Agribusiness

All Starke Ayres tomatoes and sweet peppers are carefully selected for local conditions. Its latest hybrids are the best combination yet of reliable growth, exceptional taste, and long shelf life.

Hydroelectric power production need not mean massive installations for large-scale commercial supply. KwaZulu-Natal farmer Peter Ward’s small-scale hydroelectric system on his farm generates sufficient power for his dairy enterprise while saving his operation up to R1,3 million a year. At the same time, he uses the precious resource of water sustainably.

The CEO of Onderstepoort Biological Products, Dr Baptiste Dungu, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the repositioning of the state-owned veterinary company as an international player.

Changes in the livestock business environment have motivated the National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (NERPO) to review its strategy and improve services to its members. NERPO managing director Aggrey Mahanjana spoke to Siyanda Sishuba about future plans.

Toyota South Africa/Agri SA’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2019, Johan van der Schyff, whose agricultural concern has operations across the Southern and Eastern Cape, has utilised the advantages of economies of scale and technology to build up his substantial concern. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his layer business and other enterprises.

The theft of agricultural produce costs South African farmers billions of rand a year, not only through the loss of produce, but in additional expenses, such as fencing, to improve security. Annelie Coleman spoke to industry leaders Dr Jane Buys, Derek Donkin and Tommie Esterhuyse, as well as a Limpopo-based citrus producer who preferred to remain anonymous.

The Syngenta Leadership Academy is aimed at empowering a new generation of leaders in agriculture. Siyanda Sishuba spoke to three alumni of the programme about their experience and the lessons they have learnt.

In general, South African investors have seen meagre returns on their savings and retirement portfolios over the past few years. Indeed, some wonder whether it would not be better to stash their money under the mattress. Jaco Visser spoke to a number of investment managers about the products that are available and which investment strategies are likely to deliver the best returns.

The 2017 Census of Commercial Agriculture by Statistics South Africa showed that the total number of farming units involved in commercial agriculture in that year 2017 was 40 122, and that these farms used 46,4 million hectares of land.

Anton and Sharon Kock’s Ember Down goose down and feather business has been built on ethical farming practices, attention to detail and meticulous management.

Sunburn and related disorders, such as sunscald, can cause substantial losses of marketable produce and revenue. Drape Net, imported and distributed by Nulandis, offers farmers a durable, easy-to-install, cost-effective solution to protect their expensive crop investment.

Agriculture offers many opportunities for wealth creation, and young South Africans who are passionate about the sector should use their skills to establish new businesses, say Soyama Mthongana and Athenkosi Denga, the owners of Lizwe Meat.

As prolonged droughts occur more frequently in South Africa, some entrepreneurs are investing in and developing new technology and farming methods, such as indoor growing systems, that ensure consistent, high-quality food production. Juan-Griffith Pollard, CEO of Urban Cultivation International, spoke to Pieter Dempsey about his scaleable hydroponic farming system.

Why produce pecan nuts when you wait many years to break even, and even longer to make a decent profit?

The Polish National Agricultural Support Centre recently hosted Farmer’s Weekly news editor Julinda Schroeder on a four-day study tour to Poland, where she had the opportunity to have a closer look at the country’s poultry industry.

The free 911 Response24 app will now enable you to get the help and information you need with regards to COVID-19.

The Beefmaster Group’s abattoir in Kimberley can process up to 800 cattle a day. Roelie van Reenen, the group’s supply-chain executive, spoke to Sabrina Dean about how the group operates and maintains its high standards.

What started out as a hobby has turned into an exciting farming venture for Melanie and Jan-Hendrik du Plessis of Sabie, Mpumalanga. Lindi Botha visited the couple’s microgreen farm, Bumblebee Organics, to learn more about their production and marketing techniques.

St John’s Village, set on 160ha of lush countryside in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), is renowned for its active outdoor lifestyle with secure homes and retirement opportunities.

What started out with a couple of plants bought at an orchid show in the 1960s, has turned into one of South Africa’s biggest orchid companies, Duckitt Nurseries. Wilferd Duckitt, the co-owner of the company, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the business.