Caxton Magazines
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.
Rearing dairy calves
Calf rearing is a critical aspect of dairy farming. Good calf rearing has the potential to create wealth and improve the quality of the herd.
Why potato irrigation is so important
As potatoes can have a confined and intense root system, together with a fairly large leaf area, it stands to reason irrigation requirements will differ from other crops.
How to waste a billion rand
The NYDA recently requested a colossal budget. Yet its past performance hardly inspires confidence.
Now’s the time!
While I’m on a roll about the positive developments taking place on markets, there’s another issue which I believe needs attention in the sector.
Staying healthy
It’s not always true that, because they’re out of the ‘rat race’, farmers are healthier than city commuters who spend their days behind a desk and in the traffic. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
