Biodiversity champions of the Sandveld

The recent appointment of ecologist Sean Ranger, as biodiversity best practice manager at Potatoes SA has given new impetus to the organisation's biodiversity best practice initiative. Sonja Burger found out the details.
Issue date : 22 August 2008

Bring back the oxpecker!

Dipping against ticks almost eradicated red-billed oxpeckers in SA. Now that ticks are displaying dip resistance, the oxpecker - which can eat 13 000 nymphs a day - may be farmers' best friend. David Steynberg reports.
Issue date : 22 August 2008

Measuring water use on sugarcane

Tools for measuring the amount of water reaching your crop can be very simple, such as using a rain gauge or digging a hole, or they can be very complicated.
Issue date : 22 August 2008

Western Cape young farmer of the year

Wouter Beukes, a table grape farmer from the Hex River Valley, has been awarded the Santam Agri-sponsored Young Farmer of the Year of the Western Cape title at a recent function at Goudini.
Issue date : 22 August 2008

Drive launched to manage ostrich impact

The ostrich industry has begun a biodiversity initiative to stimulate improved veld management and more environmentally friendly production techniques within the industry.
Issue date : 22 August 2008

No deal yet’ says TAU SA after food price consultation

The Agricultural Business CHAMBER (ABC), TAU SA, the National African Farmers' Union (Nafu) and Agri together with the national agriculture department, have pledged to join forces in the fight against food insecurity and high food prices.
Issue date : 22 August 2008

Trade policy body lets SA down

The lack of a specific trade policy in the National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) is not good news for the country's current account deficit, warned Riaan de Lange, an economist at Tariff and Trade Intelligence.
Issue date : 22 August 2008

Experts warn against more bureaucracy in scramble for cheaper food

Responding to mounting discontent over high food prices, government recently announced its short-, medium- and long-term strategies to address rising food prices.
Issue date : 22 August 2008

Stolen Land Bank bills pose fraud risk for farmers

Land Bank treasury instruments worth tens of millions are in circulation and could be used to defraud farmers, following a spate of thefts from the bank's safes, documents in Farmer's Weekly's possession reveal.
Issue date : 22 August 2008

Zim talks delay sector plan

The revision of the government's Agriculture Sector Plan was not finalised at the Presidential Working Group on Commercial Agriculture's meeting on 11 August.
Issue date : 22 August 2008

The benefit of mulch to organic growers

Certified organic growers have to adhere to the rules laid down by the governing body. They are restricted in what can be sprayed and what fertilisers to use. However, there is no requirement for a healthy soil organic content.
Issue date : 15 August 2008

The art of public speaking

'All managers need to be capable public speakers and to do this, you will need to practise. And there's only one way to do it - in front of an audience who can give you constructive feedback.'
Issue date : 15 August 2008

Triumphs of the Winburg races

There are ABOUT 37 Pigeon Races on the calendar of the 2008 Transvaal Pigeon Federation (TRPF). Most of them are double races which means two different race events are scheduled on the same Saturday.
Issue date : 15 August 2008

Government’s role in agriculture

Government will have to change its role in agriculture or face a lot of angry, hungry people.
Issue date : 15 August 2008

Letter dated : 15 August 2008

Issue date : 15 August 2008

Biofuel not to blame for high food prices

Willy De Greef is an international expert consultant on agricultural biotechnology and secretary general of the European Biotech Industry Association (EuropaBio). He criticises an unofficial World Bank internal note that blames biofuel for 75% of recent food price increases, arguing that agriculture has always contributed more than food.
Issue date : 15 August 2008

Potassium truths

Potassium is essential for photosynthesis and the production of starch, sugar, protein, vitamins, enzymes and cellulose. International soil expert Neal Kinsey talks about the impact of this nutrient on production and soil biology, and on how to address deficiencies, reports Glenneis Erasmus.
Issue date : 15 August 2008

Auctions for emerging farmers

Emerging farmers in the Vryburg and Kuruman districts recently had the opportunity to sell cattle at an auction organised to familiarise new farmers with the inner workings of auctions and the requirements of feedlot buyers. It was the first of a series to be held all over the country as part of an initiative organised by the SA Feedlot Association, reports Annelie Coleman.
Issue date : 15 August 2008

A Swedish Red future

Richmond dairy farmer Anthony Morris has one of the oldest herds of Swedish Reds in the country. It's a medium-sized cow that produces ample milk with a high solids ratio on grass, with very little extra feed. He and another Swedish Red breeder, Judy Stuart, believe it's the dairy breed of the future, writes Robyn Joubert.
Issue date : 15 August 2008

Fauresmith: The Comrades of endurance riding

For the 35th year the world's largest endurance ride was held in Fauresmith, Free State, and drew a record entry of 405 horses, write Greg Miles and Vivienne Martin.
Issue date : 15 August 2008

Caxton Magazines