Business
Farmer's Weekly
Percivale South Devons: a stud built on a solid legacy
The Roets family of the Eastern Cape's Barkly East district has been associated with South Devon cattle for approximately 90 years. Yet it was only in 2017 that PD Roets registered a stud. Mike Burgess visited him to find out more about his commitment to the selective breeding of South Devons in this cold, mountainous area.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
An artisanal dairy that makes both lifestyle and financial sense
Running a boutique dairy comes with certain benefits: a smaller herd to manage, and the opportunity to hone your craft and make high-quality products. However, with a business this size, staying viable requires hard work and careful bookkeeping. Grant Warren spoke to Lindi Botha about how he runs his artisanal dairy.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Finding cherry leaf spot resistant varieties
A study was recently conducted in China to identify the resistance levels of cherry cultivars in that country, and offers useful information for farmers in all cherry-growing regions.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Nigeria's most important crops
Cashew nuts, sesame seeds and cocoa beans represent more than 50% of Nigeria's agricultural exports. However, there are many challenges to these industries that hamper future expansion. Janine Ryan explores the agriculture sector in this West Africa country.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The Beefmaster: adaptable and hardy
Cows of this tough, dual-purpose breed from Texas are renowned for their strong maternal traits, their fertility and their easy calving. What's more, the Beefmaster's famours 'Six Essentials' guide simplifies breeding.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Are we heading for another Great Depression?
The COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and a corrupt government have combined to put South Africa's economy under the lash. Peter Hughes considers whether we'll see a rerun of the 1930s and 1940s.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The importance of sorghum for South Africa
Sorghum is indigenous to Africa's savannahs and there is archaeological evidence in the Sahara of its use 8 000 years ago. Dr Laura Pereira, associate professor at the Global Change Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand, argues that sorghum should be reinvigorated as a crop and a key foodstuff.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 12 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Western Cape farmers cautioned to be on high alert for livestock diseases
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has issued warnings about foot-and-mouth disease, as well as vaccination and movement requirements for African horse sickness in control areas.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
‘Zero Hunger’ by 2030: a goal becomes a mirage
The number of people affected by hunger and undernourishment around the world is expected to remain high even up to 2030, largely due to the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Innovations in soya bean crop production
New varieties and technology are ensuring that local soya bean producers are now better equipped to compete with farmers in other production areas around the world
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Ostriches prove their worth in harsh drought
While earnings from ostrich production have declined following the fresh meat export ban caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, the birds remain a valuable income contributor. Glenneis Kriel spoke to farmer Jolian du Preez, who survived the tough times and is now expanding his operation.
7 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
An enchanting hideaway in the folds of a mountain and river
With its serenity and beautiful scenery, Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway in the Western Cape offers a soul-restoring breakaway. You can relax and unwind, or explore the mountains on foot or by bike
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How to grow okra in South Africa
Originating in Africa, okra is a popular vegetable cultivated in tropical, subtropical and warm, temperate regions.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Small-scale farmers and post-harvest losses
With the relentless growth in population, countries can no longer afford to waste food. Manoshi Mothapo, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council’s Natural Resources and Engineering division, examines how post-harvest losses affect smallholder farmers, and how they can be reduced with correct handling and storage.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Ostriches prove their worth in harsh drought
While earnings from ostrich production have declined following the fresh meat export ban caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, the birds remain a valuable income contributor. Glenneis Kriel spoke to farmer Jolian du Preez, who survived the tough times and is now expanding his operation.
7 min |
Farmer's Weekly 5 August 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Going organic - with care
Wine producers that switch to organic production risk suffering a severe financial knock. Glenneis Kriel reports on how Western Cape-based producer Bosman Adama has managed this risk successfully.
10 min |
Farmer's Weekly 8 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
A step towards better aeroponics
A robot designed to operate in CleanGreens Solutions SA's mobile aeroponics systems lowers phytosanitary risks.
3 min |
July 01, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
John Deere launches combine with ‘mammoth’ capacity
John Deere has just launched its X9 Series Combine, which it says is currently the largest grain-handling harvester in Africa.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 22 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Regenerative medicine for horses
Stem cells, platelets and serum can be reinjected into an injured joint or ligament to improve healing in horses, says Dr Mac.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 22 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Preventing tomato spotted wilt
Once this disease arrives on a tomato land, it is very difficult to get rid of. The problem is made worse if weeds are nearby, as many weed species are susceptible to attack by the virus, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 22 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Growing kikuyu
This grass type is resilient, rewarding and ideal for many applications. It is also widely adaptable, performing well in most parts of Southern Africa.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 22 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
At the cutting edge of avocado cultivar and rootstock research
Allesbeste Boerdery in Limpopo is well known for its research and development in the avocado industry. Zander Ernst, director of marketing and production, spoke to Magda du Toit about its breeding programme.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 22 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Drakensbergers: shiny black mothers of Africa
Drakensberger cattle pulled the Voortrekkers’ wagons on their epic journeys to South Africa’s inland regions in the 19th century. Susan Marais visited Petrus Taljaard of Talman Drakensbergers in Mpumalanga to find out more about his love for this breed, and how he deals with cattle diseases and the area’s harsh winters.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 22 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Important diseases in sheep in South Africa
In this first part of a series, we look at the some viral, bacterial and fungal diseases that can cause significant economic losses for sheep and wool farmers in South Africa.
8 min |
Farmer's Weekly 22 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Aquaponics comes to the classroom in Gauteng
Lesedi la Kreste Anglican Primary School in Gauteng has incorporated aquaponics into its curriculum and feeding scheme for over a decade. Susan Marais visited the school to find out more about the project.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 22 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
SA hemp research given the green light
Natie Ferreira, director of a new cannabis research centre at the Agricultural Research Council’s Bien Donné site near Paarl, was recently issued with a permit to cultivate 8ha of hemp for the purposes of study and development. He and researcher Moses Mlangeni spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee about the planned research at the centre, and how it will help to boost the commercial cultivation of hemp in South Africa.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 22 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How agri intensification can save our forests
By boosting productivity on existing land dedicated to agriculture, the world could see an end to global deforestation, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 22 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Biltong that tastes of the real Karoo
Toverveld Biltong was started by Madie van Zyl some 14 years ago as a way of earning additional income. Annelie Coleman visited her on her family farm, De Dam, near Colesberg to learn more about her enterprise, and discovered why demand for Toverveld's biltong and other meat products has grown ... and grown.
6 min |
July 01, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
A luxurious stay in Johannesburg
You don't have to venture to faraway rural places to experience a luxurious breakaway, says Brian Berkman.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 15 July 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Firms from rich countries are taking factories home: what this means for Africa
Adegboyega Oyedijo, a lecturer in operations and supply chain management at the University of Leicester in the UK, says that globalisation has benefitted Africa. But with value chains shifting, Africa's benefits from this may be compromised.
3 min |