Animals-and-Pets
Farmer's Weekly
From Our Archives
Plucking poultry with wax: quick and affordable
3 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
New Zealand's New Fatter, Healthier, Tastier Te Mana Sheep
A decade of intense research and development in New Zealand, involving geneticists, food technologists and more than 50 farmers, has led to a new breed of lamb that is claimed to offer improved health benefits, while retaining excellent flavour. Alan Harman reports.
3 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Berries: Earning Profits And Changing Lives
Dr Birgit Andrag, a former dentist, runs a berry processing enterprise with her husband, Paul, on their family farm, By den Weg, near Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. What started out as a hobby has expanded into a steadily growing packing and processing business, which has empowered their farmworkers. Jeandré du Preez reports.
4 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Measurement And Management: A Winning Combination
Conscientious management, and the effective use of technology, enabled the Western Cape’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2017, Johann Nel, to increase his dairy herd by 30%, and more than triple his sheep flock. He was also able to add Boer goats to his operation. All this was achieved within five-and-a-half years, and without buying or renting additional land. By Jeandré du Preez.
4 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Spacing And Pruning Tomatoes
The spacing of your tomato plants will depend on the type of tomato being grown, and relevant proposed practices. Row spacing is not dependent on water or fertility, which can be managed, but on shading and practical management aspects.
2 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Chinese Motor Industry: A Growing Giant
There is no doubt that the general quality of Chinese vehicles has risen over the last decade. Six Chinese brands are in South Africa already, says Jake Venter.
2 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Looking After Your New Puppy
In order to become healthy dogs, young puppies require care and guidance, says Shane Brody.
3 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Starting With Dressage
Patience, gentleness and positive reinforcement are crucial for getting horse and rider to work together smoothly, says Kim Dyson. Here she offers simple, effective exercises to achieve this.
2 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Pork Adobo - Rich And Satisfying
Adobo is a Philippine cooking style, just one of the components of a singular cuisine. A friend who cooks like a pro returned recently from a conference in the Philippines, and this is his reconstructed recipe of an Adobo dish. It’s amazing what you can learn at overseas conferences, isn’t it?
1 min |
14 July 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Food Label Claims: True, Misleading, Or Outright Lies?
Consumers face a barrage of confusing, sometimes dubious, claims on food labels. This could end up harming consumer trust in the food value chain, and substantially damaging the industry and the environment.
4 min |
31 March 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Planting hope one tree at a time
The journey of Themba Trees Tree Farm near Grabouw started in her backyard, says Caroline de Villiers, the Western Cape department of agriculture’s Top Commercial Female Entrepreneur for 2016. Today, the 12ha wholesale tree farm boasts more than 50 000 indigenous and ornamental trees. Jeandré du Preez reports.
4 min |
26 August 2016
Farmer's Weekly
Continual Improvement: The Key To Successful Beef Production
KwaZulu-Natal beef farmer Rustin Shawe was recently crowned the province’s 2018 Young Farmer of the Year. He told Lloyd Phillips that planning strategically and then putting those plans into action had helped him take his already thriving farming business to even greater heights.
6 min |
November 16, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Positioning SA For The Future Of Beef Production
In this second of a two-part series, well-known cattle breeder and judge Llewellyn Angus provides more feedback on this year’s Beef Improvement Federation Research Symposium and Convention, held in Loveland, Colorado, in the US, as well as the post-congress tour.
5 min |
November 16, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Impact Of Migration On Farming And Rural Areas
A new report on migration and its impact on rural development and food security by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization suggests that policies on migration, agriculture and rural development should be coherent to ensure the safe and orderly passage of people and reduce the potential negative impact of migration on agriculture and food security.
4 min |
November 16, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Potato Menace
38 YEARS AGO If poorly packaged or exposed to excess sun, the humble potato can become highly toxic, causing chronic enteritis or even death.
