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Getting the basics right: courses in hands-on skills

Major agricultural products supplier, Dicla Farm & Seed, recently established a training centre near Tarlton, north-west of Johannesburg, to equip new small-scale farmers and farm workers with practical skills and knowledge. Peter Mashala visited the Dicla Training Centre.

Treating acidic soils

Most crops yield better in soil that is not too acidic.

Making a go of goats – 2

Goats can be a money-spinner, but good stockmanship is essential for success, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Hundreds of millions of rand lost yearly due to stock theft

Stock theft cost South Africa’s farmers hundreds of millions of rand last year and many Eastern Cape stock farmers believe they are losing the battle against stock thieves.

Middlemen to blame

Worrying signs are afoot in South Africa for both farmers and the public alike and this letter serves as an urgent wake-up call.

Farm debt – good or bad?

At some stage, most successful farmers have taken a big risk and borrowed more than the calculations showed that they should – and you’ll invariably find this resulted in fast growth and higher income.

Focussing on Africa’s potential

Fairtrade in South Africa has experienced dramatic growth over the past few years and the annual Fairtrade Week currently taking place is set to further increase Fairtrade awareness among local consumers and boost sales.

Dr Dung’s lessons

Dung is an important indicator of the nutritional status of a cow. So it’s useful to know what different ‘types’ mean.

The key to running a top broiler business

Sound management and investing in human resources has brought Gilbert Phalafala swift success.

A ‘soft’ revolution in dried tree fruit

Dried fruit company, At Source Handmade Foods, was founded in 2002 and just over a decade later it is one of the three largest local dried tree fruit businesses, capturing an estimated 15% share of the formal retail market. Denene Erasmus spoke to the founder, Handri Conradie and technical manager Anton Erwee, about how they revolutionised the dried fruit business.

Proud flesh

The best way to prevent proud flesh from forming is proper wound management, says Kim Dyson.

Camouflaged cottage

Maaike and Stefaan look to Jonno to help them design a holiday cottage in the Eastern Cape.

Tiny bubbles, big business in sparkling wine

Local wine sales have not kept up with the growth in wine exports from SA and, with the industry optimistic about further export growth and the penetration of new markets in 2013, it’s likely that local sales will continue to lag behind.

Markets react to drought in central regions

The impact of the drought in SA’s central grain-producing areas is gaining momentum and is already being reflected in a sharp increase in maize prices.

Zuma’s speech disappoints

Agricultural leaders are sceptical that President Jacob Zuma’s plans to speed up land reform and re-open land claims, in order to accommodate pre-June 1913 claims by Khoi and San descendents, will get financial backing from treasury.

AgriCAD – Increasing productivity

This father and son are masters of the art of optimising operations in order to get maximum productivity from their equipment. Joe Spencer reports.

Investing in green farming

Investment in companies that provide sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions to agricultural production is gaining momentum as concern grows over farming’s impact on the earth’s resources. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to Rudi van Niekerk, investment advisor at private equity investment fund Agri-Vie, about investing in bio-crop production company Hygrotech.

Caxton Magazines