Animals

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...

Mozambique tilapia: big plans for a small fish

Fish is a healthy source of protein, but is becoming increasingly unaffordable for South Africans. Ramon Kourie and Vuyani Somyo of Thapi AquaKulcha look at why marine tilapia may be...

Tilapia farming: Untapped SA market holds opportunity for growth

David Fincham has more than 30 years’ experience in aquaculture and is one of South Africa’s foremost tilapia specialists. Through his business in Muldersdrift near Johannesburg, he has supplied 450...

Sheep & goats

Sheep production: Why healthy teeth mean healthy profits

Angora: good money from a great breed

Merino: why a bigger flock is better on the Mpumalanga Highveld

Capitalising on unused land with Boer Goats

Meat, milk or wool: choose a sheep breed fit for purpose

Pigeons

Young fancier’s dream to bring pigeon racing to townships

Lodumo Nkala is a young man with a plan: he wants to bring the sport of pigeon racing to South Africa’s rural townships. He shared his vision and strategy with...

PIGS

Top pig farmer takes full advantage of technology

New technologies, big data and top-of-the-range genetics are becoming increasingly important aspects of profitable pig farming. However, these advancements don’t come cheap, placing them out of reach of many small-scale...

Horses

Boerperd breeder sets her sights ever higher

Liezelle Whitehead, award-winning SA Boerperd breeder from the eastern Free State, believes the Boerperd has a bright future as probably the most multi-purpose horse in the country. She describes the...

Plough for more

News

Findings of Zita investigation must be made public

Two of South Africa’s largest farmers’ unions are calling for a capable director-general (DG) of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to replace the recently suspended Langa Zita.

AfriForum receives #RAK nomination and challenges Water Affairs

AfriForum has challenged the minister of water affairs, Edna Molewa, to appoint a Blue Scorpion task team to assist it in its criminal case in which the Madibeng Municipality is...

Zim avian flu outbreak: SA farmers must step up biosecurity

Following the recent avian flu outbreak in Zimbabwe, the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) have urged SA poultry owners to implement...

Grain SA to seek drought relief for members

The Grain SA executive announced an undertaking at the 2015 Grain SA congress to work with members of the agricultural value chain regarding financial relief for the drought-stricken grain producers...

Food Lover’s Market takes up fight against hunger in May

In an effort to address the problem of hunger and malnutrition faced by many, Food Lover's Market has launched a month-long in-store campaign through which they want to provide one...

Covid-19 delays 2020 coffee harvest as prices weaken

The shortage of migrant workers to harvest coffee beans in South America due to travel restrictions aimed at containing the COVID-19 pandemic, could result in countries such as Costa Rica,...

Business

HelloChoice: A proudly South African success story

HelloChoice links buyers and sellers through its website and mobile app, and is specifically designed for South Africa’s market environment.

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...

Apply now for the Land Bank’s Blended Finance Scheme!

The Land Bank’s Blended Finance Scheme (BFS) is an exciting new finance programme designed to help developing farmers realise their dream of going commercial.

Prelude to a disaster Loskop Dam goes toxic

Mining pollution threatens to turn Loskop Dam into the largest toxic acid lake in Africa, as decades of coal mining on the Mpumalanga Highveld starts to catch up with us....

Plans to diversify to ensure sustainability

Gugu Mlipha is the SA Agricultural Writers’ New Entrant to Commercial Farming for 2015. She farms vegetables on 6ha in Walkerville, Gauteng, and also runs a vegetable processing business. She...

Limpopo extension officer makes farming ‘cool’ for schoolkids

Extension officers are slowly gaining ground in the fight for food security in rural areas, but many challenges remain. John Mthembi explains to Gerhard Uys why he has targeted schools.

Lifestyle

Chicken roasted in beer

Chicken is a national bird in Africa. Where there are people, you will find chickens. Here is an outstanding combination of flavours, all centred upon a slightly boozy version of...

Suzán’s dolmades recipe

Spring is the ideal time to pick vine leaves for this traditional Greek delicacy and Strandveld’s soft, young Pinot noir leaves proved to be the perfect ingredient for Suzán, winemaker...

Eastern Ecstasy

For first-timers, this over-the-top ultra-spicy Sichuan-influenced meal can be a challenge. Most of the strong flavours are unfamiliar, the colour of the sauce is a deep magenta, and one of...

At the foot of a mountain

Jonno helps a couple with a house near Barberton.

Retiring at the lakeside

I received a call from Mike and Molly, who would like a stage-built house in a private lakeside home resort. The man-made lake, which stretches for 3km upstream, is situated...

How to cook rabbit meat

Cooking a rabbit is a minor challenge, second only to getting a rabbit in the first place. Like most survivalist foods inherited from the peasantry of Europe, these floppy, cartoonish...

Animals

Managing water temperature in winter

The high altitude in parts of Southern Africa can play havoc with temperature control on the sub-continent’s tilapia farms. There are, however, measures that can be implemented to counter this.

Blazing or grazing – the great fire debate

The grasslands of the African savannah depend on defoliation processes like fire and grazing to maintain plant vigour, increase cover and reduce rainfall-runoff. Prof Winston Trollope talks to Heather Dugmore...

The adaptable Afrisim: ideal for feedlot and veld

Afrisim cattle consultant Lynton Vermaak explains to Annelie Coleman that no breeder can afford animals that need unnecessary attention in the economic reality of sustainable and profitable red meat production...

Inherited night blindness

Reduced vision at night and a reluctance to enter dark stables in the daytime may be associated with night blindness, says Dr Mac.

Resistance problems?

Various factors can contribute to resistance in your horse - the bit is not necessarily always the problem. Issue date 15 June 2007

Award-winning Brangus breeder’s formula for success

Christopher Sparks can be counted as one of the top cattle stud producers in South Africa after having claimed two prestigious national titles last year. Sabrina Dean visited him at...

Crops

Understanding plant breeders rights

I’ve met a few senior people in the fresh-produce sector who don’t know what plant breeders’ rights (PBRs) are.

Leaf miner control problems

There’s absolutely no reason for leaf miners to be a problem any longer – other than in isolated cases, that is. .

Nematodes: not all bad

It may surprise many farmers that not all nematodes (eelworms) are harmful to crops.

Dealing with a market agent

Warren Buffet, one of the world’s richest men, is reputed to have said: “Look for three things in a person – intelligence, energy and integrity. If they don’t have the...

Strategies for pumpkin fly control

Pumpkin fly is a pest every cucurbit grower will know. It is similar to a fruit fly but, as its name suggests, it parasitises members of the pumpkin family.

Growing tomatoes in a bacterial wilt area

Bacterial wilt can be a devastating disease in tomatoes. I’ve seen whole crops destroyed, and if you’re farming in a warm area where the disease is prevalent, it’s worth knowing...