4 min |
November 16, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
New Thinking In Beef Cattle Breeding
Winners of the Agricultural Research Council’s Beef Performers Awards, Llewellyn Angus (2017 National Beef Cattle Improvement Herd) and Sanele Mbhele (2017 Emerging Beef Farmer), attended this year’s Beef Improvement Federation Symposium in the US. In part one of a two-part series, Llewellyn Angus shares his notes.
4 min |
November 09, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Harnessing Science To Open More International Markets For SA Citrus
The economic viability of Southern Africa’s citrus industry relies mostly on exports. Dr Vaughan Hattingh, CEO of Citrus Research International, says scientific research and development are essential to ensure that international markets remain open to Southern African citrus, conditions of access are optimised, and new markets become available. Lloyd Philips reports.
6 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Staying Ahead In The Wine Game
Agri Western Cape’s Young Farmer of the year, Johann de Wet of De Wetshof Wine Estate, tells Glenneis Kriel how he and his brother, Peter, are keeping their family’s wine-making legacy alive.
6 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Right Advice Saves The Day
Shadrack Mbele has been getting good returns from sugar bean since first planting it in 2014. Sabrina Dean visited him in the eastern Free State to find out more about his production techniques, and how he brought this season’s crop back from the brink of disaster.
5 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Quarantining A New Horse To Prevent The Spread Of Disease
A new horse on the farm can introduce both disease and parasites, warns Dr Mac.
2 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Beware Of That Foliar Feed Mixture!
Company representatives often bombard farmers with products claimed to increase yield at little cost. One of their favourites is foliar feed spray mixtures, which, they say, supply virtually every mineral that a crop needs to flourish.
2 min |
July 27, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Putting Surplus Production On Farms To Good Use
Non-profit organisation FoodForward SA is making it easier for South African farmers to donate surplus produce to less fortunate communities, thanks to its recently launched Second Harvest programme.
2 min |
13 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Savanna Goats: Tougher Than Tough
World champion Savanna goat breeder Koenie Kotzé believes in strict selection, the best possible genetics, and top conformation and type. Annelie Coleman visited him on his farm Niekerkshoop in the Northern Cape to learn more about his exceptional stud.
5 min |
13 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Be Flexible, And Profit!
The marketplace for fresh fruit and vegetables is becoming increasingly globalised and interconnected. This affects the way that fresh produce is transported from its origin to its destination. The Fruit Logistica Trend Report 2018 looks at ways in which the supply chain must evolve to meet these challenges.
6 min |
13 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Saving Our Land: The Importance Of Wetlands
A wetland, whether smaller than a hectare or covering a vast area, is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. We urgently need to conserve them.
2 min |
13 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Better Spraying: Water Quality And Nozzle Care
Proper application of chemicals ensures crop safety, optimal efficiency and cost savings. Calibration and maintenance of spray equipment are therefore essential.
2 min |
13 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Water Rights: What To Do When Expanding An Operation
Adding to a farming operation or agribusiness is not simply a matter of obtaining more land. James Brand, senior associate in environmental affairs at law firm ENSafrica, discusses the legalities involved in securing water rights on additional land, and environmental authorisation for clearing indigenous vegetation.
3 min |
20 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Getting More Value From Our Basic Wood Fibre Resource
According to Sappi CEO Steve Binnie, the group’s latest financial results show that it is ready to capitalise on market moves away from plastic to natural fibre and paper-based packaging. Sappi Biotech executive vice-president Louis Kruyshaar outlines the company’s plans to Lloyd Phillips.
5 min |
20 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Farm On The Stock Market, And Increase Your Profits
While food and agricultural stocks are often overlooked as investments, many companies offering these products represent excellent value for money. Glenneis Kriel asked a number of investment officers about the opportunities available, and what advice they had for would-be investors.
5 min |
20 July 2018
Farmer's Weekly
A Bullish Outlook For Wagyu In SA
During its recent roadshow events in Gauteng, the Free State and the Western Cape, the Wagyu Society of South Africa introduced new and prospective breeders to the opportunities that exist to grow the high-value beef segment in South Africa. The society also launched its certification programme for locally produced Wagyu beef. Denene Erasmus reports.
5 min |