Caxton Magazines
Tensions mount over mining activities on sensitive wetland
Mining giant Exxaro Resources has responded to allegations that it has drained sensitive wetlands at its mining operations at Leeuwpan coal mine, near Delmas in Mpumalanga, saying their mining activities complied with mining and environmental legislation.
SA achieves ‘exceptional’ wheat yields
South Africa’s wheat farmers produced an exceptional 3,32 tons/ha average yield for the 2011 season. However, the country expects to import 1,48 million tons to meet the current 3,053 million tons national demand.
Land clashes in KZN appear to be on the rise
The KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union has blamed provincial land departments’ lack of decisive action and clear communication on land issues as a significant reason for increasing land dispute-related clashes in the province.
R100 farm price not to be taken at face value
A transaction where a 36 hectare KwaZulu-Natal farm was sold for R100 was merely a legal formality to expedite development on a 5 ha section of the originally 41 ha property.
Keeping the mines out and the Marico’s water pure
The struggle to save one of South Africa’s last untouched free-flowing rivers from the clutches of mining companies has seen commercial and communal farmers standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Jaco Visser visited the area and reports.
Making a point
Recently, I wrote about the necessity of ensuring vegetable transplants have enough nitrogen in the plug or in the plant to stimulate root growth and ensure an early start as well as uniform growth.
How to motivate yourself
To make your farming dreams come true, create an action plan, says Peter Hughes.
How greed ruins co-ops
Co-operatives are vital to small-scale farming, but they can only be effective if they live up to their name.
Bad roads threaten rural communities
Angry farmers, rural shopkeepers and taxi drivers are so gatvol about the state of roads in the Cathcart and Stutterheim regions of the Eastern Cape they’ve begun repairing the roads themselves. Mike Burgess reports.
An unexpected nocturnal visitor
A quiet evening on the farm was rudely disturbed by the appearance of one of the bushveld’s toughest and most fearless animals, writes Jurie Nel.
An ‘A’ frame with wings
Jonno designs an 'A' frame home for FW reader, Andre.
More research, more food
Some 27 countries in Africa will need help with food security in 2012. To meet this demand we need more government-funded research in SA.
One step at a time
Preparing the land in an easy, environmentally-friendly way.
Selecting the best bull for beef
Here are the important traits to look out for.
SA achieves ‘exceptional’ wheat yields
South Africa’s wheat farmers produced an exceptional 3,32 tons/ha average yield for the 2011 season.
Harvesting results will lend direction to agricultural machinery sales
South Africa’s agricultural machinery marketers remain cautiously optimistic that currently buoyant sales will continue throughout the rest of 2012.
Cut out the middleman?
Although the study of Traub & Jayne (2004) clearly shows the effect of market reform on milling/retail margins in South Africa, it has not clearly identified the reasons behind these high margins and therefore the reasons why market liberalization has not been successful in decreasing real maize meal prices.
Louis Trichardt farmers create bravery cross
On 28 May 2011, Louis Trichardt farmer Jan Louw returned after dark to his farm Nooitgedacht with his partner Colleen Liddle and her son Ferdie Landman.
Strangers in their own land adapt to tragedy
Prof Michael de Jongh, author of Roots and Routes – Karretjie People of the Great Karoo – talks to Roelof Bezuidenhout about his research into the lives of the gypsy-like first people of South Africa who play an integral role in the extensive sheep farming economy of the region.
Are they deaf and blind?
On 13 April, SAFM had a phone-in conversation discussing what people think will happen once Mugabe has gone.
