Billy’s Groot Trek-tor
Earlier this year, Billy van der Mescht of Indo Trak drove a small Chinese-built tractor on a cross-country trip of almost 1 200km, to raise money for CANSA and prove...
Food or fuel … or both?
The Southern African Biofuels Association has released a briefing paper challenging arguments that bioethanol production would worsen food inflation and reduce food security. Glenneis Erasmus gives a summary. Issue Date:...
Successful farmer targets traditional markets
Tshabeni Mangwana began his farming career as a communal farmer back in 1958 in the Herschel district of the former Transkei. After acquiring a farm in 2002 through the Eastern...
The Overvaal Bonsmara Group: working together, separately
Triple the benefits at a third of the cost. This is the bottom line behind the success of the Overvaal Bonsmara Group. Three North West farmers joined forces four years...
Petty officials work hard – to block land reform
A land reform farm in KwaZulu-Natal had everything going for it: prime land, capital, market access and top-notch mentorship. Today the estate is thriving - despite the best efforts of...
Breeding ostriches to fit your farm
Research indicates that at least one aspect of temperament in ostriches can be modified by selection. This could help farmers breed ostriches that adapt better to the intensive farming systems...
Agri Mega Week
This year's Agri Mega Week distinguished itself as the largest agricultural forum in the Western Cape, with something for everyone. Exhibitions filled over 52 000m² this year, with almost 20...
The state of KZN farming
The annual report of the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union, which marked the 10th anniversary of its formation, contained some interesting information in the commodity reports. Joe Spencer provides a summary. Issue...
Swartruggens farmers get outside help with rotten water
Some days farmers living close to the irrigation canal from the Lindleyspoort Dam in the Swartruggens district have to keep the doors and windows of their farmhouses shut in an...
‘It’s Wild Coast, not Wild West’
A recent ruling of the South African Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) upholding the demolition order on illegal cottages built along the Wild Coast has been welcomed by campaigners for...
SABS taking a closer look at biodiesel quality
The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) wants to check the quality of South Africa's biodiesel. However, this task will be futile without the participation of biodiesel producers. SABS has...
New eviction precedent takes wind out of minister’s sails
South Africa will not turn into a second Zimbabwe if current legal precedent has anything to do with it. This was the assurance given by the Land Claims Court after...
Spring rains boost farming confidence
Good rains in the interior could mean the end of the wait-and-see phase prevailing in agricultural business confidence, as reported in Farmer's Weekly last month. With ongoing showers in the...
AGCO acquires SFIL
A GCO Corporation, a US manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment worldwide, has bought the privately owned Industria Agricola Fortaleza Limitada (SFIL), a leading Brazilian provider of farm implements. Issue...
A new force in international farm equipment
Rostselmash, Russia's largest producer of agricultural combine harvesters, has acquired its first foreign asset, the Canadian tractor-maker Buhler Industries. Rostselmash will pay CA$143,3 million in the next five years for...
Wool softer but prospects still good
Aggressive competition among buyers at the most recent wool auction continued to fuel the positive mood in the local wool industry, according to Ken Craig of BKB. “This is perhaps...
Bush turnaround on Africa food aid
US president George w Bush has announced his country will no longer dump agricultural surpluses produced by highly subsided American farmers in Africa. Instead, money for food aid would be...
Intimidation forces farmer to sell, but on his terms
An elderly Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, farmer has decided to throw in the towel and sell his farm, following growing intimidation by members of a neighbouring tribal community. Issue Date: 12 October...
Producers intend to plant more crops
At this early stage, South Africa's grain producers intend to plant about 9,3% more summer crops than last year. On 27 September the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) revealed the producers'...
ADVERTISEMENT
MUST READS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
