Animals

Aquaculture

Understanding the economics of aquaponics

Since 2010, aquaponics has evolved into a refined farming method where fish and plants thrive in a closed system. This article explores the technology, commercial viability, and environmental benefits.

Fish farming: a goldfish or red herring?

Leslie Ter Morshuizen explains the potential for aquaculture in South Africa.

Seawater-farmed tilapia

In this article, the second in a two-part series, Ramon Kourie and Vuyani Somyo of Thapi AquaKulcha show how seawater-farmed Mozambique tilapia can provide cheaper protein than broilers or other...

Sheep & goats

Running a Meatmaster stud on just 65ha

Young sheep farmer builds thriving business despite challenges

White Savanna goats add meat to beef enterprise

The riskiest periods for sheep producers

Sheep production: Why healthy teeth mean healthy profits

Pigeons

Can privately owned One Loft Races revive pigeon racing in SA?

In this article, part one of a three-part series on pigeon racing, Thomas Smit looks at the sport’s decline in South Africa, and whether One Loft Races, with their attractive...

PIGS

Iberian pigs provide the world’s most expensive ham

Amidst the range of delicacies to be enjoyed in Spain, Iberian ham is both a culinary delight and a farming marvel. Lindi Botha visited Spain to find out what it...

Horses

Are you deworming your horse too often?

Recent research reveals emerging anthelminthic resistance in equines and intenstinal parasite mutation, says Dr Mac.

Plough for more

News

Archipelago meat

Swedish consumer demand for free range, naturally produced meat has reached new heights as island-style meat is growing in popularity.

The oupa of SA’s red wines turns 80

Believed to be South Africa’s oldest red blend, Chateau Libertas celebrates its 80th birthday this year.

SAB KickStart programme funds young farmers

Clement Ngwako Pilusa, Gauteng small-scale broiler producer, and Leka Captain Makhafola, Limpopo vegetable farmer, are among the top 18 candidates of South African Breweries’ KickStart youth entrepreneurship programme.

Agri and land reform not immune to tightening of fiscal belt

Only passing reference was made to agriculture and land in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), which was presented in Parliament on Wednesday by Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni.

Namibia beef cattle profitability down by 40%

Rangeland management and conservation are becoming increasingly important in Namibia, according to Mecki Schneider, the Namibian Livestock Producers' Organisation (LPO) chairperson.

Fracking frightens farmers

Karoo landowners are concerned about the possible environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing, the technique used by the Australian company Bundu Gas and Oil to prospect for shale gas.

Business

A desire to succeed

Zabion de Wee graduated from the Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute last year and is doing an internship with the National Wool Growers' Association. An ambitious young man, he has plans...

Growing opportunities with maize

Eight developing maize farmers plan to better themselves and their community through government and private assistance, hard work and a determination to equip themselves with as much knowledge as possible.

How a single social media post launched a farmfresh meat business

When establishing a new business, investors often struggle with what to focus on first: the market or the product. Pork farmer Hannes Richards had little difficulty with this decision. A...

The science of fruit packaging: SA leads the way

Stellenbosch University is acknowledged as a world leader in research on optimising packaging design for the fruit industry. Prof Linus Opara spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the university’s achievements in...

Sugar industry in SA faces bitter challenges ahead

South Africa’s R12 billion a year sugar industry may be one of the world’s leading cost-competitive producers of high quality sugar, but it is currently beset by challenges. Trix Trikam,...

Visit Pannar at NAMPO and make them part of your success

Pannar’s journey with you doesn’t end at planting: they want to see you achieve the full profitability and performance potential benefits of their products.

Lifestyle

Nigella’s chicken and peas traybake

This surprisingly delicious and simple one-pan dish by English food celebrity Nigella Lawson has become my go-to recipe for easy and tasty dinners, says Denene Erasmus. She adds that it’s...

Stir-fried lamb

Not everything cooked in a wok is Chinese. Here’s a unique combination of splendid tastes that give the beginner cook a ready-made reputation for excellence.

Options a-plenty

When discussing home constructions with the many folk who phone me, there are always the same issues that come up.

Thai Chicken salad

Say “today’s meal is a salad” to any red-blooded, hungry individual and a nasty tone of defiance is sure to consume the conversation. But, just before things get out of...

Unspoilt bush, hikes amongst game, hidden rock pools – and pure serenity

The Bateleur Nature Reserve, in the heart of the Waterberg, offers nature lovers the ideal getaway. You can stay over in old, self-catering farmhouses or hikers’ base camps, or simply...

Farm-style design

I received a call from Chris, who said he and his wife are purchasing a cattle farm in North West. They want a home which allows for catering, sub-letting, letting...

Animals

Top Santa Gertrudis breeder’s endless search for perfection

Having farmed Santa Gertrudis cattle for nearly half a century, Amy Williams is sought after for her professional advice, and many farmers credit her for their success. Moreover, her stud...

Tendon troubles

Injuries to a horse’s tendons are invariably very serious, warns Kim Dyson.

Making it in the mohair business

an Lottering and Andries Mopiley’s Angora goat farming enterprise in Prince Albert shows that an agricultural empowerment project can succeed driven by motivated beneficiaries and mentored by the industry’s experts....

Production recording – it pays in more ways than one

With the rising demand for food, farmers have to produce more with fewer inputs. Bertus Mong, owner of the BM Hereford Stud, tells Glenneis Kriel how production recording helped him...

The amazing Gibbs brothers

Living legends in the pigeon racing fraternity, twins Bob and Eddie Gibbs have decided to retire from the sport at the age of 84. Thomas Smit reviews their remarkable careers.

How to manage a lambing pen system effectively

Lambing pens offer a multitude of benefits for farmers. Regina Harmse, who breeds Ile de France sheep in Mpumalanga, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the ways in which these pens can...

Crops

Butternuts: know your market and maintain quality

Butternuts are a reasonably easy crop to grow, with few in soluble problems. The real challenge is to match the cultivar with the market. Mpumalanga-based producer Francois Steyn spoke to...

Is ‘ugly produce’ a new trend?

‘Ugly produce’, it seems, is finding its way onto retail shelves around the world.

Likely diseases of Swiss Chard

Some diseases of Swiss chard are weather-related. These include Cercospora (leaf spot), downy mildew, mosaic virus, and a fungal disease I have yet to identify.

IT in fresh produce

The other day, I met with two young people from the subtropical fruit sector. As we settled down around the table, they brought out their smartphones.

An early start to the watermelon season

Watermelons command a higher price earlier in the season. Because of this, you might want to choose a variety that’s ready sooner, even if it’s lower-yielding.

Biofuels sweetener for sugar beet pioneers

Fish River Valley farmers have heard wild promises before that growing sugar beet would save them from relying on maize and lucerne crops prone to price volatility and ostrich exports...