Business
Farmer's Weekly
The valuable addition that makes this farm tick
Owning the value chain provides farmers with far more control over their produce. However, it requires a fine balance between production and ensuring there is a strong and steady market. Lindi Botha visited Rosemary Hill to find out how this essential oil producer leverages hospitality to make the farm viable.
6 min |
September 20, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems
A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
3 min |
September 20, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers
DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his priorities for his department over the next five years, including an increased focus on biosecurity.
4 min |
September 20, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant
A recent international study explains how bread wheat has helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.
4 min |
September 20, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability
A recent academic event focused on research into the links between soil biodiversity, soil health and sustainable agriculture
3 min |
September 20, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?
Japan is facing a rice shortage amid concerns about a potential 'megaquake', several typhoons and an annual week-long holiday, which has led to an increase in panic buying.
1 min |
September 20, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Citrusdal farmers seek more support from government
Citrus farmers have made it clear that they will not survive another flood and have asked government to reinstate drainage and remove debris and sediment from the Olifants River
3 min |
September 20, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
An abattoir as up-to-date as any in the world
A new abattoir in Windhoek, South West Africa [now Namibia] was one of few in the world to have a double overhead rail system.
2 min |
September 20, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
More funding needed to flood-proof Olifants River
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer recently handed over R14,98 million to the Citrusdal Water Users’ Association.
2 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Zambia, Burundi agree to maximise agri potential
In a bid to capitalise on the livestock and arable land in Zambia and Burundi, the two countries have agreed in principle to review the existing bilateral trade agreement in agricultural products under memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and to bolster foreign exchange earnings.
1 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Expanded market brings avocado season success
The South African avocado industry is making headway in India after gaining market access earlier this year. Supported by the World Avocado Organization (WAO), consumers and food businesses in India are being educated about the health benefits of regular avocado consumption and how best to use this fruit in Indian cuisine.
1 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Plan needed to enhance competitiveness of SA's deciduous fruit canning industry
Dr Heinrich Jantjies, group risk, safety and security director at Tiger Brands, says the deciduous fruit canning industry has been on a decline in South Africa since 2016. He suggests implementing a Deciduous Fruit Canning Industry Recovery and Competitive Plan to turn the industry around.
3 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Kruger's memory lingers in his Boekenhoutfontein farmhouses
Lucille Davie visits Kedar Heritage Lodge in North West to see the farmhouses Paul Kruger owned.
5 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
From street art to feats of engineering, Bristol has it all
Brian Berkman visits the vibrant UK port city of Bristol and says two days are not enough to explore renowned graffiti artist Banksy's hometown and pop in at all the historical taverns.
4 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Managing broodmares and foals profitably and safely
Broodmares and their foals are at high risk of stress, diseases and injuries if their management is suboptimal, says Dr Mac.
2 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Double cab's leisure features find favour
The GWM P500 2.0T HEV 4x4 Super Luxury AT has launched in South Africa, and the bakkie takes aim at the more premium, leisure-focused offerings from rival brands. Car Magazine's Marius Boonzaier writes.
2 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
More fungal diseases that can infect beans
Bill Kerr explains the symptoms of angular leaf spot and anthracnose and how to avoid infection in your fields.
2 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Keeping invasive insects at bay
Featuring an array of delicious fruit from peaches to cherries, stone fruit is attractive to a variety of bugs that can be effectively controlled with integrated pest management, writes Zunel van Eeden.
4 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
The Government of National Unity should bridge the gap when disaster strikes farms
South Africa is hindered by insufficient and incoherent policies regarding disaster relief for farmers, say Dr Theo de Jager and Francois Rossouw of Saai. A solid policy on disaster relief is needed to support farmers, including those recently been affected by the devastating fires that swept across several provinces.
3 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Africa's unique trees defy climate challenges and continue to flourish
Dr Sarah Venter, a baobab ecologist at the University of the Witwatersrand and the founder and director of the Baobab Foundation, looked at the health of adult baobabs in Southern Africa and then in Africa as a whole to establish if more recent human-induced climate change has started having an effect on these magnificent trees.
4 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Planting the seeds of change: the rise of Limpopo's young agripreneurs
Fidelis Zvomuya spoke to two of Limpopo's young agripreneurs about their hopes and ambitions for the future, and how, with the right support, the impossible becomes possible.
5 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Pioneering sustainable farming in Eastern Cape
In the heart of Thornhill in the Eastern Cape, you'll find Crossways Farm Village, South Africa's first contemporary new rural town and smart village. Octavia Avesca Spandiel visited this innovative community, where conservation, agriculture and sustainable living are seamlessly integrated.
5 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Preventing and treating reproductive problems in cattle
At a regenerative farming day held earlier this year in Paarl, Western Cape, Willie du Plessis, chairperson of the Southern Dexter Club, shed some light on ways to treat calving and reproductive emergencies. Glenneis Kriel reports.
8 min |
13 September 2024
Farmer's Weekly
New Holland to make waves at Nampo Cape
Some exciting new products will be available for public viewing at agricultural manufacturer New Holland's stands at this year's Nampo Cape, says Jaco du Preez, New Holland's marketing manager for Southern Africa.
2 min |
September 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Students test the new Case IH sprayer series
When Case IH embarked on a roadshow to introduce its new range of Patriot sprayers, the first stop was Thabazimbi, Limpopo, where students from the University of Pretoria's Department of Natural and Agricultural Sciences had the chance to put the new Case IH Patriot 350 through its paces.
2 min |
September 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Enhancing your soil solution
For plants to thrive, the soil solution must be balanced in terms of nutrient concentration as well as pH and moisture levels
2 min |
September 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Helping small-scale farmers produce quality maize during a drought
Abeeb Babatunde Omotoso, senior lecturer at Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology at NorthWest University, and Abiodun Olusola Omotayo, senior lecturer and researcher at North-West University, discuss how a mix of old and new techniques produced a superior maize harvest in the dry North West.
4 min |
September 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Managing large-scale retrenchments
Dismissals due to operational requirements are usually considered the last resort for employers after alternative measures have been considered first
3 min |
September 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
The importance of knowing how to grade slaughter livestock
Whether you're a big or small producer, knowing how to grade your lifestock is essential for the profitability of your business
3 min |
September 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
The three common bacterial leaf diseases of beans.
Bill Kerr gives advice on how to recognise and treat halo blight, common blight and bacterial brown spot in a bean crop.
2 min |