Looking after the soil

Over the next few weeks we’ll look at repairing the damage done to our soils through poor farming practices.

Privacy & dignity

Your rights if SARS issues a search warrant against you – and the circumstances under which such a warrant is valid.

More certainty needed to prevent SA slipping further

South Africa dropped two places in the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) – from 50th to 52nd out of 144 countries surveyed.

Stock theft hotspots in Eastern Cape identified

Kommadagga, Adelaide and Fort Beaufort are currently the main stock theft hotspots in the Eastern Cape.

Farmers warned not to react to ‘irresponsible comments’

Farmers tend to find a catastrophe in everything and ‘over-react’ to irresponsible comments from certain quarters, Eastern Cape RPO (ECRPO)chairperson Dr Pieter Prinsloo told delegates at the organisation’s AGM held outside Middelburg recently.

Tragic death of three Agri SA members

Agri SA expressed its shock at the death of three of its members in an aircraft accident in the Cato Ridge area near Pietermaritzburg.

Brahmans come in from the cold

Brahman stud breeder James Prinsloo runs a thriving cattle enterprise on the Mpumalanga highveld where winter temperatures can fall to -12°C. Known for their resilience to heat and drought, the Brahman of the Jamica stud prove the commendable adaptability of the breed. Annelie Coleman reports.

Bee farming – liquid gold, but hard work

South Africa’s beekeeping industry may still have room for newcomers, but this unusual type of agricultural production is far more challenging than it may appear. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Massive golden handshake likely for Langa Zita

The recently suspended director-general (DG) of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Langa Zita, could receive a multimillion rand golden handshake.

‘Farmers thrilled about fracking’ – Shabangu

Mineral Resources minister Susan Shabangu believes that farmers in general are “very excited” about the lifting of a moratorium on shale gas exploration in the Karoo, because this would eventually give them access to cheaper electricity.

Letter misses the mark

On your letters page, the missive from Ashley (24 August, pg 8) takes me to task for previously saying I would support any imported product that is cheaper than the local one.Ivan Smith, Joubertina

A compassionate farmer

I refer to your article ‘Pigs reared on pastures and acorns’ (17 August, pg 50).

Both sides of the story!

Over the last few months you have published numerous articles and reports highly critical of meat and poultry imports into South Africa.

Glyphosate is safe

Your opinion piece entitled ‘Food safety compromised by lack of glyphosate tests’ (17 August, pg 6) refers.

Water permits & mining

I refer to the granting of mining rights and water permits to Coal of Africa’s Vele colliery by our government.

South Africa and Vietnam join hands against rhino poaching

Efforts to address the ongoing poaching of South Africa’s rhinos will be stepped up when a memorandum of understanding is signed with the Vietnam government in October.

Police to investigate possible fisheries corruption

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has handed its investigation into suspected financial and procurement irregularities,...

Strawberry custard slice

Some call this dessert millefeuille but I never cook anything I can’t pronounce. But custard slices? There’s a joyous childhood memory! Try this classic version, culled from some good friends’ personal cookbooks.

It’s time for Agri Mega Week 2012

For the first time this important expo will stretch over four days, and all farmers, agricultural workers, policy and decision makers, consumers and their families are welcome.

Combines for Georgia

New Holland recently made the first delivery of an order of more than 100 machines to the Republic of Georgia. Joe Spencer reports.

Caxton Magazines