World in digital
It was bitterly cold. The wind was howling from the east. Except for the low sandstone ridge to the north, all around me the rolling grassland stretched to the horizon....
Pests: a stitch in time
After a severe winter we may have become complacent about summer pests. Bollworms, for example, do not appear regularly - and herein lies the danger Issue date 26 October 2007
Tallie’s champion racing pigeons
SJ “TAllie” Taljaard has been racing pigeons since 1958. From 2002 to 2005 he was a member of the River Park Specialist Racing Pigeon Club, under the Golden Reef Pigeon...
Will economic growth continue? Maybe …
'Without a significant improvement in service delivery and infrastructure we will not see 6% economic growth. Consumer spending alone will not achieve our growth targets.' Issue date 26 October 2007
What’s holding up land reform?
Specialist land reform writer Stephan Hofstätter argues swift, orderly and effective land reform is vital for political stability and long-term economic growth. But botched state interventions have exacerbated tensions between...
New equipment on show
Judging from the list of exhibitors, the annual Bien Donné Expo, scheduled for 1 to 3 November and aimed at Vineyard and Orchard farmers, will be a perfect opportunity to...
Dig those greens: plant medicine for your soil
Initial research shows plants like broccoli and rocket may replace synthetic soil fumigants, which are being phased out. They also improve soil condition and have no harmful side-effects. Glenneis Erasmus...
No-till success on the Orange River
Jaco van Niekerk of Luckhoff, a Grain SA commercial grain producer of the year finalist, pioneered no-till in sandy loam soils. Today, five years down the line, he's managed to...
Undefeated Solly: no chip on his shoulder
While farming in the 1980s, Solly Ratsomane managed to acquire land from an apartheid government. Under the new government he had to face floods with minimal compensation and a land...
Cactus pear: an oasis in dry Africa
Anyone searching for a wonder fodder crop for semi-arid regions need look no further than the cactus pear Issue date 26 October 2007
Write a ‘stop doing’ list and build a culture
'It takes great self-discipline to stop doing those things you enjoy, but which add little benefit to the business'. Issue date 26 October 2007
Crossbred lambs better?
Rising input costs and low market prices are forcing sheep producers to produce more meat and wool per hectare Issue date 26 October 2007
‘The state should take agriculture seriously’
The effect that uncertainty surrounding land reform is having on investor confidence is often underestimated, Sanlam's Group CEO Dr Johan van Zyl told delegates at Agri SA's annual congress. For...
Launching the backhoe loaders
Having recently launched the YTO range of agricultural tractors, Super Group Equipment (SGE), part of the JSE-listed Super Group, has now put its considerable marketing power behind equipment used in...
Community with faith in potatoes
The humble potato's ability to create 5 000 jobs, yield almost 28t/ ha and uplift an entire community was proven at the recent handover of the Makuleke Irrigation Scheme. Cornelia...
KZN Young Farmer rolling with the dairy punches
Brandon Karg, KwaZulu-Natal's 2007 Young Farmer of the Year, runs an extremely productive dairy farm by applying the best technology, taking control of the value chain, implementing an innovative approach...
Local stays lekker in UK
The UK is one of South Africa's major export markets, but a new study indicates that, despite pressure on British consumers to support developing countries and conservation, patriotism is primary....
Winning pair of Hereford genes
With quality genetics running through his Hereford stud, Wessel Wessels of Platdoorn Herefords can't help but receive prestigious awards such as this year's Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Hereford Cow. Mike...
Mining agriculture into the ground
Decades of mining pollution are slowly catching up with the environment, directly impacting on agriculture. A former head of the Geology department at Wits, Prof Terence McCarthy, is regarded as...
Realities in Africa – tough but lucrative
'There are various African realities - the important one for South African agriculture is the reality of a huge market for our produce.' Issue Date: 12 October 2007
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