Caxton Magazines
Unite against bullies
I was reading the editor’s letter “Your opinion should matter” (15 June, pg 6) before jumping to the weekly quotes and reading “A dehorned rhino is no longer a rhino”, from Dr Johan Joubert.
Disgusted by croc farmer
It is with the utmost disgust I read the article ‘Crocodile farmer in hot water’ (11 May, pg 20) on how crocodiles are ‘bent’ into inadequate single pens 1m x 2m, with only 30cm water cover – obscene is the only word to describe such farming practice.
Agriculture can generate more jobs, if we plan properly
According to government’s National Development Plan, agriculture is to play a vital role in job creation and economic development. The NDP’s deadline is 2030, so it’s vital that government and agriculture start reading from the same page. Dr Ferdi Meyer spoke to Lloyd Phillips.
Giving the seven billionth person enough to eat
Feeding the growing world population is a major challenge – yet far from impossible. At the recent Agricultural Business Chamber’s Congress in KwaZulu-Natal, Brazilian market strategist Prof Marcos Fava Neves of the University of São Paulo released a book outlining solutions to the problem.
Value for money
Every year at Nampo, say some, the equipment on display is more expensive. But is this true? Joe Spencer reports.
Making waves
The pigeon families of third generation champion fancier Charles Carlson breed highly competitive ‘racing machines’, writes Thomas Smit.
Sweet success: from miner to jam maker
In the deeply rural area of OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, a fruit tree project is changing lives. Jaco Visser visited a farmer who is benefiting.
Mycotoxins make poultry more vulnerable
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi that grow on certain agricultural products. The presence of mycotoxins in feed has a detrimental effect on animals in production systems. Lloyd Phillips reports.
Your gateway to Europe
Farmers looking at international diversification of their farming operations should look to Switzerland as a platform from which to trade.
Science meets rural development
A 12-year-old project, in which 100 000 fruit trees have been planted in two rural Eastern Cape districts, is achieving outstanding results. Jaco Visser reports.
Pest mutations towards GM cotton discovered
Genetic mutations of cotton bollworm have been discovered in China following years of exposure to biotechnology.
Western Cape farmers fed up with farm inspections
Gerrit van Rensburg, the Western Cape MEC of agriculture, has lashed out at politicians for targeting farmers in the Western Cape with frequent farm visits to inspect working conditions on farms.
Fuel efficiency still a problem
Fuel prices decreased by about 89c/l for 93-octane petrol and 62,5c/l for 0,05% sulphur diesel at the start of July‚ as announced by the Department of Energy.
Closing in on land reform target numbers
Land expropriation without compensation is officially off the cards. But massive discrepancies exist between government rhetoric and actual land redistribution transfer figures, prompting a reassessment of land reform going forward. Lindi van Rooyen reports.
DairyBelle defends price cuts
Milk buyer DairyBelle announced a milk price reduction of between 50c/l and 75c/l to between R2,55/l and R3,10/l from 26 June. Jacques Fourie, DairyBelle’s acting CEO said the cuts were based on economics.
Inputs put the squeeze on wheat farmers
The latest input cost trend monitor by the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) paints a grim picture of the cost-price squeeze faced by wheat farmers, which has brought the industry to its knees.
Findings of Zita investigation must be made public
Two of South Africa’s largest farmers’ unions are calling for a capable director-general (DG) of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to replace the recently suspended Langa Zita.
Fresh from the local ‘ocean’
What better way to fight wintery weather? Here’s a hot fisherman’s pie, easy to make and even easier to eat. And, all three types of seafood were caught in the freezer of my local supermarket.
Up your game for higher kiwi fruit yields
South African kiwi fruit growers can lift yields by following best management practices, as well as by exploring new high-yielding gold varieties. Robyn Joubert reports.
Compensation for lessees
Why both parties need expert legal advice in drawing up a leasehold agreement.
