Caxton Magazines
A major milestone in SA tax law
The newly released South African Income Tax Amendment Bill contains highly innovative material to deal with existing restrictive rules.
Low maize price: your options
The current low maize price, with supply greatly exceeding demand, is a problem for most maize farmers. Henry-Ben Rheede, Standard Bank’s agricultural adviser for the northern Free State shares some creative ideas on how to counter, survive and even profit from the situation.
Cape parrot population Stalked by killer virus
In the Amatola Mountains in the Eastern Cape, Cape parrots are as iconic as the giant yellowwood trees they feed on and nest in. But as Mike Burgess reports, initial fears of a deadly viral disease that had apparently infected Cape parrot populations in the area in 2008 and 2009, is now being confirmed by parrot expert Dr Steve Boyes, who believes the disease can wipe out South Africa’s only endemic parrot.
Agri unions differ on teamwork suggestion
Pro-Agri Forum has called for South Africa’s three main agricultural unions to work together in the best interests of the agricultural sector.
Outstanding claims list still not finalised
The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights failed to carry out an agreement it had with Agri SA to provide a list of all outstanding land claims.
Black frost will see vegetable prices rocket
The severe cold and frost that hit Limpopo could prove very costly to vegetable farmers in those areas.
Farms fail labour compliance inspections
Authorities are concerned about the slow improvement rate of compliance with labour laws on Western Cape farms after recent inspections revealed instances of non-compliance on 46% of farms.
Farmer predator forum gets joy from government
The Predation Management Forum (PMF) approached the agriculture department concerning the issue of declaring the predation of livestock and game in South Africa a national disaster, said Petrus de Wet, president of the National Wool Grower Association (NWGA) at the recent NWGA national congress.
High Court says no to OVK/CMW shareholding deal
The High Court in Port Elizabeth has set aside a special resolution passed by shareholders of South African Mohair Brokers (SAMB) at an annual general meeting last year,
Brazilian beef ‘won’t rock the boat’
The impending lifting of the ban on Brazilian deboned beef – which was imposed in 2005 following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease – is not expected to have a negative effect on local producers.
Zim farmer Ben Freeth awarded an MBE
British/Zimbabwean farmer Ben Freeth was awarded the status of Member of the British Empire (MBE) as part of the British queen’s birthday celebrations.
Table grape season highest volume yet
The 2009/2010 table grape season registered the highest production volumes since the start of deregulation.
Changing commercial farmers’ public image
The views and expectations of South Africa’s farmers are being misrepresented by some groups and, all too often, the media. KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) president Robin Barnsley says the commercial farming community must set about marketing the truth about themselves. He spoke to Lloyd Phillips.
Why biodiversity is everyone’s business
This year is the International Year of Biodiversity and it is time that we remind ourselves of the major impact that biodiversity has on our businesses says Dr Bob Scholes, ecologist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and chair of the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network. There is after all a direct relationship between the economy and biodiversity.
How to draft a business plan – Part 2
A farmer's production plan, describing the farm’s resource potential, the type of enterprise, planned production output, and the existing output is an important part of a business plan.
Are your chickens healthy?
If you know what to look for, you can treat sick chickens, prevent diseases from spreading in your flock and select healthy chickens when buying new ones.
One-Day Loft racing
Thomas Smit defines the One-Day loft - and describes the benefits of this form of pigeon racing.
Farming one herd: answer to communal poverty?
Getting communal cattle farming to work has always been difficult, as many farmers refuse to cooperate. But the Vuvha community in Venda has found that sharing resources and managing all community cattle as one herd, is a great way to ease poverty in the community, writes Peter Mashala.
Gadgets galore to explore
The annual Boerepatente Kompetisie always showcases great ideas to improve and simplify the farming experience, including devices to conquer load shedding and the dangers it brings. Joe Spencer reports.
Ngunis – a boon to these timber farmers
Nguni cattle can complement a timber business nicely – and are likely to captivate their owners with their beauty and no-nonsense traits. Brett Peatie and Brian Magor of Midlands Imperial Investments spoke to Robyn Joubert about Ngunis.
