Caxton Magazines
Farming shines as gross domestic product drops
Agriculture was the saving grace of the gross domestic product (GDP), which declined by 1,8% compared to the third quarter of 2008 - the first time in 10 years the GDP lost ground.
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Agri lending remains healthy despite slump
While commercial banks are treading carefully in granting personal and small-business loans, it's clear they're growing their share of credit to farmers. Of a total of about R4 billion loaned to farmers in 2007, R2,5 billion came from commercial banks.
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Minister to appear in court
Minerals and Energy minister Buyelwa Sonjica may be held in contempt of court for failing to adhere to stipulations in an interdict preventing coal mining operations on portions of the farm Lusthof in Mpumalanga.
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Long-term agri deal with Saudi Arabia
To reduce its dependence on oil and oil resources, Saudi Arabia announced its intention to invest in South African agriculture at a recent joint trade commission in Johannesburg.
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About 40 000ha of maize may yield nothing
Thousands of hectares of Monsanto maize cultivars failed to pollinate this planting season, leaving farmers with tons of seedless cobs.
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Income soars, but farms are fewer – Statistics SA
South Africa's Gross Farming Income (GFI) has increased from R53,3 billion in 2002 to R79,5 billion in 2007, representing an annual growth rate of 8,3% since 2002 according to a Stats SA report on commercial agriculture.
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Effects of residue removal on soil&water quality
Minimum soil disturbance (no-till or direct seeding) is rapidly gaining ground in South Africa as crop farmers attempt to reduce production costs. A recent study by the Kansas State University confirms that more attention needs to be paid to maintaining maximum soil cover, ideally 100% of crop residue and/or a green manure cover crop.
Issue date 27 February 2009
Issue date 27 February 2009
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Those provisional balls
When a ball is lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds,
to save time, you can play a provisional ball, but strictly in terms of the rules.
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Phantoms of the Night&the Mountain Prince
To me, the leopard is the ultimate cat. It's the master of stealth and camouflage and excites me more than lions.
Issue date: 27 February 2009
Issue date: 27 February 2009
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One pot, slow-cooking, marinated oxtail in red wine
This is one hell of a good meal! And a bonus is the entire cooking process takes place in one pot, which means quicker production and much less washing up.
Issue date; 27 February 2009
Issue date; 27 February 2009
Ambient light for Africa and the farm
The Ambiente LED System provides remote-controlled lighting for those scary, dark areas.
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Issue date : 27 February 2009
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It can be done!
I'm sadly aware of the many failures with land redistribution and the establishment of emerging farmers. Let's consider a project that is part success, part failure and compare the dynamics between them.?
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Issue date : 27 February 2009
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How not to gamble with vegetables
Vegetables are squarely in the free market system and as such, the prices are influenced by supply and demand. So unless you have a contract, you'll be planting without knowing what price you're going to get for your produce.
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Issue date : 27 February 2009
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Management is not leadership!
'I know I carry the ultimate responsibility, but I see myself as serving the people who work for me ...'
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Issue date : 27 February 2009
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The gene pool, guts and the wing
Thomas Smit gives local fanciers tips on competing at Sun City Million Dollar Pigeon Race.
Issue date: 27 February 2009
Issue date: 27 February 2009
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Aquaculture promise for Southern Africa
Three international companies recently joined forces to create a "one-stop" specialist aquaculture technology company. The company, named Global Recirc Technologies, promises to revolutionise fish production in Southern Africa.
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Africa needs solutions to global problems
Addressing the first ever meeting of the Committee of Ten African Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, in Cape Town, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel urged African collaboration to bring about equity and change in global economic affairs.
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Issue date : 27 February 2009
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Burying poultry litter properly
An implement which applies poultry litter in shallow bands and covers it with soil to prevent runoff and nutrient leaching, is being developed by scientists at the Agricultural Research Institute at the National Soils Laboratory at Auburn, Alabama in the US.
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Issue date : 27 February 2009
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Best practice beats South Coast cane challenges
The Sezela Cane Supply Area is the bedrock of South Coast sugar production, but sloped lands, marginal soils and rainfed conditions have kept yield and sucrose percentage below average. New best management practices developed by industry bodies are not only increasing yield, but also environmental sustainability.
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Let genes decide who an animal belongs to
Brands or eartags identify animals visually but can be tampered with or removed. The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) developed the infallible DNA-based LidCat system, used for more than a decade by commercial livestock farmers, and now adapted for resource-limited farmers. It offers the added benefits of paternity confirmation, genetic herd management and preventing stock theft.
Issue date : 27 February 2009
Issue date : 27 February 2009
