Business
Farmer's Weekly
Adaptability And Efficiency Help Tunnel Nursery Thrive
Ezigro Seedlings in Mpumalanga grows a wide range of seedlings all year round, thanks to resource-efficient tunnel production in an ideal climate. The tunnels provide another advantage: they allow for rapid adaptation to a changing market. Lindi Botha spoke to CEO Anthony Baird.
5 min |
October 19, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Public-Private Partnerships Transform The Sugar Industry
Numerous sugar cane fields in South Africa have been claimed through land restitution. Were this land to go fallow or be used for other agricultural purposes, the potential loss of sugar production would hold dire consequences for the sugar value chain. Lindi Botha spoke to Dawie van Rooy, director for agriculture at RCL Foods, about his companys response to this risk.
5 min |
October 19, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Cover Crop Breakthrough Promises To Revolutionise Production In Dry Areas
The introduction of a no-till planter that can plant cover crops in vine and tree rows is enabling farmers in the Olifants River Valley to take the benefits of cover cropping to an entirely new level. Glenneis Kriel reports on the planter’s development and the value of cover cropping in general.
5 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Crop Diversity A Pillar Of Sustainable Production
Including more than three crops in a cash crop system may not only help increase yield, but significantly enhance the long-term sustainability of a farm. Dr Johann Strauss of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the benefits of crop diversity.
4 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
No Slowing Down For This Commercial Cattle Woman
Alwene Ford may be nearing what many would consider normal retirement age, but the 63-year-old commercial cattle farmer has no plans to slow down. Sabrina Dean visited her on her farm near Barkly West in the Northern Cape.
6 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Why Nitrogen Is So Important
Simply put, nitrogen controls the performance of the crop just as the throttle pedal controls the speed of a car.
2 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Assessing Grazing Capacity
The number of grazing camps on a farm should be weighed against the escalating cost of fencing material,
3 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The American Quarter Horse
This breed is not only fast, but is also versatile, and can thus compete in English or Western riding disciplines,
2 min |
August 9, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
New Report Expresses Support
Farmers unhappy with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s (JSE) location differential system have suffered a setback, with grain expert Prof Matthew Roberts, founder of the Kernmantle Group, recommending that the system be maintained for wheat and maize and, if the JSE deemed it necessary, introduced for soya bean as well.
1 min |
June 14, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Seed-eating Birds Survive In The Desert
52years ago A study conducted at the Transvaal Museum investigated the water economy of seedeating birds, and the remarkable ability of certain finches to live in the desert without water for long periods of time.
2 min |
June 14, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Thinning Out Fruit On Peppers
The subject of thinning fruit in a pepper crop has many facets. To start with, peppers come in various growth types and have different bearing habits, all of which influence pruning and fruit thinning.
2 min |
June 14, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Bridles: Ensuring The Right Fit
Horses are much used in South Africa. Equestrian disciplines are popular, and both horses and donkeys are still utilised as working animals on farms and in townships. Despite this, many horse owners are unaware of the importance of a properly fitted bridle. Vicki Sokolich, an equine complementary care expert, explains that a poorly fitting bridle can result in significant damage to the physiology of the animal. Janine Ryan reports.
6 min |
June 21, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Using Technology To Predict Australian Wheat Yield
Wheat yield in Australia can now be predicted accurately two months before the crop matures using machine-learning methods, according to researchers at the University of Illinois in the US.
1 min |
June 21, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Science Of Producing Good Silage
Leading Boran stud breeder Hurwitz Farming in Mpumalanga operates a number of enterprises, the latest of which is a silage contracting business. Pieter Dempsey interviewed Jarren Hurwitz to find out more about the new technology in silage that makes their operation different.
7 min |
June 21, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Growing Good Carrots: Part 1
Carrots have been an important vegetable crop in South Africa since the days of early European settlement in the Cape. Today, they are grown countrywide, particularly near urban areas.
