Business
Farmer's Weekly
Pannar gives you the edge
Pannar’s yellow maize package consistently delivers top-end yield potential across different potential levels, production areas and seasons.
2 min |
May 07, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Reimagining work and land
In an attempt to restore harmony between people and the land, Aletta Venter is going against the status quo when it comes to land ownership and labour relationships. She spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this journey.
8 min |
May 07, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Dragon fruit: a highpotential crop with value-add possibilities
In need of a crop to boost his profits, Western Cape grower Louw de Wet began experimenting with dragon fruit. Despite initial production challenges, he was soon convinced he had found a winner. De Wet spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about his production methods and the opportunities he wants to explore with the fruit.
5 min |
May 07, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
SA crocodile farmers must adapt to survive
Local crocodile farmers have come under pressure due to an increase in international supply and the recent drop in demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Wouter Kriel spoke to Stefan van As, chairperson of the South African Crocodile Industry Association, about the challenges facing crocodile farmers.
4 min |
May 07, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing with lumpy skin disease
Lumpy skin disease is a notifiable disease. This means the state veterinarian must be informed if you suspect your cattle are infected with it, as specific control measures must be implemented.
2 min |
May 07, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
A stronger knot for better bales
New Holland’s latest baler innovation features a new system that not only delivers denser, more secure bales, but also eliminates twine off-cut waste.
2 min |
May 07, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
SA's land price trends in the spotlight
Farm prices in South Africa are currently in the process of recovery, broadly reflecting good rainfall and subsequent high crop yields, as well as general regional economic realities. Wouter Kriel reports.
3 min |
April 30, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Feed for better profits
Feed accounts for 65% to 75% of a poultry or pig farmer’s total input costs. Feed expert Dr Leon Ekermans spoke to Glenneis Kriel about strategies to reduce these costs and prevent wastage.
5 min |
April 30, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Combating Lantana
Through the introduction of the Lantana herringbone leaf miner, the biocontrol of this weed has significantly improved.
2 min |
April 30, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Whether it's summer or winter, he's never out of clover
While clover has a bad reputation for causing bloat, one Eastern Cape farmer achieved good results with this silage, as the following article revealed.
3 min |
April 30, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
The future of Tuta absoluta control
As the tomato leaf miner feeds on a wide range of species, its natural enemies are likely to continue increasing, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
April 30, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Studies show citrus virus A link to fruit-drop disease
New research suggests that citrus virus A (CiVA) is associated with citrus impietratura disease (CID), which is characterised by abnormal fruit drop in citrus crops.
1 min |
April 30, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Fundamentals of Brix
This unit of measurement is valuable to crop and livestock producers.
3 min |
April 30, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Is It Time To Relook Water Governance In South Africa?
The number of rivers in South Africa deemed to be in a poor ecological state has increased alarmingly in recent times. James Brand, a senior associate at ENSafrica’s Natural Resources and Environment department, argues that the many frustrated citizens affected by contaminated water supplies might be better served by new, independent water governance structures and amendments to the country’s water laws.
4 min |
April 16, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Avoiding Slippery Mistakes With Bananas
The humble banana is usually taken for granted by consumers, but growing this popular fruit can be tricky, expensive and involve considerable risk. Having top-performing banana plantations starts with the proper establishment of the crop. Brothers Riaan and WJ Heystek shared their experiences of setting up their banana enterprise with Lloyd Phillips.
8 min |
April 23, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Sustaining a community-owned game reserve in tough times
COVID-19’s disastrous impact has necessitated change and adaptability in even the most rural parts of South Africa. The management of Somkhanda Community Game Reserve spoke to Lloyd Phillips about their efforts to keep this jewel of conservation and ecotourism alive and moving forward in the face of adversity.
7 min |
April 23, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Controlling the cat's claw creeper
The leaf-tying moth has been released as a biological control agent against this invasive alien plant.
2 min |
April 23, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Why an integrated approach is best
Farmers are finding more and more natural enemies to keep tomato leaf miners in check instead of resorting solely to chemicals, says Bill Kerr.
3 min |
April 23, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Empowerment through education
Young Bonsmara farmer Keneilwe Raphesu knew the path to achieving her dreams lay in further training, so she joined a development programme for emerging farmers. She spoke to Siyanda Sishuba about the lessons she has learnt so far.
5 min |
April 23, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Land rights of SA's forgotten people
In this article, Prof Philippe Burger, pro-vice-chancellor of Poverty, Inequality and Economic Development at the University of the Free State, writes that South Africa is failing the poorest of the poor by not developing legislation that would strengthen the land rights of people who are living in communal areas.
5 min |
April 23, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
The Boer goat mentor who's changing lives
Stud Boer goat breeder Desré Ferreira from Vryburg in North West provides a valuable support network to developing and commercial Boer goat farmers. She started mentoring a group of about 30 farmers a decade ago, and now supports 150. Annelie Coleman reports.
6 min |
April 23, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing with external parasites on chickens
These pests can cause severe problems for small-flock poultry producers (and occasionally large-flock producers) by disturbing the birds and affecting their growth and egg production. They can also spread disease.
2 min |
April 23, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Sugar cane and cash crop rotation helps improve soil health
Decades of monocropping has compromised soil health on many South African sugar cane farms, negatively affecting their productivity. Dreyer Senekal, co-director of Senekal Familie Boerdery, explains to Lloyd Phillips how he is experimenting with strategic crop rotation to improve the soil of his sugar cane enterprise.
7 min |
April 16, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Tuberculosis in cattle
Tuberculosis is an important zoonotic disease that spreads slowly in animal populations.
2 min |
April 16, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
The influence of weather on lucerne hay quality
There is still limited research available on the effects of weather on lucerne production in South Africa, This article, written by lucerne specialist Dr Gerrie Scholtz, agricultural economist Walter van Niekerk, and others, was published by the National Lucerne Trust and offers some insight on the matter, based on recent observations.
5 min |
April 16, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Superior goats and award-winning cheeses
Rina Belcher runs Belnori Boutique Cheesery, a Saanen goat-breeding and cheesemaking operation near Bapsfontein in Gauteng. Pieter Dempsey spoke to her about raising her animals and creating a diverse range of products, including soft and hard cheeses, a number of which have garnered prestigious awards.
5 min |
April 16, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Strategic planning for families in business
When carrying out estate planning, a family business owner may be concerned only with who will inherit the business and how it will be transferred. More is required, says Trevor Dickinson; planning has to consider the family’s desires and intentions for the business, as well as strategies for the future of the operation.
5 min |
April 16, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Painted Persians carry sheep farmer through drought
The demand for multicoloured Persian sheep in the Middle East has helped Northern Cape breeder Koenie Kotzé endure the drought. Annelie Coleman reports on how he discovered this market.
6 min |
April 16, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Case IH introduces tougher, rust-resistant paint with a deeper shine
Additions to the paint shop facilities at the Case IH St Valentin tractor plant in Austria have resulted in longer-lasting paintwork on the company’s tractors. Advanced techniques now ensure that the paint adheres more tightly to metal surfaces, making the paintwork more resistant to scratching, cracking and rusting.
2 min |
April 16, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Illegal Sand Mining Threatens Sugar Farmers
The sugar cane farms of 175 small-scale growers are hanging in the balance as illegal sand mining in the Middle-Komati River reaches catastrophic levels.
1 min |