Caxton Magazines
Farm attackers should be removed from society – Modise
Perpetrators of violence against the farming community had no place in society and should be permanently removed.
Drought pushes down meat prices
Now is the time for consumers to bargain hunt, according to Koos van der Ryst, vice-chairperson of the National Red Meat Producer’s Organisation (RPO).
Grain industry seeks a way out of the storm
The grain industry has experienced a tough five months, with the national transport strike depressing tonnages milled.
Abalone farming leads aquaculture growth in SA
Abalone farming in South Africa, which first started in the 1990s, is expected to increase fivefold within the next decade.
Time to get paranoid about shearing shed hygiene
Despite its high quality, SA’s wool clip is becoming the most heavily contaminated by foreign objects in the world, according to Isak Staats, BKB’s manager of wool and mohair.
Brine discussions continue
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), importers and re-workers of poultry and local producers recently held a meeting to further discuss the practice of brining in the poultry industry.
The law can help with labour costs
Most farmers want to avoid having to retrench workers as a result of dramatically increased labour wages and costs associated with conditions of employment. Attorney Rob McCarthy, a specialist in labour and land law, gives some cost-saving options and advice.
Choosing a breed that’s right for you
One of the first things beginner cattlemen want to know is: what’s the best beef breed to farm with? Leslie Bergh of the ARC provides a few broad guidelines.
The Falls Backpackers and Adventures
In 2004 Adriaan Badenhorst and Angela Metcalf quit their jobs as guides on the Orange River and moved to an abandoned trading station near Maclear in the Eastern Cape to start their own adventure company – The Falls Backpackers and Adventures. Mike Burgess recently visited the now-married couple to find out why kayaking the unique rivers of the north-eastern Cape has captivated them.
Using a GPS
These gadgets can be especially useful to farmers, says Greg Miles.
Basic two-bedroom house
I got a call from Makwati in Serowe, Botswana. He said that he regularly bought the Farmer’s Weekly to see Hillbilly Homes, but that it mostly featured large, expensive-to-build homes.
Foaling season
Horse owners need to try and minimise risks to both foal and mare during foaling season, says Dr Mac.
Seed & fertiliser planter for small-scale users
Winner of three Nampo Boerepatente competitions, Michris Janse van Rensburg is back with a manually propelled combination seed and fertiliser planter. Joe Spencer reports.
Managing leaf miners in tomato crops
Leaf miners need not be the threat they were when originally introduced.
Food on the table, money in the bank
Community non-profit organisation, Letsha la Eleroi, farms on a small scale to provide fresh vegetables to the sick and the elderly. Project chairperson Beauty Tsokunyane tells Peter Mashala how the project progressed from home-based care to a profitable operation.
12 ways to protect the land
STEP 10: Control dogs, cats and livestock.
A guide to growing carrots
A short overview on carrots for those interested in producing these nutritious vegetables.
Conservation farming offers reprieve from mining threat
In the drive to mine the wealth of Mpumalanga, many productive farms
have been turned into open cast mines while others wait to be dug up. Investing in soil which is soon to be mined presents some challenges
to the farmer. Lindi van Rooyen visited Ivan Enslin to see how an
appropriate soil management plan can save money and optimise yield.
Rethinking energy dependence
With huge increases in Eskom tariffs, more and more farmers are investing in alternative energy solutions. Mike Burgess visited Eastern Cape farmer Luke Bell to learn more about his KRE hybrid system.
The role of a market manager
Being a market manager (MM) on a fresh produce market is a hands-on business and not about skulking in sumptuous offices. Unfortunately, far too many of our current crop of MMs seem to prefer the latter option.
