Planting in crop residue, the Argentinian way
Co-operation between South African and Argentinian agricultural organisations has led to a series of multi-year trials in selected South African localities to compare Argentinian direct planting technology and conventional systems with those used in South Africa. Pietman Botha reviews the first year of the trials, which were launched in 2011.
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The pick of Porcini
Big timber companies may not consider porcini mushrooms to be worth much effort, but an Italian mushroom picker has made a meaty business out of this gourmet food. Robyn Joubert reports.
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Blazing or grazing – the great fire debate
The grasslands of the African savannah depend on defoliation processes like fire and grazing to maintain plant vigour, increase cover and reduce rainfall-runoff. Prof Winston Trollope talks to Heather Dugmore about grazing and burning in managed rangelands.
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Caring for plants, and culture
The recently published Voices from the Forest by Tony Dold and Michelle Cocks explains how plants have helped define the cultural identity of the Xhosa people of the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess spoke to the couple about the link between plants and Xhosa cultural and spiritual practices, the informal trade in more than 200 medicinal plants in the Eastern Cape, and ways in which this unique bio-cultural heritage can be preserved.
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Commercial potential for the humble cactus pear
Dr Maryna de Wit and her team at the University of the Free State are studying commercially viable uses for the cactus pear. The researchers argue that although South Africa produces huge quantities of the crop, its many uses have never been fully exploited here. Annelie Coleman reports.
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Dr Pieter Mulder on agriculture
“What an extremely unreasonable and mischievous twisting of my speech.”
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Can Settlers become a great farming school again?
Once one of South Africa's top agricultural high schools, Settlers is today a shadow of its former self. Its farming facilities have deteriorated, sponsorship has dried up, and many of the pupils don't take agricultural subjects. But there are big plans afoot to refocus the school on agriculture. For the sake of tomorrow's farmers, let's hope they succeed, says Peter Mashala. Read more in the 9 December 2011 issue.
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The cattle-killing prophetess of EC
The prophetess Nongqawuse's prediction that the killing of cattle and destroying of grain by the Xhosa people in the 1800s would help drive colonial settlers away, led to the culling of 400 000 cattle.
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Reviving Canada's indigenous bison
The population of Canada's indigenous American plains bison is recovering after the species was nearly decimated in the late 1800s.
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