Caxton Magazines
Another one bites the dust
Some 13 years after the Tafelkop Farmers Association "invaded" an unused irrigation scheme in Groblersdal, they still haven't acquired the title deeds promised to them by the then minister of agriculture Derek Hanekom, and a once flourishing agricultural project is now in shambles. Peter Mashala visited the farmers to find out what went wrong.
‘Farming with Tulis is a pleasure’
Cornelis Rautenbach of the Nonnie Tuli Stud is the owner of the 2010 Farmer’s Weekly-ARC Best Elite Tuli Cow, CR 98 0048. This is the fourth year his cows have taken part in the competition, making his Tulis one of the top performing herds of all breeds in the country. Wayne Southwood visited him on his Free State farm in Reitz.
Looking after your donkey
With the high price of diesel, many farmers are reconsidering using donkeys for small loads, or to transport workers on the farm. As the health of the working donkey is important to maintain its efficiency, it's worthwhile knowing how to see if they're sick, writes Dr Mac.
Is planting less maize the only option?
Despite repeated calls to plant less maize, producers still managed a bumper maize crop of nearly 14 million tons in the 2009/10 season, pushing maize costs down to import parity.
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.
