A tranquil retreat in the heart of the Swartberg Mountains
Brian Berkman is thoroughly charmed by a nature reserve and its hospitality in the Klein Karoo. Wildehondekloof Private Game Reserve is about 60km outside of Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape on the road that leads past the Cango Caves.
Managing a Swiss chard crop for a high, ongoing yield
This leafy vegetable is a voracious feeder that requires plenty of nitrogen, and must be protected from frost and eelworm, says Bill Kerr.
Consumer demand for dairy drops as prices rise
As consumer demand for dairy products goes down, farmers are finding that retail prices and input costs are steadily increasing.
Thaba Chweu Municipal property rates court case explained
Len Dekker, senior director at law firm Len Dekker Attorneys, breaks down the recent Supreme Court of Appeal judgment that may be of interest to farmers.
You are what your food ate: the health connection in the soil
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, goes the saying about the role of diet in overall health. New research however suggests that good health is less about the quantity of produce we ingest, and more about quality. Soil health makes all the difference in growing food that fills versus food that nourishes.
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Cynthia Sekgobela shares advice for profitable small-scale farming
For Cynthia Sekgobela, retirement in 2016 brought a bold new beginning. After 21 years as an accountant and tax consultant, she swapped her ledgers for her true passion in farming and started Gung’s Boerdry in Zuurbekom, a 2,5ha farm on the West Rand.
Carrot irrigation should be different
A carrot plant’s fine roots can reach up to 2m deep. Most farmers do not exploit this potential and irrigate more or less the same as they do for other vegetables, writes Bill Kerr.
Why are so many of us bad at listening?
Outstanding managers are always good communicators, and good communicators are always good listeners, says Peter Hughes.
Private landowners are vital custodians of biodiversity
BirdLife South Africa explains why private landowners’ co-operation can be extremely helpful and is actually essential for the protection of biodiversity.
Getting the best out of pear orchards
GA Erasmus en Seuns Boerdery in the Western Cape Overberg won the award for the best income per hectare for pears at Two-a-Day Awards Ceremony in 2023. George Erasmus and Nico Ferreira spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the farm’s pear production strategy.
Award-winning farmer’s diversification strategy yields success
JJ de Nysschen, the 2023 Agri Limpopo and Toyota Young Farmer of the Year’s passion for agriculture shines through. JJ discusses how he combines innovation and sustainability to drive success in Limpopo's farming landscape.
Sunflower production: threatened by stink bugs and fungi
With continuous management of the insects that predate on sunflowers, significant success can be attained with this crop, which is suited to growing in the drier parts of South Africa, writes Zunel van Eeden.
