Farming for Tomorrow

Scientists have called for radical transformation of the agricultural sector to cope with climate change and food security, writes Alan Harman.

Arguments about CLIMATE change have been dominated by the role greenhouse gas emissions play, but the old sunspot theory is regaining lost ground. Will Alexander, a retired professor from the Department of Civil and Biosystems Engineering, University of Pretoria, insists there's a link between solar activity, climate and drought.

Storing household cleaning agents incorrectly can cause defects in ammunition, reports Roelof Bezuidenhout.
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Despite looking almost identical, a large population of sable antelope found in western Zambia do not, to the dismay of conservationists, belong to the same subspecies as the critically endangered giant sable of central Angola, genetic research at Stellenbosch University revealed. Denene Erasmus reports.

To apply herbicides and combat weeds efficiently, crop farmers must select, maintain and manage their sprayers and nozzles with care. Grant Orsmond of TeeJet Technologies spoke to Lloyd Phillips on how to get the most out of your spraying equipment.

Concerns over long-term use of chemical pest control has popularised biopesticides. But none targeted ticks, until now, writes Alan Harman.

As frogs are reliable bio-indicators of the health of an environment or ecosystem, farmers should be worried about a decline in frog populations on their farms. Lindi van Rooyen investigates.

South Africans are used to seeing giraffe in parks and reserves, but the reality is this mega-fauna is under threat. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.

In South Africa, about 42% of agricultural land suffers zinc deficiencies, lowering crop yields, writes Lindi van Rooyen.

Cover crops can improve soil and crop health, says Agricol's KZN sales manager and agronomist Dustin Beckerling, who gives Lloyd Phillips some pointers on selecting appropriate cover crops.

Dairy farmers wanting to increase the number of calves and the percentage of heifers born on their farms should consider in-vitro fertilisation as opposed to artificial insemination, reports Alan Harman.

The US agriculture department now also feeds impoverished school children during the holidays. Roelof Bezuidenhout discusses what South Africa is doing for its 14 million hungry citizens.

Researchers have found that termite mound size and distribution, linked to vegetation and landscape patterns, can predict ecological shifts, writes Alan Harman.

Harvesting mistletoe is one of the most cost-effective drought survival measures available to stock farmers, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.

A new trial found that camels could help control and possibly eradicate sweet thorn encroachment, which may be a far better solution than Boer Goat browsing or fire control.

Current research into caracal control, conducted on nature reserves or game reserves, isn't always the best measure of effectiveness on a farm. A new study, conducted under practical farming conditions, aims to find the best solutions for small-stock farmers.

Satellite images could soon be used in South Africa to quantify veld production, estimate livestock carrying capacity and help farmers plan fodder flow, reports Roelof Bezuidenhout.

When it comes to predator management, South African agricultural and environmental authorities look more like the farmer's foe than friend in comparison with the US's wildlife service.

Numbers of large mammals are dropping in national parks all over Africa - except in the continent's southern countries, where good management shows what can be achieved.

Bitter bush veld is a sign of overgrazing and veld degradation. Eradicating this invader will allow palatable, perennial grasses to flourish again, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.