Business
Farmer's Weekly
The benefits of Wagyu genetics in crossbreeding
Well-planned crossbreeding with the Wagyu generates hybrid vigour and complementary traits that are crucial for the commercial breeder.
4 min |
February 07, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Eelworm control: Part 2
A number of studies have been carried out to understand the mechanism by which marigolds control eelworm.
2 min |
February 07, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Concerted effort takes cotton from strength to strength
Cotton farming in South Africa has been a success story over the past decade, with prices paid to farmers rising and increasing hectares planted to the crop. Lindi Botha spoke to Hennie Bruwer, CEO of Cotton South Africa, about how this once flailing industry has been turned around.
4 min |
February 07, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Beware of acaricide resistance
Pests can develop resistance to the chemicals that are used to control them. Farmers should take every precaution to prevent this problem from occurring.
2 min |
February 07, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Be wary of the lantana
The consumption of the lantana bush can result in severe liver failure and death, warns Dr Mac.
2 min |
February 07, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Small-Scale Pig Farmer Implements Commercial Practices
Buti Malinga, a small-scale pig farmer near Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng, has built up his business, Vukani Piggery, from nothing. Intent on progress, he aims to become a fully-fledged commercial farmer in the near future. Pieter Dempsey visited him on the farm Bronkhorstfontein.
5 min |
January 24, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Fresh Produce Theft: Farmers Lose Billions Every Year
The theft of agricultural produce costs South African farmers billions of rand a year, not only through the loss of produce, but in additional expenses, such as fencing, to improve security. Annelie Coleman spoke to industry leaders Dr Jane Buys, Derek Donkin and Tommie Esterhuyse, as well as a Limpopo-based citrus producer who preferred to remain anonymous.
5 min |
January 31, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
How To Improve The Oil Yield Of A Sunflower Crop
Dr Safiah Ma’Ali, a senior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council’s Grain Crops Institute, outlines a recent South Africa study demonstrating that farmers can significantly improve sunflower oil content and yield by adjusting planting dates.
5 min |
January 31, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Make The Most Of The Free Market
Fresh produce growers often try to plan production to capitalise on high prices.
2 min |
January 24, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Shooting straight – defending you and yours within the law
South Africa’s farmers and other rural residents are considered easy pickings by determined and often violent criminals. Legislation allows citizens to own and use firearms in defence of life. However, according to experts who spoke to Lloyd Phillips, legal firearm owners must be sure to avoid falling foul of the law themselves.
7 min |
January 31, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
High-capacity balers from Norway now available in SA
Orkel Dens-X Compactor stationary bale makers were launched in South Africa this month. The event took place at meat value chain company Kameeldrift Voere, based in Cullinan, Gauteng.
2 min |
January 31, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
The Lady in White
A wartime legend, Perla Gibson stood on the dockside and sang herself into the hearts of thousands of Allied troops as they sailed from Durban for the battlefields of Europe and the Far East. Graham Jooste tells her story.
4 min |
January 31, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
A bright future awaits the Merino
The Merino is the ideal breed for sustainable and profitable sheep breeding in South Africa, according to LeRoux Fourie, owner of Fourie Boerdery’s Merino Stud near Brandfort. He told Annelie Coleman that the dual-purpose breed’s full potential had not yet been realised.
3 min |
January 31, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Protecting South Africa's Trees From The Shot Hole Borer
The polyphagous shot hole borer threatens over 150 South African tree species. If left unchecked, it could cause huge damage to citrus and avocado orchards, amongst others. Prof Wijnand Swart and Dr Gert Marais, who are striving to find a solution to the problem, spoke to Sabrina Dean.
7 min |
January 3 - 10, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
SA's Wine Grapes Under Pressure
With South Africa’s wine grape harvest getting underway, some producers’ irrigation resources were placed under pressure due to rolling blackouts during the second week of January.
2 min |
January 24, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Why Africa Needs Fairer Food Laws
Food and agriculture laws hamper food security in Africa and elsewhere, say Tigist Gebrehiwot, Steve Cornelius and Lise Korsten in the journal article ‘Impact of global food and agriculture laws on Africa’s food security’.
