Technology

Farmers are leveraging new technologies to counter climate change and meet demand. Magda du Toit dissects how variable-rate technology can support this shift.

Ambrosia Citrus Estate, near Hoedspruit in Limpopo, was established in 1999. In 2011, the estate’s journey with low-flow drip irrigation began when it became one of the first farms in South Africa to install UniRam™ 0,7ℓ/h low-flow drippers.

The ripper is helping a Viljoenskroon farmer improve efficiency and drastically reduce fuel consumption, and his maize yields have increased as the roots grow deeper to access more water.

Also available in standard and coupé-styled Sportback body styles, the new-generation Audi Q3 includes new touches and key areas of improvement. The Citizen’s Charl Bosch reports.

At Zunckel Farms, motorbikes are not just a convenience. For Egon Zunckel and his sons, the Husqvarna FE 350 is an essential farm tool.

Zimbabwe's tobacco regulator is stepping up efforts to promote a cleaner, more sustainable tobacco industry by urging farmers to adopt more sustainable curing technology, as the country faces scrutiny over the deforestation caused by its intensive use of firewood and coal in tobacco production.

While many have questioned Ford’s decision to add petrol derivatives to its Ranger line-up, the manufacturer believes now is the time to give bakkie buyers more choice, writes The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe.

Technology can sharpen decision-making on farms, but it can’t replace the experience, judgement, and practical knowledge of farmers and their teams, panellists said at the Potatoes SA congress held in Johannesburg, Gauteng, on 22 and 23 July.

With digital transformation on the rise in agriculture, and water resources on the decline, farmers are adopting smarter ways to manage irrigation. However, even the most sophisticated irrigation technology is only as effective as the physical infrastructure beneath it.

Keeping control of your motorcycle in rough terrain is not for the faint-hearted rider. Combined with poise, knowing how your bike will behave in most scenarios is just as important.

Choosing an agricultural drone is about more than buying the fastest machine or the biggest tank. Matching a drone’s specifications to your farming operation can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and maximise returns. AgTech@NWK’s Zane Barnard explains what farmers should consider before buying.

Brazil is playing a vital role in the global agriculture space. Implementing modern agriculture practices while protecting the environment are at the heart of the sector.

Spray drones offer clear advantages on the farm, but their success depends on how well they are managed. From drift control to logistics, careful planning is key to getting the best results. Anroé Steyn spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this.

Discontinued in 2013 as a multipurpose vehicle, the Kia Carens makes its return in multi-utility vehicle guise, writes The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe.

In rural Eswatini, shade netting protects Mbuso Vilakati's vegetable patch from the harsh sun, one of several ways farmers are adapting to increasingly unpredictable weather. Farmer's Weekly spoke to him, other farmers, and role players about the challenges they face.

After moving the goalposts in the bakkie segment last year, Chinese carmaker Changan is again raising the game with another newcomer, writes The Citizen’s Mark Jones.

Clean agricultural warehouses are essential for protecting stored crops, preventing pest infestations, and avoiding mould formation. Cleanliness also directly affects product quality, worker health, and overall farm efficiency. Using the correct cleaning equipment ensures dust is extracted efficiently.

ElectroMechanica has been appointed as the exclusive Southern African Development Community-wide agent for TechTop, marking the globally recognised brand’s return to the regional market after more than a decade.

In South Africa's dryland farming systems, successful farmers aren’t necessarily those who receive more rain but those who lose less of it. Farmer’s Weekly spoke to Prof Nomali Ngobese and Prof Jacques Berner of North-West University about how producers can conserve more moisture in their soils.

Kia has finally entered the bakkie market and the highly-anticipated Tasman premium double cab is an important model for the Korean carmaker, writes The Citizen’s Mark Jones.