Animals-and-Pets
Farmer's Weekly
Straight hocks and lameness
According to a new study by British veterinarians, horses with very straight hocks are highly likely to experience lameness due to inflammation of the superficial digital ligament.
2 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
R17 billion needed for reconstruction after devastating flooding in KwaZulu-Natal
According to the latest calculations by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, R17 billion is needed to repair the damage caused by the recent floods in the province.
3 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Optimal irrigation for perfect blueberries
Since blueberry cultivation requires a lot of water, making every drop count is key to the sector’s survival in a water-stressed country like South Africa. Farmer Wikus Strauss spoke to Lindi Botha about his methods.
7 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Nampo Harvest Day: The rise of a global agricultural megastar
After a two-year absence from the agricultural calendar, Grain SA’s Nampo Harvest Day, the biggest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere, is ready to make a spectacular comeback, says Toit Wessels, Grain SA’s assistant manager for marketing and Nampo.
4 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Insect decline driven by climate change and farming – report
A new study has found that in areas with high-intensity agriculture and substantial warming of the climate, insect numbers have plunged by 49% and the number of different species by 27%.
1 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How to optimise beef cattle production
Optimisation of the environment is the single most important requirement for sustainable beef production, according to animal scientist Hennie Snyman. For that to happen, the implementation of precision farming principles is of the essence, he says.
6 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Fruit Logistica attendance positive for fruit industry
The recent Fruit Logistica Berlin 2022 exhibition in Germany hosted 40 000 buyers and trade visitors from about 130 countries, as well as 2 000 exhibitors from 87 countries.
2 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Angus: renowned for its marbling and maternal abilities
Basie Bezuidenhout is the president of the Angus Society of South Africa and owner of the Vredenheim Angus stud. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the advantages of this extraordinary cattle breed and its progress in South Africa.
4 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
A virus that can be deadly for potatoes
Potato virus Y can infect a healthy plant within a very short period of time, and is easily transmitted by aphids, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Pretty Views, Pears, and a Painting Pig
A picturesque pear farm in the Franschhoek Valley offers a number of accommodation options, including a barn where an artistic pig and other rescue animals spend the night! Brian Berkman reports.
4 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Tech and Expert Advice Help This Dairyman Weather Price Storms
JK Basson is a three-time winner of the ARC's National Master Dairyman of the Year Award. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how he manages to survive in an industry plagued by rising production costs.
9 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How Iron Levels in Maize Have Changed Over 2000 Years
According to a study by Ale Vidal Elgueta et al, researchers from Chile and France, the intensification of agricultural production over the past two millennia has led to a reduction in the level of iron in maize.
6 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Early Blight: A Serious Threat to Older Plants
This fungal disease damages potato plants later in their growth phase. It can destroy an entire crop if not treated in time, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Chocolate Cake
This delicious recipe is the ideal way to serve up any leftover Easter eggs. If you have no leftover eggs, it’s the perfect excuse to buy a few more!
2 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Growing Bambara
Vigna subterranea pods can be eaten fresh or boiled after drying, and can be ground to make puddings.
3 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Education is the key to succession preparedness
For many families, succession planning seems too treacherous a journey to undertake, so they simply opt not to set off on it. As a result, they forgo a critical opportunity to shape their future for the better.
4 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Raise weaning weights through good nutrition and fertility
Top-quality heifers and well-balanced nutrition form two of the most important cornerstones of effective red meat production, writes Henco Leicester, technical manager at Telwiedre, an animal feed manufacturer, in Heilbron. He explains the principles of heifer management and the role of lick supplementation.
7 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Management and control strategies for fall armyworm
Fall armyworm can cause serious damage to crops, and is a growing threat across the world. This report looks at ways in which governments and farmers can respond in order to control an outbreak of the pest.
4 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The pros of integrated pest management
Integrated pest management (IPM) helps farmers reduce their dependence on chemicals to fend off pests, while improving biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Industry experts Andrew Bennett and Rodney Bell spoke to Magda du Toit about the factors involved in implementing an IPM programme.
5 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The beauty of a water pump
If your home and other buildings are badly damaged by flooding, follow Husqvarna's six steps to remove any excess water from these structures.
2 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The development of the modern tomato
With tomatoes a major crop worldwide, it should come as no surprise that there are so many varieties, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Top prices paid for Angus
As part of our Breed of the Month segment, we take a look at some of the highest prices paid for Angus cattle across the globe, and we include the auction calendar for Angus sales in South Africa from May to July.
2 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
An Overview of Namibia's Agri Sector
In a recent report, the Namibia Agricultural Union outlined the state of that country’s agriculture sector, and how it has been affected by COVID-19 and other factors.
5 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
A Bright Future for Drones on Farms
Research conducted by Dr Lauren Meiring of Stellenbosch University on the collision-avoidance systems of unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones could help boost the use of these machines on farms.
2 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Using livestock for healthier soil
Angus McIntosh, a livestock farmer at Spier, recently hosted an information day during which he discussed the importance of ‘outdoor’ livestock production for the future of food security.
6 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Exploring the traits of the Angus
While the Aberdeen-Angus may have its roots in Scotland, it is thriving in South Africa due to its meat quality and maternal abilities, amongst other traits, according to the Angus Society of South Africa.
2 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Growing the flamingo flower
Anthurium growers can be assured of a ready market, with these flowers being popular as decorations for weddings and other special events.
3 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Seven secrets of success for small farmers
Farming is like running any other business: you need to be realistic and practical in how you go about it. Roelof Bezuidenhout lists some crucial pointers to help you out.
3 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How Angus cattle add value to a fruit farm
The production of Angus cattle enables Western Cape farmer Gielie Geldenhuys to make use of land unsuitable for fruit or onion production. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his diversification enterprise.
7 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The benefits of conservation agriculture
Erosion and climate change have created a food insecurity time bomb for Africa. Palesa Motaung, a soil scientist working for Asset Research, and Themakholo Mathebula, a field officer with the Mahlatini Development Foundation, explained at a recent research symposium how conservation agriculture is helping smallholder farmers face these daunting challenges. Susan Marais reports.
7 min |