New rootstock evaluation protocol
The fruit industry is devising a new rootstock evaluation system to improve its competitiveness.
Super-efficient irrigation: tips for crop farmers
To ensure agricultural sustainability in South Africa, it is crucial that more efficient irrigation systems be implemented. Agricultural resource manager, Felicity Mitchell, explains how this can be achieved.
SA scientists lend a hand to control Australian wheat pest
The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), a pest well known to South African farmers, recently surfaced in Australia, and SA scientists are assisting with the development of RWA-resistant cultivars.
Study on origin of grassy savannas
The loss of Africa’s browsing antelope may threaten the future of savannas, a new study has found.
New low-chill apple varieties
The new Afri apple varieties could potentially extend the local season by two months.
The practicalities of effective greenhouse hygiene
The intensive but highly productive practice of growing crops in greenhouse environments lends itself to significant pest and disease threats. Paddy de Vries of Intense Agri Hydro provides valuable insights on dealing effectively with these.
Computer vision technology set to improve crop health
The latest crop monitoring technology developed in Israel could soon be available in South Africa. Wilma den Hartigh spoke to Daniel Koppel of Prospera about its applications.
Livestock STD crisis: Northern Cape farmers fight back
The Northern Cape Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO NC) works proactively to improve the province’s livestock reproductive status, and has initiated a bull and ram testing project to combat sexually transmitted livestock diseases.
Managing weather risk
Insuring against weather volatility is the norm in countries such as the US, but is not common practice in South Africa. Hans Smit of BVG, a risk management company, says a new weather derivative product could help crop producers hedge against erratic weather.
Microbial-enhanced cotton seeds can increase profitability
A US company, Indigo Agriculture, has developed microbial-enhanced cotton seed that can thrive in hot conditions and boost production without genetic modification. Koot Louw, secretary of Cotton SA, tells Wilma den Hartigh how this could benefit the South African cotton industry.
Investigating the water-use characteristics of biofuel crops
Biofuels are an important sustainable alternative to fossil-based fuels. However, caution is needed to ensure that water-efficient feedstocks are selected in water-scarce South Africa, says hydrologist Richard Kunz of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Low-tech solution for predation
The Botswana Predator Conservation Trust is working with researchers to determine whether livestock predation can be prevented simply by painting ‘eyes’ on cattle’s rumps.
Harnessing the power of innovation
Through its ‘Enough’ movement, Elanco Animal Health aims to prove how innovation can help farmers produce more food without using more resources.
Using smart technology to improve animal profitability
The University of the Free State’s meat traceability platform will enable farmers to track the growth and measurements of their animals from birth to slaughter. Glenneis Kriel reports.
Assisted reproduction techniques for ostriches
The long-term objective of breeding ostriches according to scientific principles has been given a boost, thanks to research by Dr Marna Smith.
Using nuclear irradiation to kill two bugs with one zap
Nuclear energy has many beneficial applications. One is the potential, through the sterile insect technique, to suppress Eldana, a pest that causes significant economic losses to sugarcane farmers, as well as eradicate malaria from South Africa. Lloyd Phillips reports.
Sweeter dragon fruit varieties for SA growers
Dragon fruit has the potential to provide South African farmers with an easily propagated, fast-ripening alternative to fruit such as avocados.
South Africa builds its own vineyard robot
Although still in its infancy, the Robot X project aims to boost production efficiency, says Glenneis Kriel.
Ultrasound: how to get an inside view of genetic carcass traits
The ARC’s Dr Ben Greyling and Frans Jordaan explain how ultrasound scanning allows a beef producer to select the best breeding animals to improve genetic carcass traits.
Using tannins to control parasites in smallstock
Dr Erika van Zyl discusses alternative manners in which to deal with parasites in smallstock.
