Caxton Magazines

Giving productive land to deserving beneficiaries, upgrading communal herds and government regulation of land prices are some of the ideas National Emergent Red Meat Producers' Organisation (Nerpo's) managing director and outspoken black cattle farmer Aggrey Mahanjana has to get land reform on track, writes Peter Mashala.
Issue date : 16 January 2009

Njabulo Nduli, the director-general for agriculture, outlines the issues high on the department's list of priorities and explains some of the difficulties faced by the sector, and the state's solutions. Peter Mashala reports.
Issue date: 2-9 January 2009

Don't allow the current financial crisis to destroy your confidence. There are still quite a few positives.
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009

Happiness creates a rippling effect in a community. So for 2009 to be a positive year, we all need to adjust our perspectives a little, writes Peter Hughes. And yes, even in South Africa, we have a lot of good news stories to put a smile on our faces. Note the efforts of some individuals feeding the homeless, creating jobs or rising above their bleak circumstances to come out on top. There's even the promise of a maturing government. And all of this in the most beautiful country on earth.
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009

Irrespective of the results of next year's election, the new government will still face the same problems in agriculture. Prof Johann Kirsten has some advice for the future South African Department of Agriculture.
Issue date : 16 January 2009

Who's making defective agricultural policies?
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009

Karkloof's no-till pioneer René Stubbs has been at it for 15 years. His maize silage yield has increased from 8t/ha DM in 1995 to 14,5t/ha DM in 2008, with a saving of up to 40 of diesel/ha in land preparation. On pastures, he saves up to 60 diesel/ha which is close to R90 000 for 170ha of annual re-sown pasture, bringing total fuel savings to R132 000 a year, writes Robyn Joubert.
Issue date: 2-9 January 2009

For the third time, the Stirk family of Goodwoods Farm have won the Mangold Trophy for ecofriendly farming. Alongside a mixed crop system run in rotation, Justin Stirk now runs a successful Bonsmara stud and has found that donkeys effectively protect his smallstock from predators. Bob Ford reports.
Issue date: 16 January 2008

By introducing reputable genetics sourced from top-imported Braunvieh stud cattle, Willie du Plessis has built his Braunvieh Vaaldu Stud into an award-winning herd. Chris Nel spoke the man behind this year's Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Braunvieh Cow award for 2008.

South Africa's indigenous medicinal plants could be the farming crops of the future, Dr Sue Taylor tells Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009

In the extreme climatic conditions of the Karoo, the choice between three- and six-month breaks between grazing periods can make the difference between healthy veld and a man-made desert. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009

In 2006/07, South Africa experienced El Niño conditions and suffered terrible droughts.
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009

Namibia's Karakuls make a fashion comeback Namibian Karakul pelts once stood for beauty, elegance and quality, but a national flock of 4,5 million dropped to 180000 when consumers' cruelty concerns made fur a pariah product. But a fashion for natural materials, a move toward humane slaughter methods and the virtues of the attractive, versatile pelts are putting Karakul on the comeback trail. Servaas van den Bosch spoke to Wessel Visser, manager of the Karakul Board of Namibia.

Don't allow the current financial crisis to destroy your confidence. There are still quite a few positives.

When the Soup Kitchen bakkie distributes food every weekday, there's tangible joy in the midst of the squalor and neglect of the Kgotsong township near Bothaville - thanks largely to the farmers who this year supplied the project with over 140t of maize, not to mention fruit, vegetables, eggs and meat. Annelie Coleman reports.

In the extreme climatic conditions of the Karoo, the choice between three- and six-month breaks between grazing periods can make the difference between healthy veld and a man-made desert. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.

Karkloof's no-till pioneer René Stubbs has been at it for 15 years. His maize silage yield has increased from 8t/ha DM in 1995 to 14,5t/ha DM in 2008, with a saving of up to 40 of diesel/ha in land preparation. On pastures, he saves up to 60 diesel/ha which is close to R90 000 for 170ha of annual re-sown pasture, bringing total fuel savings to R132 000 a year, writes Robyn Joubert.

Holidays are wonderful FOR relaxation and togetherness. Yet the combination of heat, moisture, lack of modern kitchen amenities and informal food preparation can lead to all sorts of unexpected health problems such as upset stomachs.
19-26 December 2008

Hold onto what's rightfully yours and don't sell it for short-lived peace of mind.
Issue date : 19-26 December 2008

After placing my ball on the fairway, I found a more suitable spot for it. Can a placed ball be picked up and replaced?
Issue date : 19-26 December 2008