Animals

How to consistently breed the best cattle

‘Dexters carry us through the drought’

Paving the way for a greener dairy industry

Healthy soil means healthy cattle

Optimising nutrient availability for cattle

Hurwitz Farming’s record-breaking success with Boran cattle

Profitable free-range chicken production in the Swartland

From backyard chicks to top show poultry breeder

Quality feathers give Oudtshoorn ostrich farmer the edge

How to keep your chickens happy and healthy

Limpopo hatchery goes to the next level

First-aid basics for small-scale poultry farmers

Tuna fishing under pressure as global demand increases

The rising global demand for tuna has placed it under significant threat of overfishing. World Tuna Day, 2 May, was established by the United Nations (UN) to highlight the importance...

Production principles for hatchery success

The hatchery is the foundation of a fish farm. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, says that by following his six hatchery principles, farmers can set a trajectory for...

Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic

The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go...

High-tech Meatmaster farming in the Klein Karoo

Unlocking value through livestock exports

Breeding productive, well-adapted Angoras in the Eastern Cape

Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming

Running a Meatmaster stud on just 65ha

Happy, healthy flyers win the big prizes

In this article, the final in a three-part series on pigeon racing, Thomas Smit looks at ways to help your birds settle in a loft, as well as the best...

Managing weaners and growers for maximum efficiency

Effective pig farming requires a delicate balance of care, precision, and innovation to ensure the well-being and performance of weaners and growers. Dr Alex Westerink, an expert in swine health...

Equine dentistry: is ‘bit seating’ really necessary for all horses?

While most horse owners agree that it’s a good idea for riding horses to be examined by a dentist at least once a year, the need for bit seating depends...

Plough for more

Maize harvest progressing slowly due to late plantings

Maize harvesting in the western part of South Africa’s summer grain production region was progressing slowly, according to Grain SA economist Petru Fourie.

NW Cosatu takes chicken factory to labour court

North West Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said it will lodge a case of unfair dismissal against the Potchefstroom based chicken factory, Chubby Chick...

Botswana suspends imports of certain SA commodities

Due to outbreaks of Goss’s bacterial wilt (Clovibacter michiganensis subsp. Nebraskensis) and bud rot of palms (Phytophthora palmivora) in South Africa, Botswana’s Ministry of Lands and Agriculture (MLA) recently suspended...

Department denies cows left to starve to death

Mpumalanga’s department of agriculture has denied leaving 48 cows to die of hunger.

Grain transport differential increased by 9,8%

An intervention by Grain SA meant that maize farmers saved R100 million on transport differential costs. This was according to Grain SA CEO Jannie de Villiers.

September tractor sales down

With no change in fundamentals underpinning the market in September, national tractor sales have continued to decline, according to the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA).

Business

Grain SA chairperson: a passionate but practical farmer

It takes a fine balancing act for Grain SA chairperson, Jaco Minnaar, to serve the interests of members while still leaving enough time to pursue his true passion – being...

Finding water for the Vaal

If nothing is done to increase water availability in the Vaal River water supply system - including clamping down on illegal water use by irrigation farmers - it will be...

Terre Paisible: a harmonious blend of agriculture, sustainability and luxury

Wine connoisseur Cobus du Plessis finds a case study for sustainable agriculture at Terre Paisible, an estate producing fine wines, olive oil and lemons in the fertile Franschhoek Valley.

Springbok icon Bakkies Botha thrives with Agrico’s support

The former rugby star knows all about the importance of teamwork and reliability. So partnering with Agrico irrigation systems was the best decision for his farming needs.

Agritourism kept farm afloat during drought

While tourism plays an important role in the Namibian economy, agritourism adds considerable value on a farm level in this arid country. Annelie Coleman visited the Mount D’Urban camping site...

Inside SA’s biggest orchid business

What started out with a couple of plants bought at an orchid show in the 1960s, has turned into one of South Africa’s biggest orchid companies, Duckitt Nurseries. Wilferd Duckitt,...

Lifestyle

A traditional salad

For traditional human carnivores, a salad is good to look at but nothing to eat. To shatter this illusion, here is a salad to add goodness and taste to your...

Take it up a notch

Jonno, My husband and I will be retiring from public service in five years, but we want to start building our dream home now.

Jambon salad

This easy-to-make salad is perfect for any occasion and will surely be a hit with family and friends alike.

Adding space (& character)

Dear Jonno, Attached is my two-bedroom unit. Where the entrance is facing south-east there’s more space to extend.

A modern farmhouse

Dear Jonno Neil and I want to build a new home in the Karoo and eagerly await each week’s copy of Farmer’s Weekly for ideas.We are a family of four....

An off-grid, private ocean view

Mark and Estelle bought a private development in Port Edward, and with the help of Jonno, require a three-bedroom home facing the ocean.

Animals

How to train a horse to lift its leg

Dr Mac discusses how to train a horse to lift its leg on command so that its hooves can be cleaned.

Kalahari Red goats: Hardy and profitable

The proven economics of the Kalahari Red breed motivated Cobus Meyer to branch out into goat production on the family farm near Leeudoringstad. He told Annelie Coleman that establishing his...

Letelle – The perfect-balance sheep

Locally bred Letelle sheep are known to be economically balanced, hardy animals that are well adapted to South Africa's sometimes harsh environment.

Worth a try

Got a fussy eater? Want to help your horse retain its shiny coat? Try flax! by Kim Dyson.

Treating windgalls

Around a joint or tendon is a capsule or sheath that produces synovial fluid, which acts as lubrication. If the capsule is damaged by percussion or overstretching, it produces extra...

Get your horse to canter correctly

Only when a horse has the correct lead is it balanced and safe to ride at a canter, says Dr Mac.

Crops

Using cover crop mulch

In many regions, there is a limited choice of crops that can be grown in a particular season. This provides an ideal opportunity to plant a cover crop to keep...

When is the bolting season for vegetables?

You can lose a lot of money if your crop goes to seed when you don't want it to. You need to know why and when this happens to take...

Free State Young Farmer positive about farming in SA

DJ van der Linde, the 2016 Free State Young Farmer of the Year, maintains that an optimistic attitude can make the difference between success and failure in farming. The young...

Growing garlic: a golden opportunity for SA farmers

South Africa imports most of the garlic sold in the country, but the local industry can thrive if farmers work together and produce good-quality crops. Jacques Terblanche of Graceland Garlic...

Vehicle path management: key to reducing compaction

Efficient in-field mechanisation is a major contributor to higher yield and lower production costs. Unfortunately, mechanisation also means that machinery wheels regularly compact the soil. According to precision farming specialist...

What your cabbage seedlings should look like

FARMERS TEND TO ACCEPT THE seedlings they're given and don't pay much attention to what sort of condition they're in.