Caxton Magazines
Early pest management for tomatoes
The first consideration for those who plant in the soil is the threat of soil insects, especially cutworms.
Using horsepower to control invasive aliens
Combating invasive alien vegetation on rugged terrain can be expensive and challenging. But an ingenious solution introduced by KZN farmer Clinton Whitehead promises to be effective and affordable. Lloyd Phillips reports.
GM labelling may scare consumers and up prices
The labelling of GM foods could increase food prices by as much as 10%, according to Dr Nompumelelo Obokoh, CEO of AfricaBio. She recently appeared before parliament’s Portfolio Committee for Trade and Industry, to comment on draft amendments to regulations governing the labelling of GM food.
Difficulty in proving ownership in stock theft cases
Stock theft has stripped the South African agricultural economy of R430 million during the 2011/2012 period, said the chairman of the National Red Meat Industry Forum (RMIF), Dave Ford.
Market access a stumbling block for emerging farmers
Helping emerging farmers to reach commercial status was one of the goals of the land reform process
Dispute between coal miner and conservation coalition
A war of words has erupted between Coal of Africa Limited (CoAL) and the Save Mapungubwe Coalition (SMC) that had previously jointly signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)...
Grain prices boost Senwes profits
Senwes announced a net profit after tax of R187 million for the first six months of the 2012/2013 fiscal year. This represented an increase of 65,5% compared to the R113 million profit for the same time the previous year.
Tree lucerne: marvellous, but not miraculous!
The pioneer of tree lucerne in South Africa, Gavin Armstrong, warns that as the interest in this high-yield fodder crop grows, many suppliers are overcharging farmers for inferior plant material. The result may be disappointed buyers. Denene Erasmus reports.
Helping rural co-ops
Agriculture remains the main source of employment and income in rural areas, where the majority of the world’s poor and hungry people live. Ertharin Cousin, executive director of the World Food Programme, explains how, through its Purchase for Progress initiative, the organisation supports smallholder farmers, whose pooled resources provide them more buying and negotiating power.
Title deeds: when will govt relent?
Excellent farmers are being punished because of inept policies which failed years ago.
Electricity savings: the power is in your hands
Increasing energy costs have cut into many a farmer’s profitability. With more increases from Eskom on the cards, producers need an action plan to cut usage wherever possible. Koos Bouwer, an industrial engineering consultant, gives practical advice on reducing a farm’s electricity bill. Lindi van Rooyen reports.
Chemicals: the best weapon against slangbos
Prof Hennie Snyman warns that slangbos (also known as bankrupt bush, bankrotbos or vaalbos) is steadily eroding farm values. So the expense of chemical control is well worth it. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Building maintenance and repair
Locally sourced material can give buildings an attractive, natural, cost-effective finish. Roelof Bezuidenhout offers some examples.
Diesel rebates: keeping the right records
Keep detailed records to claim diesel rebates according to the taxman’s requirements.
The difference between vaccination and treatment
Vaccines and treatment drugs can both be injected, but the two are not the same.
The economics of soil mineralisation
Improving your soil can seem expensive only if you forget it’s a once-off cost that will see you through a lifetime.
Focus on animal health to reduce antibiotic use in livestock
The negative consequences of the widespread, and sometimes indiscriminate, use of antibiotics in livestock production are of growing concern as it could lead to antibiotic resistance. Dr Hans-Joachim Götz, president of the Federal Association of Practising Veterinarians (BPT) spoke at EuroTier in Hanover, Germany on the wise use of antibiotics.
No agreement between workers’ unions and farmers
Representatives of organised agriculture have advised farmers to not become worried when workers decide to join unions, but advised them to get well acquainted with what the law stipulated in terms of union activities on farms.
Courting failure
If you’re a plaintiff – or appellant – you need to move fast, or you could find your case dismissed.
Economy and ecology of Karoo agriculture
Sheep farming has long been the mainstay of the agricultural economy in the Karoo, but agricultural economists Dr Thula Dlamini and Prof Gavin Fraser say that springbok ranching offers a viable
alternative to farmers, with environmental resource benefits. Lindi van Rooyen reports.
