Caxton Magazines
Growing cabbages – Part 2
Here are useful cultivation tips for this highly popular vegetable.
Farmers secrets to success
Official statistics aside, there seems to be a wide gulf between farmers who are doing well and those who are not. What are successful farmers doing right?
Support for drought-stricken North West farmers
The SA public has rallied around the drought-stricken farmers in the North West Province and donations to the value of R120 000 had been paid into Agri North West’s bank account as at Monday, 9 December, 2013.
Ganna Ngunis – breeding for excellence
Michiel van Niekerk runs a stud Nguni herd in the arid region of the western Free State between Petrusburg and Kimberley. For him, the economic realities of livestock farming mean that he cannot afford animals that underperform. The Ganna Stud benefits from recording, measuring and modelling.
Online technology only a click away
Stumped for useful ideas on your farm? Find help at these sites, says Greg Miles.
Criminal charges against Tina?
The DA plans to lay criminal charges against the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, after a report by the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela in which the minister has been accused of maladministration and improper and unethical conduct in the manner she awarded an R800 million fisheries patrol tender.
A Durban mutton curry bunny chow
A bunny from Durbs comes under the heading of extreme handheld food for two reasons. One is the size and the other is the veld-fire flavour of living chilli.
Destructive banana disease identified in Mozambique
The first outbreak of a banana fungal wilt disease in Mozambique has been reported.
Shell’s ‘tactics’ anger Karoo farmers
Many farmers in the Middelburg, Graaff-Reinet, Nieu Bethesda and Cradock districts of the Karoo are upset by energy company Shell’s attempts to contact them individually and speak of ‘divide and rule tactics’.
Possible maize shortage in 2014
South Africa could face a shortage of maize next year, according Grain SA chairperson Louw Steytler.
Fresh Produce global round-up
Occasionally, I like to break away from the norm and take a look at the bigger picture of fresh produce trading globally.
Here are some snippets gleaned from recent industry publications.
How dung beetles can help you
The beneficial role played by insects in agriculture should not be underestimated, and this is certainly true of dung beetles, says Paul Donovan.
New Holland at Hanover
Every two years in Hanover, Germany, Agritechnica showcases innovative ideas from machinery manufacturers large and small. Joe Spencer was there.
The pigeon fanciers’ mecca
The Kassel International Pigeon Market is one of the biggest of its kind in the world, says Thomas Smit.
Weaning your foal
This can be a stressful and dangerous period for foals, cautions Dr Mac.
A cottage to change with the times
Eleanor is helping a friend with planning a simple two-bedroom cottage. Read on to see Jonno's designs.
Remembering Madiba
The agriculture sector comes together to mourn the passing of a truly great man.
Female agricultural graduates on the increase in NW
The North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Desbo Mohono is pleased with the rising number of young females qualifying as professionals in the field of agriculture this year.
A billion mouths to feed by 2030 – time to make a plan
By 2030, the world will have one billion more mouths to feed. To meet this growing food need, we require a sustainable, enabling agricultural environment. Can this be achieved in 17 years? Nedbank Capital’s Zhann Meyer thinks it can, but we need to act now.
Canola: Fields of gold
Canola production has grown in leaps and bounds during the past decade and is set to more than double in the next. With biofuel blending regulations coming into effect in 2015 and positive results achieved in crop rotation, the canola industry is poised for a boom. Lindi van Rooyen reports.
