Business
Farmer's Weekly
Welpic Dormers: Breeding For Exceptional Genetics
At the recent 2016 National Dormer Sale in Bloemfontein, a Welpic Dormer ram achieved the second-best price of R51 000. Mike Burgess visited JP Potgieter (26) to see how and why he is making an impact in the Dormer stud industry just three years after settling on the farm, Oude Woning, in the Lady Grey district of the Eastern Cape.
5 min |
20 January 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Data Is The Future
Futurist Craig Wing says big data, the Internet of things and blockchain technology will play a key role in business in the future. Those in agriculture definitely stand to benefit from keeping up with the changes.
5 min |
Farmers Weekly 1 June 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Small Stud On Urban Fringe Takes On The Country's Best
The size of an operation counts less than dedication, persistence, insight and quality genetics. Operating on a modestly-sized parcel of land minutes from suburban Pretoria, the performance of Hans Franck’s Macarara Simmentaler Stud is proof of this.
5 min |
Farmers Weekly 1 June 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Inherited Night Blindness In Horses
Reduced vision at night and a reluctance to enter dark stables in the daytime may be associated with night blindness.
2 min |
Farmers Weekly 1 June 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Let's hope It Rains Soon!
We’re suffering from a heatwave, and have had hardly a drop of rain in weeks. A sweating neighbour Jan arrived on my stoep.
1 min |
26 January 2018
Farmer's Weekly
A Horse Fit For A King
With its proud bearing, powerful yet compact body, agility and intelligence, the Lusitano was, for centuries, the favourite of warriors and nobility. Kim Dyson takes a look at this renowned breed.
2 min |
26 January 2018
Farmer's Weekly
A Closer Look At Brakes And Braking
There is more than one way of bringing a modern car or truck to a halt. Jake Venter discusses the various brake systems used in today’s vehicles.
2 min |
26 January 2018
Farmer's Weekly
How To Control Cucurbit Viruses
Last week, I mentioned the need to control broad-leaved weeds near cucurbit lands during winter to prevent virus carry-over.
2 min |
26 January 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Sound Management Key To Laparoscopy Success
Elnora Crous explains to Glenneis Kriel how laparoscopic insemination has helped to accelerate genetic progress in the Dohne Merino stud on their family farm, Jongensklip, near Caledon.
6 min |
19 August 2016
Farmer's Weekly
Ambrosia beetle control
Avocado growers in Florida in the US may soon be able to prevent ambrosia beetles from destroying avocado trees, according to a study by researchers at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
1 min |
24 March 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Keep Accurate Records for Maximum Economic Impact
Derick le Roux and his father, Carl, own the only 5-Star Breedplan accredited stud in South Africa. Derick explains to Gerhard Uys how record-keeping can optimise profit in any production environment.
6 min |
24 March 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Dry Spell Should Cue A Rethink On Farming In SA
Increasing incidences of drought and worsening environmental conditions, including soil infertility and higher than average temperatures, raise serious questions about South Africa’s ability to farm sustainably in the long term. Oxfam SA argues that South Africa can only continue to produce enough food if it addresses societal inequalities.
4 min |
28 April 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Future Of The Red Meat Industry
The Red Meat Producers’ Organisation and other key players agree that the industry must take ownership of its future and provide its own funding accordingly.
2 min |
28 April 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Success With Sweet Piquante Peppers
Sweet piquanté peppers, popularly known as peppadews, require all the attention a farmer can spare to produce good results. Limpopo farmer, Jaco Kriel, spoke to Gerhard Uys about producing this challenging but rewarding crop.
4 min |
28 April 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Looking After a Breeding Boar
Boars are usually culled or sent for slaughter at 30 to 36 months of age.
2 min |
28 April 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Spacing, Competition & Yield
We sometimes tend to make assumptions about how a crop will react without considering the survival mechanisms inherited from its wild ancestors.
2 min |
28 April 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Brightest Ideas Yet
Modern headlamps are slim and compact, yet use advanced lighting and reflector technology to produce extremely powerful illumination.
2 min |
28 April 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Dressage: A Must For All Riders
Even if you’ve ridden for years, a regular dressage lesson will open up a new world for you.
2 min |
28 April 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Royal Drakensbergers Of Lesotho
Lesotho’s royal grazing land is remote and harsh, at an elevation of 2 275m and with temperatures sometimes dropping to -12°C. Despite these unforgiving conditions, the 580 Drakensberger cattle that run on this land thrive. Annelie Coleman spoke to Lesotho’s King Letsie III about this remarkable herd.
4 min |
28 April 2017
Farmer's Weekly
First-Time Baking: Polenta Cake With Orange Syrup
Demanding only the most basic kitchen skills, this delicious, classic polenta cake is the best way to start your personal experiments in baking.
1 min |
15 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Exhaust Gas Recycling
This technology lowers combustion temperature and thereby decreases fuel consumption. But it can cause engine problems.
3 min |
15 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing With Spotted Wilt Virus
Growing Swiss Chard
2 min |
15 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Growing Swiss Chard
This vegetable has a place in every home garden, says vegetable specialist
2 min |
15 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing With Downer Cows
With good preparation, this phenomenon can be prevented in communal areas
2 min |
15 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
2020 & Beyond: A Vision For The SA Beef Industry
If South Africa’s beef industry wants to become a serious competitor on the world stage, it must replace exports of ‘cheap meat’ with higher-value cuts, says livestock genetics consultant, Dr Michael Bradfield. He spoke to Lloyd Phillips about the way forward for the industry.
5 min |
15 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Are South African Farms Over-Valued?
Farm values depend on multiple variables and the decision to invest in farmland is determined, in part, by the prevailing political and policy environment.
3 min |
15 September 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Are Rhinos Becoming Too Expensive To Keep?
It is becoming increasingly expensive for the majority of private and state-run parks in South Africa to protect their rhinos effectively from poaching, according to Anthony Minnaar, of the Department of Criminology and Security Science at the School of Criminal Justice, College of Law at the University of South Africa. He was speaking at the recent International Rural Crime Conference in Pretoria.The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly.
4 min |
17 November 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Agri SA: New President, New Energy, New Strategy
Free State farmer, Dan Kriek, was elected Agri SA’s new president during its congress in October. He spoke to Sabrina Dean about the association’s new strategy, and its vision to achieve ‘unity about agriculture’, a scenario in which all authorities agree on agriculture’s critical role.
5 min |
17 November 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Technology Without Tantrums
The latest tractor technology may be complex, but it’s remarkably easy to operate, says Joe Spencer.
2 min |
17 November 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Bringing Your Puppy Home
A badly brought-up dog can end up dysfunctional and even a threat to people. Ensure that your puppy is securely housed and properly socialised from the start, urges Shane Brody.
3 min |