Caxton Magazines
Decades on – still paying the Cubans
South Africa’s grant of R40 million to Cuban farmers for seed purchases is baffling when local farmers’ requests for subsidies have been denied. Lindi van Rooyen asks when the Cuban ‘struggle’ debt will finally be paid.
Understanding each other
Animals communicate effectively, even across species. But only humans use complex language, and today we communicate worldwide instantly, says Abré J Steyn.
Agribusiness Indaba
CNBC Africa together with ABN Productions will be hosting the inaugural Agribusiness Indaba on the 24th of May at The Venue, Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Is competition law in developing countries an unaffordable luxury?
In studying the symptoms of problems, such as high marketing costs, high physical losses, high transport costs, barriers to entry leads one to believe that the symptoms are in fact the problems.
Joburgers transform E Cape farm
Four years ago Clive Webster and his wife moved to a farm near Kei Mouth in the Eastern Cape. Today Mkulu Kei Farm is home to almost 300 Ngunis and 70 Friesian/Boerperd crosses, the foundation of a new farming enterprise that has redefined the Websters’ lives. Mike Burgess reports.
Benefits of high-Brix farming
Brix testing quickly indicates to a farmer how a plant responds to management changes, and provides an accurate picture of a crop’s health and taste. Jeff Joubert explains the method to Robyn Joubert.
Parliament grills OBP on vaccines
Members of parliament have found Onderstepoort Biological Products’ response to claims that some of its vaccines have failed somewhat unconvincing. Denene Erasmus reports.
Mining in Nyl River flood plain threatens agricultural survival
Proposed mining by Sylvania Resources in the Nyl River flood plain has landowners up in arms over the possible destruction of the sensitive ecosystem.
Eskom’s efforts to minimise wildlife electrocutions welcomed
Ongoing efforts by national electricity provider, Eskom, to minimise the risk of wildlife electrocutions around the country have been welcomed by conservationists.
Johne’s disease outbreak in the Eastern Cape
An outbreak of Johne’s disease has been confirmed on a farm in the Barkly East district in the Eastern Cape, and the farm was placed under quarantine in April.
Pump price adds to administered cost pressure
May’s pump price increase of 28c/l for petrol and 8,4c/l for diesel will escalate the agriculture industry’s fuel bill by R84 million a year.
Crocodile farmer in hot water
Single-pen crocodile farming has come under fire after Coen Labuschagne, owner of Metcroc Boerdery in northern KwaZulu-Natal, was charged with animal cruelty by the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).
Clay soils cultivation: a beginner’s guide
Clay soils offer you a ‘warehouse of nutrition’ – so it’s really worthwhile learning how to work with them.
Farmers called upon to prepare for the 2012 veld fire season.
Farmers and land owners are warned to prepare for the 2012 veld fire season.
Hunters welcome government’s engagement initiative
South Africa’s wildlife ranching and hunting sectors are pleased that government has acknowledged their contributions to job creation and economic development.
Budget for agricultural disasters increases
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has set aside over R2.8 billion for disaster management in the next year.
Zulu King’s development bank idea a good one
Zulu King Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu’s proposal for the establishing of a development bank offering loans to farmers and other entrepreneurs on communal Ingonyama Trust lands in KwaZulu-Natal has been welcomed by a range of stakeholders.
Cleaver awards
Butchers from around the country were praised for their standards of excellence at the Cleaver awards.
Wrapped around a rock
I received an email from a client in the Waterberg region with pictures of the prospective site and the narrow platform of about 12m in width already excavated on the site of a natural rock outcrop.
Mookgopong blackouts draw regulator’s attention
AfriForum in Mookgopong, Limpopo has turned to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to intervene after it failed to get the local municipality to address recurring power outages costing businesses thousands of rands.
