Business
Farmer's Weekly
Tips For Successful Poultry Farming
Glenneis Kriel spoke to poultry industry experts about the challenges facing small-scale producers and ways in which these can be overcome.
5 min |
23 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
At Home On The (Free) Range
As a small but significant addition to an intensive operation, Thorntree Farm’s free-range eggs are quietly making a name in this niche market. Ryan Stegmann spoke to Chris Nel.
4 min |
23 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Farewell To General Motors
Jake Venter takes a walk down memory lane in a tribute to ‘The General’, as GM pulls out of SA.
3 min |
23 June 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Global Grain Production Down, But Expected To Recover Next Year
The International Grains Council’s (IGC) May estimate for global grain production has been adjusted downwards by nearly two million tons month-on-month.
1 min |
June 15, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Choosing The Right Ventilation System For Your Poultry House
In this final article of a three-part series on the basic principles of chicken housing, independent poultry consultant Jan Grobbelaar discusses natural and environmentally controlled ventilation.
5 min |
June 15, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Biosecurity: Your First Line Of Defence Against Disease
Dr Fambies van Biljon, veterinarian at Sovereign Foods, talks to Glenneis Kriel about the crucial need to establish a well-run biosecurity programme at a poultry production facility.
4 min |
June 15, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Using Nitrogen Smartly
I often come across a farmer who thinks his land might have a nitrogen deficiency, but then rules this out as he has fertilised with nitrogen at the usual rate and no leaching rain has fallen.
2 min |
June 15, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Planting And Caring For Peas
Peas are not unduly sensitive to pH, and can easily be grown in a garden vegetable patch. They do require protection from birds, however.
2 min |
June 15, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Beefmasters: A Winning Breed
After being introduced to the Beefmaster in 2001, North West cattle farmer Connie van Vuuren developed a passion for this hardy, beefy breed. He established the Cona Beefmaster Stud in 2017, and selects for adaptability and good milk production, amongst other traits.
3 min |
5-12 January 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Caring For Cucurbits
Caring For Cucurbits
2 min |
5-12 January 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing With The Shying Horse
A horse that gets into the habit of shying at every perceived danger can be both irritating and dangerous. Fortunately, there are ways of teaching it to become more confident.
2 min |
5-12 January 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Waste Management Fundamentals
By law, you are required to store or dispose of waste responsibly. Failure to do so may result in a fine. More seriously, it harms the environment.
2 min |
5-12 January 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Resurrecting The Pietperd From Genetic Remnants
Boerperd breeder, Dirk Odendaal, has spent over 40 years trying to recreate a true-to-type Pietperd, a legendary but now-extinct horse breed. Mike Burgess spoke to Dirk on his farm near Barkly East about his relentless quest.
6 min |
17 March 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Electronic Eyes For The Operator
Many of the innovations at the Agritechnica 2017 awards were aimed at making the work of the machine operator easier. Joe Spencer reports on two examples.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 November 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Biological Control Of The Chain-Fruit Cholla: Part 2
The cochineal insect is a highly effective biocontrol method for dealing with this invasive cactus; it can kill a large cactus in a relatively short time.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 November 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Adult Mohair Demand Up, Kid Mohair Demand Drops
Mohair gained 1,7% at the second sale of the 2017 winter season in Port Elizabeth, with 144 821kg on offer. The average market indicator closed on R191,44/kg.
1 min |
13 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
KZN Agriculture Staps In To Help Drought-Stricken EC Farmers
Farmers, agribusinesses and even private citizens in KwaZulu-Natal have rallied to provide emergency livestock feed desperately needed by Eastern Cape farmers affected by drought and wildfires.
1 min |
13 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Waste Management: How Spier Estate Turns Trash Into Cash
Worldwide, waste generation is fast overtaking landfill availability. Heidi Newton-King, sustainability and human resources director at Spier Wine Estate, recently shared how the estate has succeeded in reducing its proportion of landfill waste to total recycled waste to less than 2%. Jeandré du Preez reports.
3 min |
13 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Help Veld Recover With Good Management
Following a drought, farmers should sow seed to help grasses become re-established, as well as follow a sound grazing management programme. This combination will improve grazing and create a sustainable fodder bank. Pasture consultant Frits van Oudtshoorn spoke to Gerhard Uys.
5 min |
13 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Controlling Leaf Miners- Part 2
As if we don’t have enough tomato pests already, a new one recently arrived in South Africa: the tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta). The pest originated in South America, and has worked its way down Africa to South Africa.
2 min |
13 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Preparing To Plant Carrots
Vegetable Prodution
2 min |
March 2, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing With Blight In Sunflowers
Severe brown blight infection in sunflowers results in smaller seeds, a reduced yield, and lower oil content.
1 min |
March 2, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Dog Training: Why And How
37 years ago A dog can be a farmer’s best friend. It can be trained to herd livestock, be a formidable watchdog and protect your family. But all dogs need careful and consistent training to reach these goals.
2 min |
March 2, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Concern About KZN's Water Supply
Despite the nationwide drought being broken more than a year ago, farmers in KwaZulu-Natal remain deeply concerned about the future of the province’s water supply.
3 min |
March 2, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Prudent Use Of Antimicrobials Crucial In Livestock Farming
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a global problem in both human and animal medicine. Veterinarian Dr David Gerber, the chief technical officer at South African animal health company V-Tech, explains the problem, and highlights the potential benefits of a surveillance programme.
4 min |
July 12, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Performance Testing For The Commercial Breeder: Part 1
This selection, breeding and management tool can improve the efficiency and profitability of any beef operation, says Thokozani Ndonga, senior research technician at the Agricultural Research Council, Irene. He begins this series by exploring the prejudices against performance testing.
2 min |
July 12, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Renewables Will Soon Be Cheaper Than Eskom Power
Without decisive intervention, Eskom’s unsustainable debt levels will plunge the entire economy into darkness. But the rising prominence of renewable energy is providing hope.
2 min |
July 12, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Lessons Learnt On A Wine Farm
Reyneke Wines was among the first organic wineries in South Africa to receive a five-star rating in Platter’s Wine Guide. Owner Johan Reyneke spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his long and often challenging journey to establish a successful chemical-free wine grape operation.
6 min |
July 12, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Wheat Producers, Treat Fungicides With Caution!
South African wheat producers should guard against over-application of fungicide, according to Dr Tarekegn Terefe, senior researcher at ARC-Small Grain, Bethlehem. The unnecessary use of fungicides can harm the environment and result in the emergence of fungicide-resistant strains. Farmers should also rotate between fungicides from different chemical groups, he writes.
4 min |
July 19, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Feeding Cattle During And After A Drought
During a cattle information day hosted by the Berg Farmers’ Association in Barkly West, Johan Mouton, manager of research and development for ruminants at RCL Foods, shared some advice on how to manage feeding for livestock after a drought. Sabrina Dean reports.
5 min |