Business
Farmer's Weekly
Pig Farming From Scratch: A Growing Success Story
At the time she was awarded a piggery by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Betty Nyambi knew little or nothing about pig farming. But she refused to let that stop her, and through hard work and training she has become a competent pig farmer. Today, she is aiming at her next goal: gaining quality assurance certification. Siyanda Sishuba reports.
4 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Soya Bean Hulls In Feed Boost Milk Profits
Partially substituting maize with soya bean hulls may lower dairy cattle feeding costs while increasing income generated from milk solids. Anesmé van der Vyver, a master’s student at Stellenbosch University, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about her research findings.
2 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Managing High Nitrate Levels In Paddocks
High nitrate levels acidify the soil, leading to an abundance of weeds. Dr Mac explains how to manage this, and prevent it from occurring.
2 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
‘Farming For Profits Without Social Responsibility Is Foolish'
Being named the 2018 Agri SA/Toyota Young Farmer of the Year is wonderful recognition, says North West potato producer JP van den Berg, However, simply being able to farm and contribute to food security is a daily highlight. He adds that his hardworking staff are pivotal to his farming success, and he devotes much energy to caring for their welfare. Annelie Coleman reports.
5 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
To Get The Most, Waste Nothing
Herby oversees the conservation aspect of the operation and cultivates tomatoes as a paying hobby, while his sons run the farm.
4 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Financial Planning: Crucial To Sustainable Production
To weather the impact of market fluctuations and extreme climatic conditions, producers have to think strategically about farming. Pieter de Jager spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his strategy.
6 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Strict Selection The Key To Boer Goat Meat Production
Award-winning stud breeder Gerald Calitz runs a 200-strong Boer goat stud on his 70ha farm near Ventersdorp in North West. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about his breeding techniques.
5 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Charity Begins At Home
Growing up on a farm gave Lion du Plessis insight into the problems faced by farmworkers. But after studying human rights he gained an even deeper understanding of these issues, which spurred him on to create a charity that uplifts rural communities. Lindi Botha reports.
6 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Tapping Country Talents
28 Years ago Recruiting latent local talent to serve campers was a profitable sideline project, according to Major James Sclanders, who retired from the South African Air Force in 1974.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21-28 December 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Tips For Taking Cover Crops To The Next Level
Improving and maintaining soil health is not an overnight fix, but a lifelong endeavour that requires patience and experimentation. In this second part of a three-part series on cover crops and soil health, US farmer and cover crops coach Steve Groff shares a number of valuable tips on using cover crops as a tool for achieving sustainable soil health. Lloyd Phillips reports.
6 min |
November 30, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Food Security: Africa Should Be The Answer
With the relentless increase in world population, particularly in Africa, food production has become the subject of much attention. This provides a golden opportunity for science and skills transfer to position Africa as the solution to the food security conundrum, says Dr Peter Oberem, founder and CEO of Afrivet.
3 min |
November 30, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Medicinal Cannabis: This Is No Weed!
Since the legalisation of cannabis for private use in South Africa, various industries have been gearing up to produce medicinal cannabis on a large scale. However, misinformation abounds about the level of intricacy in growing the plant and extracting the oil. Lindi Botha spoke to a medicinal cannabis farmer to learn more.
5 min |
June 28, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Baba Ghanoush: A Middle Eastern Delight
Whatever you choose to call it – brinjal, aubergine or eggplant – there is nothing as magical as converting three of these wondrous things into a sesame influenced, za’atar-enhanced, smoky spread.
2 min |
March 29, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
ABS: Racing Driver Braking For Us All
ABS brakes save lives every day. Jake Venter explores how these technological marvels work, and why they sometimes don’t.
3 min |
March 29, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Irish Agrifood Sector To Bear The Brunt Of Proposed Brexit Import Taxes
Proposed tariffs on Irish imports to the UK was one of the main topics of discussion at the Navigating Global Trade Conference hosted by the Irish Farmers Journal in Dublin, Ireland, in the second week of March.
2 min |
March 29, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Designing An Irrigation System According To Soil Type
Dr Willem de Clercq, a researcher at the Water Institute at Stellenbosch University, says that all farmers, and especially those who practise conservation agriculture, need to approach irrigation in a holistic manner that will ensure sustainable production.
5 min |
March 29, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Be Ready For The Political Noise Before The Election
Expropriation of land without compensation in South Africa will remain one of the few political weapons in the arsenal of some factions within the ANC in the build-up to the national election on 8 May.
1 min |
March 29, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
New System Shows Benefits Of Deep Root Irrigation
A locally developed irrigation system designed to transport water directly to plants’ roots and thus eliminate evaporation has achieved outstanding success in trials.
4 min |
March 29, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Tractor Training For Tomorrow's Farmers
An agreement between John Deere and Peritum Agri, an SA training organisation, will enable the manufacturer to contribute to farmer development and gain exposure to future buyers.
1 min |
March 29, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Solar Energy Takes Centre Stage In South Africa
High electricity prices and unreliable supply have resulted in a fresh surge of interest in renewable energy solutions on farms.
3 min |
March 29, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Mass Tilapia Farming: Real Potential In The Right Areas
Tilapia farms in Zambia with slightly cooler than ideal minimum temperatures have produced good harvests. These results are easily replicable in parts of South Africa.
2 min |
March 22, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Hall Of Fame
The Steiger family’s induction into the Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers’ Hall of Fame coincides with half a century of tractor manufacturing in Fargo. Joe Spencer reports.
2 min |
March 22, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Sky's No Limit: Using Drones For Precision Farming
To stay profitable in an increasingly tough environment, farmers must use their land and other resources to their maximum potential. The amazingly detailed imagery captured by unmanned aerial vehicles can help achieve this. Lloyd Phillips visited Agri-Sense International to find out more.
5 min |
May 31, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Dropping Fences Helps Game Reserve And Community Thrive
Warne and Wendy Rippon, owners of Buffalo Kloof Wildlife Safaris in the Eastern Cape, were concerned about the poverty in neighbouring Yendella community. So much so, that they launched an initiative where they and the community work together to benefit from the reserve.
5 min |
June 7, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Engineering Vs Physics Vs Maths
Engineering demands accurate mathematics. But in this imperfect world, engineers have to use approximations and common sense.
2 min |
June 7, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
El Alamein's Zulu War Hero
Disregarding landmines, intensive enemy fire and a shrapnel wound, Lance Corporal Lucas Majozi continued evacuating the wounded soldiers from the battleground.
3 min |
June 7, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Forestry SA Reports Advances In Transformation And Training
While South Africa’s forestry sector should be proud of the fact that it is a national leader in implementing broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) and other transformation initiatives, much more could still be achieved in this regard.
1 min |
June 7, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
SA Economy Expected To Gain Momentum Following The Election
While economic growth could still be slow in the immediate future, the winds of change are blowing more strongly, according to the chief economist at Old Mutual, Johann Els.
1 min |
June 7, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Reviving The South African Beef Shorthorn
Allistair and Laurence Brown, owners of the Duncraggan and Primeston Beef Shorthorn studs, produced the 2018 Agricultural Research Council National Special Performance Beef Shorthorn bull. Mike Burgess visited the brothers’ farm near Alexandria in the Eastern Cape.
5 min |
June 7, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
New CEO For Agri Western Cape
Jannie Strydom took over the reins as CEO of Agri Western Cape in March, after the retirement of Carl Opperman, who served in this position for 20 years. Strydom spoke to Glenneis Kriel.
5 min |