death is unpredictable, so we need to prepare our successors
We don’t like thinking or even talking about death, but it’s essential that we prepare our family and business successors for the event. Have you done so?
3 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Insurance is not a nice to have, but a necessity
Silo operators may be feeling the pinch of increases in insurance premiums, but it is vital to be covered
4 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Plan for these trends over the coming months
High interest rates, load-shedding, the impact of El Niño on rainfall and export challenges are some of the biggest agricultural risks flagged in the 2023 Absa AgriTrends Spring Edition.
2 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
KZN Kwanalu Young Farmer announced
KwaZulu-Natal farmer Heiko Gevers’s organised, systematic and detail-oriented approach to farming has bagged him the 2023 KZN Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year title.
1 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Estcourt Farmers' Day unlocks opportunities
“When the quality is right and safe, the product will sell itself.” This was the message of the day during an inaugural Farmers’ Day hosted by Boxer Superstores in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs at Emtshezi in Estcourt on September 15.
2 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
USDA calls for equitable distribution of education grants
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Education have found that more than US$12 billion (about R227 billion) had been unfairly distributed between land-grant historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and nonHBCUs over 30 years.
1 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
SA producers boosted by high olive oil prices
Skyrocketing global olive oil prices have been a boon for the local industry, creating optimism for the future.
2 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Primestars celebrates nine years of youth entrepreneurship
This year the national entrepreneurship programme is geared towards harnessing the green economy to upskill young people and help them become business owners and job creators
4 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Was the BRICS summit a success for South African agriculture?
As readers will know, South Africa hosted the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August.
3 min |
October 06, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Emerging trends in genetics and strain development
The search for specific therapeutic effects is one of the most intriguing trends in cannabis genetics, writes Thomas Walker.
2 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Grain sector needs to don thinking hats to address traceability challenges
The Agbiz symposium focused on traceability and regulatory aspects of grain storage, says Magda du Toit.
4 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Tractors to boost agricultural production
The donation of new tractors is a big boost for a farming community in the OR Tambo District, writes Jyothi Laldas.
2 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Exclusive Cape Town hotel delivers innovative decor and the perfect stay
Brian Berkman says that revenge travel (that is, making up for opportunities to travel lost to the pandemic), casual staff dress, acclaimed art and a reservations-with-deposit entry policy all make The Silo Hotel what it is.
4 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
A reformer, magnate and stud owner
Lionel Phillips came to South Africa with nothing during the gold rush on the Reef, and became a Randlord and philanthropist, writes Graham Jooste.
5 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
What makes donkeys different?
These small, long-eared equines are hardy and useful in rural areas, and evolved from the desert donkeys of the Sahara, writes Dr Mac.
2 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Isuzu mu-X model set to continue soaring
The local arm of Isuzu has seen a significant increase in sales with its current mu-X model over the first generation. This uptrend looks set to continue with the introduction of this value-based model. Damian Adams of CAR magazine attended the local launch in Cape Town to determine if the SUV could usurp the entry-level Fortuner.
3 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Eco-friendly predator management
Safe lambs are only a stone's throw away, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout, recommending a stone barrier to keep predators away from flocks.
2 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Diagnosing mineral deficiencies in cabbages: Part 1
Many farmers have great difficulty identifying mineral deficiencies in their cabbages, writes Bill Kerr.
2 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Understanding the potential of prefabricated homes
Prefab homes are a cost-efficient and speedy way to erect housing on your farm. Janine Ryan looks at the different types of prefab homes that are available.
6 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Providing on-farm housing for your workers
Many farmers provide their farm-workers with on-farm housing, for a range of reasons that benefit both farmer and farm-worker. However, regulations must be kept in mind to ensure the safety and welfare of labourers, says Janine Ryan.
8 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Attract more pollinators to your farm
The presence of pollinators is essential for optimal crop production. Janine Ryan looks at ways in which farmers can attract more pollinators to their farms.
7 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The psychology of sales
At the recent Wagyu SA Conference 2023, held at Allee Bleue Wine Estate near Franschhoek in the Western Cape, Johan Strydom, the founder of Prime Wagyu, spoke about the way in which the psyche of different types of consumers affects their purchasing behaviour.
4 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Tips to take care of your farm dog
Arslan Hassan looks at how farmers can provide their farm dogs with the basic necessities, as well as some added extras that will help you raise and keep a happy and healthy canine.
6 min |
29 September 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Guardian dogs to the rescue!
Christopher Johnson, a professor of wildlife conservation at the University of Tasmania in Australia, and Linda van Bommel, an ecologist at the University of Tasmania, write about the importance of guardian dogs to protect farmers' herds and flocks against predators.
9 min |