Grape exports to US set to increase, thanks to new irradiation system

Hepro Cape irradiator could help South Africa’s table grape producers to once again satisfy the phytosanitary requirements of the US.

Mini-plants hold maximum promise

Dwarf maize plants: same yield but cheaper to grow.

Bigger, sweeter fruit cultivars

Local fruit farmers will soon be able to select from several superior new stone fruit and table grape varieties. Denene Erasmus reports.

Protecting the herd

The government’s land reform projects have been scrutinised from a number of angles but to date no studies have focused specifically on crime.

We are presently surrounded by much noise in the media regarding nationalisation (of mines), land distribution (of farms), strikes (trade unions), racism (BEE and ‘The Spear’), and the worldwide financial mess (the bankers).

Why we need to start fracking ASAP

I write this letter on the fracking saga in the hope of stimulating further debate.

Where is the policy REVOLUTION?

Government does not understand agriculture. This is clear in its obsession with implementing short-sighted policies that focus on detail and unnecessarily complicate farming. Lindi van Rooyen looks at examples of how small tweaks in agricultural policies in countries abroad have helped those nations flourish.

Farmers short-changed by plastic piping companies for decades

It has emerged that anti-competitive activities within South Africa’s plastic piping industry could have been taking place since the 1960s.

Bulk wine exports keep local industry competitive

A rapid increase in bulk wine exports caused total wine exports from South Africa to increase over the past year despite a 13% drop in packaged wine exports. Denene Erasmus reports.

Olive farmers combat EU subsidies

Local olive farmers are positive about the industry’s future, despite the fact that large-scale imports of cheap olive oil from the European Union (EU) are putting pressure on producers.

North West – no easy answers

Desbo Mohono, formerly human settlement MEC in North West, was appointed the province’s new MEC for agriculture on 4 May 2012. She shared her plans for the next 18 months in office with Peter Mashala.

Something from everywhere

As Nampo shows, when it comes to agricultural equipment, there’s a whole world to shop in. Joe Spencer reports.

Making it in the mohair business

an Lottering and Andries Mopiley’s Angora goat farming enterprise in Prince Albert shows that an agricultural empowerment project can succeed driven by motivated beneficiaries and mentored by the industry’s experts. Denene Erasmus reports.

Colour under investigation

Research on springbok in the Free State focuses on the implications of selecting game animals for their colour. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.

Ensure drivers comply with law

Farmers must ensure their drivers have valid drivers’ licences before they employ them or the law will take its course.

Chicken souvlakia

Tasty fragments of mixed foods cooked on a stick? This Greek influenced classic probably harks back to the earliest days of cooking over a fire. What could make more sense than threading food on a twig and holding it over the flames? While traditionally, souvlakia were made with lamb or kid, this chicken version gives the national bird of Africa yet another chance to shine.

Cape of snow storms

Heavy snow falls that occurred in the Central Karoo region during a recent cold front in the Western Cape trapped farmers, farm workers and livestock on 10 farms located along the Nuweveld mountains close to Beaufort-West.

More than 50 000 ostriches culled since April 2011

It has been less than 15 months since the H5N2 avian influenza virus was first detected on an ostrich farm in Oudsthoorn and since then more than 50 000 ostriches have been culled in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus which has already cost the industry more than R1 billion.

Drought relief for Nam farmers

Several thousand farmers in Namibia’s northwestern Kunene Region are receiving drought relief from Government after a lack of rainfall severely affected cattle output in the communal area.

Running a tight ship

Diversifying from sugar cane into macadamias and tunnel tomatoes demanded careful monitoring of data and water quality by Stuart Borchers in order to generate a valuable weekly income. Robyn Joubert spoke to him.

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