Retiring on free-range chickens
Retired broker, Hennie Lamprecht, runs a profitable, free-range chicken farming operation.
Hard work, not handouts, behind this farmer’s success
Frans Malela from Limpopo gave up his city job to farm full time. With no government help, he became an award-winning farmer, growing maize then cotton on leased land. Today,...
Alternative energy – do the sums first
Careful financial planning is required before moving off the grid. Prof Alan Brent from the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies shared some crucial cost calculations with Glenneis Kriel.
Ludwig’s Roses: For the love of the rose
German-born Ludwig Taschner is SA’s best-known rose grower and breeder. Mike Burgess visited his nursery, Ludwig’s Roses, north of Pretoria, to learn about the building of a business that defines...
From a hawker to an award-winning agro-processing farmer
Entrepreneur Gugu Mlipha went from being a hawker to an award-winning agro-processing farmer with a turnover of R2,4 million/year. Despite her success, she remains firmly hands-on, even driving her company’s...
Good management: key to poultry farming success
Producing above the norm is attainable with well-managed hens, says poultry and mixed farming producer Erik Naudé.
SA top farmer’s transformation success with lease-back model
A successful lease-back transformation project in Limpopo run by South Africa’s 2014 National Farmer of the Year, the Bosveld Group, proves that not all old land reform plans need to...
Private-sector help for an impoverished community
A poor, deeply rural Eastern Cape community is on the brink of enjoying a revival, thanks to a project to establish a commercial farming operation amongst communal farmers. The venture...
Managing for drought conditions
The drought during the past summer grain production season could result in cash flow restraints for grain producers. At the same time, livestock management has become increasingly important for mitigating...
Farmer reduces electricity usage by 20%
The farm Lushof in the Koue Bokkeveld produces stone and pome fruit on 220ha.The operation has managed to reduce its annual electricity bill by about 20%, with the help of...
Universal Expo – exploring solutions to end world hunger
Hunger remains an everyday reality for 795 million people across the globe. The vast majority of these – 780 million – live in developing regions. This year’s Universal Expo, hosted...
‘I want to be the SA ambassador of black farming’ – Buyambo Mantashe
Buyambo Mantashe is hip, urban and a 24-year-old Joburger-turned-farmer. Orrock Robertsen caught up with him on his family farm in the Eastern Cape to get his views on land reform...
Profits from diversification
Johan Tijssen, owner of Dicla Farm and Seed and a first-generation South African of Dutch descent, demonstrates how it’s possible to generate a multi-million rand annual turnover from just 260ha.
New dean for Africa’s top vet school – Onderstepoort
Prof Darrell Abernethy, appointed last year as Onderstepoort’s new dean, is poised to steer his alma mater towards addressing Africa’s desperate need for more vets in rural areas and improved...
From packer to co-owner
Ivy Mzamo has come a long way on the Luthando citrus farm near Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape. Beginning as a packer, she progressed to general manager and today is...
Co-op boosts smallholder farmers’ success
Since forming a co-op three years ago, smallholder vegetable farmers Johannes Arendse, Joseph Bantom and Polly Theunissen have expanded their business and gained access to assistance that will help them...
Understanding water-use licences
There is still confusion in the agriculture sector about the need for water-use licences, says Desmond Visser. Now the application process has been streamlined.
Rifles customised for the SA market
Hunting rifles lovingly handcrafted by Ralph Badenhorst Bespoke Rifles can compete shot-for-shot with European tailor-made rifles. Gerhard Uys visited the team for a closer look at their unique creations.
Eastern Cape’s top developing beef farmer
Lawrence Maduna (65), the Agricultural Research Council’s Eastern Cape Emerging Beef Farmer for 2014, farms a Bonsmara-dominated herd of 160 breeding females in the Lady Grey district of the Eastern...
Brewing craft beer in the Cederberg
Two sisters from the farm Kromrivier in the Cederberg are brewing up a storm with their premium-quality craft beers, and at the same time contributing to the region’s ecotourism.
