Caxton Magazines
Slow economy saps agribusiness confidence While there is still reasonable busine
While there is still reasonable business confidence in agriculture, political and economic uncertainty is placing the sector under pressure.
Issue date : 19 September 2008
Issue date : 19 September 2008
Ornithogalum – the popular chincherinchees
Chincherinchee flowers have a long vase life and consequently are cultivated for distribution all over the world, writes Cameron McMaster.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Just Junk But it beat the odds
In the dim light of the moon the crest of a breaking wave loomed for a split-second in front of me. Then it crashed into my chest. I swallowed a whole mouthful of the saltwater that hit me full in the face
Issue date: 12 September 2008
Issue date: 12 September 2008
Clearing aliens the environmentally friendly way
In South Africa, eradicating invasive woody alien vegetation for alternative land use is normally a relatively heavy-handed method involving big drums of diesel or water and herbicide.
What motivates your labour?
Managing a farm is a busy, multitasked operation with the unexpected always cropping up to disrupt well-made plans.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Building trust with your people
'What he was saying was: "I trust you completely to run this business in accordance with the budget we've agreed upon. I don't need to look over your shoulder". There was no way I could let him down.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Quality pigeons make the difference
Last week we covered the story of the super-breeder, Emma, owned by Johann Grobbelaar & Son, competitive members of the Sandton Racing Pigeon Club, which falls under the Transvaal Pigeon Federation. Thanks to a crop of superior pigeons in their lofts the partnership is highly successful in races.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Bringing German lessons home
South Africa desperately needs committed youngsters like Zahke College graduate Sifiso Ntshiza, if land reform is to succeed. Having just returned from a 12-month apprenticeship on a German dairy farm, facilitated by well-known KZN dairy farmer Judy Stuart, Robyn Joubert caught up with Sifiso to hear how the experience has changed his life, and what he thinks about the future of South African farming.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Export opportunities are knocking
Don't think in terms of surplus and shortages - produce as much as you can because the African export market beckons.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Saving water from field to fork
Targeting food losses along the supply chain can generate multiple gains, including water saving, says the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Sulphur: vital but mostly lacking in soil
Sulphur is the fourth major nutrient required for optimal production after nitrogen, phosphates and potassium. However, it's often disregarded in soil applications. Glenneis Erasmus reports.
Issue date : 12 Setember 2008
Issue date : 12 Setember 2008
A youngberry vintage
SA is the world's biggest youngberry producer, but many growers prefer more robust, less labour-intensive fruit. This puts a premium on the products of liqueur producer Natalie Turck and grower Dirk Steyn, but youngberries' extra juice, high nutritional value and unique tart taste shouldn't be underestimated, writes Wouter Kriel.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Can Namibian beef cross the thin red line?
Namibia's dwindling beef supplies are approaching a crisis even as export markets offer huge opportunities to Southern Africa. More than ever, their industry needs to cross the "thin red line" into the Northern Communal Areas, and bring foot-and-mouth vulnerable beef in line with export standards. Servaas van den Bosch reports.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Tinder box
Most of SA's commercial forests face land claims that have been dragging on for years, creating uncertainty and the potential for violent conflict. This year government and the industry are finally thrashing out solutions. Stephan Hofstätter reports.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Namibia rocked by conflict over elephants
A row has broken out over the culling of elephants in Namibia's northwest. outcry started after the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) gave out trophy hunting permits for three problem bulls
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Mohair world to converge on the Karoo
Following the demise of the International Mohair Association the first-ever Summit, scheduled to coincide with the international year of natural fibre, is expected to be the biggest and most important gathering of the global industry in years.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Climatologist warns against more cold fronts
The cold front that passed over the country over the Last few days of August and on Spring Day is not unusual for this time of year, particularly when taking into account the weather over this period in previous years, said Johan van den Berg, Santam Agri's product development manager.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Safex works, but it needs attention, says Marketing Council investigation
Despite the fears of Western Cape farmers that Safex is biased towards grain buyers, the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) has found that the index is a well-functioning instrument for price formation in SA's grain and oilseed markets.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Is this about land claims?
The most serious wildfires of the 2008 KwaZulu-Natal fire season has so far seen injuries, the loss of human life, livestock, buildings and agricultural infrastructure, and thousands of hectares of timber plantation, grazing and cropland razed to the ground.
Issue date : 12 September 2008
Issue date : 12 September 2008
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