Biological control of aphids

The subject of biological control of aphids is a complex one, as different crops require different approaches, and the season plays a role as well.

A forum for discussing tax

When the OECD makes statements about the tax practices of a country, the tax community sits up and takes notice.

Mediation agreement in hate speech case welcomed

The agricultural union, TAU SA expressed its satisfaction with the settlement agreement reached between the ANC, ex ANC youth leader Julius Malema, AfriForum and itself, over the struggle song containing the words "shoot the Boer".

JSE’s Commodity Derivatives Division to trade Safex silo receipts

The South African grain market is set to benefit from increased price discovery through a move by the JSE’s Commodity Derivatives Division to trade Safex silo receipts in completion of a futures contract.

Keeping it traditional

Hi Jonno, I saw your outstanding design in the Farmer’s Weekly dated 7 September 2012. It made me think of my plan to build a cultural village on my farm in Gauteng.

Home-grown health

Growing your own vegetables is easy if you know what and when to plant. Bill Kerr shares some tips on planting, harvesting and caring for a few easy-to-grow veggies.

Farmers finding common ground

By forming a good working relationship, nine farmers from Mmakgabetlwane village in North West have found a way to farm on communal land. Peter Mashala visited them.

Stokvels: ideal for farmers

The concept is already popular with 11 million South Africans. Are there enough farmers among them?

Diversification: spreading the risk on a Tanzanian farm

Having too few production divisions can cause financial stress if markets fail. A Tanzanian operation has minimised the risk by launching a variety of enterprises in a relatively short time. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Keep your broilers cool

Follow these tips provided by the Livestock Research and Innovation Institute of the Limpopo Department of Agriculture to reduce the effect of summer’s high temperatures on broiler houses.

‘Farm diesel auditors don’t work on commission’ – SARS

The South African Revenue Service has refuted allegations that its farm diesel use auditors work on a commission. This allegation has been doing the...

Shocking damage to Karoo veld

A picture is worth a thousand words. This week I have three pictures that are worth much, much more than that – and tell a sorry tale!

Working together

Plant root systems and the soil surrounding them have a symbiotic relationship vital to plant production.

Answer that phone!

Businesses that practise good customer relations make sure their ‘frontline people’ – those who answer the phone – are trained, competent, friendly and helpful.

Helping the consumer

Higher food prices are on the way, but government can do a lot to mitigate their effect on consumers.

The value of valuers

The SA Institute of Valuers (SAIV) agrees with Tshepo Diale (24 February) and Andrew Emslie (8 June) that the current land reform process leaves much to be desired.

Prime minus 5% loans for all farmers unlikely

Agricultural economists around the country remain baffled following minister of agriculture Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s announcement at Agri SA’s congress in Johannesburg in October that Land Bank will be offering loans of prime minus 5% to all farmers.

Plans to grow Western Cape agriculture by 10% in 10 years

The Western Cape government has introduced an ambitious plan for agriculture in the province, proposing that provincial authorities support a 10% growth in the agriculture sector for the next 10 years.

Storm season’ hits farmers hard

Intense rainfall and hailstorms struck Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal on the weekend of 19 to 21 October, causing fatalities, infrastructure damage and in some cases, crop losses.

Late rains damage Cape barley crop

Late seasonal rains that fell towards the end of October in many parts of the Western Cape, a winter rainfall area, have caused widespread damage to barley and grain, with the southern parts of the province being the hardest hit.

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