Caxton Magazines
Astral’s profit plummets
Astral Foods has recorded its worst trading performance in its history as a JSE listed entity.
Value-adding in the eastern Free State
Agribusiness VKB has stabilised the Free State grain market by establishing a chicken broiler project and building a state-of-the-art chicken abattoir in Reitz. Sas Kasselman of Grain Fields Chickens says diversification contributes to food security and creates extra income. Annelie Coleman reports.
Beware the thrips threat!
The western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) was accidentally introduced into this country some years ago, with severe consequences for many crops.
Herb-stuffed lamb
Sheep have been on the menu for over 10 000 years. It follows that there’s one hell of a lot of ways to cook one, either whole or in part. While roasting lamb is a technique as well-known as any, it remains a challenge for the new cook determined to put their stamp on a classic.
Boland fire burns fynbos, vineyards and orchards
Wild fires in the Western Cape’s Boland region have damaged large areas of mountain fynbos, but farmers in the Wemmershoek area near Franschhoek, where the fire originated, reported few losses.
Protect the soil by controlling erosion
The rehabilitation of areas affected by donga and sheet erosion can reduce run-off, improve productivity and stop further degradation.
Forex frolics
Fluctuating exchange rates can complicate the tax obligations of SA companies operating abroad.
Shepherding her flock to greener pastures
Renowned Dormer breeder Erika Hanekom’s ewes are known for their excellent maternal abilities. She spoke to Denene Erasmus about breeding sheep and farming in a profession dominated by men.
Livestock Disease Trends (as informally reported by vets in South Africa) December 2012
As a result of good rains and high summer temperatures, problems due to intestinal roundworms are increasing. Infestations were reported at:
Another brutal farm murder and attack
A farm manager was shot and killed on Monday 28 January 2013 in another farm attack in the Bapsfontein area in Gauteng.
Farmers must take responsibility for own safety
Farmers must increase their own safety and security measures on farm level. This was the message following a meeting between the Graskop Farmers Association in Villiers, Free State Agriculture (FSA) and the SAPS after the spate of farm attacks in the province so far this year.
New insecticides from sea anemone toxins?
The venom from Anthopleura may soon be used to develop environmentally friendly pest control and new medicines.
A fireproof house – made of straw
This unique design, using hay bales with fire-retardant cladding, can withstand the heat of the fiercest bushfire.
Fox vs jackal: always in balance
Cape fox and bat-eared fox numbers are strongly influenced by fluctuations in the population of black-backed jackal, according
to research conducted near Kimberley by Dr Jan Kamler of Oxford University. This conclusion holds implications for conservation of the two species, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Contaminated irrigation water a threat to public health and exports
The recently reported discovery of dangerous cholera, salmonella and E. coli bacteria in the floodwaters and soils of Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape has, once again...
The origin of the poem
Three readers responded to the letter ‘Does anyone know this poet?’ (23 November, pg 10):
Predator debate continues
Many readers responded to the predator debate contained in the articles by Arthur Rudman (16 November, pg 38) and Dr Dan Parker (23 November, pg 40):
Breeding crop varieties to order
A conventional, non-GM breeding programme by the University of KwaZulu-Natal is developing high-yielding, virus-resistant crop varieties specifically for African small-scale farmers.
Weeding out the problem
Precision camera technology offers automated weed control – and an intelligent means to tell the good guys from the bad. Robyn Joubert reports.
Tough talk
Roelof Bezuidenhout’s interview with Arthur Rudman (16 November, pg 38) refers. It has been a while since Mr Rudman last appeared in your magazine and to his credit, he remains passionately consistent.
