Prospective fish producers should consider all the hurdles that stand in the way of making a profit.
To produce quality ornamental fish, a breeder must establish a habitat that is as natural as possible, with food sources such micro-algae and insect larvae.
A severe drop in water temperature can kill tilapia fish stock in an aquaculture system, and a proper heating system is the only solution.
Breeding a million-dollar bird
Pigeon breeding and racing remains a popular pursuit, with some fanciers aiming for the ultimate goal of turning their hobby into a career. Sabrina Dean visited brothers Daniel and Justin...
Technology and animal welfare improve piggery profits
Pig stud breeder and farmer CP Kriek is convinced that contented pigs are more productive. For this reason, he has brought his operation, Taaibosch Piggery, in line with European standards...
Angular limb deformities in foals
Angular limb deformities can be treated in various ways, depending on the severity of the deformity, says Dr Mac.
Plough for more
Through innovation, producers were better-able to survive the current drought than previous droughts. This was according to Wessel Lemmer, senior agricultural economist at Absa, who spoke to Farmer’s Weekly at...
Widespread outbreaks of charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) in maize have been reported in the Free State, in Wesselsbron, Hoopstad, Viljoenskroon and Bultfontein, according to Pannar’s agronomist in the region, AK...
While events are being held around the world to celebrate World Rhino Day 2015 today (22 September) to raise awareness of rhino poaching, the celebration at SA’s Isimangaliso Wetland Park...
Big ones, pretty ones, fat ones and ugly ones. No pumpkins were discriminated against for the annual Goliat van Gat giant pumpkin growing competition. The only criterion for a prize...
Rainfall and the availability of water were expected to have the biggest impact on vegetable production in the coming year.
Numerous health benefits have been ascribed to rooibos tea, making it not only a firm favourite among South African tea drinkers, but also across the world.
Strategies to synchronise produce availability with times of general undersupply can prove highly lucrative, as KwaZulu-Natal fresh produce farmer Andile Ngcobo tells Lloyd Phillips.
In the heart of the Southern Drakensburg’s dairy production area, Creighton Dairies, a milk transporter, has taken a bold step into processing by setting up a multi-million rand UHT plant....
*Farmer’s Weekly reported in November 2019 that Coniglio Rabbit Meat Farms was liquidated in October 2019.
Ten years ago Hendrik du Plessis from Die Houtwerf in Brits, North West, started a timber sawing and curing business for marketing to the furniture industry. It has grown to...
Transferring a farming operation amicably to the next generation requires communication and planning, says agri-economist Dr Philip Theunissen.
In 2009, the managing director of Nerpo, Aggrey Mahanjana, took charge of the 5 000ha Carnarvon Estates land reform farm in the Eastern Cape. Today he can look back on...
There are times in a braai connoisseur’s life when he or she gets to wondering what to serve after the boerewors, chops and well-aged rump steak, but before the ice...
Dear Jonno We have a stand on a small private game farm in North West, and hope that you’ll be able to convert our ideas into something unique. I’ve attached...
Some Israeli friends recently dropped by just long enough to cook me a breakfast of shakshuka. This rewarding dish consists of eggs baked on a bed of spiced tomatoes. Add...
Dear Jonno We intend building a comfortable two-bedroom home, with a third room for crafts and other activities, and would like to utilise as many locally available on-site materials as...
Dear Jonno I need your help as I would like to build several one- and two-bedroom flats on a 1ha piece of land. I would like these to be double-storey...
For years, vegetables were simply annoying competitors for real estate on my plate. I needed the room – all of it – for meat. Then I learned how to cook...
Although Van Aardt Greyling from the farm Ricksuhill near Lady Grey in the Eastern Cape is better known for his SA Mutton Merinos, his Beefpower Braford Stud is nevertheless home...
Western Cape pig farmer Leandre Mitchley was named Top Smallholder Farming Entrepreneur 2018 at the annual Female Entrepreneur Awards. Her success came after a slow start and a recent major...
Don’t underestimate the value that a long mane and tail will add to your horse, says Kim Dyson.
The Fairworld Merino Stud in the Eastern Cape has been at the forefront of genetic fine wool production in South Africa for over a century. It holds the current South...
Klein Buisfontein Ranch is an intensive game-breeding enterprise run on relatively small land.
In his controversial new book, legendary Southern Africa cattleman Johann Zietsman urges other cattle farmers to buck the status quo, innovate and increase their production by more than 50%. Heather...
Since I seem to be lambasting politicians and bureaucrats all the time, permit me to illustrate the sort of situation I come across almost without exception in markets.
The other day, a market agent told me about a supposedly ‘loyal’ producer who had decided to bypass him and supply directly to an unnamed buyer in the same town,...
The appearance of one or two unknown weeds on my land has reminded me of the danger of leaving them unattended just because they appear to pose no threat due...
Vegetable farmer Gary Fyvie is using green manure crops to replenish tired soil and to fight weeds.He told Robyn Joubert how he sacrificed 6% production for healthier soil over the...
It’s extremely risky to plant tomatoes in the open in areas where hail and three-day spells of rain are common.
A recent visit to a client has prompted another article on integrated pest management (IPM). This farmer has two vegetable farms separated by a few kilometres. He uses wasps to...
