New publication celebrates citrus empowerment

Launching the publication Harvest of Hope, which celebrates the successes of 14 BEE joint-venture enterprises in the Western and Northern Cape
Issue date : 08 August 2008

Farmers to tighten the belt for the next grain season

Crop estimates for summer and winter grains are looking good, with maize up 117,1% from 2006/07 and winter cereals such as wheat up by 16,1% from the 2007 season, according to data released by the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC).
Issue date : 08 August 2008

Once again Doha disappoints

The latest negotiations in the Doha trade round of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva collapsed on 29 July, as the US, India and China failed to reach agreement on import tariffs on agricultural products.
Issue date : 08 August 2008

Agri deficit hits SA as land reform fails

SOUTH AFRICA suffered A deficit in agricultural trade for the first time last year because of rapidly increasing imports.
Issue date : 08 August 2008

Experts slam Mbeki’s food agency plan

Government has announced that a draft framework for a national food control agency has been approved by Cabinet and will now go out for consultation.
Issue date : 08 August 2008

Moraea – our African Iris

The Moraea are bulbous plants with iris-like flowers distributed throughout Southern Africa, with high concentrations of species in the Western Cape and the Drakensberg, writes Cameron McMaster.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

townie TV is so depressing

With daytime temperatures hovering around 13ÂºC and the wind howling down from the mountain tops reducing them even further, no way was I venturing outdoors. Below freezing at night, it was worse. So what to do?
Issue date : 01 August 2008

Working the nightshift

Birds are engineering masterpieces of creation and for many field sportspeople birdwatching is a fascinating part of their bush experience.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

The ‘poor man’s tree puller’

Mervyn Prior, a Farmer's Weekly reader from Plettenberg Bay, has developed what he calls a "poor man's tree-puller".
Issue date : 01 August 2008

Understanding what tillage does to your soil

Tillage not only stimulates soil organisms to feed on the organic content of the soil, but also scrambles the soil particles, damaging the soil's natural structure.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

Clear speak, not business speak please!

'Unplanned, obscure communication is inefficient. It always leads to confusion and at worst, can be a fatal flaw.'
Issue date 01 August 2008

Blue Diamond: the jewel in Paul Pedro’s crown

Paul Pedro, Chairperson of Alberton Homing Society (Gauteng), needs no introduction.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

Foskor thinks strategy

Phosphate and phosphoric acid producer Foskor has come under much criticism lately for elevating the local price of phosphorus by charging import parity to local customers. But, according to Foskor CEO Alfred Pitse, the company now intends to completely scrap import parity pricing to its local customers. David Steynberg also spoke to him about the company's social responsibility programmes and what will happen next year when Foskor lists on the JSE.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

Outlook for the 2008/09 summer grain season

Summer grain producers must base their planting decisions on careful analysis of market factors and of their own situation, and not on general recommendations to plant less or more.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

Corporates should drive new agrarian revolution

With the need for food security and sustainable livelihoods among the rural poor, the time is ripe for a new agrarian revolution. Some businesses are already acting on the opportunity, honing a model that could change the lives of millions, turning subsistence agriculture into viable commerical enterprises. Andile Ncontsa, head of the Old Mutual Foundation talks about the foundations sponsorship of and partnership with Organic Farms Group.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

Putting soil pH into perspective

'Producers who worship at the altar of pH need to understand that good pH does not guarantee a balanced soil,' warned international soil expert Neal Kinsey at the SA Biofarm course on soil fertility recently presented in Johannesburg. Glenneis Erasmus reports.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

Tale of two en-route commercial farmers

While it may only be in its second year, the Dryden Commercial Farmer Project near Bronkhorstspruit emphasises that with strategic partnerships and an undefeated attitude from emerging farmers, success will build on success. David Steynberg visited this joint venture of Absa AgriBusiness, Absa Small Business, Monsanto and Omnia.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

The Santa’s gift to beef farmers

First impressions last, and since getting their fingers burned with bad genetics in the 1970s, many KZN beef farmers have shied away from the Santa Gertrudis breed. But the Santa's supporters, including breed director Martin Seyfferdt and breeder Garth Ellis, argue this breed could do wonders for beef enterprises in the province. Lloyd Phillips reports.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

Getting compensation claims paid

Battling the red tape around the Workmen's Compensation Fund has become a nightmare for many farmers, as well as the hospitals that treat the injured workers. The problems are so serious that in some instances injured employees are permanently disabled by failure to get rehabilitative treatment on time, and the hospitals are handing accounts over to lawyers to try and sort out the mess. David Steynberg reports.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

Diversification – looking to the stars

In arid Namibia, the loss of grazing and water due to climate change is forcing ranchers to diversify. Many have incorporated wildlife management, some have turned to tourism, but the Cranz family is literally looking to the stars - housing a telescope for Germany's HESS project and international astronomers. Servaas van den Bosch reports.
Issue date : 01 August 2008

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