Business
Farmer's Weekly
How to start farming with R1 million
Is it possible to start a farming operation in South Africa in 2021 for less than R1 million? A number of experts discussed the start-up potential of layers, broilers, pigs, vegetables and lucerne with Susan Marais.
6 min |
October 29, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Growing papayas: Part 5
This article focuses on the post-planting care of papayas, and covers fertilisation, watering, dealing with suckers, and other requirements.
4 min |
October 29, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Belarus tractors now in South Africa
A range of Belarus tractors from Eastern Europe will soon be introduced in Southern and East Africa, after the Eastern European country concluded a distribution deal with a local company.
1 min |
October 29, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Beet cyst eelworm: Part 3
You can utilise the breeding and feeding habits of the beet cyst eelworm to help you control the pest effectively, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
October 29, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Ailing infrastructure: a threat to SA agriculture
Agriculture has been one of very few lights glowing in South Africa’s economic gloom: the sector has managed to grow where most others have declined. However, the grim reality of crumbling transport and water infrastructure is endangering its future. Lindi Botha reports.
8 min |
October 29, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Agriculture: a viable option for mining towns
Buyambo Mantashe, business development manager at Agri Enterprises, argues that creating more diverse economies in mining towns through agricultural development can ensure that these towns remain economically active, even when the mines close down.
2 min |
October 29, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Queen of the veld
Two well-known cattle breeders from Limpopo advised other farmers not to overlook the Nguni, as this article revealed.
3 min |
October 22, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
A new answer to SA's high demand for red cattle
The demand for red cattle has always been high in South Africa. To enter this market and offer breeders an alternative to the traditional options, the Du Plessis family, who owns the Brandwater farming business, managed to establish one of the country’s most successful Droughtmaster studs. Chris du Plessis spoke to Denene Erasmus.
6 min |
October 22, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Beet cyst eelworm
While the nematodes themselves may not be visible in the early days of infestation, the crop will show signs of patchy growth and water stress, says Bill Kerr. Keep a sharp lookout if the pest occurs in the area.
2 min |
October 22, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Improving honeybee forage management
Certain areas in South Africa face a shortfall of honeybees for the pollination of crops, particularly fruit. According to Tlou Masehela, a scientist at the South African National Biodiversity Institute, there is an urgent need to increase forage resources in order to boost honeybee farming in the country.
4 min |
October 22, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Tips for dipping sheep
Sheep need to be dipped to prevent the spread of lice, scab and other economically important ectoparasites.
2 min |
October 22, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Growing papayas
Young papaya plants are ready to be planted out in the open when they are about 200mm tall, measured from the base of the stem to the growing point. It is important that they be planted upright.
3 min |
October 22, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
SA Veterinary Council committed to change
According to Dr Alfred Tlolo Kgasi, president of the South African Veterinary Council, the transformation of the veterinary profession is a priority. Annelie Coleman reports.
4 min |
October 22, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Pasture varieties and their potential in SA
Summer-planted pastures can boost a farmer’s profits by keeping animal production high. Renowned grazing specialist Prof Chris Dannhauser says there is a variety of these crops to choose from and, as Susan Marais found out, many can also be used in winter in the form of hay, foggage and silage.
7 min |
October 22, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Cutting-edge crop-spraying drones for Africa
Unitrans Africa has recently purchased seven Chinese-made DJI T30 Agras drones, which the company will use to provide crops praying services to farmers in a number of African countries.
2 min |
October 22, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Robot boosts blueberry picking efficiencies
Agritech company Arci technologies is in the process of developing South Africa’s first semi-autonomous agricultural robot. three of the company’s founders spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their machine.
6 min |
October 22, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Sheep farmer creates her own work and success
Emily Kok, a Karoo sheep farmer and winner of several carcass competitions, spoke to Wouter Kriel about the challenges of communal farming on government-owned land, and how she is overcoming them.
5 min |
October 22, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Apple Packout Rate: Size Means Everything
The Zulch family of Wakkerstroom farm won the prize for the highest average income per hectare of apples in the 2020 Ceres Fruit Grower Awards. Fourie Zulch spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this accomplishment.
6 min |
October 08, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
How good management aids soya bean health
Plant health is one of the key contributors to high yields and good profits, and soya bean is no exception. Magda du Toit spoke to a number of experts about how to achieve these goals through sound management.
8 min |
October 15, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
General anaesthesia
There are several reasons why your horse may need surgery under a general anaesthetic. Here is what to expect before, during and after the anaesthetising process, says Dr Mac.
2 min |
October 15, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Farming profitably on leased land
Richard Mashinini runs a flourishing commercial farm in the Free State. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about his education and the people who helped him succeed, and the uncertainty of farming on rented land.
5 min |
October 15, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
‘Politicking, corruption has led to ruined roads'
The systemic problems in the Free State government’s Department of Police, Roads and Transport is of such an extent that any turnaround strategy would take a long time.
1 min |
October 15, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Building a reputation in the SA beef industry
Extensive veld tests by the Bosveld Santa Gertrudis Study Group have made a valuable contribution to establishing the breed’s reputation amongst other beef cattle in South Africa. .
6 min |
October 15, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Carbon credits: grain farmers have much to gain
the carbon landscape is changing quickly as grain farmers realise the value that lies in building carbon in their soils. but how can farmers best utilise their land to gain maximum financial value? Lindi Botha spoke to expert Dr Hendrik Smith.
7 min |
October 15, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Social protection for sustainable food systems
Social protection programmes to help farmers become more resilient aren’t just safety nets, but can help them make investments and meaningfully engage in markets, says the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.
5 min |
October 15, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Potato volumes fall on the back of poor weather
Adverse weather conditions, in particular heavy rain and frost in parts of South Africa, have resulted in lower volumes of potatoes on fresh produce markets, and a resultant increase in prices.
1 min |
October 15, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Tourism and value-adding keeps family farm afloat
Heinrich Lategan is the fifth generation to farm on Tevrede, between Worcester and Wolseley in the Western Cape. Tevrede has traditionally been a grape farm, but the family has had to embrace an ethos of diversification in order to keep the business going. The past two years have proved to them just how important value-adding can be. .
6 min |
October 15, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
UK consumers could face a turkey shortage this coming Christmas
Changes to UK visa regulations that allow farmers to recruit workers from abroad have come too late and could result in a shortage of Christmas turkeys this year, farmers have warned.
1 min |
October 15, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
‘Biosecurity task team strategy must be prioritised'
South Africa’s agriculture sector is still waiting on announcements by the recently formed Task Team on Animal Biosecurity pertaining to a biosecurity strategy and its implementation.
1 min |
October 15, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Tractor Shopping: Tips For First-Time Buyers
Just as you wouldn’t use a spoon to dig a ditch, you wouldn’t use a 13kW tractor to pull a 16-row planter. It is crucial to understand your farming needs, both present and future, so that you can choose the right type of tractor and make sure your hard-earned money is spent wisely. Lindi Botha reports.
7 min |