Business
Farmer's Weekly
Securing The Future Of SA Macadamias
The Southern African Macadamia Growers’ Association has undergone major changes, breaking away from Subtrop to become an independent entity and introducing statutory levies. Lindi Botha spoke to newly appointed CEO Lizel Pretorius about the association’s future.
4 min |
November 16, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Voices Of The Past
Before South Africans had television, they relied on live radio broadcasts of important sporting events. Graham Jooste recalls the two greatest sports commentators of their era: Charles Fortune and Gerhard Viviers.
5 min |
November 16, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Persistence Pays Off For Award-Winning Citrus Farmer
Noluthando Mbilase, who farms near Fort Beaufort, recently won the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Top Entrepreneur Export Markets title in its annual Female Entrepreneur Awards. The award is testimony to her determination, as well as her willingness to learn, since starting in the citrus industry as a field officer many years ago. Mike Burgess reports.
4 min |
November 16, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Desert: Hot, Dry, And Perfect For Fish Production
Groundwater extracted from arid areas is often unsuitable for irrigation, but it would be ideal for aquaculture.
2 min |
November 16, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Agriculture-Driven Economic Transformation
Recent research by the International Food Policy Research Institute and the International Institute for Sustainable Development analysed progress in agricultural development in 117 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to understand which policies have succeeded or failed. It then provided policy guidelines to help countries still at the subsidence farming stage to transform their agriculture sectors.
4 min |
November 23, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
How Changing Rainfall Patterns Are Reshaping Farming In The Karoo
Justin du Toit, a scientist in pasture research at Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute in Middelburg, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about his analysis of rainfall records in the Central Karoo and how farmers can adapt to climate change.
5 min |
November 23, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
A Promising Future For Pork Producers
Pork prices in South Africa plummeted after last year’s listeriosis outbreak. While this had a serious effect on producers’ bottom lines, the drop in prices has seen pork become more popular among consumers. Should demand continue to increase, pork production is likely to become lucrative.
3 min |
November 23, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Getting Ready To Plant Cucurbits
Before planting a land to any of the cucurbits, you should kill off all broad-leaved weeds nearby, preferably well beforehand.
2 min |
November 23, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Western Cape Gears Up For Fourth Industrial Revolution
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has commissioned the University of Stellenbosch Business School to research ways to unlock the advantages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the province. Research associate Angus Bowmaker-Falconer spoke to Glenneis Kriel.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Chinese Digital Trading Takes Off
The Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show 2018 will include a special focus on identifying growth opportunities in China.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
A Focus On Quality Produces Success
Nelius Ferreira, the Free State’s Top Young Farmer for 2018, focuses on quality production in a global marketplace. Sabrina Dean visited him on his farm near Harrismith to learn more.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Pros And Cons Of Subsurface Irrigation
The drought in the Western Cape has sparked renewed interest in research done almost two decades ago on partial root and subsurface irrigation. Pieter Fouché, the viticulturist at the Graham Beck Wine Estate, who participated in these studies, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the farm’s experience with these irrigation methods and whether they’re worthwhile pursuing.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Managing Gerbils On Your Land: Part 1
A gerbil invasion, especially in a grassland or savannah, can lead to serious crop damage. Control begins with understanding the behaviour of this pest, and should always be environmentally sensitive.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
New Combines Even Kinder To Operator And Crop
The three new 250-series Axial-Flow combines launched recently by Case IH offer a number of new automated features designed to allow operators to maximise crop throughput and quality. Denene Erasmus attended a media event in Dresden, Germany, where the machines were put on display.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Kimberley War Hero
This year celebrates the centenary of the Royal Air Force. It is therefore fitting to recall a famous South African fighter pilot whose skill and bravery became renowned during the Battle of Britain. By Graham Jooste.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 August 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing With Cucurbit Viruses
Viruses are the greatest threat facing the cucurbit grower. It’s rare that a crop will be grown without some symptoms appearing.
2 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
100 Years Of John Deere Tractors
One of the greatest success stories in the agricultural machinery industry started a century ago with the launch of the Waterloo Boy tractor in the US Midwest. Joe Spencer reports.
2 min |
April 13, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Blockchain: The Future Of Agricultural Trade
Many farmers are investing in new technologies that can help increase production and efficiency at farm level, but the uptake of digital trading technology has been slower. As a result, farmers are losing out on the opportunity to increase their share of profit earned along the agricultural value chain.
4 min |
April 20, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
From Our Archives - Good Future For Crocodiles
From Our Archives - Good Future For Crocodiles
3 min |
April 20, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Fallout Of US-China Trade War On Soya Bean Sector
Fallout Of US-China Trade War On Soya Bean Sector
2 min |
April 20, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Why Farmers Need To Be Marketeers
It’s your job to find unique ways of adding value to your products to drive up profits.
2 min |
April 20, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
How To Use Equipment And Position Effectively
Successfully hunting jackal requires the right strategy, and the right equipment. Here are a few tips on how to make your hunt count.
3 min |
April 20, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
What's New Around The World
The drive to increase agricultural productivity and reduce costs continues unabated. This, in turn, spurs the continual development of new implements and systems, as well as ongoing improvements to existing equipment. Joe Spencer reports.
1 min |
April 20, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Black Youths Must Be Made Aware Of Agri Sector Careers
In his BCom Hons research paper, Mlungisi Mama examines why so few black youths are interested in agriculture as a career. His conclusion is that they believe the sector comprises little more than farmers and farmworkers, and are unaware of the job opportunities available in various agricultural disciplines. Rectifying this will demand an education campaign run jointly by several government departments.
3 min |
13 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Aquaponics: A Teenager's Passion Grows Into A Business
A Pretoria-based teenager is running a successful aquaponics farm, and doing so with expertise and foresight.
2 min |
13 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Farmer's Most Common Financial Planning Mistakes
There are many aspects to successful planning in a farming business, but there’s little doubt that financial considerations are the most crucial.
3 min |
13 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Drakenstein Rewinds Keeps Motors Running In The Boland
Replacing a burnt-out electric motor can cost a great deal, whereas rewinding it can return it to tip-top condition at much lower cost. Rashad Williams and Fa-eez Appollis spoke to Jeandré du Preez about how their rewinding business saves farmers money and production downtime.
4 min |
13 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Livestock And Climate Change
Across the world, climate change is likely to adversely affect animal production. South Africa will be no exception, warn Mokgadi Seshoka, Anette Theunissen and Prof Michiel Scholtz.
2 min |
13 October 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Dramatic Savings With Low-Flow Drip Irrigation
By switching from micro-irrigation to low-flow drip irrigation, macadamia farmer Dawid de Kock has reduced his irrigation water usage by 50%. With the subsequent savings on electricity, fertiliser and labour, the system has significantly improved his bottom line.
5 min |
October 19, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Farming Without Title In Tylden
In 2010, Tembi Xamesi was awarded the 1 165ha Riversdale farm near Tylden in the Eastern Cape via the state land reform programme. He has made steady progress with livestock and a cash-crop lucerne initiative, but a lack of title has been a serious hindrance to further development. Mike Burgess visited him.
4 min |