Business
Farmer's Weekly
How to boost food security in your community
Food prices in South Africa have soared in recent months, making it harder than ever to buy nutritious food for a family. Now is the time for communities to grow as much food as they can for themselves
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023
Farmer's Weekly
How to manage a company and how not to
The governance and management crisis in our state-owned enterprises will eventually lead to their collapse, says Peter Hughes. But people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. How is your organisation doing?
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Oilseed output set to grow 7% due to boost in soya bean production in South America
The US Department of Agriculture recently released its latest Global Oilseed Report, which predicts an increase in the production of soya bean, sunflower seed and canola
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Demand for dairy set to decline as consumers remain under pressure
A recent report by the South African Milk Producers' Organisation paints a bleak picture for future demand for dairy and dairy products in South Africa over the short term
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Moving to net zero: easier said than done
According to delegates at the International Juice Conference held in the Western Cape, there is growing concern over the sustainability of food production
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023
Farmer's Weekly
European Commission under fire for 'restricting' Ukrainian grain
According to Politico, agriculture ministers from 12 EU countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Luxembourg, Estonia, Denmark and Slovenia, have raised concern over a recent compromise reached by Brussels and five Eastern members of the bloc to restrict imports of Ukrainian agricultural products
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Ghana cocoa farmers 16% worse off than before COVID-19 pandemic
A new report by Oxfam shows that cocoa farmers in Ghana are 16% worse off than at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, according to Confectionery Production
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023
Farmer's Weekly
SA citrus industry needs a collaborative approach for long-term sustainability
Paul Makube, economist at FNB, looks at the challenges facing the citrus industry in the near future
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023
Farmer's Weekly
'State should step in as Brazil bird flu outbreak jeopardises chicken imports'
Government urgently needs to implement proactive measures to avoid a looming crisis in the chicken industry, following the announcement from Brazil, South Africa’s top source of imported chicken, that it has detected two cases of avian influenza in wild birds
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Lucerne plus veld for quality sheep
Lucerne pastures boost fertility and production, said this leading commercial Merino farmer, who also took great care of his veld camps
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa walks a tightrope of international alliances
Thapelo Tselapedi, a lecturer in politics at Rhodes University, writes about the Catch-22 situation that South Africa finds itself in as it juggles its allegiances to Russia, China and the West
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 2 June 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Pilot, strategist and leader par excellence
Lieutenant-General Robert Rogers, DSO, DFC Bar, Royal Air Force; SSA, SM, MMM, South African Air Force, is the most highly decorated military man in South Africa. Graham Jooste tells his remarkable story.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Sport, politics, business and death
This week's selection by Patricia McCracken includes the story of Dan Qege and other rugby players during apartheid, advice from top business leaders, skulduggery in athletics, and catering for funerals
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Cheesy pap and sweetcorn squares with avocado guacamole
This blend of traditional local flavour and Mexican zing is hearty enough for a cold winter's evening, yet fresh and crisp enough for an elegant lunch.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Kia Sportage gets three diesel options
Kia has cleverly added diesel options to its popular Sportage range, two of which have no direct price range rivals. Braam Peens of CAR magazine samples the new CRDi model in the Mother City.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
How does a horse regulate its body temperature ?
Dr Mac explains how a horse uses thermoregulation to deal with changes in air temperature and to cope with vigorous exercise.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Get your nitrogen right from planting to harvest
Nitrogen has become an expensive input, so make every gram count: use band placement and avoid over-irrigating, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
TOMATOES: Controlling weeds in tomatoes
Research shows that the critical period for controlling weeds is 12 to 48 days after transplanting. Competition with weeds during this time can ultimately result in an 80% decrease in yield.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
How to recognise stress and manage it
Stress can have a serious effect on your health, which is why it’s so important to address the problem sooner rather than later. Fortunately, there are well-established strategies for this, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Avo farm's long journey to profitability
Land restitution farms in South Africa have a patchy success rate, with many going to ruins after the change in ownership. Failure is usually attributed to the sudden change in management from those with a farming background to those without, as well as a critical lack of operating capital. Lindi Botha spoke to Tom Mdluli of the Matsafeni Trust about surviving despite the challenges, and their plans to expand the operation.
7 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
How technology is making monitoring animal health easier
A large part of farming is keeping track of the condition and health of animals. Janine Ryan reports on the current apps available to make this process easier and more efficient for farmers.
7 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
How to keep your chickens happy and healthy
Chickens are sensitive to temperature and may be prone to illness. For this reason, adequate housing and healthcare are essential for profitable production. Janine Ryan reports on some things to consider when keeping chickens to ensure their welfare, better growth rates, and humane handling techniques.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Vigilance: the best way to prevent farm attacks
Laurence Palmer, an independent security consultant, outlines practical steps that South African farmers and farmworkers can take to avoid becoming victims of farm attacks, and to protect themselves if attacked
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
China's population is falling: opportunities and risks for Africa
Lauren Johnston, senior researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs and Associate Professor at the China Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, writes about the risks and opportunities presented to South Africans as China's population drops.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Pannar's strategy to help farmers improve yield - come what may
Grant Pringle, lead agronomist at Pannar Seed, spoke to Ellis Mnyendu about the company's efforts to develop high-yielding products adapted to a fast-changing environment.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Strategies to ensure sustainable cannabis production
Cannabis growers, regardless of where they are, should practise environmentally responsible cultivation methods. This is not only the right thing to do; it’s ultimately more profitable, says Thomas Walker.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
High costs and weak demand still weighing on dairy producers
Dairy farmers are struggling with increasing input costs, leading to a sharp decrease in milk production. Yet the chances of further producer price increases are slim, as demand remains weak, says Dr Koos Coetzee.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Struggling consumers keep meat prices under pressure
While Easter festivities helped to increase the prices of mutton and beef in April, consumer spending remains constrained, directly affecting demand for meat. Absa AgriBusiness analyses trends and provides forecasts.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Soil science society celebrates its 70th anniversary
The Soil Science Society of South Africa (SSSSA) celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. The SSSSA was established in 1953, and soil science was already a recognised discipline in South Africa at the time. In fact, the first recorded soil survey was conducted in 1899, according to Corrie Swanepoel, a soil scientist at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 26 May 2023
Farmer's Weekly
'Namibia drought could develop into a humanitarian crisis'
The severe drought in Namibia could result in the same humanitarian crisis as during the 12-year drought which ravaged that country until 2019.
1 min |