Farmers must lobby govt, now

With the current global financial turmoil and concern over food security, it’s time to press government for support, Kwanalu president Brian Aitken said at the union’s congress in Pietermaritzburg on 13 September.

Buying a farm – 3

Implement a record keeping system as soon as you move on to your new farm says Susan Pletts.

Plans to make insurance accessible to small holder farmers

Making crop and livestock insurance accessible to small holder farmers could improve this sectors sustainability.

No one size fits all for emerging farmers

Better strategies and effective production models are needed to sustainably bring new entrants into agriculture.

El Nino might be lighter than expected

Summer grain crop planting well underway, but grain producers in the central and western areas are still waiting for widespread rains.

More Sappi workers face retrenchments

More employees of local pulp and paper giant, Sappi Southern Africa, face losing their jobs over the next few months.

In the minister’s defence

In response to the article, ‘Massive golden handshake likely for Langa Zita’ (21 September, pg 24), the continued accusations levelled at the minister (Tina Joemat-Pettersson) are baseless and devoid of any truth.

The claims on retail products

Thank you for the article ‘Who’s educating consumers?’ (28 September, pg 6). Lindi van Rooyen described the dilemma faced by farmers very nicely.

Give your cattle shade

As we move into the hottest months of the year, when temperatures start to soar, and every living thing is trying to escape from the broiling sun, no self-respecting farmer would be outdoors minus his hat.

The problem with trade unions & strikes

In our society we have trade unions and we have strikes. Factory workers, mine workers and even agricultural labourers usually belong to a union. And I don’t blame them, it’s the nature of man.

Tilapia farming can be done in SA

Ignore all that talk of ‘poor species’ and ‘low temperatures’ – tilapia farming in SA can succeed, as long as a few fundamentals are followed.

Local food markets: are they the answer?

Go big or get out is the current trend as farmers chase economies of scale. But any system which relies on shedding jobs and increasing monopolisation in order to reduce the price of a shelf item is fundamentally unsustainable, warns Luke Metelerkamp.

From pipe dream to poultry success

A city couple bought a run-down chicken farm in the Dargle, with the intention of changing it into a wedding venue. But the chickens turned out to be profitable on their own. Robyn Joubert reports.

Extension officers in NW under investigation

The North West department of agriculture has started an internal investigation following allegations that extension officers are demanding that farmers pay for services.

DAFF beneficiary stats ‘thumbsucked’ – Afasa

About 119 000 farmers have benefited from its farmer support programmes, according to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

Joemat-Pettersson and delegates go head to head

Agriculture minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s presence at the Agri SA congress in Johannesburg caused a stir as many delegates took the opportunity to air their frustrations with the department.

Corruption hampers land reform – ANC

The ANC is adamant that the willing-buyer, willing-seller principle must be replaced, but not by land grabs.

Farmers urged to know their diesel rebate requirements

Farmers have been advised to brush up on their knowledge regarding keeping records of their on-farm diesel use.

‘Talk to us or lose out’ – ANC to farmers

Farmers have been told to engage with the ANC on making a contribution to policies affecting them.

Hot & spicy mutton meatballs

Call it what you will, this meatball veld fire with its powerful Indian flavours will bring tears of homesickness to the eyes of KZN citizens exiled elsewhere in this great Republic of ours. Here is great flavour, character-building chilli heat, and an easy cooking all-in-one splendid recipe.

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