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Potato prices across all classes and markets reached record levels of more than R80 for a 10kg bag in October,...
Using earthworms to recycle food waste into compost is not only profitable, but helps to address the increasing problem of...
The re-evaluation of government spending, although much needed, will not be enough to address South Africa’s immense economic challenges. There...
Humanitarian aid floods in for fire ravaged Free State
Communities in the areas of the Free State devastated by the recent wildfires in the region have expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming humanitarian aid flowing in from all corners...
Namibian livestock industry devastated by prolonged drought
Beef cattle sales in Namibia have fallen 31% so far this year compared with the same period in 2019, despite producer price increases of 2% for slaughter cattle and 39%...
R6 billion investment boosts world’s largest insect farm
A recent investment of US$372 million (about R6,14 billion) will allow French company, Ÿnsect, to complete its new insect farming enterprise.
Breeding a resistant and resilient Sussex stud herd
John Viedge of the Lehana’s Pass Sussex Stud has been breeding cattle that survive in some of the harshest redwater disease areas in South Africa. Wayne Southwood spoke to him...
How Beefmaster Group helps cattle farmers
In these times of uncertainty, cattle farmers can rely on the Beefmaster Group to help them overcome short-term challenges and access markets, says Roelie van Reenen, supply chain executive at...
Angular limb deformities in foals
Angular limb deformities can be treated in various ways, depending on the severity of the deformity, says Dr Mac.
The fertility factor in mohair success
Eastern Cape mohair producer Paul Webber has twice won the prestigeous Daidoh Trophy Competition for the highest average price for a summer kid clip. Mike Burgess visited him on his...
Technology and animal welfare improve piggery profits
Pig stud breeder and farmer CP Kriek is convinced that contented pigs are more productive. For this reason, he has brought his operation, Taaibosch Piggery, in line with European standards...
Maximising efficiency against heat stress in cattle
Expected temperature increases due to the effect of global warming will have a negative impact on the productivity of livestock. According to animal science researchers at the Agricultural Research Council,...
Russian wheat aphid: sustainable solutions to fight resistance
Russian wheat aphid is showing increased cultivar and pesticide resistance, according to entomologist Dr Astrid Jankielsohn of the Agricultural Research Council. She has identified a new biotype, bringing to five...
Don’t take shortcuts with seedlings
When I mention seedlings in my articles, you may take it for granted that I’m referring to professionally grown seedlings in cavity seedling trays. The reason is that it is...
Higher temperatures increase risk of apple scab infection
The dramatic increase in South Africa’s average winter temperature over the past 40 years has altered the susceptibility of apples to fungal disease, with fungi showing a much faster adaptation...
Parasitoids vs chemicals
When the leaf miner first hit South Africa, the results were nothing short of devastating.
Optimal liming is key to preventing soil acidification
As much as 30% of South Africa’s agricultural soil resource is deemed to be acidifying, mostly due to inefficient or incorrect liming practices. This is according to a recent presentation...
New irrigation systems: making do with less
With dwindling water supplies and a greater emphasis on efficient use of resources, irrigation technology is evolving to make do with less. While the initial capital costs of the latest...
Unlocking Africa’s agribusiness potential with platform thinking
Ecosystem and platform thinking are the latest trends coming out of international research This kind of thinking could help unlock Africa’s smallholder and agribusiness potential.
Connect all your farm equipment with a single device!
The company FieldMicro has released a digital connectivity device that can be used to control a wide range of connected infrastructure, such as farm gates, irrigation equipment and machinery.
South Africa’s increasingly common heatwave conditions pose a major threat to the country’s farmed cattle, sheep and goats, which often...
Optimal reproductive performance is crucial to the success of a beef cattle enterprise. A defined breeding season can help to...
To maximise kilograms of meat or wool produced per hectare, it is crucial to maintain a farm’s carrying capacity during...
These fat-tailed sheep, which are smaller than average, are kept for meat. They appear in various combinations of white, brown,...
With the increasing spread of infectious diseases, biosecurity needs to be taken seriously on every livestock farm.
Discrepancies between estimated breeding values and livestock performance have led some farmers to doubt the accuracy of these values. They...
In this article, Dr Louis du Pisani, national manager for production advice and development at the National Wool Growers’ Association,...
This deadly zoonosisis a real threat to all warm-blooded animals.
Special focus
Coping strategies to deal with uncertainty
South African agriculture is a uniquely risky environment, yet its farmers are well-known for meeting challenges with courage and resilience. Glenneis Kriel spoke to four prominent farmers to discover how...
Tips for running a farm’s finances in tough times
Unfavourable climatic conditions, poor commodity prices and rising production costs are making it increasingly difficult for farmers to stay productive and run profitable enterprises on their farms. Glenneis Kriel asked...
A drought action plan for livestock farmers
Drought seems to have become a permanent part of Southern Africa’s weather patterns, but many farmers are still caught unaware, and suffer accordingly.
Cutting the waste from the agriculture department’s budget
Tshepo Moloi and Prof Johann Kirsten of the Bureau for Economic Research at Stellenbosch University suggest that a zero-based budgeting approach could offer an opportunity to reassess the role of...
Farm shop with food and entertainment
Jonno designs a farm shop that includes a shisa nyama/braai area; an entertainment hall/restaurant, a car wash and filling station.
Using land for recreation
Recreation in natural areas is an excellent way of reconnecting people with the environment. Besides the educational function, it is also a possible income stream for farmers.
