Business
Farmer's Weekly
First-aid basics for small-scale poultry farmers
Commercial poultry producers have their own vets on call, but it's not always easy for small-scale farmers to reach a vet in an emergency. In the final segment in our series on livestock first aid, Prof Cheryl McCrindle looks at fundamental healthcare for chickens.
5 min |
May 27 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Farming tips for winter
Many communal farmer households run cattle and have fruit trees to provide fresh produce for the family or as a business initiative. In winter, you need to pay special attention to both animals and plants
3 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Dealing with strikes and violence: the toughest job of all
When facing labour unrest, you have to manage the situation carefully. This can be extremely difficult, which is why it's so important to get professional help to manage the situation
3 min |
June 03, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
A Look at Alternative Food Sources
In a new report, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations looks at alternative food options that could be used to feed the world’s growing population. However, as the report shows, not all of these options are feasible yet, and steps for safety assessment regarding human consumption might be required.
5 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
'Agriculture Is a Journey, Not a Race'
Achmad Brinkhuis was named the Agricultural Writers SA's New Entrant for Farming in 2021. He spoke to Lindi Botha about his egg and vegetable operation, and the challenges and opportunities facing his business.
8 min |
May 27 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Read this before growing tomatoes
Tomato production can be highly profitable, but you need to choose your tomato type and cultivar with care, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
May 27 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Moving South Africa's apple industry forward
Cape Sweet Nursery is revolutionising the production of apple plant material on dwarfing rootstocks. Farmer Retief du Toit and ZZ2 production manager Hendrik Pohl spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their work.
6 min |
May 27 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Tips for small-scale poultry producers
Gladys 'Nana' Towbola of Peezel Farms not only farms broilers and layers, but is passionate about uplifting other small-scale growers through regular workshops. She spoke to Susan Marais about what it takes to start and run a small poultry farm.
7 min |
May 27 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Hertzogville Show 2022
The Hertzogville Show was held on 11 and 12 March. There were six cattle breeds and 145 cattle on show, and champions were crowned in each category.
1 min |
May 27 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Give buchu a go!
Approximately 80% of buchu essential oils are used in the food and flavour industry to enhance fruit flavours.
4 min |
May 27 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Fighter ace, aviation pioneer, bold leader: the remarkable career of Quintin Brand
Quintin Brand had extraordinary flying skills, and put them to full use as a fighter ace and a record-breaking London-to-Cape Town pilot. He was also a superb strategist during the Battle of Britain.
4 min |
May 27 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Energy storage can enhance SA agriculture
Energy-related challenges pose a significant obstacle to the agriculture sector's continued growth in South Africa, says Abe Cambridge, founder, and CEO of The Sun Exchange, which specializes in solar-energy projects.
5 min |
May 27 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Rabies cases still on the rise in South Africa
Due to people in farming communities keeping higher numbers of dogs, rabies is more prevalent in rural areas.
2 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
KZN flood damage adds to pressure on milk volumes
South Africa‘s milk producers remain under pressure due to challenges such as animal disease outbreaks.
2 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Straight hocks and lameness
According to a new study by British veterinarians, horses with very straight hocks are highly likely to experience lameness due to inflammation of the superficial digital ligament.
2 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
R17 billion needed for reconstruction after devastating flooding in KwaZulu-Natal
According to the latest calculations by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, R17 billion is needed to repair the damage caused by the recent floods in the province.
3 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Optimal irrigation for perfect blueberries
Since blueberry cultivation requires a lot of water, making every drop count is key to the sector’s survival in a water-stressed country like South Africa. Farmer Wikus Strauss spoke to Lindi Botha about his methods.
7 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Nampo Harvest Day: The rise of a global agricultural megastar
After a two-year absence from the agricultural calendar, Grain SA’s Nampo Harvest Day, the biggest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere, is ready to make a spectacular comeback, says Toit Wessels, Grain SA’s assistant manager for marketing and Nampo.
4 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Insect decline driven by climate change and farming – report
A new study has found that in areas with high-intensity agriculture and substantial warming of the climate, insect numbers have plunged by 49% and the number of different species by 27%.
1 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How to optimise beef cattle production
Optimisation of the environment is the single most important requirement for sustainable beef production, according to animal scientist Hennie Snyman. For that to happen, the implementation of precision farming principles is of the essence, he says.
6 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Fruit Logistica attendance positive for fruit industry
The recent Fruit Logistica Berlin 2022 exhibition in Germany hosted 40 000 buyers and trade visitors from about 130 countries, as well as 2 000 exhibitors from 87 countries.
2 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Angus: renowned for its marbling and maternal abilities
Basie Bezuidenhout is the president of the Angus Society of South Africa and owner of the Vredenheim Angus stud. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the advantages of this extraordinary cattle breed and its progress in South Africa.
4 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
A virus that can be deadly for potatoes
Potato virus Y can infect a healthy plant within a very short period of time, and is easily transmitted by aphids, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
May 13, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Pretty Views, Pears, and a Painting Pig
A picturesque pear farm in the Franschhoek Valley offers a number of accommodation options, including a barn where an artistic pig and other rescue animals spend the night! Brian Berkman reports.
4 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Tech and Expert Advice Help This Dairyman Weather Price Storms
JK Basson is a three-time winner of the ARC's National Master Dairyman of the Year Award. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how he manages to survive in an industry plagued by rising production costs.
9 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
How Iron Levels in Maize Have Changed Over 2000 Years
According to a study by Ale Vidal Elgueta et al, researchers from Chile and France, the intensification of agricultural production over the past two millennia has led to a reduction in the level of iron in maize.
6 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Early Blight: A Serious Threat to Older Plants
This fungal disease damages potato plants later in their growth phase. It can destroy an entire crop if not treated in time, says Bill Kerr.
2 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Chocolate Cake
This delicious recipe is the ideal way to serve up any leftover Easter eggs. If you have no leftover eggs, it’s the perfect excuse to buy a few more!
2 min |
May 06, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Growing Bambara
Vigna subterranea pods can be eaten fresh or boiled after drying, and can be ground to make puddings.
3 min |
May 20, 2022
Farmer's Weekly
Education is the key to succession preparedness
For many families, succession planning seems too treacherous a journey to undertake, so they simply opt not to set off on it. As a result, they forgo a critical opportunity to shape their future for the better.
4 min |