Improved nitrogen use means higher yields
Modern hybrid maize varieties use nitrogen more efficiently to produce more grain.
Sustainable mushroom growing
Mushroom farming is going green by replacing peat casing with sugar cane pith substrate. Linda Meyer spoke to Lindi van Rooyen at Mabu Casing Soils about how pith is saving peatlands.
Better than blocking?
n an effort to save on vaccine costs, and time, farmer Graeme Brown experimented with making his own blood vaccine to combat heartwater.
Stamping out aflatoxins
International scientists are close to launching ground-breaking technology that will revolutionise disease control in crops.
Grape exports to US set to increase, thanks to new irradiation system
Hepro Cape irradiator could help South Africa’s table grape producers to once again satisfy the phytosanitary requirements of the US.
Mini-plants hold maximum promise
Dwarf maize plants: same yield but cheaper to grow.
Bigger, sweeter fruit cultivars
Local fruit farmers will soon be able to select from several superior new stone fruit and table grape varieties. Denene Erasmus reports.
Liver fluke on the increase in South Africa
Liver fluke infestation in cattle appears to be spreading. At the North West RPO Congress, Potchefstroom vet Dr Martin Ferreira explained that blood samples analysed during the past two years have shown that fluke is more widely distributed than previously thought. Annelie Coleman reports.
Make the most of your fertiliser applications
It is not always appreciated that fertilisers have to be applied with precision in order to provide crops with the macro- and micro-nutrients they...
Collaborative efforts to combat wheat rust
South African researchers, in co-operation with scientists overseas, are using the latest breeding techniques in the endless war against wheat rust. Wynand van der Walt reports.
Winning secrets of SA’s top wine grape producers
SA’s top 50 producers are performing well despite grim economic conditions. Robyn Joubert studies the 2012 VinPro/Winetech report and finds out why these producers are so successful.
Paying farmers to conserve
In Costa Rica, farmers are paid to provide environmental services. This has helped to place the country in top spot in the ‘Happy Planet Index’, which measures environmental efficiency and people’s well-being. Can we learn any lessons, ask Roelof Bezuidenhout and Luke Metelerkamp.
