Business
Farmer's Weekly
Tiger 'farming' in SA: cruel, dangerous, and against global norms
Dr Neil D'Cruze, head of wildlife research and policy at World Animal Protection and Visiting Researcher at the University of Oxford's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit; and Angie Elwin, wildlife research manager at World Animal Protection and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Reading, spoke to Moina Spooner, assistant editor at The Conversation Africa, about the captive-bred tiger industry in South Africa.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The overhaul of the Volvo XC90
Last year, Volvo launched the updated version of the all-wheel drive XC90, which marks the next step in the company's ambitious electrification strategy, says Siyavuya Mbaduli of CAR magazine.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Getting seeds to germinate under hot conditions
Each species has an optimal temperature for seed germination. The faster the seeds germinate, the better they do so, and the more likely they are to gain the upper hand over weeds, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Parasitic cysts and lesions in organs
Parasitic cysts can result in the meat produced by your animals being downgraded. They also point to the presence of diseases that can make people very sick.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 17 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
New online academy seeks to offer farmers and farmworkers greater opportunities
Ellis Mnyandu reports on the launch of a new online academy that seeks to upskill farmers and farmworkers in animal health and agricultural sciences.
3 min |
10 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
DA calls for fewer power cuts to Free State farmers
Rolling blackouts have had a severe impact on the Free State's agriculture sector and it was crucial for Eskom to manage the sector as an essential service in terms of power distribution in order to not harm food production. This was according to the DA's Dr Roy Jankielsohn, leader of the opposition in the Free State Legislature.
1 min |
10 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Balfour Hay Day proves the value of farmers' days
Balfour Hay Day recently celebrated its 10th year, attracting a record number of visitors to the small Mpumalanga town. Just over 1 200 people attended the event, which showcased the latest silage and haymaking equipment.
1 min |
10 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Tractor sales set to moderate after highs in 2022
Sales of agricultural machinery are not expected to reach the record highs of 2022 this year, as inflation rates and high input costs weigh on farmers.
1 min |
10 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Strategies to eliminate rabies globally by 2030
A strong international drive is under way to put an end to all indigenously acquired dog-mediated rabies cases among humans by the end of this decade. In this article, researchers in the field set out the challenge.
5 min |
10 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The state of SA's flower industry: Part 3
Carol Sutherland asked flower growers Dirk van der Merwe and Micky de la Porte how the industry has changed.
4 min |
10 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The slow transformation of SA's dairy industry
Effecting change in the dairy industry is not for the short-sighted or faint of heart. Simpiwe Somdyala, CEO of Amadlelo Agri, spoke to Susan Marais about the agricultural investment company’s quest to uplift rural farmers in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, and the challenges it faces in the process.
6 min |
10 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Macadamia nuts: has the bubble burst?
Driven by high prices and attractive profit margins, macadamia plantings have exploded over the past seven years. Unfortunately, these large volumes have now combined with a downturn in the market to force farm-gate prices down, and many macadamia farmers are concerned about their future. Charles Cormack, CEO of Marquis Marketing, spoke to Lindi Botha about the road ahead for the industry.
5 min |
10 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Committing to Bonsmara
Mthobeli Dintsi was a 2022 provincial winner in the National Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo Farmer of the Year competition, a category of the Agricultural Research Council's National Beef Performers Awards. Mike Burgess visited him recently on his farm in the Eastern Cape to better understand his journey to commercial beef production with Bonsmaras.
4 min |
10 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Can South Africa become independent of Eskom?
The trend of getting off the grid is gathering pace, but total independence is still some way off, says Hartmut Winkler, professor of physics at the University of Johannesburg.
4 min |
10 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Have a ball in colourful Sea Point
Exciting cuisine, stunning ocean views and invigorating surroundings are all available in spades on Cape Town's Atlantic seaboard, says Brian Berkman, who particularly recommends The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel as a place to stay.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The Christmas Day massacre of 1850
On 25 December 1850, four British military villages recently established along the Cape's Eastern Frontier were attacked by the Xhosa. Mike Burgess explains the background, and results, of this bloody day.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
THE HITCHING POST
I’m a 58-year-old lady who lives in East London and runs a small farm. I am stylish and take very good care of myself, yet I get stuck into farmwork and do a lot of it myself.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
A 'farmhouse' in the Klein Karoo
Dear Jonno, My wife and I have bought a site in the Klein Karoo, inland from Mossel Bay. The site has a slight slope (about 10°) from back to front.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Fresh and fruity mango guacamole
This updated version of the classic guacamole will keep you coming back for more. It also works well as a taco topping. Recipe and photo: South African Mango Growers' Association.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Wonders of nature (with truffles at the top)
Patricia McCracken interviews a couple who grow truffles in Underberg, reviews a new edition of a stunning David Attenborough book, and suggests a read that savours life's joys. Plus, something special for the kids.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Kia Sorento adventure: Part 3
Alex Shahini of CAR magazine concludes his nearly 1 000km all-wheel-drive Kia Sorento odyssey over some of South Africa's most scenic passes.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Lowering the risk of viruses in your cucurbit crop
Viruses can be devastating to cucurbits, and you should take every precaution to prevent or reduce the damage they cause, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
How to wean piglets
The process of weaning is very tough for piglets and the farmer needs to take great care at this time. Bad weaning practices can lead to poor performance and financial losses.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Economically important diseases of maize
Maize is considered the most important grain crop in South Africa, thus there are various maize diseases that farmers need to be on the lookout for. Janine Ryan reports on some of the most dominant of these diseases.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Outstanding breeding cows lead to sustainable beef cattle production
The success of a beef cattle operation rests largely on the performance of its cows, says Dr Hentie van Rensburg, who bred the 2022 Agricultural Research Council National Best Elite Cow in the Afrisim category. He and his farming partner, Lourie van Pletzen, spoke to Annelie Coleman about their approach.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Challenges and opportunities for farming in Senegal
Despite adverse production conditions, Senegal's agriculture sector is an essential employer. Janine Ryan looks at some of the major commodities produced in this West African country.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Growing gerberas in a volatile market
In this second article of a three-part series, florist Carol Sutherland spoke to Tania Henkel, who runs Imbali Cut Flowers in Gauteng, about the challenges of producing gerberas, also known as Barberton daisies.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Astute marketing drives avocado consumption
South Africa's avocado industry has attained the holy grail in marketing for a non-essential product: getting consumers to feel they need it rather just want it. The resulting sales growth has boosted the industry despite recent economic and supply constraints. Glynnis Branthwaite, owner of Protactic Strategic Communications, and Derek Donkin, CEO of Subtrop, spoke to Lindi Botha about this intensive and ongoing marketing effort.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa's black farmers and the 'Karan merger'
If all parties, including government, do what they're supposed to, Karan Beef's merger with SK Caine should open up lucrative opportunities for black farmers in the beef value chain, says Dr Sifiso Ntombela.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 February 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Misconduct vs incapacity
Madeleine Els describes the difference between misconduct and incapacity, and the effect each has on the business. She stresses why it is important for employers to understand the difference between the two.
2 min |