The Fairtrade movement was one of the first to focus on social and ethical trading. Paul Colditz, commercial director at Fairtrade Africa, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the opportunities and...
The issue of land reform was mentioned as a positive development in the State of the Nation Address in February 2024, when President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated that the 30% target...
While it may lack the glamour of other industries, agriculture is arguably one of the most crucial sectors for the South African economy, contributing significantly to food security, employment, export...

First-ever bird flu case in pigs raises concern in the US

Scientists in the US have expressed concern about the detection of the first case of H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) flu in a pig in that country.

Worst year since 2007 for US maize farmers

The US Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book report published on 30 October has indicated that maize farmers could be experiencing their worst year in almost 20 years.

Can automation alleviate labour shortages on US farms?

A declining interest in farming along with an ageing farmer population in the US have been cited as among the many reasons for the significant shortage of workers in the...

Plough for more

A new trade deal will see improved market access for more than 30 South African agricultural products to the European Union (EU).
Nerpo and Afasa farmers will take their land reform and inadequate farmer support frustrations to the Union Buildings on 25 October in a peaceful march.
Members of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries expressed dismay at the perceived advantage farmers in trading countries have over South African farmers due to the subsidies and...
The Sussex Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa celebrated its centenary on Wednesday, 6 May.
Massmart Holdings, South Africa’s biggest food and goods wholesaler, says it has successfully linked more than 100 farmers into formal retail.
It is too early to speculate whether the suspected links between wildlife trade and consumption and the emergence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are resulting in any reductions in the...
While rabbit production is relatively small in South Africa, there is great untapped export potential, should the industry meet its challenges head-on.
Seo Mtetwa, MD of Nu Dawn Eggs, talks about the company's beginning, success and future.
A rural development project aimed at empowering female farmers is reaching new levels of success.
After attending a farmers’ day in 2018, Oniccah and Naledi Nkoe decided to start farming herbal plants to produce essential oils. They have since expanded plantings and launched their own...
Horse racing is widely enjoyed in South Africa and abroad. Before a Thoroughbred is ready for the track, an enormous amount of effort, expertise and specialist skill has gone into...
Western Cape pome fruit producer Steven Versfeld earlier this year became the first farmer to achieve platinum status with no non-compliances from the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa for his...
Dear Jonno I have a 630m² plot on which I want to build an extended family home (single-storey) to accommodate our growing family. The house should have four bedrooms: two...
Do tiger prawns taste different from non-tiger prawns? Not in my opinion. But they certainly look better on the plate with their stripes only marginally dimmed by cooking. So here...
I received an email from a client in the Waterberg region with pictures of the prospective site and the narrow platform of about 12m in width already excavated on the...
Jonno Smith designs a four room house for a reader.
In passing through the Muden Valley in KZN, I called in at my acquaintances who own a lodge there. We got chatting and Bryan expressed the idea of developing a...
Dominique Marchand says her recipe for tiramisu was inspired by Table Mountain. This tiramisu needs only a few ingredients, requires no baking and can be made in a jiffy!
Chris Nel discusses traditional methods of identifying livestock. These methods may work well for day-to-day flock and herd management, but their limitations are apparent when subjected to the demands of...
It is important to know the basics when taking care of your horse, but in some cases you might do more harm than good. Kim Dyson explains when you can...
Bothaville Stud breeder, Herbert Bruinette, has succeeded in breeding Afrikaner cattle with excellent breeding values and muscling through the introduction of Bonsmara genetics into his herd. He started in 2008...
In her informal study, Jane Holliday investigates the differences between Holsteins and Jerseys.
Biting flies are not only a nuisance, but can also transmit diseases and deliver painful bites, says Dr Mac.
When it comes to breeding it’s important to familiarise yourself with your mare’s cycle, writes Kim Dyson.
Jeandré du Preez visited Derick van Zyl, estate manager of the farm, Esperanto, in the Koue Bokkeveld, to learn about cherry production in that province, and what makes this crop...
Talking to market agents these days can be quite depressing. In the past, there were always people you could rely on to give you a more positive view of current...
Lufuno Managa, a young farmer from Limpopo, found that big dreams don’t only come true in big cities. He left Pretoria to return home where he is now growing tomatoes...
Research conducted in Hopefield, Western Cape, aim to show that with an understanding of protea nutrition farmers could improve their protea yields while supporting biodiversity. Issue date: 23 February 2007
Cauliflower is very sensitive to a boron deficiency, much more so than other cruciferous crops, writes Bill Kerr.
Southern Cape conservation farmers are continually looking for new ways to improve their operations. The latest technological advance in planters, the Tobin Bullet disc planter, now allows them to move...