Ga onbeperkt met Magzter GOLD
Krijg onbeperkte toegang tot meer dan 9000 tijdschriften, kranten en Premium-verhalen voor slechts
Poging GOUD - Vrij
Adjusting planting windows for crop resilience in a changing climate
Stockfarm
|August 2025
The first webinar in CropLife SA's acclaimed training series for 2025 examined the impact of shifting climate conditions on planting dates, highlighting the risks associated with late planting and contributing factors.
Dr Nicky Creux from the University of Pretoria's Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, under the auspices of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), shared insights from over six years' worth of research on how adjusting planting windows can help sustain crop resilience in a changing environment.
She introduced FABI as a leading postgraduate institute that connects industry, academia, and government in a bid to address critical challenges in agriculture and forestry. Operating across two faculties, which include natural and agricultural sciences, and engineering, built environment and information technology, FABI brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts from diverse departments, including plant and soil sciences, biochemistry, genetics and microbiology, entomology, and computer science, enabling a collaborative approach to agricultural research.
The role of FABI
Dr Creux highlighted FABI's role at the University of Pretoria in translating foundational research into practical solutions for the agriculture and forestry sectors. FABI integrates research, training, and services to strengthen expertise across the industry.
In addition to her responsibilities, Dr Creux contributes to the National Grain Research Programme and plays an active role in FABI's Diagnostics Clinic, which analyses biological samples and supports nationwide pest surveillance. The collected data is integrated into a cloud-based platform overseen by Prof Bernard Slippers, enabling real-time pest mapping.
Dr Creux also heads FABI's Crop, Floral Biology and Environment (CFBE) team, which investigates the responses of sunflower and maize to environmental change. This work, carried out in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Ghent University, focusses on phenotyping and imaging to promote the development of resilient crop varieties.
Hotter, longer summers ahead
Dit verhaal komt uit de August 2025-editie van Stockfarm.
Abonneer u op Magzter GOLD voor toegang tot duizenden zorgvuldig samengestelde premiumverhalen en meer dan 9000 tijdschriften en kranten.
Bent u al abonnee? Aanmelden
MEER VERHALEN VAN Stockfarm
Stockfarm
Trust and muffins lead the way
In any business, communicating in silos is the main cause of issues among managers. With only three of us managing things, myself on sheep, Gert on vehicles and Mbali on payments, breaking through our silos is easy. Twice a week we hold short morning meetings to report progress and problems towards our goal of turning grass into sheep for profit.
2 mins
December 2025
Stockfarm
Santa's new team
Last December, we warned Santa Claus of the perils of visiting South Africa with his team of reindeer. We cautioned him about the biological hazards his reindeer might bring into the country, and the import tariff issues he might encounter when trying to bring in all those gifts. We also elaborated on the heat and other environmental challenges his team might face. But we also told him about our friendly farmers and the braais he might be invited to, complete with a beverage of his choice.
3 mins
December 2025
Stockfarm
The effect of iucerne hay quaiiiy on feedlot lambs
Lucerne hay is one of the most widely used roughage sources for ruminant diets, largely due to its reputation for providing high-quality nutrition. Important considerations for producers who use lucerne hay in their feed programme include assessing the true value of lucerne hay, determining the most suitable grade for specific feeding purposes, considering its cost, and balancing these factors against optimal feedlot performance.
3 mins
December 2025
Stockfarm
Imfuyo-yami Ingumcebo Wami: Livestock as a legacy of wealth and wisdom
In the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, under the warm sun and the watchful gaze of the rolling hills, the Hlawini Community Hall in Umfolozi Local Municipality came alive with the spirit of unity, learning, and tradition. The occasion? The Umfolozi Livestock Farmers' Information Day, held under the banner of the Agricultural Research Council's (ARC) Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) project, a national an initiative aimed at empowering communal livestock farmers through knowledge, technology, and sustainable practices.
3 mins
December 2025
Stockfarm
Celebrating the 2025 Komga Agricultural Show
This year's Komga Agricultural Show, energised by the arrival of summer and filled with festive stalls, was a hive of activity. The grounds came alive with live music, a poultry exhibition, the familiar sounds of cattle and sheep in the pens, displays of horsemanship, and top-quality technology and implements on show.
2 mins
December 2025
Stockfarm
DSA reaches new milestone on the road to excellence
The Dairy Standard Agency (DSA) has enjoyed an exceptional 2025 so far, marking two major achievements that underscore its ongoing pursuit of excellence.
3 mins
December 2025
Stockfarm
Samic: Protector of red meat quality
If you thought the South African Meat Industry Company (Samic) is just about carcass competitions, think again. Fact is, the company plays a pivotal role in South Africa's meat supply chain, upholding rigorous standards of quality, safety, and transparency from the farm gate to the plate.
3 mins
December 2025
Stockfarm
Wireworm management in small stock
Years of indiscriminate dosing have eliminated weaker wireworms, allowing resistant populations to dominate and spread through flocks. Wireworms typically hatch following good rains and warm nights. When larvae move up the green grass, they are ingested by grazing sheep. About 20 days later, the worms begin sucking blood, leading to anaemia and, in severe cases, death.
2 mins
December 2025
Stockfarm
Back to basics at the 2025 LRF Stockman School
The 17th Annual LRF Stockman School, hosted by the Livestock Registering Federation (LRF), kicked off with great enthusiasm at the Aldam Holiday Resort and Conference Centre in the Free State. Held over three days, the event brought together leading experts from a range of fields who met everyone's expectations by addressing relevant and timely topics head-on.
7 mins
December 2025
Stockfarm
Vertical gains in the lambing pen: It's not just about the numbers
In a world where rising input costs and increasing consumer demands play a decisive role, it has become more important than ever for red meat producers to raise lambs that not only benefit the producer but also add value throughout the entire supply chain.
4 mins
December 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size