Farmer's Weekly
Milco SA's Acquisition Of Clover On Track
The Competition Commission (CompCom) has given conditional approval for the Milco SA consortium’s intended acquisition of all issued shares in Clover for R4,8 billion, also referred to as the Clover Scheme.
1 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
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
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
'Ensure Sensible Veld Management After Drought'
The heavy snow and rain that fell recently in parts of the Karoo will aid the recovery of grazing destroyed by the devastating drought, but much more rain was needed for the veld to return to its full potential. This was according to Johan van den Berg, specialised crop insurance manager at Santam Agriculture.
1 min |
August 9, 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
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
Veld Survey Raises Questions About Rotational Grazing
Dr Heidi-Jayne Hawkins, head of research at Conservation South Africa and an associate at the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about research findings indicating that rotational grazing management has little effect on veld characteristics across the farm fence lines of South Africa.
4 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
The Dawn Of Motoring
The earliest motor cars were built by hand and cost a small fortune, yet were liable to frequent breakdowns. The introduction of interchangeable parts made production easier, and reliability also improved.
2 min |
August 2, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Shrinking Consumer Income Severely Affecting Meat Producers
The decline in the disposable income of South African consumers is evident in the changing purchasing patterns of red meat in the retail sector, as well as the supply and demand volatility in the primary red meat production industry.
1 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
Landowners Help Conserve Birds Of Prey
Landowners Help Conserve Birds Of Prey
3 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
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
'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
Surviving The Fourth Industrial Revolution
The world is about to experience profound changes in the way in which industries function, and farming is no exception. Farmers need to become aware of new technologies that may affect the profitability and global competitiveness of agricultural production.
3 min |
July 26, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa's Blossoming Fresh Produce Industry
Fresh produce industries across the globe are bombarded with new developments and trends. Jeandré van der Walt spoke to Anouk Sijmonsma, Produce Marketing Association (PMA) regional vice-president for Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia/New Zealand, and Lindie Stroebel, general manager for PMA Southern Africa, about the trends and challenges affecting the local fresh produce industry, as well as some of South Africa’s markets and competitors.
4 min |
July 26, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Some Beetroot Basics: Part 2
This article explains how to cultivate and harvest beetroot that is ready for the market.
2 min |
July 26, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Meatmasters: Bred For Tough Conditions And Good Meat
Jean Du Plessis Refers to Himself as a ‘bush Breeder’, Someone Who Selects With the Eye and Farms in Harmony With His Natural Environment. Sabrina Dean Visited Him in the Arid Northern Cape to Find Out More About His Extensive Meatmaster Sheep Farming Operation.
6 min |
July 26, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Industry And Government Help Emerging Tobacco Farmers
The tobacco farming industry is faced with challenges such as the regulation of the use of tobacco by the Department of Health, as well the ongoing threat of an illicit market. Despite this, Limpopo tobacco farmer Erasmus Sefoloshe says there is opportunity for growth as the sector offers sustainable solutions and support. Siyanda Sishuba reports.
5 min |
July 26, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
How To Treat Epiphysitis
This joint disease is common in rapidly growing, large-breed foals, and is linked to diet, says Dr Mac. Treatment includes exercise restriction and stable rest.
2 min |
July 26, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Growing Chillies: Part 2
There’s a wonderful and stimulating interest in chillies worldwide. Home growers are now tempted to try variations that differ from the commercial norm.
2 min |
July 26, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Going The Extra Mile For A New Generation Of Farmers
Springfield Farm has invested in learnerships for its workers, has an open-door policy for agriculture students, and offers mentorships to emerging farmers. Lindi Botha reports.
6 min |
July 26, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Conditions Imposed On Approval Of Simplified Mondi Corporate Structure
While the Competition Tribunal of South Africa has given its approval for the Mondi Group to proceed with the simplification of its corporate structure, it is conditional on a number of commitments to be undertaken by the group.
2 min |
July 26, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
A Word Of Warning For Start-up Producers
Recently I heard of a proposed project that planned to produce 90t of tilapia annually from a green house based system in the southern coastal region of South Africa.
2 min |
July 26, 2019
Food & Home Entertaining
Some Serious Cat-titude You Should Know
At F&HE, our furry friends’ needs and nice-to-haves matter to us as much as those of our readers.
2 min |
August 2019
Farmer's Weekly
First-Hand Experience Of An African Retail Giant
South Africa’s Shoprite Group has had to jump over numerous hurdles to expand its network of stores across Africa. Today, as the largest retailer on the continent, the group sources produce from 450 South African farmers and 700 farmers from elsewhere in Africa. Dr Johan van Deventer, general manager of Freshmark, the group’s fresh produce division, believes that trustworthy relationships have been at the heart of this success. He spoke to Lindi Botha.
5 min |
July 19, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Wheat Producers, Treat Fungicides With Caution!
South African wheat producers should guard against over-application of fungicide, according to Dr Tarekegn Terefe, senior researcher at ARC-Small Grain, Bethlehem. The unnecessary use of fungicides can harm the environment and result in the emergence of fungicide-resistant strains. Farmers should also rotate between fungicides from different chemical groups, he writes.
4 min |
July 19, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Water Quality And Quantity Reach Crisis Levels
The billions of litres of raw sewage flowing into the country’s rivers daily has reached crisis levels, and pose a threat to the country’s agricultural exports, according to a water specialist.
1 min |
July 19, 2019
Farmer's Weekly
Plastic Packaging Should Focus On Recycling
There is ‘no silver bullet’ to address South Africa’s plastic conundrum, according to Lorren de Kock, project manager for the circular plastics economy at the Worldwide Fund for Nature – South Africa. However, the fruit industry can start addressing the issue by moving away from packaging that is aesthetically pleasing to recyclable and reusable packaging methods.
4 min |