Ostrich production enters better times

Ostrich production is likely to see a revival of sorts in 2024

Unfavourable climatic conditions are taking a big toll on pome and stone fruit exports

Pome and stone fruit production and exports are set to take a hit in 2024, reports Glenneis Kriel.

The heritability of blue eyes in Spanish horses

Horses with white faces often have white eyelashes and blue eyes due to the ‘splashed gene’. In the US, testing by means of DNA allows breeders to select for genetic traits in horses, such as blue eyes

Carrots are susceptible to the world's number-one pest

Root knot nematodes, when sufficient numbers are present, cause swellings against the main root or swellings further away

Farming embedded in the core of Young Farmer 2023 winner

JJ de Nysschen, the 2023 Agri Limpopo and Toyota Young Farmer of the Year, grew up in a farming family and knew he would one day choose farming as a career. He spoke to Magda du Toit.

The importance of plant extracts in semen cryopreservation

Dr Cyril Pilane, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council, explains why plant extracts are becoming the gold standard as supplements for semen cryopreservation.

How aquaponics is being used to feed communities

Green Arch Innovations founder Luvo Gugwana is a social entrepreneur whose goal is to spread affordable aquaponic solutions across rural areas in South Africa through his franchise model

Agritourism kept farm afloat during drought

While tourism plays an important role in the Namibian economy, agritourism adds considerable value on a farm level in this arid country. Annelie Coleman visited the Mount D'Urban camping site near Helmeringhausen to find out more about tourism's contribution to the business.

Table grapes exports expected to return to normal

The table grape harvest is expected to increase season on season.

Crucial for world to embrace sustainable farming

The international headlines about climate change, pandemics and wars show the challenges the farming community faced this year. With this in mind, the agricultural sector is continuously looking for ways to improve the industry to make it sustainable in the long run for both, the farmer and the consumer.

Eliminating growth problems with plastic

There are good reasons for growing strawberries on plastic-covered beds.

Conservation and local communities

Local communities should be treated as valued stakeholders and sustainability partners in conservation and tourism, say Ian Gordon-Cumming and Prof Kevin Mearns of Unisa’s Department of Environmental Sciences.

Want to start a pig farm? Read this first!

There is a lot to consider when embarking on any farming operation, and the same is true for starting a piggery. Janine Ryan reports on some of the things you should consider when thinking about starting a pig farm.

Do you have environmental authorisation to farm?

Farming’s impact on the environment is not usually front of mind when buying a piece of land, but without securing environmental authorisation, farmers could find themselves in a world of trouble. Lindi Botha speaks to Ngwanarachuene Mampane, director of Westleigh Environmental Services, about remaining on the right side of the law, how to apply for authorisation and the time frame involved.

SA's renewable energy programme: the hits and misses

South Africa’s 12-year-old Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme offers insights for countries moving to cleaner power sources, say researchers.

Climate change and organic farming

Consumers and legislators in the EU are pushing for food production methods that neutralise carbon emissions. What impact will this have on food availability, costs, exports and imports? Lindi Botha asked Michaël Wilde, director of Bionext in the Netherlands, a body that represents the organic food industry.

Speakers discuss unlocking Africa's agriculture potential at conference

The continent’s contribution to improving food security across the world was discussed at length at the recent Agri Investment Conference,

Plan for these livestock diseases

After a challenging few months, the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa urges farmers to take note of its latest disease report,

Escaping the commodity trap

Statistics show that, due to inflation, people are spending less on buying fruit,

No cause to panic-buy eggs, but a poultry meat price hike is on the horizon

Consumers need to brace for a possible price hike going into the new year, writes Jyothi Laldas.

Cows on cane make for a winning combination

Thirty-six varied milking cows on 1,2ha with cane tops as the major source of dry matter hardly sounds like a success formula - but the Shaws are making it work.

Up to 95% of farm murder cases unsolved

AfriForum’s report shows that unsolved farm-related crime rate is increasing,

Isuzu hands over three new bakkies to Gift of the Givers

Isuzu Motors South Africa is proud to announce the handover of three new Isuzu D-Max bakkies to humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers, renewing its commitment to amplify efforts to bring critical disaster relief to affected areas, often in hard-to-reach and remote locations across South Africa.

Peace and tranquillity off the grid on a spectacular farm in the Swartland

Dassenheuwel Farm Stay has the orginal farm homestead for families with all the creature comforts, or the cottages for couples. The choice is yours

Racing and racehorses

There are 300 Thoroughbred studs in South Africa and races are held every week

Safeguarding livestock from potentially toxic plant

Dr Asive Luningo from the Department of Paraclinical Science at the University of Pretoria discusses the wild sunflower's impact on livestock.

Getting ready for El Niño: Part 2

It should pay farmers to explore ways to improve their groundwater supplies before El Niño strikes again

Understanding the importance of carrot spacing: Part 2

Spacing for optimum yields of carrots should be adjusted in different regions to achieve the best results

Zimbabwe's Tuli cattle make financial sense and are easy to farm

The Tuli is an iconic beef breed of Zimbabwe that will make any breeder proud, according to Kerry Stewart, Tuli stud breeder and chairperson of the Zimbabwe Tuli Breeders' Society. Annelie Coleman spoke to her and other breeders about the advantages of farming Tuli cattle.

Sunflower production: threatened by stink bugs and fungi

With continuous management of the insects that predate on sunflowers, significant success can be attained with this crop, which is suited to growing in the drier parts of South Africa