TAU SA and the reality of farming in Africa
On 12 and 13 September TAU SA held its biggest congress ever at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, on the topic of food security within Africa.Issue date: 28...
US and Europe agree to Ethiopian coffee trademarks
European and US coffee roasting distribution companies have signed an agreement to use Ethiopia's coffee speciality trademarks.Issue date: 28 September 2007
Millions missing but DLA picks scapegoat
Alleged misadministration has seen millions disappear from the Department of Land Affairs (DLA) in the past financial year. According to the Public Service Commission's Professor Stan Sangweni a recorded R45,65...
Animal Identification Act to be reviewed
The Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs (Registrar of Animal Identification) and the Cattle Theft Head Office are in the process of reviewing the Animal Identification Act No 6 of...
KZN farmers proactive on land reform
KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) is finalising plans to create a land reform company to speed up transfers and post-settlement support, based on a model pioneered by the sugar industry.Issue date:...
Du Toit slammed for ‘cheap politicking’
Deputy Land Affairs and Agriculture minister Dirk du Toit has been accused by a broad spectrum of critics of indulging in cheap politicking to mask government failures, following remarks he...
townie the art dealer
Beauty is in the eye of beholder, the saying goes. Issue date: 28 September 2007
The Journey
As the sun went down an eerie silence settled over the vastness of the lake. The beach of pearl-white sand was gently lapped by water clear as glass. vacant space...
Proper stables for happy horses
When planning to build a stable, it is a good idea to visit many establishments - two at least. Don't focus on a pretty and stylish appearance, look for a...
The Beerbird has landed!
As Beerbird co-directors Barry Owen and Greg Ivins put it: “We could tell you a half-baked story about our great-grandfather learning the secret of the Beerbird from some unnamed tribesman...
Sporadic bean diseases
This week I look at bean diseases that you will not encounter frequently. Issue Date: 28 September 2007
Get your forecasts right
'Being optimistic is an essential trait for success, but if this optimism clouds judgement to the extent that completely unrealistic projections are made, it's a serious problem.'Issue Date: 28 September...
Big money winners in 2007
Every year the racing pigeon fraternity hosts a number of “money” races which get bigger and bigger, with the stakes going higher and higher. The dividends of potential returns are...
Promised land undermined
As secretary of the Mpumalanga Lakes District Protection Group (MLDPG) Koos Pretorius has battled possibly-illegal coal-mining licenses threatening his organic cherry farm since 2006. Koos contends that the carelessness of...
How to demotivate farmers
'It seems government officials and politicians have little sympathy for commercial farmers and actually want them off the land. This may not be government's true stance, but they do very...
A flush of roses for the Border area
When she settled near Sunrise-on-Sea, north east of East London, Barbara Allen had no idea she'd become one of the largest cut-rose producers in the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess visited...
Mardouw: ultra-high density olive production
Planting single-leader trees at ultra-high density - Mardouw Olive Estate in the Western Cape is experimenting with a novel alternative to the Mediterranean orchard system, and after four years returns...
Unleashing the potential of new black farmers
Grain SA wants to turn new black producers into established and successful commercial farmers through its Farmer Development Program. According to Jenny Matthews, the board member responsible for this programme,...
Beware! Game can infect your herd
Some animal diseases are easily spread from game to domestic herds. The pathogens are constantly adapting and, without careful management, can have a serious impact on both the wildlife and...
