Pigs – and persistence
Tabi Diphoko of Dobsonville, Soweto, has faced many challenges in his farming career, including the loss of his wife, which nearly caused him to give up. But at 77, this...
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...
Empowering emerging citrus farmers
Since 2007, a family-run citrus business near Fort Beaufort, Eastern Cape has partnered with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to empower emerging citrus farmers in the former Ciskei.
Tractor maintenance: Tips on driving, cleaning and storing your tractor
In the final part of this series, Peter Hittersay offers advice on how to drive and operate a tractor safely, as well as keep it clean and in good condition.
From city dweller to commercial farmer
Mojalefa Molefe moved from Soweto to Mokgwaneng, Limpopo, to take care of the family's cattle herd after his father's death. In seeking to adopt more modern - and profitable -...
Sustainable farming in Lesotho – thanks to Thailand
For five years, Lesotho's royal farm in Matsieng has showcased a sustainable farming approach for local lowland farmers. This "sufficiency model" originates in Thailand, and its diversified use of land...
Tractor maintenance: Save fuel, and stay safe, when operating your tractor
In the second-last part of this series, Peter Hittersay looks at fuel conservation, storage and refuelling, as well as safety standards.
A desire to succeed
Zabion de Wee graduated from the Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute last year and is doing an internship with the National Wool Growers' Association. An ambitious young man, he has plans...
Management & diversification: Two keys to success
Due to poor management, many agricultural co-ops across the country are struggling. Zivuseni Agricultural Co-operative outside Nigel in the East Rand is an exception. Thanks to good discipline, the business...
‘The government is delaying – and I can’t plan ahead’
André Cloete, an apple, pear and sheep farmer from the Overberg, is this year’s recipient of the fruit industry’s Novice Award. Thanks to hard work and attention to detail, André...
Northern Cape’s mentorship success!
The Jagpan Vernootskap Boerdery is a mentorship programme that's successfully partnered four emerging farmers in a Dorper sheep enterprise that's won many awards. But Jagpan's farming future isn't secure, because...
Pushing forward against all odds
Johannes Tshoke has risen above stock theft, the problems of farming on communal land, a lack of money and other challenges to get his own farm. He is now set...
Caring for piglets before weaning
The pig farmer can ensure maximum survival by understanding and meeting the piglets' needs.
What patronage shares mean
Co-operatives must reward members who work harder on the co-operative's behalf and deal with members who try to get away with the least amount of work.
From shepherd’s son to top farmer
Niklaas Slinger, the Agricultural Writers Emerging Farmer of the Year, never went to school. He was a farmworker for the Theron family for 20 years, and when Jan Theron died,...
Rudles farming enterprise: A case study in cooperation
The Limpopo agriculture department brought in two small-scale chicken farmers to take over a failed land reform project.
Don’t eat the seed!
Commercial farmer Johannes Fourie and his farmworkers, from Groblershoop in the Northern Cape, have proven that successful BEE farming is possible in South Africa. The Sanddraai Arbeidsgenot BEE farming project...
Farming to make money
From restaurant manager to Grain SA's 2010 Developing Grain Producer of the Year - how did William Matasane from Senekal do it? The secret to his success is chasing profits,...
Land reform farms that work
Many land reform farms have collapsed, so are there any that work? The Free State Agriculture Land Reform Success Day showcased some successful land reform farms. Peter Mashala reports.
Mentorship beats government money
Dirkie Willemse, an emerging farmer from Suurbraak, and his mentor Dirk van Papendorp, a livestock and crop farmer, have learnt through experience that the state's land reform and farmer support...
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