Caxton Magazines
Probing & prodding
Most farmers don't pay enough attention to what's happening in the soil. We usually take our soils for granted - we only monitor the chemical composition, if that, and often leave that up to the fertiliser supplier.
Restructuring the fresh-produce market
Depending on which side of the fence you are on, 13 August proved to be a watershed day in the fresh-produce market sector.
Why state land plans are unconstitutional
Government proposes to interfere in property sales,
but the South African constitution makes no legal provision for it to override landowners' rights. In fact, it forbids it.
Making money from farmstays
Namibia is far more successful than South Africa when it comes to guest farm accommodation.
Can camels solve the sweet thorn problem?
A new trial found that camels could help control and possibly eradicate sweet thorn encroachment, which may be a far better solution than Boer Goat browsing or fire control.
Wine prices to rise at slower rate than input costs
Wine prices have been rising lately,but wine farmers remain under pressure due to rapidly increasing input costs.
Agro-processing set for investment
Investment in the employment-rich agro-processing sector is set for a boost, when parliament approves the Industrial Policy Action Plan 2 (IPAP 2) on 2 September.
Stock theft, predators cost red meat industry millions
Farmers in the Eastern Cape suffer heavy losses from stock theft and jackal and caracal predation, said Red Meat Producers' Organisation (RPO) national chairperson Arnold Brand.
Agri Gauteng grows up
Agri Gauteng will now be an AGRI SA associate, and not an affiliate.
‘Unnecessary’ fires ravage the eastern Free State
Veld fires in the eastern Free State destroyed 151 000ha of grazing land, mainly in the Willem Pretorius and Fouriesburg farming districts, in early September.
China rejects maize surplus but interested in game
South Africa's maize producers hoped agriculture minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson would return from her August trip to China having secured market access for the country's maize surplus. She didn't, but has returned to China to speed up the development of sanitary and phytosanitary regulations for South African fruit exports and to continue discussions about the export of game and game products.
New transparency in mining sector
The newly appointed Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) task team has been given six weeks to assess technologies, challenges and costs of "critical short term interventions," announced environmental affairs minister Buyelwa Sonjica.
Farmsecure ties up Yara deal
The Competition Commission has approved the sale of Yara South Africa's fertiliser retail marketing businesses to Farmsecure Technologies, an agricultural-sector service provider. Farmsecure's main focus is empowering farmers through the provision of farming skills, agricultural knowledge and technologies.
Orange juice prices set to rise
Orange juice prices are set to rise after Brazil and Florida in the US, two major orange juice suppliers, suffered crop losses due to extreme weather conditions.
MPs losing confidence in agriculture department
Members of parliament's portfolio committee for agriculture, forestry and fisheries recently lashed out at departmental officials, saying they weren't taking their work seriously.
Big businesses partner with KZN government
Major food and beverage companies Nestle© and SABMiller have entered into agribusiness partnerships with the KZN government, to develop small-scale farmers and displace imports with local produce.
Eagle’s view of development in Africa
Known as an 'economic spy', Africa Project Access consultant Paul Runge has an eagle's view of development in Africa.He shared some of his insights with Robyn Joubert at the Africa Investor Agribusiness Investment Summit in Durban on 31 August.
Is big business stealing Africa?
A new colonialism is on the rise, as governments and private companies grab land across Africa to feed and fuel demand in their own countries. They say their projects will alleviate poverty, but things aren't so simple, says the NGO coalition Friends of the Earth, which campaigns for sustainable, just societies and environmental protection.
Understanding cash flow
Budgeting is knowing how much money goes in and out of your business, and cash flow shows when this will occur, writes Susan Pletts.
Practical research looks at better caracal control
Current research into caracal control, conducted on nature reserves or game reserves, isn't always the best measure of effectiveness on a farm. A new study, conducted under practical farming conditions, aims to find the best solutions for small-stock farmers.
