Caxton Magazines
Above-average rainfall expected
In 2006/07, South Africa experienced El Niño conditions and suffered terrible droughts.
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009
Namibia’s Karakuls make a fashion comeback
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.
A positive column (for a change) by koos coetzee
Don't allow the current financial crisis to destroy your confidence. There are still quite a few positives.
Charity begins at home with farmers’ loaves & fishes
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.
How much rest does your Karoo veld get?
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.
Fifteen years of no-till – the results
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.
Save your holiday with vinegar!
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
19-26 December 2008
About birthright
Hold onto what's rightfully yours and don't sell it for short-lived peace of mind.
Issue date : 19-26 December 2008
Issue date : 19-26 December 2008
Placing & replacing
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
Issue date : 19-26 December 2008
Placing & replacing
Issue date : 19-26 December 2008
A Beefmaster breeder to be reckoned with
Part-time Beefmaster breeder Pieter van Deventer has received his first Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Beefmaster Cow award, but for the past four years, his herd has been an Absa-ARC Beef Cattle Improvement Herd of the Year provincial finalist. He's also on the Beefmaster Breeders' Society of SA council. Chris Nel reports.
Issue date : 19&25 December 2008
Issue date : 19&25 December 2008
The new globalagricultural landscape
Agricultural policy makers face a global agricultural landscape that has completely transformed in the last 10 years. That's not to mention the ongoing challenge of South Africa's dualistic farming sector, divided between commercial and developing farmers. Prof Johann Kirsten breaks down the issues, and proposes some solutions.
Issue date : 19&26 December 2008
Issue date : 19&26 December 2008
Demise of the free-market
The recent failure of the financial markets and supply/demand problems in agriculture can become an excuse for excessive government intervention, which could have dire consequences for farmers.
Issue date : 12 December 2008
Issue date : 12 December 2008
Woodrose’s 3rd elite cow
The Red Poll is one of the numerically smaller breeds in South Africa. To have bred three of the four cows to ever receive this prestigious award is quite an achievement for the Woodrose Red Poll Stud. Chris Nel visited the farm to find out more.
Issue date : 12 December 2008
Issue date : 12 December 2008
An Irish celebration of horsemanship
The Dublin Horse Show is Ireland's oldest equestrian festival and dates back to 1864. Today, the well-sponsored annual show, held at the Royal Dublin Society Showgrounds (RDS), symbolises international respect for the Irish equestrian community. Mike Burgess, visited the show in August where, among others, the renowned Irish Sports Horse competes in numerous show classes and prestigious show jumping events.
Issue date : 12 December 2008
Issue date : 12 December 2008
Power (and water) to the farmers
Sustainable resource management was the underlying theme at a recent SA Institute of Agricultural Engineers Symposium in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. From biofuel and efficient management of water and energy, to choosing the perfect standby generator, those in the know told farmers how to keep their businesses running, writes Lloyd Phillips.
Issue date : 12 December 2008
Issue date : 12 December 2008
Wild garlic a lingering allure
Wild garlic belonging to the genus Tulbaghia, the only unequivocally African member of the large, worldwide family Alliaceae - the onion family - writes Cameron McMaster.
Issue date : 05 December 2008
Issue date : 05 December 2008
townie goes to a bull fight
Thrill-seeking tourists flock to Spain each year watch the bull fights. A spectacle, macabre in its cruelty, where the bull stands little chance of survival against a skilled matador.
Issue date : 05 December 2008
Issue date : 05 December 2008
The rhino wars
With the large-scale upsurge in rhino poaching, Abré J Steyn looks at the only solution that might work in the long term to combat the scourge - legalising a sustainable rhino-horn supply to fill demand.
Issue date : 05 December 2005
Issue date : 05 December 2005
