Business
Farmer's Weekly
Why Is My Horse Shaking Its Head?
Pathological head-shaking that interferes with normal activities such as riding and eating can be due to a number of factors. Fortunately, a process of elimination can determine the root cause, enabling an owner to deal with the problem.
2 min |
19 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Crop Trials Aim To Improve Forage Management Decisions
The provincial government’s Outeniqua Research Farm in the Western Cape is conducting trials to assist dairy farmers in making informed decisions when selecting forage crops. Sigrun Ammann spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the trials’ methods and objectives.
3 min |
26 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Setting Up A Viable Community Project
Viable community-based aquaculture projects could pave the way for growing this sector on the African continent.
2 min |
26 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Benefits Of Farmers' Days And Agri Shows
Agricultural events such as shows and farmers’ days provide a wealth of information for farmers in particular and the public in general.
4 min |
26 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Investing In Animal Welfare Pays Off For German Piggery
With the welfare of farm animals under close scrutiny in Europe, farmers there are increasingly utilising technologies and systems that balance animals’ well-being with profitability. Lloyd Phillips recently toured a modern sow unit near Magdeburg in Germany to witness this approach first-hand.
6 min |
26 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Maximise Yield And Starch Content In Maize Silage
Maize silage is a commonly used stored fodder in South African dairy farming. The quantity and quality of the maize crop that goes into silage has a direct effect on milk production and dairy profitability. Grant Pringle, an agronomist with Pannar Seed, tells Lloyd Phillips how a farmer can get the best out of a silage maize crop by using the correct planting and management methods.
5 min |
26 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Growing Tea
Tea plants can be grown from seed, and are not difficult to propagate. Weed control and fertilising are both required to ensure a good yield.
2 min |
26 May 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Africa's Culture Of 'Agreement' Holds It Back
Prince Mashele, the executive director of the Centre for Politics and Research, argues that to achieve sustainable transformation, Africans must learn from other cultures, and incorporate those aspects that will take them forward.
4 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
From Our Archives
Plucking poultry with wax: quick and affordable
3 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
New Zealand's New Fatter, Healthier, Tastier Te Mana Sheep
A decade of intense research and development in New Zealand, involving geneticists, food technologists and more than 50 farmers, has led to a new breed of lamb that is claimed to offer improved health benefits, while retaining excellent flavour. Alan Harman reports.
3 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Berries: Earning Profits And Changing Lives
Dr Birgit Andrag, a former dentist, runs a berry processing enterprise with her husband, Paul, on their family farm, By den Weg, near Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. What started out as a hobby has expanded into a steadily growing packing and processing business, which has empowered their farmworkers. Jeandré du Preez reports.
4 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Measurement And Management: A Winning Combination
Conscientious management, and the effective use of technology, enabled the Western Cape’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2017, Johann Nel, to increase his dairy herd by 30%, and more than triple his sheep flock. He was also able to add Boer goats to his operation. All this was achieved within five-and-a-half years, and without buying or renting additional land. By Jeandré du Preez.
4 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Spacing And Pruning Tomatoes
The spacing of your tomato plants will depend on the type of tomato being grown, and relevant proposed practices. Row spacing is not dependent on water or fertility, which can be managed, but on shading and practical management aspects.
2 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Chinese Motor Industry: A Growing Giant
There is no doubt that the general quality of Chinese vehicles has risen over the last decade. Six Chinese brands are in South Africa already, says Jake Venter.
2 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Looking After Your New Puppy
In order to become healthy dogs, young puppies require care and guidance, says Shane Brody.
3 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Starting With Dressage
Patience, gentleness and positive reinforcement are crucial for getting horse and rider to work together smoothly, says Kim Dyson. Here she offers simple, effective exercises to achieve this.
2 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Pork Adobo - Rich And Satisfying
Adobo is a Philippine cooking style, just one of the components of a singular cuisine. A friend who cooks like a pro returned recently from a conference in the Philippines, and this is his reconstructed recipe of an Adobo dish. It’s amazing what you can learn at overseas conferences, isn’t it?
1 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Food Label Claims: True, Misleading, Or Outright Lies?
Consumers face a barrage of confusing, sometimes dubious, claims on food labels. This could end up harming consumer trust in the food value chain, and substantially damaging the industry and the environment.
4 min |
31 March 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Planting hope one tree at a time
The journey of Themba Trees Tree Farm near Grabouw started in her backyard, says Caroline de Villiers, the Western Cape department of agriculture’s Top Commercial Female Entrepreneur for 2016. Today, the 12ha wholesale tree farm boasts more than 50 000 indigenous and ornamental trees. Jeandré du Preez reports.
4 min |
26 August 2016
Farmer's Weekly
Positive Sentiment In The Local Cotton Industry
High maize stocks, which have put pressure on the maize price, combined with higher demand for cotton, particularly from China, have contributed to a favourable outlook for cotton production in South Africa.
2 min |
June 22, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Bright Future For Fast-growing Modern Damara Sheep
Since importing his first Damaras from Namibia in the late 1980s, stud breeder Frank Blumenthal has firmly believed in the integrity of the breed. The Free State farmer says that the modern indigenous Damara has over the years evolved into a well-muscled animal with outstanding disease resistance and fertility under the hottest, driest conditions. Annelie Coleman reports.
5 min |
June 22, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Lucerne Plays Central Role In Niche Cropping Business
Johan Jacobs plants lucerne to ensure mega yields from other crops in his niche farming business, as well as a good cash flow for at least nine months of the year. Sabrina Dean visited him on his farm on the banks of the Orange River in the Northern Cape.
5 min |
June 22, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Feedlot Management Basics
To ensure a profitable operation, a feedlot manager must keep a close eye on price and feed margins, as well as the health of the animals. This involves constant, hands-on management.
2 min |
June 22, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Using Nitrogen Smartly: Part 6
Nitrogen plays a key role in the formation of organic matter. When I changed to no-till production, I was amazed at how rapidly the soil gained organic matter, and how quickly plant health and crop performance improved.
2 min |
June 22, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Ripping And Cultivating
Nampo showed that rippers are ripping deeper than ever and cultivators have become even wider, says Joe Spencer.
3 min |
June 22, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Concern About Declining Cape Buffalo Trophy Quality
The Cape buffalo occupies a top spot on hunters’ wish lists, but studies show a decrease in the quality of buffalo trophies, according to Dr Johan Rabie, buffalo breeder and owner of Chimoyo Wildlife. Annelie Coleman asked him about the reasons behind this worrying trend.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 29 June 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Making Every Drop Pay
The improvements that Israeli companies have made to drip irrigation have seen them emerge as world leaders in irrigation efficiency. Inventors from all parts of the world take inspiration from them to offer an entire spectrum of innovations that help farmers farm better. Denene Erasmus reports.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 29 June 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Exporting Pork To Bring Home The Bacon For SA
South Africa’s pork industry is particularly interested in exporting to Asia’s fast-growing markets. However, it will need to target countries that accept our present regulatory systems, according to Ezra Steenkamp, research manager and economist at DAFF’s Directorate International Trade. Gerhard Uys reports.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 29 June 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Mutton Curry With Delicious Coconut Rice
In a normal curry and rice dish, the rice is the poor relation. Cook with this combination of flavours to give it the status it deserves.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 29 June 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Using Nitrogen Smartly: Part 7
Humus contains about 10% nitrogen (N). As the humus content builds up in the soil, so does the N reserve stored in it. However, this N is locked into the humus and released only when the humus breaks down.
2 min |