Animals-and-Pets
Farmer's Weekly
It’s never too late to learn something new
You’re never too experienced to learn. Roelof Bezuidenhout explains why farmers’ days and other get-togethers are such a valuable resource.
4 min |
June 24, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
A soil biocontrol agent, biofertiliser and plant growth promoter in one
Dr WJ Botha of the Biosystematics Division attached to the Agricultural Research Council’s Plant Health and Protection Research Institute explains why Streptomyces bacteria are an ideal alternative to chemical fertilisers and growth promoters.
5 min |
June 24, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Using micro-organisms to improve profitability
Increasing production, reducing mortality rates, and managing diseases and pests are the three pillars of success in chicken production. Studies show that a way of achieving this winning combination may lie in the use of effective micro-organisms, a unique mix of bacteria, fungi and yeast.
4 min |
June 24, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The cattle most at risk from lion attacks
In a recent study, researchers at the University of Pretoria attempt to explain why some types of cattle may be more likely to serve as prey for lions.
4 min |
June 24, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The spirit of enterprise will give rise to growth
The buck stops with government, whose policymakers should stop scapegoating and allow South Africa’s economy to flourish in a free market, writes Temba Nolutshungu of the Free Market Foundation.
4 min |
June 24, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The rise and rise of Egypt's orange production
Egypt has become a global powerhouse in terms of orange production and exports, and its government is aiming to improve production even further.
4 min |
June 10, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
VEGETABLES Pumpkin and winter squash
Pumpkins and winter squashes should not be harvested until they are fully ripe and the skins are hard. This is about four months after planting.
5 min |
June 10, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The financial implications of a family agribusiness transition
Handing a family agribusiness over to the next generation involves financial as well as personal decisions. And personal decisions with financial implications are the most difficult of all! Trevor Dickinson reports.
4 min |
June 10, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Reduce your carbon footprint with the correct lubricants
Fuchs's new automotive product packaging is easy on the environment, says Andrew Cowling, sales director at Fuchs Lubricants South Africa.
2 min |
June 10, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Is SA's rural economy on the road to ruin?
Dilapidated country roads are a direct threat to South Africa's agricultural and rural economies, yet farmers and communities have largely encountered a wall of indifference from government. In an attempt to be heard, Agri SA and its affiliates conducted a countrywide survey amongst 311 primary production units, many of which expressed frustration over the authorities' lack of action. Susan Marais reports.
6 min |
June 10, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Guidelines for recording accurate and reliable BLUP breeding values
Frans Jordaan and Dr Ben Greyling of the Agricultural Research Council provide recommendations to help breeders apply good management and recording practices that can optimise their herds' genetic evaluations.
9 min |
June 10, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Fertilising tomatoes
Tomatoes are an expensive crop to grow, so it makes sense to fertilise them according to a soil analysis. The cost of the analysis is negligible compared with the benefits, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
June 10, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Breeding for conformation
Conformation is essential when breeding horses for a specific purpose, says Dr Mac. As conformation is achieved mostly through genetic means, breeders need to choose dams and sires with care.
2 min |
June 10, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Braford: a superior yet affordable breed
Braford cattle are fairly new to South Africa, yet already outperform some other breeds in terms of beef quality, feed conversion, maternal qualities and adaptability. Jan Meaker, president of the Braford Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this breed's growing popularity.
6 min |
June 10, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Beneficial bacteria bring 98% packout for Brassica farm
They are notoriously tricky crops to grow in summer, but broccoli and cauliflower flourish on Southern Block farm in KwaZulu-Natal. By focusing on optimal soil and vigorous plants, this farm uses minimal chemical inputs. Lindi Botha spoke to the team about their winning recipe.
8 min |
June 10, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
'Respect people' - A top farmer's winning formula
The Agricultural Writers SA Farmer of the Year for 2021, Jan le Roux, has earned himself a reputation among his staff as a perfectionist and a stickler for detail. At the same time, he believes in giving as much responsibility as possible to his 6 000 workers in order to promote empowerment. Lindi Botha visited the Le Roux Group's operation in the Western Cape to learn more about Le Roux's methods for developing an efficient workforce.
8 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
An innovative new harvesting tool
Enter the PickLogger, a new harvesting tool developed by Agri Technovation, that allows for more accurate yield management.
3 min |
May 27 2022
Farmer's Weekly
US cuts red tape to increase food production and fill Ukraine gap
The US government has announced a variety of measures to encourage farmers to introduce double-cropping on their farms.
1 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
The unique pollination strategies of plants ensure their survival
South Africa is filled with an array of remarkable plant species. Landscape designer Leon Kluge spoke to Magda du Toit about this mysterious world of flora and the tricks they have developed to attract pollinators in order to survive.
9 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Understanding a tomato seedling's instincts
Plants are programmed to fight for survival in the competition for nutrients and light. To get the best fruit out of a tomato plant, for example, you have to fool it
2 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Thriftiness pays in cattle ranching
This article revealed some of the production secrets of one of South Africa's original Beefmaster herds.
3 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Russia-Ukraine war continues to wreak havoc on global markets
AGRIBUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
3 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Smith Power's new four-meter disc mower
In early 2022, Smith Power Equipment introduced the Kubota DMC8540R, the widest disc mower with conditioner in its portfolio.
2 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Seizing the opportunity in SA's seed market
Despite South Africa's economy and infrastructure being under severe stress, global agtech company Syngenta is investing in the country's seed market. Gaël Hili, Syngenta's regional director for Europe, Africa and Middle East Seeds, spoke to Susan Marais about the potential that South African agriculture holds.
4 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
SA citrus exported through Maputo port again
The Port of Maputo has the capacity to load 300 containers a week.
1 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Micro-cloning powers SA avocado production
Allesbeste Nursery, established in the 1980s, has been expanded many times. Yet the end is still not in sight, according to Zander Ernst, the company's director of marketing and production. Magda du Toit asked him about the history of Allesbeste and its pioneering efforts to improve South Africa's avocado production.
7 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
FMD is not going away
Foot-and-mouth disease is costing the South African livestock industry billions of rands. Unfortunately, the disease will endure, and a national traceability system is the only solution to the problem.
8 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Danie Theron: fearless fighter, bold leader
An impressive 25m-high monument near Fochville in Gauteng commemorates the bravery and death of one of the most respected Boer fighters of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), writes Mike Burgess.
3 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Legal and regulatory policies impeding agri financing in Africa
AGRI-FINANCE
3 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How new farmers can get the funds they need
Stellenbosch University academics Nick Vink and Johann Kirsten emphasise the importance of subsidies for developing farmers, and suggest a workable subsidy programme to allow for this.
5 min |