Business
Farmer's Weekly
Lettuce: more varied than ever
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) goes back a long way; it has been cultivated for more than 4 500 years. As with most vegetables, it looked very different when first discovered in the Middle East to the roundish, leafy vegetable we enjoy today.
2 min |
February 28, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Death in the mountains
Solitary graves on various farms bear witness to ambushes and skirmishes in the mountains of the north-eastern Cape during the Anglo-Boer War, and each town has a memorial to the fallen. Graham Jooste tells of some of the actions in this unforgiving region.
5 min |
February 28, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Growing Chinese cabbage
While deemed a ‘weed’ in countries such as Kenya and Zimbabwe, Chinese cabbage is a popular vegetable on local markets.
2 min |
February 28, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
SHORT LEASES HAMPER GROWTH FOR AWARD-WINNING CATTLE FARMERS
Piet Phahlane and Aaron Makena, the Agriculture Research Council National Emerging Beef Farmers of the Year 2019 winners, say one of the most valuable lessons they have learnt as farmers is the importance of applying good animal health management principles. Siyanda Sishuba visited them on their farm in Rust de Winter, Limpopo.
4 min |
February 21, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Preventing hybridisation to protect natural resources
Some farming enterprises, such as wild harvesting, require particular care to ensure long-term sustainability and protect the environment.
3 min |
February 21, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
On-farm hydroelectric power boosts dairy's bottom line
Hydroelectric power production need not mean massive installations for large-scale commercial supply. KwaZulu-Natal farmer Peter Ward’s small-scale hydroelectric system on his farm generates sufficient power for his dairy enterprise while saving his operation up to R1,3 million a year. At the same time, he uses the precious resource of water sustainably.
4 min |
February 21, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
MAKING AGRICULTURE MORE BEE-FRIENDLY
With the majority of food crops being pollinated by bees, dwindling colonies pose a threat to agriculture. But while pesticides play a major role in declining bee numbers, monocultures and a lack of biodiversity are the greater problem. Lindi Botha spoke to industry leaders.
5 min |
February 21, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
The intricacies of crop rotation
The purpose of crop rotation is to prevent the build-up of a pest or disease to which a crop is susceptible. But there is more to rotation than merely switching crops.
2 min |
February 21, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Water metering: the first step towards more efficient use?
The newly published regulation by the Department of Water and Sanitation directing all commercial irrigators to install water-measuring devices may seem onerous. However, according to James Brand, a senior associate at ENSafrica for natural resources and environment, it may represent a first step towards the crucial goal of improving water management in the sector.
3 min |
February 21, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Ginger: a challenging crop, but well worth the effort
Cultivating ginger is costly on all fronts: time, labour and water. But managed correctly, the crop adds good cash flow to a farming business. Jaco Lubbe of Sabie Valley Ginger in Mpumalanga spoke to Lindi Botha about getting this demanding rhizome to pay off.
7 min |
February 21, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
21st century update of Kubota ‘dream tractor'
Half a century after exhibiting its first-ever concept tractor at the 1970 Japan World Exposition in Osaka, Kubota unveiled a vastly updated version of its ‘dream tractor’ at a new product exhibition held in Kyoto City in January.
2 min |
February 21, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
BONSMARA SA RED BREED EVENT: don't miss it!
Despite the national ban on all livestock auctions, the annual Red Breed Event will go ahead in Parys, according to Louis Steyl, CEO of Bonsmara SA.
1 min |
February 21, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
The Basics Of Lumpy Skin Disease
It is wise to vaccinate cattle against lumpy skin disease, as an outbreak can cause huge financial loss.
2 min |
February 14, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Big Plans For Onderstepoort
The CEO of Onderstepoort Biological Products, Dr Baptiste Dungu, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the repositioning of the state-owned veterinary company as an international player.
5 min |
February 14, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
The Importance Of Timing To Strawberry Production
Professional Horticultural Consulting, a nursery-turned-strawberry producer, has become one of South Africa’s leading strawberry exporters, thanks in part to its expertise at analysing plant and soil nutritional requirements. Dr. Gavin Linsley-Noakes spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the business.