4 min |
January 24, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Managing wireworm
A vaccine against wireworm has become a vital tool in helping to control the disease and thereby reduce contamination of pasture by the eggs of the parasite.
2 min |
January 24, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Glazed gammon with mustard sauce
Glazed gammon may seem like a lot of work, but this spicy dish with the tang of mustard is easy to make, and will surely impress your guests or family members.
1 min |
January 24, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Pigs: cost-effective and efficient soil improvers
Western Cape farmer Angus McIntosh has shown that pigs can earn their keep through the eco-services they contribute, as well as the bacon they provide. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his outdoor pigs, whose movement is carefully controlled to make the most of their foraging habits.
6 min |
January 24, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Forage harvester's efficiency drives profitability
Improved forage harvesting technology drastically enlarges the silage surface area. This improves the product, benefitting farmers and harvesting contractors, says Stehan Cloete.
3 min |
January 24, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
A high-yield indoor farming system ideal for the city
As prolonged droughts occur more frequently in South Africa, some entrepreneurs are investing in and developing new technology and farming methods, such as indoor growing systems, that ensure consistent, high-quality food production. Juan-Griffith Pollard, CEO of Urban Cultivation International, spoke to Pieter Dempsey about his scaleable hydroponic farming system.
5 min |
January 24, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
The Importance Of Planning
Planning goes hand in hand with record-keeping. You need to have the figures from past production in order to plan ahead effectively.
2 min |
January 17, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Hungry? Grub's Up!
As the popularity of alternative protein sources rises, the idea of consuming insects has become more palatable to the general population. While insect farming is still a long way from being commercialised on a mass scale, opportunities for both human and animal consumption are set to increase. Lindi Botha spoke to Prof Margaret Matanda from the University of Sydney Business School, Australia, about research being conducted on the feasibility of the industry.
3 min |
January 17, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Immune-Mediated Myositis: A Genetic Reason For Emaciation In Horses
This recently described syndrome, which affects mainly American Quarter Horses, can be confirmed using genetic tests, says Dr Mac.
2 min |
January 3 - 10, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
How To Plan For Variable Maize Planting Conditions
The increasing unpredictability of rainfall has made it difficult for farmers in the summer-cropping areas to follow long-held production timelines. Sabrina Dean visited Pierre van Eeden on his northern Free State farm to find out how he has adapted in order to optimise maize production in the face of ever-changing climatic conditions
7 min |
January 17, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
How The Wealthy Are Stealing Land From The Poor
Land reform should aim to address poverty and create livelihood opportunities for those at the lower end of the historically disadvantaged spectrum. This isn’t happening, according to the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies. Instead, land allocation and access to resources are skewed in favour of well-off beneficiaries.
4 min |
January 3 - 10, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Farming: The Breeding Ground For SA's Next Millionaires
Agriculture offers many opportunities for wealth creation, and young South Africans who are passionate about the sector should use their skills to establish new businesses, say Soyama Mthongana and Athenkosi Denga, the owners of Lizwe Meat.
4 min |
January 3 - 10, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
From Humble Beginnings To Cream Of The Crop
Over almost three decades, Foundation Farm in KwaZulu-Natal has evolved from a small dairy operation to winner of the Agricultural Research Council’s 2019 Master Dairyman of the Year. The farm’s founders, Alan and Frances Webster, hope that their success story will motivate aspiring and existing farmers to persevere with their agricultural vision.
7 min |
January 17, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Continue To Rise
Despite calls for governments and policymakers to take an active approach to the issue of global warming, a new report by the World Meteorological Organization shows that the rate of increase of greenhouse gas emissions is still above average. If urgent steps are not taken to reduce these emissions, the world will suffer catastrophic consequences, the report warns.
3 min |
January 17, 2020
Farmer's Weekly
World's Fastest Tractor At LAMMA 2020
The 38th LAMMA show, one of the UK’s top agricultural machinery, equipment and technology expos, took place near Birmingham from 7 to 8 January. It featured a special display of the world’s fastest tractor, the JCB’s Fastrac Two.
2 min |