Business
Farmer's Weekly
FLOCK MANAGEMENT: Dealing with seed problems in Angoras
There is no quick or cheap way to remove seed from mohair, but good management helps, according to Pierre van der Vyver, general manager of The House of Fibre. He outlined his tips to Roelof Bezuidenhout.
2 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Western flower thrip: a major seasonal threat to brassicas
This important pest damages brassicas by sucking sap from the leaves. Its population can grow rapidly, so scouting is essential, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Pest control: using both old and new methods
Magda du Toit looks at the interconnectedness of more traditional pest control and the newer integrated pest management. Some experts also give advice on how to keep pests and diseases down to acceptable levels.
7 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Securing the future of meat production in SA
A Feedlot Information Day at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's Convention Centre in Pretoria saw industry experts, including farmers, nutritionists and veterinarians, gather to discuss meat production in South Africa. Magda du Toit reports.
5 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The Land Bank can be fixed: here's how
Johann Kirsten, director of the Bureau for Economic Research at Stellenbosch University, and Wandile Sihlobo, a senior fellow at the Department of Agricultural Economics at Stellenbosch University, look at the gains and losses of the Land Bank over the decades, and what can be done to turn the institution around.
5 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Choosing a tractor
In this article, Janine Ryan looks at some smaller tractors that may be good options for smaller farmers.
5 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Game-changing technology for small-scale farmers
Digital farming technology has come a long way, and costs have dropped. Janine Ryan looks at drones and mobile apps that can help Africa's emerging farmers improve their production at an affordable price.
5 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Make sure that more lambs survive to adulthood
In many communal areas, weaning percentage amongst sheep flocks hovers between 10% and 30% (compared with 80% to 90% for commercial farmers). This is unsustainable for a breeding operation, says Shane Brody.
3 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
It's not just about ego: job titles do matter
Accurate job titles provide a professional image and give credibility to customers, suppliers and other stakeholders, even if you are a small owner-managed business, says Peter Hughes.
3 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Elsenbug wins Agricultural Colleges Rugby Cup
After seven days of tough competitive rugby at Elsenburg Agricultural College Sports Grounds, Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute won the South African Agricultural Colleges' Rugby Week trophy with a score of 14-6 against Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute.
1 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Adverse weather calls for greater orchard care
Famers in subtropical regions have been cautioned to protect their trees from adverse weather this winter.
2 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Potato research symposium promotes innovation
Potatoes South Africa (PSA) hosted its annual research symposium in July in Parys, Free State.
1 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Strategies to fight fall armyworm
Research by the United Nations shows that pest management and technology can effectively combat fall armyworm, one of the world's most destructive agricultural pests, writes Jeff Kapembwa.
4 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Blueberry production set to expand in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's farmers are planning to invest more than R363 million to develop blueberry production.
1 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
A way forward for trade between India and US will benefit agri sector
After months of dispute, India and the US have finally reached an agreement with regard to ongoing disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR). It added that this move could create new agricultural opportunities for both countries.
1 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
North West farmers encouraged to grow cotton
Cotton production in North West is a viable alternative to maize and soya bean production, according to Louis Olivier, CEO of Vaalharts Katoenprodusente in Hartswater. He said the profitability of cotton production exceeded that of maize and soya beans by far, despite extremely high input costs.
1 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Agricultural expos as a as a key to rural development
POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE - There is a great deal of debate about the need to stimulate sustainable rural development in South Africa, especially in terms of keeping small towns and rural agricultural hubs going. Elaborate policy plans and master plans are being developed and discussed.
3 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
What are risks to feed prices for the South African livestock and poultry industries?
AGRIBUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
3 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Feeding methods for beef cows and calves
This article offered suggestions on how to solve problems with the feeding of beef cows and calves. Most beef herds in the eastern areas of South Africa are in the throes of calving in spring, a time when farmers are hard pressed to provide sufficient feed.
3 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
The implications of a BRICS bank for South African agriculture
Rearabetswe Phokontsi, a trainee economist at the Agricultural Research Council, considers the role of the New Development Bank as it sets about fostering collaboration and development among BRICS members.
3 min |
July 28, 2023
Farmer's Weekly
Apple and Cheddar cheese rolls
With their simple and satisfying flavour combination, these easy-to-make cheese rolls are an anytime treat that will delight family and friends.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21 July
Farmer's Weekly
Babcock and BULL: a dream team
Babcock has partnered with BULL to become the exclusive supplier of BULL tractor-loader-backhoes and skid-steer loaders in Southern Africa.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21 July
Farmer's Weekly
The fascinating tale of 'unicorns' in Africa
David M Witelson, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand, tells how the mixing of foreign beliefs with local ones in colonial South Africa hid the identity of a mysterious indigenous animal.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21 July
Farmer's Weekly
Sleep over in charming Eendracht, one of the top small hotels in the country
Dorp Street, the historical heart of Stellenbosch, is quieter than some other parts of the town, yet offers many attractions close by. And it's here that you'll find the delightful Eendracht Hotel, says Brian Berkman.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21 July
Farmer's Weekly
The horse: integral to Native American culture for 500 years
It is well known that the Spanish introduced horses to North America. Little did the settlers realise that the local inhabitants would adopt the feral horses into their traditions, says Dr Mac.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21 July
Farmer's Weekly
CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE: The basics of growing stooling rye
Besides improving the physical, chemical, hydrological and biological properties of the soil, this pasture crop can be used as animal feed.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21 July
Farmer's Weekly
SOIL HEALTH: Why liming the soil is so important
Applying lime is an often-overlooked soil maintenance practice in farming. But abused soil can be very costly to repair, and can lead to irreversible conditions, such as soil erosion and desertification.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21 July
Farmer's Weekly
The bagrada bug: a serious threat after transplanting
The bagrada stink bug is an important pest worldwide, and can cause severe economic losses for brassica farmers, warns Bill Kerr.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21 July
Farmer's Weekly
A new strategy for maize marketing
Markus Monteiro, Bennie Grové and Nicolette Matthews of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of the Free State provide an alternative hedging strategy for the South African maize market.
4 min |
Farmer's Weekly 21 July
Farmer's Weekly
Hugenoot: SA's beef cattle genetic treasure
The award-winning Koperkop Hugenoot stud has proved the breed’s economic value in the exacting farming conditions south of the Soutpansberg. Owners Henk and Gerda van Rensburg told Annelie Coleman how the breed fares in an area where animal diseases such as redwater, heartwater and anaplasmosis are rampant.
5 min |