Business
Farmer's Weekly
How Nerpo Is Adapting To A Changing Livestock Sector
Changes in the livestock business environment have motivated the National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (NERPO) to review its strategy and improve services to its members. NERPO managing director Aggrey Mahanjana spoke to Siyanda Sishuba about future plans.
4 min |
November 22, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Founder Of The Currie Cup
Sir Donald Currie established the Union-Castle line, whose ships sailed between England and South Africa until 1977. A follower of rugby, he also sponsored a British tour to South Africa in 1891 and donated the Currie Cup, thereby helping to launch the famous domestic competition.
4 min |
November 22, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Breeding For Optimal Efficiency Yields Greener Dairy Herds
A recent report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations shows that the global dairy industry is already part of the solution to address climate change. However, dairy farmers need to accelerate their current efforts by continuing to improve production efficiency. Denene Erasmus reports.
5 min |
November 22, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Wool As A Stabiliser In A Summer Cropping Region
While wool accounts for only about 30% of his income, Free State farmer Le Roux Fourie views it as a crucial element in his cropping and livestock operation. He spoke to Sabrina Dean about the value of this commodity, especially in light of its consistently high price.
6 min |
November 15, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Using The Beefmaster To Improve Your Herd
After owning a Simbra-type cattle herd for many years, the Rattray family of KwaZulu-Natal decided to convert to Beefmaster. According to Hayden Rattray, who runs the Pleasant View Beefmaster stud, introducing the breed has resulted in many improvements in the herd, including decreased birthweight, improved weaning weight and excellent mothering ability.
4 min |
November 15, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Lucerne Production Gains Momentum In The Western Free State
Lucerne under irrigation provides Free State farmer Boeboe Louw with an ideal alternative to grain. Annelie Coleman visited him on his farm in the Wesselsbron district to find out how he manages production to gain the most from this valuable export crop.
4 min |
November 15, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Get Ready To Profit From Plant-And Insect-Based Proteins
Across the world, food consumption patterns are undergoing vast changes, necessitating changes in the agricultural landscape. Lindi Botha spoke to Mark Hassenkamp, agri-tech adviser to Blue Horizon Corporation, which holds a portfolio of companies including Red Sun Hortitech, Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, about the movement towards plant- and insect-based proteins, and the impact this will have on agriculture.
5 min |
November 15, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Blackberries And Much More
The owner of a small farm has to find innovative ways to remain financially viable. Natalie Turck of Wildebraam Berry Estate spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how she and her husband accomplish this.
6 min |
November 15, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
‘There are opportunities for ostrich farmers in North West'
New ostrich farmer Kabelo Lekalakala says the industry in North West can be returned to its former glory through the participation of young aspiring farmers. Siyanda Sishuba reports.
5 min |
Farmers Weekly 8 November 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Vegetable farmer's battle against the forces of nature
Eric Mauwane of Oneo Farms in Gauteng says that a crucial lesson he has learnt about sweet pepper production is the need to understand market demand and manage production practices accordingly. Siyanda Sishuba visited him to find out more about his operation.
5 min |
Farmers Weekly 8 November 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Karoo lamb finally gets its own legislation
The South African government recently published new legislation regulating the use of geographic indication for agricultural products. This will enable farmers of Karoo lamb, amongst other products, to earn a premium for their meat. Gordon Wright and Prof Johann Kirsten examine this legislation and how it will be applied.
5 min |
Farmers Weekly 8 November 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Identifying and controlling sweet potato viruses
Sweet potatoes are an important commercial crop and contribute significantly to food security in many poorer South African households. Dr Julia Mulabisana and Dr Sunette Laurie of the Agricultural Research Council’s Vegetable and Ornamental Plants division explain how farmers can recognise and control the most serious viruses that affect this crop.
4 min |
Farmers Weekly 8 November 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Empowerment trust banks on barley
Since its inception, the Overberg Boerdery Trust has not only increased its output of barley, but raised dividend payments to its farmworkers. Jeandré van der Walt visited the farm near Caledon.
4 min |
Farmers Weekly 8 November 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Think Twice Before Buying That Machine!
Unfavourable climatic conditions, poor commodity prices and rising production costs are making it increasingly difficult for farmers to stay productive and run profitable enterprises on their farms. Glenneis Kriel asked three experts for tips that could help farmers weather the financial storms.
5 min |
October 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Viticulture Equipment From Italy
A recent farmers’ day in Paarl afforded wine farmers the chance to look at some of the best viticulture equipment from Italy. Glenneis Kriel reports.
