Caxton Magazines
What every no-till farmer needs to know about nitrogen
There are farmers who've had wonderful success with no-till agriculture and others who claim it doesn't work for them or is too slow to kick in. Understanding the role that nitrogen plays in humus development is the key that unlocks the puzzle, writes vegetable farmer and Farmer's Weekly columnist Bill Kerr.
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Cucumber tunnels prove profitable
Two landscapers from Durban recently purchased a 3,2ha hydroponic tunnel farm on the KZN South Coast, with the intention to start an indigenous nursery. They soon realised that the tunnels can generate extra income and in their first season already expect to yield 25 000 cucumbers, writes Robyn Joubert.
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Sable smashing world records
Although the valuable trophy-hunting industry is placing unprecedented demand on the already scant population of sable antelope, this is also the saving grace of this species as game farmers - also specialising in the protection of the species - scramble to find the best breeding stock, hence a recent sale of a R3 million bull, writes Abré J Steyn.
Issue date: 24 October 2008
Issue date: 24 October 2008
Part-time Tuli breeder makes good – again
What started off as a weekend hobby about 20 years ago has turned well-known auctioneer Stephan Welz from Dullstroom in Mpumalanga into a successful and highly-respected breeder of award-wining Tuli cattle. Sharon Götte spoke to him about his herd and in particular his Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Tuli Cow for 2008.
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Offal riches: tapping into a niche market
An Eastern Cape livestock trader expanded his business into a abattoir near Mdantsane outside East London, catering for the traditional Xhosa market and its peculiar cultural requirements. He now slaughters more than 1 000 animals per week, writes Orrock Robertsen.
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
From enemies to allies tackling land reform
The slow pace of land reform in South Africa is a reality, and the unfortunate result is that land claimants and landowners sometimes take out the resulting frustrations on each other. But in northern KZN, a local dominee has brokered a unique agreement between these parties following tension that spun out of control. Lloyd Phillips reports
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Wind & solar energy pays off
Prof Paul Wessels has customised a wind and solar energy system to meet the needs of his home and farm, writes Annelie Coleman.
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Take note of new tax law
The proposed Revenue Laws Amendment Bill 2008 is due to be signed into law soon
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Uncertainty hovers over future of Ezemvelo
A dark cloud of uncertainty hangs over the future of KwaZulu-Natal Ezemvelo Wildlife, with internal political disputes, administrative problems and other issues threatening to undermine its numerous successes.
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Parliament must lay Land Bank’s skeletons bare
When ANC and opposition party members grill Land Bank executives in parliament they have an ideal opportunity to get to the bottom of its mismanagement. Drawing from interviews with executives and board members, and several documents and reports, Stephan Hofstätter outlines possible lines of enquiry.
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Namibian farmers focus on food security
The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) held its 62nd annual congress this week in Windhoek.
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
A three-prong plan for African food security
The challenge is to double farm output between now and 2050 to meet global consumption requirements, said Ajay Vashee, president of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Workers lose jobs as land deals drag on
Hot on the heels reports from Statistics South Africa indicating a 1,1% decline in jobs in the agricultural sector in a quarter year, Limpopo is about to shed over 410 labourers in Levhubu.
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Hollow victory for SA’s best farming women
Weeks after the Female the Year prize-giving ceremony in Cape Town, the winner of the prestigious award, Bongiwe Kali.
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Lulama vows to end agricultural uncertainty
Land and agriculture minister Lulama Xingwana said her department and other agriculture stakeholders had acknowledged the urgent need to unleash the land and agrarian reform programme (LARP's) potential as a tool for poverty alleviation and economic development, at the Limpopo consultation on LARP
Issue date : 24 October 2008
Issue date : 24 October 2008
No recourse for farmers as metal thieves plunder
Farmers in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands are tearing out their hair over the activities of alleged scrap metal thieves in the region.
Issue date: 24 October 2008
Issue date: 24 October 2008
The effect of late cold on your vegetables
On the Highveld, the past winter was considered to have been a mild one. There was a very cold front which affected the temperatures for about a week.
The Green Issue
The recent allFresh Conference in Somerset West was themed "The Green Issue". I've always been a staunch advocate of this conference for the fresh produce sector because it brings new ideas, interesting topics and new trends and shows us the way forward.
The South African Challenge
The SA Challenge competition, scheduled within the 13th Sun City Million Dollar Pigeon Race (SCMDPR), is a race within a race, and multiplies South African entrants' chances to win.
Issue date: 14 October 2008
Issue date: 14 October 2008
Townie aiming for his license
My gun licenses are due to expire shortly. A .38 revolver loaded with shot to keep the snakes at bay, a 12-bore shotgun for guinea fowl and a .243 rifle for hunting for the pot.
