Business
Farmer's Weekly
Trends to watch in agriculture
An emphasis on food safety and soil health, ongoing expansion of automation, and improved water use are just some of the developments that will change the way we farm in years to come, says Mbali Nwoko.
2 min |
September 09, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Treating bloat in cattle
After a bull or a cow consumes feed, gases start forming in the rumen. Sometimes, excessive gases are produced, a condition called bloat. This can cause pain, distress and lead to an emergency, says Shane Brody.
3 min |
September 09, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Limpopo hatchery goes to the next level
Although Clive Tigere obtained a university degree in statistics, he turned his back on an office job and returned to Louis Trichardt in Limpopo to start a hatchery. He explained to Susan Marais how his success is helping his clients' businesses thrive.
5 min |
September 09, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
From a small kitchen to an on-farm food factory
Starting in her farm kitchen 16 years ago, processed-food producer Elana Bruwer has built a brand that is retailed in 75 outlets, mainly in the Western Cape. She spoke to Glenneis Kriel.
6 min |
September 09, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Pushing the boundaries of avo farming pays off
The Ernst family, owners of Allesbeste Boerdery in Tzaneen, are renowned for their pioneering research and development work in the avocado industry. Zander Ernst, director of marketing and production at Allesbeste, spoke to Magda du Toit about their latest project, which involves the trellising of avocado trees.
7 min |
September 09, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Do horses prefer male or female riders?
There have always been theories that horses prefer male riders over female riders. However, research shows that men and women evoke no significant difference in a horse’s responses
2 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
How to prevent early blight in tomatoes
Humidity and excess moisture create the ideal conditions for the development of this fungal disease. It usually starts in patches on the land and thereafter spreads throughout the crop
2 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Wet weather delays North West fire season
Scientific data indicates that due to climate change, the local fire season has been pushed out by almost 90 days.
2 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Global, local avocado prices gain some momentum
‘WHILE MARKETS REMAIN SATURATED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION, THINGS ARE LOOKING BETTER’
2 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Exploring alternatives to the Port of Durban
The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa and multinational logistics company DP World, which holds the concession to operate the export terminal at the Port of Maputo, recently hosted stakeholders on a tour of the facilities in Mozambique.
3 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Focus on renewable energy at KragDag Expo 2022
Historical-engine enthusiasts Willem Cronjé and Peter Ponsteen represented the Highveld Veteran Tractor and Engine Club at KragDag 2022.
1 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Water airlifted to thirsty animals in Swiss Alpine meadows
Cattle grazing at high altitude in the Swiss Alps have suffered a severe shortage of water this summer due to the extreme heat.
1 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Good case for increasing sorghum production
A study has found that sorghum has become a viable option for high-value food niche markets in the developed and developing world.
2 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Promising future for Shaka’s cattle
This article focused on Nguni cattle, and why the breed should not have been ignored for as long as it was.
3 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Hardy, dual-purpose Dexters make sound business sense
Twenty years ago, Gauteng livestock producer Kobus van der Linde bought a handful of Dexter cattle as a hobby for his children. Today, Van der Linde’s 100-head Lundi Dexter stud is a profitable operation, and his sole business. Annelie Coleman visited him to find out why he concentrated on this remarkable breed.
4 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Mastitis: prevention is better than cure
Mastitis can be devastating to a dairy’s profitability. Dr Chantelle Erwee, technical manager of ruminants at Zoetis, describes strategies that a farmer can implement to prevent cows from developing the condition.
6 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Citrus: a longterm vision for traditional communities
Thanks to a financial boost from various public and private entities, the Majeje Citrus company will be able to fully participate in one of South Africa’s most important agricultural industries within the next five years.
7 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Lessons from Danish researchers and farmers
Research and development in agriculture is accelerating to keep up with the numerous challenges in the sector. On a recent agricultural tour of Denmark, Lindi Botha discovered the many different ways in which the Danish are tackling the age-old dilemma of optimising inputs while achieving maximum output.
8 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Food production: the intuitive farmer is the farmer of the future
Justin Platt, founder and managing director of agricultural technical services companies Zylem and RegenZ, says that farmers don’t need more knowledge, but rather better ‘knowing’.
3 min |
September 02,2022
Farmer's Weekly
Merinos at their best
After just four years of breeding Merino sheep on his stud farm, JH Hattingh of Lady Grey in the Eastern Cape showed some startling results, as this article revealed.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The marathon where heroes are forged
The Comrades Marathon has been the making of many a South African athlete, including the legendary Wally Hayward, says Graham Jooste.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Optimising fuel usage on your farm: Part 1
With fuel contributing heavily to farmers’ input costs, every fuel price hike has a negative impact on their bottom lines. Godfried Heydenrych, managing director of Argo South Africa, spoke to Magda du Toit about what producers can do to mitigate the effects of rising fuel costs.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Maize and wheat weeds (Part 2): Tribulus terrestris
Devil’s thorn, which thrives under hot, dry conditions, causes tribulosis in sheep in the absence of good grazing. Its small woody fruit has long, sharp spines that easily cling to clothes and the coats of animals.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing with whitefly in tomatoes
Whitefly is a serious threat to tomatoes. In addition to causing damage, it’s a vector for the devastating tomato curly stunt virus, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Partnerships pay off for Western Cape nursery
Kobus se Kwekery in Oudtshoorn won Klein Karoo Seed Production’s award for the best emerging agricultural business in both 2017 and 2020. Yolandi Leen, who co-owns the nursery with her husband Kobus, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their journey to success and the market they serve.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Focus shifts from zinc to gut health for robust pigs
Increasing pressure against the use of zinc oxide in pig herds has left farmers concerned about whether an alternative will be as effective at controlling disease and maintaining animal health. New research suggests that an alternative is not only already available, but offers more benefits.
7 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
A danger to our herds: brucellosis in cattle
Brucellosis is a notifiable disease in South Africa, and is a highly contagious zoonotic disease around the world. As no effective treatment is available, prevention is essential.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
‘Going green’ drives research at New Holland
Jaco du Preez, marketing manager for New Holland in Southern Africa, spoke to Janine Ryan about how the company is going green with its new methane-powered tractor.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Wuhlf: forging ahead through tough times
Johan Grobler, co-founder and director of Wuhlf Equipment, spoke to Janine Ryan about the company’s success with mulchers, and how it is weathering the ongoing logistics storm.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Change feed, change behaviour!
Starches and fibrous feed influence the composition of gut bacteria as well as the behaviour of a horse
2 min |