Farming for Tomorrow

Stellenbosch student Lobke Steyn won an award for the best MSc dissertation in Animal Science in 2014. Farmer’s Weekly presents an overview of Steyn’s paper, which examined the potential of feeding non-forage fibre supplements to milking cows in winter.

OAD milking is becoming increasingly popular in New Zealand, but can it work in SA?

An alternative waste handling solution being piloted in Secunda aims to convert potentially harmful biosludge into an environmentally-friendly compost.

Local, regional and national government, the World Wide Fund for Nature and Nedbank’s Green Trust are partnering with farmers in a project aimed at restoring water balance in the Umgeni catchment of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, and other catchments countrywide. The aim is to insure water for the future.

Much excitement has been generated by the advent of genomics. This technology started out as a tool to study the human species, but has now established itself in the world of animals, including cattle. Dr Ben Greyling, research team manager at ARC-Animal Production Institute, explains.

Since the genome (genetic code) of human beings was published in 2000, scientists have continued to learn more about the building blocks of many species, including the plants that feed us.

Fine-scale mapping is helping farmers, conservationists and government work together to save species and preserve biodiversity.

A versatile hydroponic system developed in Spain is slowly making inroads in the South African fresh produce sector, thanks to a strong advantage.

Digital technology and innovative machinery is enabling producers to run their operations more efficiently and quickly, while cutting costs. Christi van den Heever and Danie Viljoen, production managers at Graaff Fruit, show Glenneis Kriel how some of this technology works on their farms.

The need to save water is so urgent that it is no longer enough to fix leaks and prevent over-irrigation. Haifa SA agronomist Gerrit Burger says that saving water today involves manipulating its chemistry.

The South African Barley Breeding Institute promotes sustainable barley production. Francois Smit, barley breeder and plant pathologist at the institute, reports on two new varieties.

No macadamia processor in the world employs this method. In fact, as far as is known, no other processor of any kind uses stored solar energy on this scale, says Dorran Bungay of Agri-safari.

The pear industry is saving millions, thanks to research by Dr Ian Crouch and the introduction of his Forelle Early Market Access programme.

Farmers are often soft targets for attacks and other forms of crime. The newly developed fence-sitter warning system alerts farmers to possible fence tampering.

Flies boost stress among cattle, which could reduce milk production. Dr Paul Burden, a veterinarian at Novartis, looks at other ways in which these pests could be harmful.

Sugar industry body, SA Cane Growers’ Association, is to set up a plant to explore the feasibility of on-farm biogas and biofertiliser production.

Researchers have developed techniques that will assist a farmer in implementing a successful veld management system.

New eucalyptus hybrids have been introduced to the South African paper and pulping industry in an effort to become more competitive. CSIR environment science researcher, Karen Eatwell, explains.

Thanks to new hybrids under trial at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, popcorn production in South Africa is set to explode.

On a game ranch, animal numbers must match available browse during winter, not summer, says Dr Beanélri Janecke, wildlife researcher at the University of the Free State.