Business
Farmer's Weekly
The profound importance of the feed conversion ratio
To grow an aquaculture concern efficiently and profitably, the quality of feed and the price point need to be correct, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
4 min |
August 23, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
New Zealand abandons green policies to bolster economy
New Zealand’s green credentials are in jeopardy following the government’s decision to backtrack on key environmental reforms in a bid to bolster the economy and live up to the promises it has made to voters, according to Reuters.
1 min |
August 23, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Opening the doors to finance for SA farmers
Agriculture is a crucial pillar of South Africa's economy, providing livelihoods for millions and contributing significantly to the nation's GDP. However, farmers face numerous challenges, including securing adequate financing to sustain and grow their operations. Cobus du Plessis looks at some of the key features and pros and cons of the financial opportunities available to producers.
7 min |
August 23, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
'My mentor played a huge role in my success'
According to Vincent Mhlonitshwa, making the transition from a communal to successful commercial farmer requires mentorship. Mike Burgess visited him near Elliot in the Eastern Cape to better understand how a mentor helped establish the foundations on which he built a mixed farming operation on less than 1 500ha.
4 min |
August 23, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Choosing the right show for your horses
Should you take your stud horses to an agricultural show or a riding show? It depends on what you want to achieve
2 min |
August 23, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Happy, healthy flyers win the big prizes
In this article, the final in a three-part series on pigeon racing, Thomas Smit looks at ways to help your birds settle in a loft, as well as the best nutrition to enhance their health and stamina during long races.
5 min |
August 23, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Banking on Beefmasters
The Stapelberg family will be hosting their first Beefmaster production sale in Indwe, Eastern Cape, on 3 September. Marcel Stapelberg, co-owner of the Cornish Beefmasters stud, spoke to Mike Burgess to give him a better understanding of why and how the family established their stud in less than a decade.
4 min |
August 23, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Bacterial diseases in beans are your crop's biggest threat
Bill Kerr says he can't overemphasise the importance of making sure that the bean seed you purchase is disease free.
2 min |
August 23, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Pomegranate's ruby-red allure is hard to beat
As unfussy as they come, pomegranates are a relatively easy crop to cultivate. With market conditions picking up, the fruit offers first-time, part-time and long-time farmers an attractive option should they find themselves in the right climate.Lindi Botha reports on the success of a farm in Gauteng.
7 min |
August 23, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
New Spier wine collection highlights the strength of diversity
The recent launch of the Spier Wine Farm Farmer Angus collection also featured insightful talks on the benefits of regenerative farming and community resilience, writes Glenneis Kriel.
3 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Agriculture's massive rail burden
New ways of reducing tariffs on farm livestock and products were under consideration.
3 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
French elegance and Hollywood glamour in the heart of Cape Town
Brian Berkman stayed at The Marly Boutique Hotel and Spa, where you can forget about seasonal ups and downs, because the Camps Bay strip cooks all year round.
3 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Losing a horse: reflecting on a personal experience
There is a special bond between a rider and their horse, and when that bond is broken, it is difficult to cope with the loss, writes Dr Mac.
2 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
SUV shoot-out: the verdict
Six of the most rugged and capable ladder-frame SUVs set out on a thrilling expedition across the Cape and through the challenging terrain of the Karoo. Car Magazine provides its assessment of each vehicle.
2 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Underground problems.in a field of beans
Bill Kerr says the benefits of growing crops in healthy, organic soil was never adequately taught to him during his agricultural education.
2 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Fire-smart farming: how to tame the flames and be prepared
As we head for what is predicted to be another hot and dry summer, farmers must remain vigilant about the risk of fires, writes Brendon Adams, after-sales product and technical support at Husqvarna South Africa.
3 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Free-roaming cheetahs: researchers and conservationists join forces with farmers
Cyril Stannard, project manager and field officer at the Cheetah Outreach Trust, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about the progress of the Free-roaming Cheetah Census, which covers the entire area where this iconic cat occurs in South Africa and neighbouring countries.
5 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Kenya's Boran breeders' society joins SA Stud Book
The Boran Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa has welcomed Kenya's Boran Cattle Breeders' Society (BCBS) to join SA Stud Book, the South African animal registering organisation.
1 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
UK farmers don't fear lab-grown meat
A new report from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) in Gloucestershire, England, suggests that lab-raised meat may not be as threatening to traditional farming as previously thought.
1 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Flying the flag for female Cap Classique winemakers
Brian Berkman visited Klein Botrivier Farm, on Karwyderskraal Road in the Overberg's Bot River, to learn about Melissa Genevieve Nelsen's Méthode Cap Classique winemaking.
5 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
New weapons in the fight against grapevine leafroll disease
Research, genetic selection, machine learning and drones are being investigated as possible means to strengthen the fight against grapevine leafroll disease. Glenneis Kriel spoke to the experts.
6 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Running a Meatmaster stud on just 65ha
Innovative Meatmaster breeder René Rossouw runs her 350-strong Jumike Meatmasters stud on only 65ha on the family farm, Alice, in Wesselsbron in the Free State. She spoke to Annelie Coleman about how she manages to effectively run her flock on such a small piece of land.
6 min |
August 09, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Cats' catastrophic impact on biodiversity
Various international studies have found that domestic cat predation has a negative impact on mammals, reptiles, birds and other animals. Mike Burgess looks at the findings of a South African study done in 2020.
2 min |
August 02, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Discover the art of running a good hotel business
While past owners of the Karoo Art Hotel failed to find and keep their market, the current proprietors have survival lessons to share with everyone in the hospitality industry
4 min |
August 02, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Review: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD VX-R
Car Magazine's Kyle Kock recently attended the South African introduction of the fifth-generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in Mozambique. He writes that this latest model has been worth the wait.
2 min |
August 02, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
How to get fertilisation of your bean crop right
Providing the correct nitrogen stimulus when growing beans is vitally important for achieving top yields
2 min |
August 02, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
The effective monitoring of body temperature in cattle
Accurate monitoring of cattle's body temperatures is crucial for ensuring optimal herd health and productivity. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to animal health experts for tips on precise temperature readings, early disease detection, and maintaining biosecurity in a herd.
5 min |
August 02, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Pest and disease control under shade netting
As fruit-importing countries become increasingly intolerant of pest infestations and diseases posing phytosanitary risks and equally intolerant of the use of pesticides, South African fruit producers have had to revisit their pest and disease management strategies
7 min |
August 02, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Key factors for achieving successful production under nets
Agriculture has seen countless innovations over the centuries, one of which is the use of shade netting to protect crops. In South Africa, the area under netting is expanding rapidly as farmers try to reduce the risks associated with production in harsh environments. Magda du Toit explores the science of orchard netting.
10 min |
August 02, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
The essentials of orchard planning
Planting a new orchard requires significant upfront capital. It is also a long-term commitment that may only give you a return on investment after at least three years. Magda du Toit spoke to farmers to learn more.
9 min |