Business
Farmer's Weekly
VEGETABLES Cultivating cowpeas: Part 2
This annual herbaceous legume thrives in dry conditions and is an important crop in arid, semi-desert regions where few other crops will grow. Cowpeas are used for human and livestock consumption.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Ban boosts business for big potato producer
South African-born farmer Johan van Vuuren, together with his brother Fred Sr and nephew, Fred Jr, run one of Botswana’s largest potato production enterprises on their farm in Pandamatenga in the north of the country. Van Vuuren spoke to Tshiamo Tabane about their journey to success, and how the government's recently announced ban on vegetable imports has benefitted them.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
How machinery is driving agriculture forwards in Africa
Jaco Beyers, managing director of Africa Middle East at John Deere, speaks to Janine Ryan about the trends in machinery and agriculture in Africa.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
From accountant to grain farmer in Botswana
Basadi Molelekeng is among the youngest black women farmers in Botswana to have succeeded as a dryland commercial producer. She explains how she ditched her office job for agriculture in northern Botswana, and how she juggled these demands with those of a young mother. Tshiamo Tabane reports.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The Afrikaner: 'new' hero breed in Namibia
The demand for Afrikaner cattle in Namibia has recently increased to such an extent that demand for this hardy, adaptable local breed far exceeds supply. Annelie Coleman spoke to Afrikaner breeders in that country to discover the reasons behind this spike in popularity.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Botswana's leading commercial fish producer forges ahead
Mari van Graan and her husband, Pieter, operate a commercial fish farming project in Kasane in northern Botswana, one of very few commercial aquaculture projects in the country. Tshiamo Tabane reports on how the Van Graans built up their company, Golden Wrap, which also produces fruit, maize and vegetables.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The farmers helping Botswana boost its food production
Willy Kathurima and his wife Doreen are among a handful of farmers taking advantage of Botswana’s push to expand food production by increasing local expertise in horticulture. Tshiamo Tabane reports on how the couple launched their business, Ramaphatle Greens, which produces strawberries, garlic and ginger.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Celebrating Fendt's 20 000th tractor
Germany's biggest producer of agricultural machinery manufactured 20 000 tractors in 2022. We look at the 20 000th built, the 724 Vario.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Swiss chard: seeds or seedlings?
Farmers can plant Swiss chard in one of two ways: direct seeding or seedling transplants. Bill Kerr explains the pros and cons of each approach, and advises how to get the plants off to a good start.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
ANIMAL HEALTH: Dealing with bluetongue
Endemic to South Africa, the bluetongue virus now occurs worldwide and is on the increase. The disease, which is spread by midges, affects ruminants, mainly sheep, explains Roelof Bezuidenhout.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
SA olive farming: an industry ripe for the taking
The production and consumption of olives and olive oil are on the rise in South Africa. Magda du Toit spoke to farmers and other experts about the country’s burgeoning olive industry, and what is required to produce this Mediterranean fruit.
10+ min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Boran: converting low-quality feed into high-quality protein
As a diversified farmer whose primary focus is grain, Leon van Tonder doesn't have much time to worry about his cattle. He spoke to Lindi Botha about why introducing Boran cattle into his herd was the best decision he has ever made, and how this beef breed complements his crop-production division.
7 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Better, faster hay balers and forage equipment
Rovic Leers recently showcased some of Krone’s latest baling and forage harvesting equipment at Boland Agricultural High School. Glenneis Kriel reports on its improved features and performance.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
SA's cannabis industry: a potential powerhouse
Cannabis production could spur employment in South Africa, but the regulatory framework of the industry is not being formulated at the desired pace, says independent writer Shamin Chibba.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Toyota/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year 2022
With the slew of challenges currently facing the agriculture sector, taking on farming as a career is a daunting prospect. Hannes Wolvaardt, Toyota/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year 2022, a first-generation farmer, shows what can be achieved by courage, discipline, hard work and attention to detail. He spoke to Magda du Toit.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Rand's volatility set to have major impact on local agri sector
For South Africa, a turbulent local currency is likely to be a key feature this year, and one that agricultural stakeholders should prepare for. Absa Agribusiness looks at this and other factors affecting the sector.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
New sorghum variety hailed as ideal for Zimbabwe
A newly developed variety of sorghum promises yields of up to 8t/ha, and could turn around the recent swing towards maize plantings in Zimbabwe.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Communities take part in huge clean-up of the Kuils River
The clean-up of one of the Western Cape’s critical catchment areas signifies the kind of success that can be achieved when communities are given the resources to help improve the country’s natural water systems and other vulnerable ecosystems. Annelie Coleman reports.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Lack of policy could cost South Africa in carbon taxes
The fast-changing landscape of carbon neutrality requires quick decision-making by government and farmers, they will fail to capitalise on available opportunities. Lindi Botha reports.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Middle beckon for SA agro companies East exports
South African businesses who had stalls at the Gulfood Exhibition in the United Arab Emirates are pleased with the interest shown in their products.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Department steps in to alleviate damaging impact of load-shedding on agri sector
The severe effects of load-shedding on the agriculture sector has prompted government to look at ways to minimise the effects of the power crisis on the country’s food supply. Glenneis Kriel reports.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
SA needs swift decision-making to deal with crises as 2024 general elections approach
POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE by Theo Venter
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa's agri exports achieved new heights in 2022
AGRIBUSINESS PERSPECTIVE by Wandile Sihlobo
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
'Evil' black thorn meets its match: Part 1
This article looked at the scourge of bush encroachment by black thorn trees in Molopo, North West. The black thorn (Senegalia mellifera) has spearheaded bush encroachment in the Molopo area of North West for 30 years, hitting the area's beef farmers hard.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Eskom needs to tackle things differently
Giving Eskom more money won't solve the energy crisis, says Dr Roy Havemann, a research associate at Stellenbosch University, but splitting it into separate units definitely has the potential to do so.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Parks vs people: barriers to greening efforts in Tshwane
Urban green spaces have recently been getting more research attention because of the various benefits they offer, say researchers Titilope Funmbi Onaolapo and Christina Breed from the University of Pretoria, and Kristine Engemann Jensen and Maya Pasgaard from Aarhus University in Denmark.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 10 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
A farm stay in the beautiful Bossieveld that offers unbeatable value
Pendennis, a working fruit farm near Villiersdorp, provides rustic yet comfortable self-catering accommodation at remarkably low prices. It’s also the ideal base for exploring the area. Brian Berkman paid it a visit.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 10 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Croque-madame
The French really know how to take sandwiches to the next level, and this luxuriously saucy one calls for sturdy bread to keep everything together. Recipe and photo: South African Poultry Association.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 10 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
New SUVs hitting the global market
Nelson Kalula and Alex Shahini of CAR Magazine look at the Hyundai Mufasa and the Volkswagen Atlas. Will they be available in South Africa?
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 10 March 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Why some family members.avoid succession planning
To understand why the members of a family business might be reluctant to initiate succession planning, it’s important to consider the family’s life stage at the time of succession, writes Trevor Dickinson.
4 min |