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...