3 min |
November 01, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Strict Selection: The Key To Award-Winning Brahmans
Producing world-class stud cattle is a challenging endeavour, but judging by the stacked-up ribbons at the RiHugo farming enterprise, Rian Maree has found the winning recipe. He spoke to Lindi Botha about practising rigorous selection on his Brahman herd.
6 min |
November 01, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Step By Step, A Father-And-Daughter Team Turns A Neglected Farm Around
Marilyn Siegels was recently named the Western Cape’s best female commercial farmer after just two years in the industry. Along with her father, Edward van Niekerk, and sister, Yolande van Niekerk, she is rejuvenating a land restitution fruit farm. Jeandré van der Walt reports.
5 min |
November 01, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Getting Young People Interested In Agriculture
Breyton Milford, operations manager at Agri-Expo, was recently elected as a trustee of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth. Jeandré van der Walt spoke to him about this achievement, and his involvement with young people in agriculture.
5 min |
November 01, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Could Wheat Make A Comeback In The Western Free State?
When the rains came too late to plant maize at the end of 2018, Bultfontein farmers Anton and Heinrich Botha joined other producers in the region in planting dryland winter wheat instead. Sabrina Dean visited this father-and-son team to find out why they are so enthusiastic about the renewed interest in wheat.
5 min |
November 01, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Be On The Lookout For Piroplasmosis!
Transmitted mainly by red-legged ticks, this disease is endemic in horses, donkeys, moles and zebra, says Dr Mac.
2 min |
November 01, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
New Agri Development Agency Aims To Speed Up Land Reform
Former minister Roelf Meyer, director of In Transformation Initiative, is in the process of launching SAADA, a new agricultural development agency that seeks to accelerate land reform and boost commercial agricultural production. Glenneis Kriel spoke to him about the project.
5 min |
October 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Using On-Farm Data To Unlock The Full Potential Of Machinery
One of the most keenly discussed topics in agriculture is the recent, rapid advances in farming technology, and the part played by data and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. John Deere now makes acquiring and using data for precision farming that much easier, says Stehan Cloete.
2 min |
October 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing With Halo Blight In Beans
As discussed in the previous article (see FW of 18 October), many bean diseases are seed-borne, which makes it crucial to buy disease-free seed.
2 min |
October 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
What Does It Really Cost To Start Farming?
The expenses involved in launching a farming operation can be prohibitive, as set-up costs and market risks must be considered. But just how much does one need in the piggy bank to get going? Lindi Botha looks at the finances involved in three different farming businesses.
6 min |
October 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Breeding For Maximum Profit With Minimum Fuss
The success of a livestock breeding concern depends on choosing a breed that makes economic sense and optimises return on investment. For a part-time farmer, an additional requirement is that the breed is hardy enough to thrive without pampering. Part-time stud breeder Dirco Swart of Frankfort told Annelie Coleman that the Beefmaster ticked all these boxes.
5 min |
October 25, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Tender Care And Raw Courage
Margaret Dewar, a trained nurse, left the comforts of her home in Germiston in 1914 to minister to the needs of wounded and dying soldiers. Graham Jooste tells her remarkable and tragic story.
3 min |
Farmers Weekly 18 October 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Culture Vs The Constitution: The Suffering Of Zulu Widows
In theory, South Africa has strong laws to protect the property ownership and inheritance rights of all women. However, a 2018 study conducted by Bongi Owusu for her master’s dissertation in social science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal found that these laws are often not implemented in rural Zulu-speaking communities. She explains how this prejudices widows in particular.
5 min |
Farmers Weekly 18 October 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Karoo Farmer Gives Lambs ‘Teeth' Against Predators
In a desperate attempt to limit livestock losses due to predation, Karoo farmer Eddie Steenkamp devised a plan to protect his livestock, and has achieved remarkable success. Jeandré van der Walt visited him to find out more.
3 min |
Farmers Weekly 18 October 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Breeding Cattle That Thrive In Namibia's Arid Regions
The Afrikaner, once the most popular breed in Southern African, is ideally suited to today’s uncertain climatic conditions, says Namibia-based breeder Jan Blaauw, co-owner of the Salztal Afrikaner stud.
5 min |
Farmers Weekly 18 October 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Butternuts: Know Your Market And Maintain Quality
Butternuts are a reasonably easy crop to grow, with few insoluble problems. The real challenge is to match the cultivar with the market. Mpumalanga-based producer Francois Steyn spoke to Lindi Botha about how he solved this problem
6 min |