Business
Farmer's Weekly
Green bonds: it pays to invest in nature
Agriculture has an important role to play in funding a greener future for the planet. Green bonds, which are fixed-income financial instruments that offer environmental and/or climate benefits, will give farmers the opportunity to lower their carbon footprints. Wouter Kriel reports.
7 min |
October 08, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
A beginners' guide to auctions
Livestock auctions offer a relatively safe way for farmers to trade their animals, with a fairly low barrier to entry. Cornel Landman and Anton Vos spoke to Glenneis Kriel about factors that producers have to consider when participating in these events, and the administrative processes that need to be adhered to.
8 min |
October 08, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Growing nutrientdense vegetables using regenerative farming
Gert Janse van Rensburg produces vegetable crops on the family-owned farm, Langplaas, in North West. He spoke to Pieter Dempsey about the regenerative farming techniques he employs.
5 min |
October 08, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
India set to secure 45% of global rice trade with record exports
India, the world’s second-largest rice grower after China, could account for as much as 45% of global rice exports this year due to expanded port handling capacity, which will enable the country to ship record volumes to buyers in Africa and Asia.
1 min |
October 08, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
New headquarters for Argo Tractors
A groundbreaking ceremony in Kempton Park saw Argo Tractors begin work on its new, state-of-the-art facility designed to optimise the company’s offering to its Southern African clients. Magda du Toit reports.
2 min |
October 08, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Southern Africa's hunger hotspots
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Food Programme’s Hunger Hotspots report highlights the countries most at risk of increased food insecurity from August to November 2021. In Southern African, these include Mozambique, Madagascar, Angola and the DRC.
5 min |
October 08, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Tender pork chop casserole served with potatoes
this simple recipe takes less than an hour to put together. the apples add sweetness to the pork, while the mustard brings with it some good flavour and a touch of heat. Recipe and photo: Potato Nation.
1 min |
October 08, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Summer visitor to SA expected within weeks
One of the more unusual birds of prey that occurs in South Africa, the European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), is expected to reach the country by the end of October after migrating approximately 10 000km. The species feeds exclusively on wasps, bees and hornets.
1 min |
October 08, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
To show or not to show, that is the question
While agricultural shows are stressful for farmers and livestock, time-consuming and expensive, most industry players believe they still hold value. Susan Marais reports.
5 min |
October 08, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Nature-Based Farming Secures A Solid Future For Limpopo Farm
Reducing inputs costs and increasing yields are the foundation of a profitable enterprise. However, true sustainability comes from investing in practices that increase your farm’s ability to produce over time. Lindi Botha spoke to Leon Eksteen of Bufland Boerdery about choosing the right investments.
8 min |
October 01, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Fresh Apples For Top-Quality Cider
Larry Whitfield, owner of Loxtonia, an apple, pear and plum farm, has successfully branched into cider production. Unusually, he uses fresh apples to produce his award-winning ciders. He spoke to Wouter Kriel.
6 min |
September 17, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Regulatory Apathy Limits Cannabis Growth In SA
The wheels for the legalisation of commercial cannabis production in South Africa were set in motion in 2018. More recently, this campaign gained further momentum when the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development released the Draft Cannabis Master Plan. Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, chairperson of the Fair-Trade Independent Cannabis Association, spoke to Pieter Dempsey about the challenges that remain.
5 min |
October 01, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Blueberries: A Booming Business In SA
According to a new report by the International Blueberry Organization, South Africa is one of the countries to watch when it comes to global blueberry production, following a surge in export volume in recent years.
5 min |
October 01, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
The Basics Of Wheat Production
South African wheat growers have to compete with imports of the grain, which puts them under pressure to maximise production efficiency. Decisions on which cultivar to plant and the seeding density at planting have a major influence on yield, and ultimately profitability. Magda du Toit reports.
8 min |
September 10, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Growing papayas: Part 1
Papaya trees are fast-growing and have an upright growth pattern. Under the right conditions, they flower within six months after planting and will continue flowering throughout the year.
3 min |
October 01, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Fendt brings new tracked tractors to South Africa
The Fendt 900 Vario and Fendt 1100 Vario are the latest additions to the German agriculture machinery manufacturer’s range of high-power, tracked tractors available in South Africa.
2 min |
October 01, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Growing onions: Part 14
When growing onions, keep a sharp lookout for fungal diseases such as downy mildew, as these represent a major threat to a crop, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
October 01, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Regenerative farming: can producers afford not to make the change?
Switching from conventional farming to a regenerative agriculture system is certainly expensive. But according to a number of experts, failing to do so could end up costing you your farm. Susan Marais reports.
6 min |
October 01, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Regenerative grazing management
Although ultra-high-density grazing is still quite controversial in some circles, many farmers have had good results when using it as a means to restore veld and increase carrying capacity. Susan Marais reports.
5 min |
October 01, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Swainson's francolin
The Swainson’s francolin is considered a pest by some farmers and a boon by hunters, as this article showed.
3 min |
October 01, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
The rise of Dutch Warmbloods
The Dutch Warmblood has become a familiar sight at high-level equestrian events. Dr Mac looks at the breed’s fascinating history.
3 min |
October 01, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Breathing New Life Into The Guava Industry
The Agricultural Research Council is undertaking various trials aimed at making guava production more profitable. Glenneis Kriel spoke to Salomie Willemse and Chris Smith, experts involved in the programme.
7 min |
September 17, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
The Future Of Farm Robots
Robots are predicted to play an ever-increasing role in agriculture, but there is much debate about whether these will be large or small machines. Glenneis Kriel reports.
7 min |
September 10, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Data Show Dire Climate Outlook For Africa
Recent climate change projections by the UN confirm that most parts of Africa will likely experience drier, hotter conditions, while also being prone to more frequent heavy rainfall events. All of which, writes Victor Ongoma, an assistant professor at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco, will have an overwhelming impact on millions of people in Africa whose livelihoods depend on dryland agriculture.
4 min |
September 03, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Drones Are Leading The Way In Crop Spraying
To Tim Wise, whose sugar cane-growing family had always battled with the quality of crop spraying delivered by aeroplane, drones seemed to be a workable alternative. This led to research into drone technology in 2016, and the subsequent creation of Precision Agricultural Systems. The company has since been the driving force in having crop-spraying drones approved for commercial use in South Africa. Wouter Kriel reports.
6 min |
September 10, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
How To Prevent A Family Feud
Most volatile family agribusiness disputes have deep-rooted causes that stem from secrecy, distrust and avoidance. By confronting these issues early on, conflict can be avoided, says Trevor Dickinson.
5 min |
September 17, 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Fire and regenerative rangeland management
Fire is a management tool and, like a hammer, it can have good or bad consequences, depending on how and when it is used. This requires careful consideration of a farm’s conditions, writes Colin Nott, a regenerative agricultural consultant based in Namibia.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 24 September 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Watch out for glyphosate contamination
The repeated use of the herbicide glyphosate has been found to compromise fruit production. James Dick, co-owner of production consultancy DNS Crop Institute, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this problem.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 24 September 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Meet the ‘Barbarians'
A display of part of farmer Herman Dewing‘s huge collection of barbed wire. FW ARCHIVE
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 24 September 2021
Farmer's Weekly
Tennis tapestry
There was a period in South Africa’s past when a well-kept tennis court was as much a part of a prosperous farm as a vegetable garden or a tractor. And this applied in the dusty Karoo as well as in the lush Lowveld, says Graham Jooste.
4 min |