Caxton Magazines
Diesel-powered vs solar-powered bulls
International economic recession, high energy prices and global warming are increasingly important factors in beef-cattle breeding. Stud breeders and commercial cattlemen will be forced to reconsider the merits of large, grain-fed, feedlot or "diesel bulls" against smaller, veld-adapted "solar bulls" such as Afrikaners. So says Albert de Villiers, Afrikaner breeder from Koopmansfontein in the Northern Cape. Annelie Coleman reports.
Issue date : 13 March 2009
Issue date : 13 March 2009
Falling in love with engines
Part-time curator Ted Archer took Orrock Robertsen on a walk through Stutterheim's Stationary Engine Museum, a community project that's now home to about 100 machines, from pumps and generators to jet engines - many of which are in full working order.
Issue date : 13 March 2009
Issue date : 13 March 2009
Symposium focuses on fertiliser use
Economics are forcing farmers to produce more with less. This especially applies to fertiliser, a major agronomic input. A recent combined symposium by the Fertiliser Society of South Africa and the International Zinc Association of Southern Africa in Pretoria addressed the hows, whats, whys, whens and how muchs of efficient fertiliser use. Chris Nel was there.
Issue date : 13 March 2009
Issue date : 13 March 2009
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Further milk price increases needed
While South Africa's milk farmers are pleased with the price increases since the beginning of March, the milk production industry is hoping the increases won't be the last for 2009
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Expect clampdown on illegal water use
Agriculture won't get more water from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF). In fact, DWAF will only become stricter about the sector's water use.
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Farmers urged to reinstate Rift Valley fever vaccination programmes
Recent outbreaks of rift valley fever (RVF) in the Creighton area are under control, and farmers mustn't panic. A Kwanalu statement said there had been unconfirmed reports of RVF in the Howick and Merrivale areas, but the results of sample tests had yet to be released.
"All farmers should start intensive vaccination programmes," urged Kwanalu.
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Horsesickness in Eastern Cape
A number of African HorseSickness (AHS) outbreaks have been reported in the Eastern Cape, according the Department of Agriculture. Most are still confined to areas of the Cacadu District Municipality, but there's also been a report from the Amathole District Municipality.
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No hope for Zim farmers
Despite a recent power sharing deal in Zimbabwe, the situation keeps deteriorating for white farmers. President Robert Mugabe has dismissed an order by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tribunal in Windhoek not to evict white farmers.
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Inflation drops as food prices stabilise
Consumer and producer prices are moving downward. As reported by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the year-on-year increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food for January 2008 to January 2009 was 16,1%, 1% lower than the figure released in December 2008.
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Tongaat Hulett thrives in difficult times
While 2008 was a shocking year for cane farmers and the world economy, agriprocessing company Tongaat Hulett's profits held up well.
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Silos save the day for Afgri
Bumper maize crops and an IMPROVED farming environment in Afgri's major operating areas of Mpumalanga, North West and Free State resulted in record receipts into the group's silos, and boosted its interim financial results for the six months ended December 2008.
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US backtracks on Obama’s subsidy plan
US President Barak Obama's new federal budget proposals take a tough stance on subsidies to US farmers. They call for a US0 000 (over R2 million) cap on subsidy payments, as well as an end to direct payments to large agribusinesses with more than a US0 000 (over R5 million) annual revenue. But Obama's administration warned in its first annual trade agenda report it wouldn't be cutting farm subsidies until other countries made better offers to open their markets to US goods.
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Scores & scorecards
Entering a wrong score on your scorecard, even in obvious error, allows no possibility of a loophole. You will be penalised.
Issue date : 06 March 2009
Issue date : 06 March 2009
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Thatch, but not-thatch
Mildred and Mark gave me a call to see their newly acquired small farm in a proclaimed development estate in the KZN Midlands.
Issue date : 06 March 2009
Issue date : 06 March 2009
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Delayed food allergies
DR JAMES BRALY, AUTHOR OF Food Allergy Relief and a specialist in the field, makes a clear distinction between immediate onset versus delayed onset of food allergies.
Issue date : 06 March 2009
Issue date : 06 March 2009
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townie the carnivore
If you're squeamish, stop reading right now! I'm about to tell you why I vowed to never eat meat again.
Issue date : 06 March 2009
Issue date : 06 March 2009
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Predator versus predator
In the wild, different species OF predators are usually eternal enemies. Lions will kill any other predator they can lay their paws on. Between rival smaller species, it's no different.
Issue date : 06 March 2009
Issue date : 06 March 2009
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Bach flower remedies
The Bach flower remedies are VITAL IN HEALING HORSES. Dr Edward Bach, a successful bacteriologist and homeopathic physician from the UK, developed these universally popular remedies in the 1930s.
Issue date : 06 March 2009
Issue date : 06 March 2009
The versatile PistenBully
The PistenBully's low footprint pressure and go-anywhere ability makes it the ideal choice for access to remote places for equipment, cargo haulage, rescue, snow-clearing or specialised transport in hostile, far-below-zero environments.
Issue date: 06 March 2009
Issue date: 06 March 2009
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Recession-proof fruit & veggies
I RECENTLY READ the results of a consumer survey on fresh produce consumption during recession times, published in a US fresh produce publication, The Packer.
Issue date : 06 March 2009
Issue date : 06 March 2009
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