Caxton Magazines
Watching your cucurbits grow
As with any crop, there’s a risk to planting cucurbits and then doing ‘bakkie’ farming – skirting the land with your head half-way out of the driver’s side window.
Locomotive collector and his toys
Swopping model trains and tractors for the real thing so entranced Wilfred Mole that he has dedicated himself to preserving Southern Africa’s transportation heritage. And the 1 000 visitors to the annual Stars of Sandstone Steam Heritage Festival in Ficksburg could not be more pleased. Lindi van Rooyen reports.
Larger Spring Show expected this year
Organisers of The Spring Show at the Tshwane Events Centre (previously the Pretoria show grounds) from 28 August to 1 September are confident that this year’s event will outperform last year’s in terms of breeder, visitor and exhibitor numbers.
Palmiet wetland conservation
It’s not too late to restore damaged palmiet wetlands, says Alanna Rebelo of Stellenbosch University’s Department of Conservation and Entomology. Roelof Bezuidenhout spoke to her about the value of
these remarkable wetlands.
The fight for food trade
The number of anti-dumping investigations has risen over the past year amid fierce competition for the food trade. But Alexander Amrein, senior investigator for the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac), says this is not a sign of a global move towards protectionism.
These markets are closed to farmers
Much has changed since 1994, but there has been no breakthrough in improving access to markets.
Tackling certification for small timber farmers
SA’s timber industry is making headway with introducing a group Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification scheme to community-owned and small-scale timber plantations.
Emerging livestock farmers ask for more support
The agriculture department is making slow progress in developing a support strategy for emerging livestock farmers.
Ginger Biscuit
Call it a ginger slice or a hard biscuit. The singular ginger flavour of this delicious item from the world’s great line-up of baked treats brings a whole new skill to your cooking repertoire.
Department not transparent – Wallmansthal community
Allegations have been levelled against officials of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), of deliberately holding up the settlement of the Wallmansthal land claim for personal gain.
A personal weather station
Here’s a useful gadget for farmers, says Greg Miles.
Vaccine shortages problematic
Farmers are apparently struggling to obtain various vaccines that should be manufactured and distributed by government’s Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP).
About the new draft bill
As I write this, the new draft Agricultural Produce Marketing Agencies Bill (APMA) is under public review. The department of agriculture, which is ‘driving’ the bill, has met with many roleplayers in the fresh produce markets and livestock and export sectors.
Classing mohair 2
Roelof Bezuidenhout focuses on the importance of the micron in Angora hair and how to shear and grade.
Know your pests: Aphids
All aphids share the same basic body structure. They are small and soft-bodied with a tear-drop shape and sucking mouthparts. Their success is in part due to the prolific asexual reproduction capability of some species.
Heatonville farmer suspected of contracting rabies
An unnamed farmer in the Heatonville area of northern KwaZulu-Natal has reportedly been admitted to a private hospital, after possibly having contracted rabies.
Taxman targets trusts once again
The authorities have been tightening up on trusts for many years, and the latest set of proposals are set to tax trust income even more severely.
Improve farmer support first – industry
Researchers and other agriculture stakeholders say support services to small-scale farmers and beneficiaries of land reform should be strengthened before government reopens land claims.
Government interference hampers farming – Pringle
The hostile interference of government in agriculture was the main contributor to making the past year one of the most difficult ever for the industry.
Dairy – room for growth
Prices in the dairy sector – one of the fastest-growing industries in the world – are expected to remain flat in 2013, according to Alwyn Kraamwinkel, Sampro CEO. Robyn Joubert reports.
