Mixing the traditional with modern technologies

Reindeer farming is an ancient practice that involves the herding and hunting of reindeer for meat, hides and horns. Janine Ryan looks at a brief history of reindeer farming, and how modern technologies are being used to improve efficiency.

What does the new year hold for agriculture?

Agriculture leaders and role players look back at 2023 and express their wishes for 2024.

South Africa's grain and oilseed outlook for 2024

Magda du Toit examines the trends and forecasts for maize, soya bean, sunflower and wheat in the year ahead.

From trash to power!

Nkweauseh Reginald Longfor, a doctoral candidate at Sophia University in Japan, explains how to harness energy from Africa's rubbish dumps, and save billions in future damage.

More wildfires means more destruction

Once again the spotlight shines on climate change as wildfires have engulfed large farming communities across Europe, North and Southern Africa and North America during their summer seasons.

Ostrich production enters better times

Ostrich production is likely to see a revival of sorts in 2024

Unfavourable climatic conditions are taking a big toll on pome and stone fruit exports

Pome and stone fruit production and exports are set to take a hit in 2024, reports Glenneis Kriel.

The heritability of blue eyes in Spanish horses

Horses with white faces often have white eyelashes and blue eyes due to the ‘splashed gene’. In the US, testing by means of DNA allows breeders to select for genetic traits in horses, such as blue eyes

Carrots are susceptible to the world's number-one pest

Root knot nematodes, when sufficient numbers are present, cause swellings against the main root or swellings further away

Farming embedded in the core of Young Farmer 2023 winner

JJ de Nysschen, the 2023 Agri Limpopo and Toyota Young Farmer of the Year, grew up in a farming family and knew he would one day choose farming as a career. He spoke to Magda du Toit.

The importance of plant extracts in semen cryopreservation

Dr Cyril Pilane, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council, explains why plant extracts are becoming the gold standard as supplements for semen cryopreservation.

How aquaponics is being used to feed communities

Green Arch Innovations founder Luvo Gugwana is a social entrepreneur whose goal is to spread affordable aquaponic solutions across rural areas in South Africa through his franchise model

Agritourism kept farm afloat during drought

While tourism plays an important role in the Namibian economy, agritourism adds considerable value on a farm level in this arid country. Annelie Coleman visited the Mount D'Urban camping site near Helmeringhausen to find out more about tourism's contribution to the business.

Table grapes exports expected to return to normal

The table grape harvest is expected to increase season on season.

Crucial for world to embrace sustainable farming

The international headlines about climate change, pandemics and wars show the challenges the farming community faced this year. With this in mind, the agricultural sector is continuously looking for ways to improve the industry to make it sustainable in the long run for both, the farmer and the consumer.

Eliminating growth problems with plastic

There are good reasons for growing strawberries on plastic-covered beds.

Conservation and local communities

Local communities should be treated as valued stakeholders and sustainability partners in conservation and tourism, say Ian Gordon-Cumming and Prof Kevin Mearns of Unisa’s Department of Environmental Sciences.

Want to start a pig farm? Read this first!

There is a lot to consider when embarking on any farming operation, and the same is true for starting a piggery. Janine Ryan reports on some of the things you should consider when thinking about starting a pig farm.

Do you have environmental authorisation to farm?

Farming’s impact on the environment is not usually front of mind when buying a piece of land, but without securing environmental authorisation, farmers could find themselves in a world of trouble. Lindi Botha speaks to Ngwanarachuene Mampane, director of Westleigh Environmental Services, about remaining on the right side of the law, how to apply for authorisation and the time frame involved.

SA's renewable energy programme: the hits and misses

South Africa’s 12-year-old Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme offers insights for countries moving to cleaner power sources, say researchers.

Climate change and organic farming

Consumers and legislators in the EU are pushing for food production methods that neutralise carbon emissions. What impact will this have on food availability, costs, exports and imports? Lindi Botha asked Michaël Wilde, director of Bionext in the Netherlands, a body that represents the organic food industry.

Speakers discuss unlocking Africa's agriculture potential at conference

The continent’s contribution to improving food security across the world was discussed at length at the recent Agri Investment Conference,

Plan for these livestock diseases

After a challenging few months, the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa urges farmers to take note of its latest disease report,

Escaping the commodity trap

Statistics show that, due to inflation, people are spending less on buying fruit,

No cause to panic-buy eggs, but a poultry meat price hike is on the horizon

Consumers need to brace for a possible price hike going into the new year, writes Jyothi Laldas.

Cows on cane make for a winning combination

Thirty-six varied milking cows on 1,2ha with cane tops as the major source of dry matter hardly sounds like a success formula - but the Shaws are making it work.

Up to 95% of farm murder cases unsolved

AfriForum’s report shows that unsolved farm-related crime rate is increasing,

Isuzu hands over three new bakkies to Gift of the Givers

Isuzu Motors South Africa is proud to announce the handover of three new Isuzu D-Max bakkies to humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers, renewing its commitment to amplify efforts to bring critical disaster relief to affected areas, often in hard-to-reach and remote locations across South Africa.

Peace and tranquillity off the grid on a spectacular farm in the Swartland

Dassenheuwel Farm Stay has the orginal farm homestead for families with all the creature comforts, or the cottages for couples. The choice is yours

Racing and racehorses

There are 300 Thoroughbred studs in South Africa and races are held every week