Farming for Tomorrow

Hydroponic production only really came into existence in the 1930s, making a name for itself during the Second World War when it was used in the Pacific Islands to grow food for soldiers.

'Minute molecules go right to where they're needed, giving impressive results.'

Dung beetles can restore the health of farming ecosystems, reports Cornelia du Plooy. But their survival is threatened by toxic anti-parasitics. A toxicity rating system for animal health products now gives farmers an indication of how to use these products safely.

Farmers who blame the southern springhare for destroying their chicory crops often hunt it as pest. However, a recent study indicates that the springhare is an innocent victim - the damage is more likely to be caused by the common duiker, an antelope that not only injures the leaf stock but also digs into the soil to expose the chicory root.

At a recent course on sustainable farming, Graeme Sait, CEO of Australian company Nutri-Tech Solutions, promoted natural growth stimulants and pesticides such as triacontanol and aloe vera, and more effective integrated pest management.

At a recent course on biological farming, presented by Nutri-Tech Solutions, Wilma den Hartigh found out about valuable tools used to measure soil pH and brix levels, and plant sap extractors for monitoring plant health, as well as why more farmers are using foliar feeds.

Inducing systemic activated resistance is one of the active defense systems that can protect crops against disease attack. Joel Williams said inducing systemic resistance can be effective in achieving quality without sacrificing yield.

Farmers can pick up plant nutrition deficiencies before they become visible in the field by means of a leaf analysis, says Joel Williams.

The “big four” approach Joel Williams said Zimmer's discovery, known as the “big four” approach, focuses on building maximum sugar production and microbe support.

Alongside natural vegetation, insects and small mammals, birds are the most underrated and underdeveloped resource in agricultural tourism on farms and game ranches. With skill and imagination and very little input, this resource can contribute significantly to the income of an enterprise.

Global warming might have a devastating impact on apple production in the Western Cape, Wiehahn Steyn from the Horticulture Department of the University of Stellenbosch said at the Cape Pomological Association's climate information seminar held recently in Stellenbosch. Issue date 15 June 2007

They will enable continuous remote sensing of products during production, processing, packing and distribution. Issue date 8 June 2007