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Controlling fungus on Cripps Pink apples
A recent study of the effect of two pesticides on Phylctema vagabunda, a fungus that causes significant post-harvest losses of the Cripps Pink apple cultivar, revealed interesting results. Dr Alana den Breeyen and Dr Julia Meitz-Hopkins explain.
Continual improvement is important, says New Era grain farmer
Paulus Mosia from Edenville, Free State, a finalist for the 2019 Grain SA/ABSA/John Deere Financial New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year award, says that by using better inputs and improving production management, he increased his maize yield from 3,2t/ha to 5,2t/ha in just one year. Siyanda Sishuba reports.
Cleaning up dirty eggs
30YEARS AGO In order to ensure the safety of consumers and chicks, eggs must be cleaned thoroughly.
Award-winning mango producer says 100t/ha is possible
Jaco Fivaz, farm manager of Mohlatsi farm in Limpopo, is a pioneer of high-density mango orchards, which achieve a greater yield per hectare than conventional orchards. Pieter Dempsey visited this award-winning grower to find out more about his passion for experimentation, and how he manages a diverse mango business.
Bats: The Answer To Macadamia Pests?
Despite being well known for their pest control abilities, bats remain understudied and misunderstood, and their numbers have been on the decline for various reasons. Now research is showing that these mammals may be invaluable to macadamia farmers, whose pest control costs are rising while their nut quality is dropping. Lindi Botha spoke to Dr Valerie Linden about bats’ potential to save the industry millions of rands.
Radical veld improvement
In the second of this two-part series, Dr Louis du Pisani, an independent specialist agricultural consultant, discusses how to improve veld to restore the natural water cycle.
Standard and long-life wear parts go head-to-head in field test
Replacing worn-out parts on ground-engaging implements is costly. Equipment manufacturer Bednar recently carried out a trial to find out whether long-life parts made more financial sense.
Efficient cattle a must for Nigel stud breeder
The 2020 Unistel/SA Stud Book Developing Breeder of the Year, Bookholane Mokoena of Boggie Bonsmaras in Nigel, Gauteng, says that one of his most important breeding aims is to maintain optimal body condition, with the goal of producing cattle that are fit and efficient. Siyanda Sishuba reports.
‘Society, Not Government, Should Decide On Fracking'
It should be society, and not government departments and their officials, deciding on whether or not potentially environmentally damaging mining for natural gas and other fossil energy reserves should be permitted in South Africa.
The Many Advantages Of Humus
The volume of organisms in any body of soil is dependent on the soil environment and supply of food for them; it is not a static amount.
Helping Small-Scale Farmers Reach Commercial Status
Sinelizwi Fakade is a successful grain farmer in the Eastern Cape, but it is his passion for helping small-scale and subsistence farmers improve production that makes him particularly compelling, says Pieter Dempsey. He spoke to Fakade about his farming operation and his role in mentoring future farmers.
Supplying Herbs To Major Brands
When Lizette Kloppers started dabbling in tomato-growing on the family farm near Worcester, she had no idea that her little enterprise would develop into a thriving herb business. Today, Rooikrans Kruie produces about 23t of basil and substantial quantities of other herbs each season for some of South Africa’s most recognised food brands.
Genetics Drive Dairy Production Profitability
The use of top genetics and agrotechnology enables Kluitjieskraal Jersey Stud in the Western Cape to weather the impact of volatile prices and rising input costs. Stud manager Arno Schoonwinkel outlined his methods to Glenneis Kriel.
Pet And Family-Friendly Accommodation On History-Rich Farm
Welcoming farm sounds and smells, a large stoep, activities in nature, and tranquillity await visitors of the farm Houtenbek in Mpumalanga.
Strong Recovery In Agri Machinery Sales
Following two years of contraction, the farming sector has rebounded strongly during the first six months of 2020, resulting in an increase in the sales of tractors and combine harvesters.
