Caxton Magazines
Settling more than land claims
Re-opening the land claims process could lead to much strife among community members.
Talks on retirement savings for farm workers
The South African agricultural sector is working to ensure that farm workers are financially provided for in retirement.
Making the most of groundwater
Only 40% of SA’s groundwater is utilised, yet this figure could be
much higher, says Department of Water Affairs’ scientific manager,
Fanus Fourie. He spoke at the recent Groundwater Conference in Durban.
Robyn Joubert attended the event.
Improving food security in KZN: too little, too slow
A recent study conducted by the universities of Stellenbosch (SU) and Ghent, and published in Development Southern Africa, has cast doubt on the efficacy of the Empowerment for Food Security Programme (EFSP) run by the KwaZulu-Natal department of agriculture in co-operation with the Flemish Development Corporation.
Alpacas beaten to death with a steel pipe
More than six months after the incident, Free State alpaca breeder Jandre Boshoff is still shocked by the senseless bludgeoning to death of five male alpacas in his 120-strong herd.
Farm dams are a good idea
Sadly, SA fails to exploit its irrigation dams for aquaculture. But farm dams, connected to well-built pond systems, offer great potential for growers.
Bonsmaras, and a thirst for knowledge
The Agricultural Research Council’s Free State Emerging Beef Farmer for 2013, Robert Thekiso, farms more than 100 commercial Bonsmara cows on 669ha. Mike Burgess visited him.
SA set to remain a food basket for sub-Saharan Africa
“As South Africa looks forward to the Festive Season, the coming year will be eventful and mostly positive.” This was the message that Jan van Zyl, FNB’s head of agric information and marketing brought to sugarcane farmers in Eston and Noodsberg in KwaZulu-Natal, during a recent farmers’ day.
Growing cabbages – 1
This vegetable is popular throughout the world because of its adaptability to a wide range of climatic conditions, ease of production and storage, and food value.
The allelopathic effect
Nature is truly remarkable. Plants employ strategies to reduce competition and keep other plants from growing too close. Crop scientist Dr Suzette Bezuidenhout says this has an application in weed control. Lloyd Phillips reports in part 1 of two parts.
Farmers need more than good soil to thrive
A farmer’s ability to reach the yield potential of their farm has less to do with climate and soil and more with an enabling environment.
North West drought now critical
Good rain has fallen over the grain production areas of the western Free State and most of the grain producers have started planting.
Livestock Disease Trends – October 2013
In many parts of the country the drought took its toll, with reports of protein and energy deficiencies being received.
From cattle farm to game paradise
The lush, 3 700ha game farm, Iwamanzi (place of the falling waters),
which Stan and Jacqueline Burger built up from scratch, was once an overgrazed cattle farm.
A storm brewing over statutory levies for macadamia industry
Resistance is mounting in the macadamia nut industry over levies payable to the Southern African Macadamia Growers’ Association (Samac).
Stricter meat labels due next year
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has set 25 April 2014 as the date by which all preserved, processed, dried and packaged meat products must adhere to the deparment’s new labelling regulations.
Sugarcane, with tomatoes on the side
Growing tomatoes in Pongola in summer is not for the faint- hearted. But the Terblanche family has fine-tuned its programme and picks tomatoes year-round, with many benefits for the sugarcane operation. Robyn Joubert reports.
Agritechnica gold medal winners
The German Agricultural Society organises Agritechnica, the world’s largest exhibition of agricultural machinery. This year, the society awarded four gold medals for innovation. Joe Spencer takes a look at the winners.
Horses and back problems
The signs of backache are evident in almost every stable yard, but there’s hope – and help, says Kim Dyson.
Modern Tuscan-style home
Verona and James recently sold their farm to move into a new modern styled house.
