Animals-and-Pets
Farmer's Weekly
Afrino Excels In Producing Mutton And Wool On The Veld
Hendré Calitz, the chairperson of the Afrino Sheep Breeders’ Association of South Africa, manages the Koppiesfontein Afrino Stud near Smithfield for Piet and Theo Delport of Wesselsbron. Mike Burgess visited him to better understand the value of the Afrino under extensive conditions.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 14 September 2018
Farmer's Weekly
New Net Solution For Sunburn
Some growers in the Southern Cape are using nets that can easily be draped over tree rows to protect pome fruit against sunburn. Apart from their convenience and flexibility, the new nets cost a fraction of fixed net structures. Daan Brink of Two-a-Day and Ebbie Raubenheimer of Nulandis spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the technology, which was developed in Australia.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 14 September 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Irrigate Sensibly And Economically
Most home vegetable gardens are irrigated incorrectly. Here’s how to get it right, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 14 September 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Never Stop Learning!
When you think about it, every farm is in some respects a trial farm.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 14 September 2018
Farmer's Weekly
North African Chicken Worth Waiting For
Attempting unfamiliar cuisines often means encountering unknown or unavailable ingredients. In the case of food from North Africa and the Levant, preserved lemons are an absolute must. One downside: they take three weeks to mature!
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 14 September 2018
Farmer's Weekly
A Used Car: Let The Buyer Beware!
Dirt, rust and oil leaks are just some of the signs of neglect on a used car. Jake Venter explains what faults to look out for, and when to walk away from that ‘never-to-be-repeated’ bargain.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 14 September 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Difference Half A Degree Of Global Warming Can Make
The recent ‘Global Warming of 1.5 C’ report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights several climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1,5 C, compared with 2 C or more. For example, at 1,5 C warming, the Arctic Ocean is likely to be free of sea ice in summer just once a century on average, whereas at 2°C global warming, the likelihood rises to once a decade.
5 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Pig Farming From Scratch: A Growing Success Story
At the time she was awarded a piggery by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Betty Nyambi knew little or nothing about pig farming. But she refused to let that stop her, and through hard work and training she has become a competent pig farmer. Today, she is aiming at her next goal: gaining quality assurance certification. Siyanda Sishuba reports.
4 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Soya Bean Hulls In Feed Boost Milk Profits
Partially substituting maize with soya bean hulls may lower dairy cattle feeding costs while increasing income generated from milk solids. Anesmé van der Vyver, a master’s student at Stellenbosch University, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about her research findings.
2 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Managing High Nitrate Levels In Paddocks
High nitrate levels acidify the soil, leading to an abundance of weeds. Dr Mac explains how to manage this, and prevent it from occurring.
2 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
‘Farming For Profits Without Social Responsibility Is Foolish'
Being named the 2018 Agri SA/Toyota Young Farmer of the Year is wonderful recognition, says North West potato producer JP van den Berg, However, simply being able to farm and contribute to food security is a daily highlight. He adds that his hardworking staff are pivotal to his farming success, and he devotes much energy to caring for their welfare. Annelie Coleman reports.
5 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
To Get The Most, Waste Nothing
Herby oversees the conservation aspect of the operation and cultivates tomatoes as a paying hobby, while his sons run the farm.
4 min |
December 14, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Financial Planning: Crucial To Sustainable Production
To weather the impact of market fluctuations and extreme climatic conditions, producers have to think strategically about farming. Pieter de Jager spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his strategy.
6 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Strict Selection The Key To Boer Goat Meat Production
Award-winning stud breeder Gerald Calitz runs a 200-strong Boer goat stud on his 70ha farm near Ventersdorp in North West. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about his breeding techniques.
5 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Charity Begins At Home
Growing up on a farm gave Lion du Plessis insight into the problems faced by farmworkers. But after studying human rights he gained an even deeper understanding of these issues, which spurred him on to create a charity that uplifts rural communities. Lindi Botha reports.
6 min |
December 21 - 28, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Tapping Country Talents
28 Years ago Recruiting latent local talent to serve campers was a profitable sideline project, according to Major James Sclanders, who retired from the South African Air Force in 1974.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21-28 December 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Tips For Taking Cover Crops To The Next Level
Improving and maintaining soil health is not an overnight fix, but a lifelong endeavour that requires patience and experimentation. In this second part of a three-part series on cover crops and soil health, US farmer and cover crops coach Steve Groff shares a number of valuable tips on using cover crops as a tool for achieving sustainable soil health. Lloyd Phillips reports.
6 min |
November 30, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Food Security: Africa Should Be The Answer
With the relentless increase in world population, particularly in Africa, food production has become the subject of much attention. This provides a golden opportunity for science and skills transfer to position Africa as the solution to the food security conundrum, says Dr Peter Oberem, founder and CEO of Afrivet.
3 min |
November 30, 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Getting Started With Bananas (1)
To turn banana farming into a profitable venture, production must be well planned.
3 min |
Farmers Weekly 18 May 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Dairy BLUP Basics
Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) brings together many aspects of animal breeding, and provides the most accurate and precise genetic evaluations possible.
1 min |
Farmers Weekly 18 May 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Hippo Mills Turns 90!
The Hippo hammer mill was launched at the 1928 Pietermaritzburg Royal Show. Joe Spencer takes a closer look at the company.
1 min |
Farmers Weekly 18 May 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Consider This Before Investing In Desalination
Desalination is an increasingly attractive tool to mitigate drought-associated risks. Gerrit van der Merwe and Hermias Nieuwoudt spoke to Glenneis Kriel about some important factors to take into consideration before installing a filtering plant.
5 min |
Farmers Weekly 18 May 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Becoming A Motorcyclist: Part 1
On a farm, a motorcycle is a substitute for a horse. There is no doubt that motorcycling is dangerous, but you have certain advantages over driving a car.
3 min |
Farmers Weekly 18 May 2018
Farmer's Weekly
Townie - Jacky Penny's obituary
Tragically, my much-loved Jack Russell, Penny, died a few days ago.
2 min |
Farmers Weekly 18 May 2018
Farmer's Weekly
The Vital Role That Mentoring Can Play In Agriculture
Successful mentorship in agriculture depends on building a relationship of mutual trust and understanding between mentor and mentee.
3 min |
10 November 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Diversification Success For Eastern Cape Farmer
Former extension officer, Sithembele Malgas, started farming in the Idutywa area of the former Transkei in 1990. Today, he produces cabbages, spinach and butternut in rotation on 3,5ha under irrigation and farms more than 500 beef cows near Cathcart in the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess reports.
5 min |
10 November 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Ethical chicken farming a win-win Formula
Red Barn free - range chicken and egg farm started from necessity but grew into a passion. In addition to eggs and whole chickens, it also produces speciality products Jay Ferreira reports.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 March 2017
Farmer's Weekly
The Many Rewards of Game Farming in the Karoo
Game animals have brought a new dimension to farm life in the arid Karoo. Roelof Bezuidenhout spoke to Neil Dodds and Rob Hobson, two farmers from Jansenville, who have combined game with small stock.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 March 2017
Farmer's Weekly
A Concise History of Hydroponics
While hydroponic farming has been around since the Middle Ages, many developments over the years have made it far more efficient and affordable. Prof Gert Venter explains.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 3 March 2017
Farmer's Weekly
Global Food Demand And Prices To Decrease Over Next Decade
The “Agricultural outlook 2017-2026” report, compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, as well as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, forecasts that over the next decade, demand for agricultural products will slow considerably, causing real prices of most agricultural and fish commodities to follow a slightly declining trend, thereby keeping them below previous peaks.
3 min |