Caxton Magazines
Rudles farming enterprise: A case study in cooperation
The Limpopo agriculture department brought in two small-scale chicken farmers to take over a failed land reform project.
Letelle – The perfect-balance sheep
Locally bred Letelle sheep are known to be economically balanced, hardy animals that are well adapted to South Africa's sometimes harsh environment.
Fighting back!
Tired of being terrorised by gangs and having to lock themselves in their homes before sunset, the residents of the small Eastern Cape town of Indwe came up with a home-grown solution to crime that works.
Issue date: 17 December 2010
Issue date: 17 December 2010
False armyworm responsible for up to 50% losses of the barley harvest
The insect responsible for the loss of up to 50% of barley harvests in the Vaalharts irrigation scheme in the Northern Cape has been identified as the false armyworm (Leucania loreyi).
Train to Mozambique starts rolling
After a recent agricultural meeting in Xai-Xai, Mozambique, Agri SA will set up a branch there, dubbed Agri SAMos. Six South Africans living in Mozambique were elected to the committee, which will serve as Agri SA's "eyes and ears" in the country.
Worsening condition of SA roads to cost billions
South Africa's roads, especially in the countryside, are in an extremely bad condition, with a study by the South African Road Federation indicating that potholes cost motorists R50 billion in vehicle repairs and injuries every year.
Barloworld confident of grabbing market-share with economy tractors
Well-known industrial machinery marketer Barloworld is confident its introduction of two low-cost tractor ranges in an already hotly contested South African market segment will bear fruit for the company.
Increase in November tractor sales ‘encouraging’
Given the late onset of summer rains and the expectation that 10% less maize will be planted this year, the 4,8% increase in November 2010 tractor sales compared to November 2009, was "quite encouraging," said the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA) in a statement
Mthethwa’s 9-month firearm licence processing target questioned
It would be a miracle if the SAPolice Service (SAPS) processed the 800 000 outstanding firearm licence renewals by October 2011, said the Gun Owners of SA (GOSA) association.
One layout – many options
Dirk and Edith applied for a 10-unit development on a portion of their farm in the upper Van Reenen's Pass area of KZN.
Stroganoff gone sour (cream)
At many supermarket meat displays you will encounter pre-sliced beef destined for stirfries or lesser versions of beef stroganoff.
Western Cape wheat harvest completed
With 99% of the crop delivered, Swartland wheat producers reported an average crop of good quality. Frequent rain during the critical harvesting operations caused much frustration, but no damages.
New plan for animal recording proposed
SA Stud Book tabled a new plan in parliament that proposes to integrate and improve animal recording and genetic evaluation in South Africa.
SA’s subtropical fruit production does country proud
South Africa Is now firmly established as a player in international avocado, mango, and litchi markets, it emerged at the Subtropical Fruits Growers Association (SFGA's) annual marketing symposium, held in Tzaneen.
Drought, strong rand sour Illovo Sugar’s financials
Africa's biggest sugar company, Illovo Sugar, has reported disappointing earnings for its financial year ending 30 September 2010.
Fine wool up, medium down
The South African wool market tracked the cheaper Australian market at the latest sale, but good quality fine wool types (16 microns to 17,5 microns) performed well, closing 2% up. Prices for 18 microns to 19 microns were steady, but 20 microns to 24 microns showed the largest drop by 2% to 3%. Prices of combing lox and seed contaminated wool also came under pressure, according to BKB's Basie Claassen.
Drought mapping gets thumbs down
Meetings at Adelaide and Steytlerville indicate that farmers in the Eastern Cape are unhappy with the way satellite images are used to interpret drought conditions and earmark farms for emergency drought relief.
Many farmers pay less than minimum wage
More than a third of black and white commercial farmers in South Africa pay their workers less than the minimum wage, according to new labour minister Mildred Oliphant.
Maize surplus remains unchanged
South Africa's maize SURPLUS remains at 4 million tons, according to Grain SA chairperson Neels Ferreira. The November crop estimate by the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) put the size of the commercial maize crop for the 2009/10 season 228 000t, or 1,8%, higher than the final crop production figure of 12,815 million tons.
Hold on to your Clover shares
Clover is South Africa's largest milk processor, processing 650 million litres of milk a year. But with the company due to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), producers will have to resist the temptation to cash in their shares during times of financial strain if they want to maintain a controlling stake in Clover.
