New Holland gives willows a reason to weep

A new UK electricity plant running on biomass has found the perfect partner in a New Holland header specially designed to harvest coppice willow. Joe Spencer reports.
Issue date: 27 March 2009

Dealing with the Five Forces?

'There are forces which impact on your competitiveness. Here's how they work and what you can do about them.'
Issue date : 27 March 2009

International protectionism: a real danger to food security

These are dangerous times if emerging and industrial countries don't keep their markets open, says Carole L Brookins, an international consultant and former US executive director of the World Bank. She was the keynote speaker at the recent Grain SA congress where she explained the possible impact of protectionism on 60-odd years of market liberalisation. Annelie Coleman reports.
Issue date : 27 March 2009

A Teacher’s Way – the principles of George Ehlers

A teacher and cattle farmer found his passion for pigeon racing late in life and today is reaping the rewards of starting out with an extraordinary gene pool.
Issue date: 27 March 2009

Mimosa Stables in full bloom

The Du Plessis family of Mimosa Stables can proudly say they show horses which are trained by amateurs in their free time. Over the years, they have been extremely competitive against professionally trained opponents. Louise De Wet reports.
Issue date: 27 March 2009

Did you know

I've often extolled the many virtues of fresh fruit and vegetables, and South Africa grows, distributes and consumes the most incredible range of products on earth. Here are just a few examples:
Issue date: 27 March 2009

Green-fleshed melons

The melons, generally referred to as "honeydew" types, typically have a smooth, light rind and thick, green flesh. The flesh can vary from deep green to almost white and also has a more crisp, sweet taste, without the musky flavour often associated with orange-fleshed melons. We usually use the name "sweet melon" to describe honeydews in this country.

Can farmers be talked into beet deal?

It looks as if the long-awaited sugar beet ethanol project near Cradock in the Eastern Cape is about to bear fruit. The project needs at least 4 000ha of sugar beet, which will create 1 500 jobs, but farmers are reluctant to commit to 10-year contracts for a time-intensive crop that may not be profitable. Julienne du Toit reports.
Issue date : 27 March 2009

Why dairymen are bleating

Allan Penderis, manager of Midlands Milk, analyses trends in the producer and retail price of milk and explains why dairy farmers are justified in wanting a bigger slice of the consumer cake - and what's standing in their way of getting it. Robyn Joubert reports.
Issue date : 27 March 2009

Some good news from Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean authorities released Roy Bennett, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC's) designated deputy agriculture minister from prison and supermarket shelves are starting to feel the weight of food again.

The world economy taking its toll on BEE

About R41 billion worth of potential BEE deals have been wiped out due to unfavourable trading conditions in the past two years, according to statistics from the BEE rating agency EmpowerDEX. Last year alone the total value of BEE deals sealed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange declined five-fold from R66 billion in 2007 to R13 billion.

Cheese factory closure will hurt Wesselsbron

Wesselsbron in the Free State will be hard hit by the closure of the Clover cheese factory and the loss of more than 90 jobs will contribute to the deterioration of the South African platteland. Clover plans to incorporate the production of Tussers and gouda cheese into its Lichtenburg factory.

All-weather on-farm tea garden

I want to start a tea garden, but require plans. It will be built on farmland between trees and I was thinking about hatching, but isn't this a fire risk?
Issue date: 20 March 2009

Turmeric: a spice for health

Food, herbs and spices are increasingly analysed for hidden medicinal and nutritional benefits. This is an important development, as such "medication" can be used cheaply, as part of a daily diet, without the inconvenience and expense of a doctor's appointment.
Issue date: 20 March 2009

Miracles abound

I love farming. Farming isn't a job, it's a way of life. Anyone who wants to farm to make money should rather buy a bottle store or a KFC franchise and you'd make a lot more. But I can't guarantee you'll have the same lifestyle.
Issue date: 20 March 2009

Fascinating ‘Small Five’

The obsession with the Big Five sees Africa inundated with tourists determined to see them live in the game reserves. But there are many equally fascinating small creatures that deserve as much, if not more attention and respect. AbrÃ© J Steyn discusses his 'Small Five'.
Issue date 20 March 2009

Caxton Magazines

New Holland gives willows a reason to weep

Dealing with the Five Forces?

International protectionism: a real danger to food security

A Teacher’s Way – the principles of George Ehlers

Mimosa Stables in full bloom

Did you know

Green-fleshed melons

Can farmers be talked into beet deal?

Why dairymen are bleating

Some good news from Zimbabwe

The world economy taking its toll on BEE

Cheese factory closure will hurt Wesselsbron

All-weather on-farm tea garden

Turmeric: a spice for health

Miracles abound

Fascinating ‘Small Five’

ON THE HORIZON: solar-powered cellphone

Gun license wisdom

Horse breeding – is it profitable?

What’s in a name?

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