Supreme yield in soya
American farmer Kip Cullers holds the world record for soya bean yield. On a recent lecture tour of South Africa’s grain farming areas, he spoke about maximising yield.
A partnership built on pineapples & a promise
Hluhluwe’s first black, queen pineapple grower has enormous support from his mentor and staff – but a lack of financial continuity from government could upend their best efforts.
Hands-on apple success in the Greyton district
Greyton is not known as an apple-growing area. Yet here, the farm Ouplaas boasts profitable apple orchards, thanks to organic compost and hands-on management. Nonetheless, heavy summer rains required smart management to save the 2014 crop.
Cultivating pseudo-grains in South Africa
The NuGrainSA Consortium introduced pseudo-grains to South Africa in 2013. Plant breeder at ARC-Roodeplaat, Willem Jansen van Rensburg, says that quinoa and grain amaranth are the most promising for local cultivation.
With mushroom & moringa on the side
After the success of the Winterveld Citrus Project, Winterveld United Farmers’ Association’s first project, its members decided to diversify and supplement their income. Philip Kgosana explains to Peter Mashala why he chose two unusual options.
Indigenous ‘Kanna’ keeps you calm & focused
Inspired by indigenous knowledge, a South African company has developed a natural, highly effective, mood-lifting and anxiety-reducing plant extract from the succulent plant, Sceletium tortuosum. Denene Erasmus spoke to Dr Nigel Gericke.
Cheap imports dampen aspirations
Sugarcane farmer Lee Hlubi is working hard to contribute to the agricultural economy. But the influx of cheap sugar imports is threatening to derail her efforts.
Carrot Lessons from Rugani Carrots
As struggling farmers, Vito Rugani and Vincent Sequeira had the courage to jettison many of the attitudes that bedevil SA farming. Today, Greenway Farms is the continent’s largest producer of carrots. Lindi van Rooyen visited the farm.
The complexity of berry production
While many variables affect commercial berry production, strict management and a scientific approach are crucial for success.
‘Be passionate about farming’
Maurice Boki, top developing grain producer, farms maize, crossbred Bonsmaras and Dohne-Merino sheep near Matatiele in the Eastern Cape.
Mentorship programme benefits farmer
With a passion for farming and a vision of where he wants to be, Mdu Mlangeni is proving that it’s never too late to achieve a dream. As Grain SA’s mentorship programme has contributed to his success, he now contributes to the livelihood of the community.
Mad about maize and working the soil
It takes major effort and progress to become a finalist in Grain SA’s Developing Grain Farmer of the Year competition. Lloyd Phillips visited Thabang Tsephe to find out how he made the cut.