5 min |
February 07, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
THE LESOTHO-SOUTH AFRICA BORDER PROBLEM
The strip of land spanning just over 900km along the Lesotho-South Africa border remains a source of economic loss and trauma for the many rural South Africans living there. Sabrina Dean spoke to Dr Jane Buys and Richard Chelin about the safety and security challenges in the area.
7 min |
February 14, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
The Free State carrot farm where quality meets quantity
Bloemfontein farmer Johannes Griesel started producing carrots on 0,5ha. Today, he grows thousands of tons of this staple crop, harvesting it on every working day of the year. Sabrina Dean reports.
5 min |
February 14, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Producing well-balanced animals for maximum profit
Well-balanced stud animals are crucial to the profitability of a commercial beef cattle enterprise, say Jean van der Merwe and Willie Landman, owners of the Black Hills Drakensberger stud near Potchefstroom. They told Annelie Coleman that they breed animals like this by focusing on a number of traits and using a variety of selection techniques.
5 min |
February 14, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
High-tech innovation at LAMMA
The LAMMA awards not only recognise practical inventions to improve livestock and crop production, but also celebrate online and technological innovation. Janine Ryan reports.
2 min |
February 14, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Getting started with turnips: an overview
Turnips are not a difficult crop to cultivate, and grow rapidly with the right care. Sound soil preparation, fertilisation, and plenty of water should ensure a good crop.
2 min |
February 14, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Franchising a unique papaw
29 YEARS AGO Len Hobson, the creator of the famous Papino brand, launched the innovative concept of franchising a variety of fruit or vegetable.
2 min |
February 14, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
FMD auction ban sparks reforms
The latest foot-and-mouth disease outbreak has led to industry-wide reforms with regard to biosecurity and the traceability of livestock. Sabrina Dean and Annelie Coleman report.
2 min |
February 14, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Eelworm control: Part 3
When I put up tunnels for my tomatoes, the soil was in a bad state, with little organic content and poor structure. As it was virgin soil, I thought that I was at least safe from eelworms. I was wrong; the pest attacked the crop, which died at the flowering stage.
2 min |
February 14, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Fencing System Wins Gold At LAMMA 2020
The LAMMA Show’s innovation awards recognise some of the best advances in agricultural manufacturing and provide a well-attended platform for exhibitors to introduce ground-breaking innovation. Denene Erasmus reports.
2 min |
February 07, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Smaller Wine Output, But Better Prices
Due to a lack of water and competition from other commodity crops, the area planted to wine grapes has seen a steady decrease over the past few years. It is expected that production will continue to decline over the next five years, but this is not necessarily bad news for the industry, as South African wine moves into higher price brackets on the export market.
3 min |
January 3 - 10, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Keeping It Cool: Dealing With Extreme Temperatures
South Africa’s increasingly common heatwave conditions pose a major threat to the country’s farmed cattle, sheep and goats, which often feed and live outdoors. Lloyd Phillips spoke to a number of experts in the field about the negative effects of extremely high temperatures on livestock, and practical methods a farmer can use to mitigate these.
7 min |
January 31, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
A New Approach To Facial Nerve Paralysis
Electro-acupuncture is now being used as a therapeutic aid to assist in facial nerve regeneration. Dr Mac takes a closer look at the technique.
2 min |
January 24, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Building A Mega Business Through Egg Production
Toyota South Africa/Agri SA’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2019, Johan van der Schyff, whose agricultural concern has operations across the Southern and Eastern Cape, has utilised the advantages of economies of scale and technology to build up his substantial concern. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his layer business and other enterprises.
6 min |
February 07, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Why The World's Drylands Need Urgent Protection
Drylands are home to two billion people, many of whom are poor and depend directly on the land’s resources for food and energy. Drylands also generate crucial environmental services and contain 35% of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations explains the importance, and challenges, of conserving drylands.
5 min |
February 07, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
UNCOMPROMISING STANDARDS PAY OFF FOR BONSMARA FARMER
Award-winning cattle farmer Tian Kruger does not believe in shortcuts or compromising on the principles that brought him success. This has earned him a solid reputation for his commercial Bonsmara cattle and above-average prices at auctions. He spoke to Lindi Botha about his approach.
7 min |