The role of forests in global food security
The expansion of agriculture increases the risk of deforestation, which will not only have a negative impact on climate change mitigation, but also diminish food security for millions of desperately poor people. This report looks at the link between food security and forest ecosystems.
Collaboration and safety high on agenda of new Agri Western Cape boss
Villiers Loubser, newly elected president of Agri Western Cape and a farmer near Durbanville, is keen to see the old divisions in agriculture give way to greater unity between all role players, creating a better future for all farmers. Jeandré van der Walt spoke to him about this and other pressing issues in agriculture.
Take the bite out of rabies
Domestic dogs are the most common reservoir of the virus, with more than 99% of human deaths from the disease caused by dog-mediated rabies.
Growing guavas: Part 4
This week’s article deals with pests and diseases you need to guard against to ensure healthy plants and a good yield.
Breeding wireworm-resistant Meatmasters
Through rigorous selection, Meatmaster stud breeder Nico Grobler from North West has succeeded in significantly reducing wireworm infestation in his Kern Meatmaster flock. This has enabled him to run the stud successfully in an area highly susceptible to the parasite. Annelie Coleman reports.
Getting To Know Earthworms
More than 2 000 species of earthworm have been identified worldwide and there are 300 known species in South Africa. The presence of earthworms is a good indication of soil health.
Mixed Farming Unlocks Rented Farm's Full Production Potential
Cash crop production is allowing Western Cape farmer André Cloete to add value to livestock production and mitigate fruit production risk on the farm he leases near Greyton. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his livestock and cash crop enterprises.
The Basics Of Growing Groundnuts On A Small Scale
Groundnuts are high in protein, tasty, and a convenient and popular food. All of this makes them a potentially valuable source of nutrition in rural communities. Growing and selling them can also earn much-needed income. Loureine Muller, a groundnut agronomist at commodity trading company Triotrade, explains how to produce this crop.
An Innovative Mobile Macadamia Dehusker
When Fairview Farm was using a static Macadamia Dehusker, KwaZulu-Natal macadamia farmer Robert Carlton-Shields estimated that his pickers each lost about two hours’ productivity a day during the harvest season. He set about remedying this, and his subsequent collaboration with an engineering company has resulted in a mobile macadamia dehusker that saves time and money. Lloyd Phillips reports.
Dorpers: The Great Survivors
According to Northern Cape sheep breeders Hennie and Hercules Erasmus, the Dorper was bred to thrive on harsh veld. Putting these animals under feedlot conditions ‘waters down’ their hardiness, they explained.
Savvy producers use social media to maximise profit
Social media offer small food and farm businesses a cheap and effective means of advertising. Yvonne Fontyn spoke to three e-commerce entrepreneurs about how they identify their target market, decide which platform to use for marketing, and go about advertising their goods and services online.
Making every drop of rainwater count
In this first of a two-part series, Dr Louis du Pisani, an independent specialist agricultural consultant, explains the basic components of the water cycle and how these apply to the growth of grass on the veld.
The wheat blast disease threat
The recent detection of wheat blast in Zambia raised alarms in the wheat industry in the SADC region. Once established, the disease is difficult to control, say researchers Dr Tarekegn Terefe of the Agricultural Research Council’s Small Grain Institute and Dr Willem Boshoff of the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of the Free State.
A Deadly Face-To-Face In A Fjord
On 10 April 1940, a fierce naval battle took place in a Norwegian fjord between the Royal Navy and the German Kriegsmarine. A South African-born naval officer, Lieutenant Lindsay de Villiers, was amongst the many men who perished in the encounter.
Dragon Fruit: A Weapon To Fight Food Insecurity
With hunger and food insecurity a reality for thousands of South African households, any effort to reduce this problem should be welcomed. Retired business owner Frikkie Adams is convinced that dragon fruit is ideal for growing at home, as its high nutritional content can benefit families. He showed Lloyd Phillips his experiments at propagating the plant.