Animals

Aquaculture

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...

A word of warning for start-up producers

Prospective fish producers should consider all the hurdles that stand in the way of making a profit.

Southeast Asia’s formula for top ornamental fish

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.

Sheep & goats

Partnerships prove a winner for new mohair producer

From subsistence to commercial success for Meatmaster breeder

The Boer goat mentor who’s changing lives

Painted Persian sheep demand a handsome profit

Northern Cape sheep farmer’s lessons from the drought

Pigeons

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...

PIGS

Biosecurity on a budget for small-scale pig producers

In this article Dr Peter Evans, veterinary liaison officer of the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation, shares affordable and practical tips that small-scale pig farmers can implement to improve biosecurity...

Horses

Using homeopathy to treat your horse

A wide range of homeopathic remedies is available for treating competition horses, according to Dr Mac.

Plough for more

News

University of California wins strawberry spat

A jury recently ruled against two former scientists employed by the University of California (UC) Davis in the US, after they sued their former employee over control of strawberry breeding...

Black Boerboel breed recognised again

The black Boerboel is now, again, officially accepted as part of the Boerboel breed, and can again be sold and advertised as such.

DNA testing ‘an essential tool for wildlife industry’

Genetics was a tool that should be used by the South African wildlife industry in the same way it was used in the livestock industry, according to Dr Munro Marx,...

Competition Tribunal approves inter-company ammonia sales

Four South African chemicals companies have received approval from the country’s Competition Tribunal (CompTrib) to continue with their arrangement to trade ammonia between each other.

‘Retired vets can help with health inspections’

The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) is rallying support to have retired and private-sector veterinarians strengthen government’s animal health inspections.

Has the ANC reached its ceiling?

Land reform proposals mooted at the Lekgotla may be preparing for the state of the nation address said Dr Theo de Jager, transformation leader and president of the Pan African...

Business

Konsortium Merino prepares for the future

Breeding association Konsortium Merino recently announced a breakthrough strategy to ensure its members’ success over the next decade. This entails new forms of ownership to overcome the growing difficulties associated...

A guide to trademarks, patents and plant breeders’ rights

The use of trademarks, patents and plant breeders’ rights can make an agricultural business more competitive locally and internationally. Gerhard Uys spoke to David Cochrane and Madelein Kleyn about the...

How aquaponics benefits children and the community

Two years ago, Laerskool Kempton Park embarked on an innovative project to introduce aquaponics in its school curriculum. The produce from this system not only provides nutritious food, but teaches...

Breathing life back into the villages of Ncora

Hailed as a success story by the Eastern Cape premier, Noxolo Kiviet, during her 2014 State of the Province address, Ncora Dairy shows how private-community partnerships can lead to genuine...

Reducing the distance between farm & fork

Jasmyn in Hartbeespoort has grown from a double garage-size farm stall to a farmers’ market of choice for fresh food lovers in the Gauteng area. The farm and shop are...

Lemon grass success story

A group of subsistence farmers in a remote coastal area of Eastern Cape is turning to lemon grass and essential oil production – and finding a ready market. Robyn Joubert...

Lifestyle

Cape Dutch house design

Dear Jonno Your environmentally friendly designs have made me a loyal Farmer’s Weekly reader. I need you to help me design a lovely house – the Cape Dutch design common...

The modification bug makes a comeback

Many obsolete camera components are still very usable with some modification. And once the modification bug re-emerges, one bite is all it takes to get your creative juices flowing again,...

Thick lamb chops with syrup, Scotch & ginger

There are men who regard the concept of cooking with Scotch as sacrilegious. Anything that takes so long to mature and costs so much money can’t and shouldn’t be used...

Fettuccine with ham, mushrooms & cream

Pasta is a gift to the beginner cook. In a short time, you can cook a meal that works for a weeknight dinner or a family celebration.

The ssssssecrets of Ophidiophobia

Our fear of snakes harks back to our primeval ancestors – and is shared by many creatures. Yet these beautful creatures deserve our respect and protection. Abré J Steyn takes...

A house by the sea

Jonno helps a reader to design a house in Mauritius.

Animals

Salt water aquaculture

Salinity – at the coast or inland – is rarely a barrier to successful tilapia farming.

High demand for Boer goat meat brings opportunity

André and Brenda Swanepoel started farming Boer goats as a part-time activity on their smallholding in Mpumalanga. In no time at all, they found themselves running a thriving commercial operation,...

Rabies can be a danger to your horse

Rabies is a cruel and incurable disease, but horses can be inoculated against it at little cost.

How to distinguish similar-looking juvenile cichlids

Approximately 15 cichlid species occur in South Africa. To the untrained eye, several appear confusingly alike, especially as juveniles. So make sure you get the right tilapia species for your...

The horse passport explained

This legal document helps to simplify equestrian sport and ensure greater protection for horses, explains Dr Mac.

Racing the world

The Kitchenbrands are one of the oldest pigeon families in the South African pigeon racing fraternity. Now, fourth-generation champion Mark Kitchenbrand is racing pigeons both here and abroad, reports Thomas...

Crops

Taking your sweet potatoes through to maturity

Even though sweet POTATOES are a generally low-care crop, some pests can cause a complete wipe-out. You need to do regular inspections and know what to look for.

Getting your green beans off to a good start

Green bean farming in South Africa has changed considerably over the past twenty years or so. Not long ago, beans were planted and weeded by hand.

How to achieve optimal maize production

Maize growers often have questions on to how to maximise their crop yield and the profitability of their enterprises. Grant Pringle, a product agronomist at Pannar Seed SA, gives expert,...

Top winery dabbles in biodynamics

Haskell Vineyards in Stellenbosch has taken a giant leap of faith by converting one of the farm’s top vineyard blocks into a biodynamic farming experiment. Wikus Pretorius, general manager, shares...

Managing irrigation of fruit when water is scarce

Water availability has become one of the greatest limiting factors in agricultural production in South Africa. Johan Kotzé, director of Dutoit Agri Eastern Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how...

Potato planting procedures

Potatoes are a productive crop and as such are heavy feeders. The potato also has a rather confined root system, so make sure the fertiliser is placed where the roots...