Farming for Tomorrow

Correcting the soil’s pH and conserving its organic matter are key to improving plant response to fertiliser application. Robyn Joubert reports.

Confronted by declining yields and rising input costs, Limpopo farming giant ZZ2 developed and implemented a system it termed natuurboerdery. Ecologist Erik Holm gave a progress report at the PestBiz Convention in Durban in August. Robyn Joubert was there.

Increased profits, exact management of land variability and enhanced environmental protection through better use of inputs – these are just some of the benefits of precision farming, according to US agricultural expert Dr Don Tyler. Peter Hittersay reports.

This relatively unknown infectious retrovirus can go undetected for years. There is no effective treatment or efficient commercial vaccine but good biosecurity and management can play a role in prevention. Dr Jan du Preez explains.

Participate in a research project studying South Africa’s unique black-seed grass – and stand a chance of being rewarded for your efforts.

The yield potential of commercial forestry hybrids is all for naught if they aren’t transplanted properly. Dr Keith Little of the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) shared his tips with Lloyd Phillips.

Australian researchers have identified a set of genetic markers that allows highly accurate parentage testing across all breeds of sheep.

US researchers have developed a control for this devastating intestinal disease.

US scientists may have found how ‘super weeds’ develop resistance to glyphosate.

Farmers are custodians of these vital ecosystems.

A new survey of crop rotation systems in the battered Cape wheat industry demonstrates the advantages of canola as a financially viable cash crop. Kobus van Tonder reports.

Modern hybrid maize varieties use nitrogen more efficiently to produce more grain.