Business
Farmer's Weekly
Young Stud Manager Strives to Be an Icon
Jessica Phathela is the stud manager for Ntaba Nyoni Cattle, and is responsible for the care, breeding and administration of five herds. She aspires to be a role model for other women in the sector. Janine Ryan reports.
9 min |
March 04, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How red tape is tying up SA's cannabis growers
Legal expert Shaad Vayej, an associate in dispute resolution practice at law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, says that South Africa’s legal cannabis industry has the potential to thrive. However, high capital costs and legislative hurdles make it almost impossible for smaller-scale growers to take part in this industry to any meaningful extent.
5 min |
March 04, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Rum brings rewards for KZN cane producer
Heart, soul and spirit: all of these can be found in spades on Seafield Farm, a family-run sugar cane concern in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Owner Brad O’Neill spoke to Susan Marais about how innovation in the form of rum distillation is helping his business rise above the sugar cane crisis, while regenerative farming methods are keeping the farm’s already fertile, high-quality soil in peak condition.
9 min |
March 04, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Rediscovering tranquillity and open vistas at a mountain lodge in the Langkloof
Driving through the mists of the Outeniqua Pass to explore where to stay and what to do in the Langkloof, Brian Berkman returns to an old favourite.
4 min |
March 04, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Beware of Oak Poisoning!
"It can be very difficult to diagnose chronic poisoning in horses caused by the consumption of acorns, says Dr Mac."
3 min |
February 25, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The rise and rise of smart-irrigation companies
Investment in smart-irrigation companies has been on the increase over the past few years, and this trend shows no signs of abating. Janine Ryan and Glenneis Kriel look at some of the companies in the industry, both local and international, that are likely to make headlines in the near future.
5 min |
February 25, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Seawater-farmed tilapia
Fish is a healthy source of protein, but is becoming increasingly unaffordable for South Africans. Ramon Kourie and Vuyani Somyo of Thapi AquaKulcha look at why marine tilapia may be the perfect alternative to other white fish.
4 min |
February 25, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
PIGS Producing piglets
Feed is the biggest contributor to input costs in pig production, accounting for 60% to 80% of total expenses.
4 min |
February 25, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Second-hand machinery to the rescue amid global tractor shortage
A range of problems, including weak commodity prices many years before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, has contributed to the worldwide dearth of new tractors on the market. As a result, some farmers have had little choice but to turn to second-hand machines for their operations. Susan Marais reports.
6 min |
February 25, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Soil conditions that favour potatoes
Despite some common misconceptions, potatoes can be grown successfully in a number of soil types, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
February 25, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Flood-damaged roads must be rehabilitated – FSA
The near-destruction of the road network in the flood-damaged areas of the Free State has made it virtually impossible for affected farmers to continue their activities.
1 min |
February 25, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How to treat emergencies in livestock
Any animal can suffer a sudden traumatic injury or other medical emergency. In this first part of a four-part series, Prof Cheryl McCrindle, a practising veterinarian and professor at the University of Pretoria, details how to treat cattle, sheep and goats in emergencies.
8 min |
February 25, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Drones: boosting yield and beating erosion
Farmers are continually required to do more with less: in other words, improve yield without boosting inputs. Optimising orchard health is therefore crucial, and it starts with the correct diagnosis. This is where drone technology is showing increasing promise, as it reveals what is invisible to the naked (and earthbound) eye. Lindi Botha reports.
7 min |
February 25, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Design your own Massey Ferguson tractor at the push of a button!
The AGCO ASK feature enables farmers to ‘design’ their tractors according to their own needs and requirements.
3 min |
February 25, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Are You a ‘People-Pleaser' or an ‘Injustice Collector'?
"‘People-pleasers’ and ‘injustice collectors’ tend to suffer from the same basic problem: a lack of self-esteem. Trevor Dickinson explains these different personality types and how they fit into the larger family business."
6 min |
February 18, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Ensuring Sustainable Food Systems in Africa
"It is imperative that Africa’s policies, regulations and infrastructure support the global solutions proposed to improve food security on the continent, the authors of this article argue."
5 min |
February 18, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How technology can improve sustainability
A soil analysis app developed in Chile enables the user to measure a wide range of soil health indicators conveniently and rapidly.
2 min |
February 18, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Working towards a sustainable future for agriculture
Theo Boshoff, the new CEO of Agbiz, says that despite the many challenges facing South Africa’s agriculture sector in 2022, opportunities for growth abound. He spoke to Annelie Coleman.
7 min |
February 18, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How to manage a lambing pen system effectively
Lambing pens offer a multitude of benefits for farmers. Regina Harmse, who breeds Ile de France sheep in Mpumalanga, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the ways in which these pens can add value to any type of sheep production concern.
8 min |
February 18, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Planting and harvesting potatoes
Potatoes are grown from disease-free seed potatoes, require a lot of fertiliser, and are labour-intensive. All of this costs plenty, warns Bill Kerr.
2 min |
February 18, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
PIGS Producing piglets
To ensure a decent turnover and good profits, a farmer needs to maximise the number of healthy piglets produced per sow. This requires careful management.
5 min |
February 18, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Mesquite: a silent but deadly invasion
Ken Coetzee, founder of Conservation Management Services, says that the spread of the invasive alien Prosopis in South Africa is a serious threat to livestock and indigenous plants, and needs urgent attention from farmers and landowners.
9 min |
February 18, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Kiwifruit: South Africa's golden opportunity
After the failure of local green kiwifruit production in the 1980s, a new group of farmers is hopeful that golden kiwis will become a South African success story. One such producer, Peter Nicholson, spoke to Susan Marais about the sector and its ambitions.
7 min |
February 18, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Dairy cows flourish on natural pasture
A total mixed ration has become the predominant feeding system of dairy cows in South Africa. But Rob Visser, owner of Dalewood Fromage, has bucked this trend, focusing instead on pastures planted to many species of grass. His approach has contributed in no small way to his internationally acclaimed cheeses, says Lindi Botha.
8 min |
February 18, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Why humidity is crucial in climate control
By manipulating environmental conditions, and paying equal attention to temperature and humidity, greenhouse growers can improve the quality of their crops and maximise yields. Glenneis Kriel reports
7 min |
February 11, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
What you need to know before getting started with cattle production
The aim of any well-managed commercial cattle farm is to produce high-quality beef for the market at a profitable level. Magda du Toit provides emerging and aspiring beef cattle farmers with a guideline of the elements they need to consider when embarking on such a venture.
10 min |
February 11, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The reality of twins in beef cattle
While the incidence of twins in beef cattle is very low, there is the possibility that it could improve the rate of their reproduction, says the Agricultural Research Council.
5 min |
February 11, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Teaching your horse to rein back
The rein-back is a handy skill to have in many situations on the farm, for example opening a gate. It is also used in equestrian disciplines such as dressage, showing, reining and working equitation, says Dr Mac.
3 min |
February 11, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Producing piglets: Part 2
High-quality animals and patient, meticulous management are at the heart of successful breeding and farrowing. One boar should be mated with one sow per week, and the sow and piglets looked after with care.
6 min |
February 11, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Taking charge of the plastic problem
While the use of plastics has helped farmers to produce more with less, the material presents an enormous environmental issue. This report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations looks at alternatives that can be introduced by farmers and governments to reduce reliance on plastics in agricultural
5 min |