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

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

Angora: good money from a great breed

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

Basic vaccination and health protocols for pigs

Unlike farming or production programs where livestock species such as sheep, cattle, and goats are farmed extensively on wide-open spaces comprised of pastures or grazing rangelands, pigs are usually produced...

Horses

Global warming and heat stress in horses

The maximum daily temperatures are climbing globally, and stable management approaches may have to be changed, says Dr Mac.

Plough for more

News

Be part of Farmer’s Weekly’s 110th commemorative edition

Farmer’s Weekly celebrates its 110th anniversary this year and this is your chance to get involved and be featured in the collectors’ commemorative edition.

Concern over ageing farmer population in Europe

Agricultural policy-makers in the EU have expressed concern about the ageing agricultural population, with the average age of occupiers of farms in the bloc continuing to rise.

Let’s work with farmers for a change

South Africa's commercial farmers provide 50 million people with quality food. The government has to create conditions that will keep as many farmers as possible on the land and encourage...

Free State farm attacks and murders decreased in 2016

Farm attacks and murders in the Free State have decreased since 2015. This was according to Free State Agriculture (FSA).

Young Nigerian awarded for food-saving innovation

A software engineer from Nigeria has won an international award for his cloud-based application that automatically notifies food retailers of food products approaching the end of their shelf-life. This allows the retailers...

Land reform won’t end anytime soon

Contentious issues pertaining to land will continue to dog the agriculture industry over the next five years, according to political analyst Justice Malala.

Business

Are national fresh produce markets coming to an end?

National fresh produce markets are vital to food security in South Africa, providing a robust, transparent pricing system and a crucial service to buyers and sellers across the country. While...

Working together yields profits for Keimoes farmers

The gravel road between Keimoes and Upington unfolds onto the lush, green oasis of Eksteenskuil in the Northern Cape. Here, a group of small-scale farmers have created a vibrant agricultural...

Living his farming dream among sticks and stones

'Farming is not for sissies', says emerging commercial farmer André Thops of Olyfkloof farm in the Hex River Valley. He sites the lack of cash flow and access to funds...

Mixed farming: a successful synergy of citrus and dairy

Huguenot Farms in the Sundays River Valley is implementing a long-term, mixed farming strategy that will see its ‘beautiful soils’ produce to their full potential. Sabrina Dean visited the farm,...

Customised training for commercial and small-scale interests

South Africa has an urgent need for agricultural training at all levels. The Hoedspruit Hub Agricultural Training Centre provides commercial skills training programmes, practical courses to assist small-scale farmers, and...

Citrus: a long-term vision for traditional communities

Thanks to a financial boost from various public and private entities, the Majeje Citrus company will be able to fully participate in one of South Africa’s most important agricultural industries...

Lifestyle

Not Just Another Stroganoff

There’s more than one way to combine cream, mushrooms and rump steak. Give this major steak enhancement recipe your best shot. Your friends will love it.

Octagonal farmhouse design

Chris and Madelein from Botswana want to build an Octagonal farmhouse on their 17ha farm. They ask Jonno for assistance.

Church-style roofing

Jonno assists Tessa and Peter with roofing ideas.

A modern take on ‘kapstyl’

Jonno assists Rodgers this week by designing a three-bedroom house with a gable roof covered with inverted box rib roofing sheets.

Mauritian-influenced fish curry

‘Vindaye,’ say my Friends Of Mauritian Origin (FOMO), ‘is not just another KZN fish curry.’ I think a Durban fish curry is a marvellous thing, but FOMO disagree. So here...

Hake with hot chilli

All the excitement about national symbols has failed to provide South Africa with a national fish. Let me fill the gap by nominating hake. It is a wonderfully versatile fish...

Animals

Tackling rain scald in horses

This unsightly skin infection is not dangerous, but it should always be attended to. If ignored, it can give rise to a secondary infection that will complicate treatment. Kim Dyson...

Enzootic bovine leucosis: Dairy’s cancer time bomb

Enzootic bovine leukosis currently represents one of the largest threats to SA’s dairy industry. If nothing is done to prevent and control new infections, it is possible that in future...

Locheim Herefords: bred for balance

Philip de Waal, owner of the Locheim studs in the Swartland and on the West Coast, has won regional, national and international awards for his top-performing Hereford cattle. He spoke...

How to start a pig farming business

A misperception exists that pig farming is a quick cash activity due to the short lifespan of a pig. The costs are often ignored.

Angular limb deformities in foals

Angular limb deformities can be treated in various ways, depending on the severity of the deformity, says Dr Mac.

A promising new colour variant for game farmers

With colour variants in rare game being in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, ‘White Saddleback’ blesbok may be the way to go for breeders who want to ensure...

Crops

Benefits of vermiculture

David Leslie and his son James use vermiculture to keep their potato, bean, maize and soya crops healthy – and it’s paying off. Gerhard Uys visited them on their Free...

Putting crop rotation into perspective

When developing a crop rotation programme, one must take into consideration the various pests and diseases that may infect different crops in order to avoid disastrous results, says Bill Kerr.

Fruit and vegetable production with the neighbours

A few years ago, I wrote about the development of fruit and vegetable production in our neighbouring countries – specifically Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Target pests and maintain ecological balance with Amicor® Insect Control

FMC’s new Amicor® Insect Control represents an advancement in insecticide technology, and offers farmers so much more than mere insect control.

Hi-tech onion business delivering 200t a day!

Willem, Jaco and Kolver Mulke produce onions on a large scale near Douglas on the border between the Free State and the Northern Cape. Sabrina Dean visited their high-tech operation...

Zimbabwean farmers make do, regardless

I recently visited Harare with Prof Charles Whitehead from the University of Johannesburg for a two-day Banana Ripening and Post-harvest Physiology workshop for the employees of a large Zimbabwe-based farming...