2 min |
June 21, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Linking Midlands Consumers With Wholesome Foods
Few consumers properly understand how food production works or have any emotional connection with farmers and farming. This is according to Lauren Murphy, who, through her Internet-based farm produce marketing company, is helping to narrow this gap while supplying tasty, nutritious food to her many loyal clients in KwaZulu-Natal. Lloyd Phillips reports.
5 min |
June 28, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Is The Agri Sector Focusing On The Wrong Kind Of Growth?
Dr Sifiso Ntombela, a trade economist at the National Agricultural Marketing Council, argues that, contrary to some of the suggestions in the National Development Plan, the grain and livestock industries have greater potential than the horticultural industry to create better-paying jobs and alleviate poverty.
4 min |
June 28, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Indigenous Crossbreeding Improves Cows' Longevity
Cow longevity is crucial to optimal productivity in beef cattle production, says Anette Theunissen, an animal scientist based at the Vaalharts Research Station. Annelie Coleman reports.
6 min |
June 28, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Will Load-Shedding Affect Veggie Prices?
Vegetable prices remained fairly stable at the start of winter, but the risk of load-shedding during the colder months, as electricity usage increases, could have serious consequences for producers and consumers.
2 min |
June 28, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Attention To Detail Ensures High-quality Produce
While launching a new farming venture as a first-time farmer may seem daunting, Hannes Wolvaardt is proof that it can be done. He shared his tips on successful sweet pepper production in Limpopo with Lindi Botha.
6 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Farming Valais Black Nose Sheep In New Zealand
On a small lifestyle farm near the rural town of Cambridge in New Zealand, Andrew and Leigh-Anne Peake are establishing the Valais Black Nose sheep as a new breed in the country. The couple have found the journey highly enjoyable, reports Gerhard Uys.
5 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Golden Cattle
According to Dr Wayne Durdle of Amersfoort in Mpumalanga, Gelbvieh cattle could play an important role in the national beef cattle herd due to the breed’s efficiency in difficult production conditions.
2 min |
July 5, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Africa: A Continent Brimming With Business Opportunities
Thinking of doing business in Africa? Dr Rutendo Hwindingwi, also known as the ‘African Realist’, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about where the potential profits and pitfalls can be found.
5 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Once-In-A-Lifetime Potato Planning
Potato production is a high-risk, high-reward industry. Farming seed potatoes is even more so. Sabrina Dean visited Gerhard Bruwer of Genade Boerdery in the Northern Cape to find out more about this component of the family farming operation.
6 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Scaling Up Aquaponics
Investing in efficient systems that optimise the use of space and yield, while reducing cost, is one way in which Gauteng-based Ichthys Aquaponics is growing its business. Siyanda Sishuba visited the operation and spoke to owners Justin and Nikki Hess to find out more.
5 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
'Feeding 10 Billion People Will Require GM Food'
Genetic modification will become an important tool in feeding the world’s growing population, which is expected to reach 10 billion people by 2050.
1 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Fendt's Beautiful Beast Wins Big
By winning a platinum award in the world’s biggest international design competition, the Fendt IDEAL combine harvester has proved that it’s both beautiful and brawny. Denene Erasmus reports.
2 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Basics Of The Suffolk Breed
This breed matures early, producing meat with a high ratio of lean meat to fat. This makes it an attractive proposition to the modern consumer.
1 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
How To Make A Living Running A Small-scale Broiler Operation
Raising chickens is relatively easy; selling them and actually making a living out of the enterprise is the real challenge. This is according to Anneke Loock, who in 2017 started a broiler poultry business on a smallholding in Bainsvlei, Bloemfontein.
6 min |
April 12, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Novice Tunnel Farmer Wins With Hydroponics
Byron Booysen started farming only five years ago and now produces tomatoes and other crops in an undercover system on 1,9ha just outside Kraaifontein near Cape Town. Jeandré van der Walt visited him to find out how he got started, the lessons he has learnt, and the challenges he faces.
5 min |