Caxton Magazines
Spending other people’s money
South Africa’s taxpayers finance our welfare system, but as the list of recipients keeps on growing, is it sustainable?
Learn how to Brix it
This unit of measurement is invaluable for both crop farmers and livestock producers.
Pigeon club competitiveness
With careful management and good quality birds, any fancier with the right attitude can become a contender, says Thomas Smit.
Eastern Cape potato co-ops cash in on commodity boom
Potatoes are the fastest-moving commodity in the Easter Cape’s OR Tambo district, said Ikhona Mvaphantsi, Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) spokesperson.
How to fix a ‘show sour’ horse
When a horse that has previously done well starts to misbehave at shows, you can be fairly certain that it’s nervous and needs habituation, says Dr Mac.
How to reduce tortoise electrocution mortalities
Thousands of tortoises are inadvertently killed by electric fences in South Africa each year. Yet there are simple, practical steps that farmers can take to stop this. Dr Luke Arnot of the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science, and Steven Molteno of the global network, Local Governments for Sustainability, explain the extent of the problem, and provide solutions.
Biological farming ensures dairy farm’s success
For 15 years, the Muller family, near George, has been using biological farming methods and no-till practices. Their pasture-reared dairy herd is thriving and can be directly traced to the operation’s original 17 cows.
Growing pepper: simple steps to follow
Pepper is a tropical plant that prefers hot, humid areas such as the Lowveld and the northern coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal.
The rise and fall of ornamental fish culture
The hobby of keeping exotic ornamental fish in a home aquarium is nowhere near as popular as it once was.
Sponsored
New Holland BigBaler: Baling at 32t/hour!
New Holland’s field trial of its BigBaler 1290 demonstrated remarkable productivity: 1 254 bales averaging 434kg in 17 hours.
Use a curry comb to groom your horse
Get the sweat out of your horse, as well as dirt and loose hairs. Dr Mac shows how.
Maize production: Managing critical plant growth stages
There is more to a maize land than meets the eye. It is a mass production facility with thousands of efficient ‘factories’ per hectare, each storing the sun’s energy through photosynthesis. A system this complex and valuable needs careful management, says Grant Pringle, Pannar agronomist in KwaZulu-Natal.
Know your spinach variants
Chard (Beta vulgaris) is also known as ‘Swiss chard’, ‘silver beet’, ‘mangold’ and other names. In South Africa it is usually referred to simply as ‘spinach’.
Feeding dairy cows roughage
Before putting together a feeding schedule, confirm the properties of the available feed.
Spicy hot cross buns
Also known as spicy buns, these teatime favourites can be enjoyed any time of the year. What makes them so special? Two things: the spicy bite that enlivens every mouthful and the simple delight of baking them yourself. These buns are ready the moment you choose!
Buy cattle from a reputable breeder
There are many sources of good cattle, both registered (stud) and commercial. It is best to purchase from a successful and reputable breeder who sells only sound cattle as breeding stock; this person will be happy to give you advice.
Barley: insect and fungal control, regulation and irrigation
Barley is highly sensitive to competition from weeds, especially in the initial stages. Early control measures will therefore enhance yield potential.
Eco-friendly homes
Dionne is looking for an architect who could design a number of environmentally friendly housing options of 40m², 60m² and 80m², with the option of additions but staying true to the African earthy look and feel.
Okabra Brahman Stud: breeding for the future
Mecki and Brigitte Schneider of the Okabra Brahman Stud in the Grootfontein district in Namibia own one of the largest stud and commercial beef cattle operations in Southern Africa. Wayne Southwood investigates how they made significant improvements to their herd by continually applying sound scientific principles.
Darling’s 150 000kg/year olive processing success story
When Roleen Basson started Darling Olives about 10 years ago, she didn’t even eat olives. However, today her business produces about 30 product lines, and the Darling Olives footprint will soon extend to supermarkets beyond the Western Cape.
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