Caxton Magazines
Totally unacceptable
Farmworkers say abuse is widespread. Farmers say this isn't true. So where does the truth lie? Possibly on the side of the road near Groblersdal, writes New on the Land editor Peter Mashala.
Lessons from Dharavi
It's one of Asia's biggest slums, but it's also a business hive where people make a living, proving that the human spirit can triumph over adversity.
Functional medieval keep
Issue date: 24 September 2010
Building with Straw
Strawbale houses aren't as flimsy as many think - some date back 600 years. Plus, they're cheap and easy to build, writes Abre J Steyn.
Flying to victory in the Free State
Johan and Celia Strydom are members of the Bethlehem Pigeon Racing Club (BPRC), one of the 10 clubs that make up the North East Free State Federation (NEFSF).
Cattle – part 9
Breeding management is important if you want to get the best out of your herd.
Furrow irrigation
This form of irrigation is good for row crops, such as tomatoes, cabbages, and leafy vegetables.
Understanding cash flow and expenditure
It's very upsetting knowing you have to pay an account when you don't know where the money is going to come from. That's why keeping track of your expenses is so important, writes Susan Pletts.
The Appaloosa not just a pretty horse
"We think the Appaloosa is the best multi-purpose horse around," says Rick Johnson of Sans Souci Farm in KwaZulu-Natal's Kamberg Valley.
Struggling to farm in a land of plenty
Eastern Cape's Umnga flats was once a highly productive commercial farming area. But it slipped into decay in the early 1980s, when commercial farmers were relocated and the farms were leased to emerging farmers and incorporated into the former Transkei bantustan.
Dealing with bots
Related to the nasal worms found in sheep, the larvae of the bot fly can cause digestive problems in horses, writes Dr Mac.
When is the bolting season for vegetables?
You can lose a lot of money if your crop goes to seed when you don't want it to. You need to know why and when this happens to take precautions.
Some good news, some bad
'I see three previously disadvantaged farmers, but not one commercial farmer, market agent or buyer on the panel. They account for most of a turnover exceeding R8 billion and they don't even have a say!'
Green manure for soil rehabilitation
Vegetable farmer Gary Fyvie is using green manure crops to replenish tired soil and to fight weeds.He told Robyn Joubert how he sacrificed 6% production for healthier soil over the long term.
Mound predictions
Researchers have found that termite mound size and distribution, linked to vegetation and landscape patterns, can predict ecological shifts, writes Alan Harman.
Magic mistletoe
Harvesting mistletoe is one of the most cost-effective drought survival measures available to stock farmers, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Western Cape to allow most game species
Most game species indigenous to South Africa could soon be allowed into the Western Cape, following amendments to CapeNature's translocation policy. Some changes will be implemented from as early as end September 2010.
Rural areas wait for rollout of security units
Safety in rural areas is back under the spotlight with police minister Nathi Mthethwa announcing that rural crime-fighting units - comprising policemen and reservists - would be introduced by March next year.
Expropriate game farms, golf courses – Cosatu
Cosatu released a policy discussion document entitled A Growth Path towards Full Employment, which made news early September when a draft copy was leaked to City Press newspaper.
Water Affairs has no plan for SA’s critically polluted dams
About 62% of South Africa's dams and reservoirs are eutrophic, where increased nutrient content causes phytoplankton blooms that starve water bodies of oxygen.
