Caxton Magazines
Merit in predator-friendly farming
Farmers from Botswana Dr Mark Bing and Dr Jane Freeman, discuss the advantages of predator-friendly management practice, in response to an opposing article by Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Farming in Zimbabwe: ‘we’ve chosen to stay’
For South African farmers, the plight of their Zimbabwean counterparts is a horror story they hope won’t repeat itself here. On a recent trip to Zimbabwe, Sharon Gottard found farmers who not only have managed to survive the political turmoil, but amazing
Putting dairy goats onto pastures
Commercial dairy goat operations in South Africa traditionally use complete feed systems for their animals, but Roy and Sue Caldecott of the KZN Midlands have developed an efficient pasture-based feeding system for their Saanen flock. Lloyd Phillips repor
The profit sticks here
Farm income increased substantially from 2005/06 to 2006/07, but farmers still earn a much lower profit than the processing and retail sectors. Farmer-controlled businesses offers a solution.
Great year for live game trade
Statistics show 2007 was an outstanding year for all stakeholders in the live game industry, with average auction prices improving for most species. Roan went for nearly R75 000, buffalo for nearly R135 000, but lions dropped from R25 000 to R7 500. Roelo
The pick of the bunch
When I first went to Zambia to fish for tigers, more than 10 years ago, you could pretty much fish anywhere on the Zambezi River and have a good chance of a catch – but not anymore.
Issue date: 15 February 2008
Issue date: 15 February 2008
Cranes indicate wetland health status
The Crane Working Group�s Hayley Komen tells Roelof Bezuidenhout how to conserve our cranes and wetlands.
Issue date: 15 February 2008
Issue date: 15 February 2008
Tomato paste for Africa
A R90 million world-class tomato paste factory, to be built this year in the Coega Industrial Development Zone, will at full production create 3 000 jobs, and produce up to 50 000t of tomato paste from tomatoes to be grown in the area on about 1 650ha. Mi
The mighty three-in-one: Lely, Vermeer, Welger
US company Vermeer Manufacturing and the Dutch-based Lely Group have announced plans to jointly acquire 100% of the assets of the German agricultural baler and bale-wrapper manufacturer Welger Maschinenfabrik GmbH.
Issue date: 15 February 2008
Issue date: 15 February 2008
Knysna forestry dynasty. Rooted in the past but growing for the future
The Van Reenen family has been farming timber in Rheenendal near Knysna for four generations. Warren Rosewall finds out where they’ve been, where they’re now, and why, in an unstable timber industry, they’re still confident about the future.
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New consumers for wool farmers
A new best-practice reference manual for wool farmers has been drawn up by the National Wool Growers Association NWGA, Cape Wools, Elsenburg, Woolworths, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the National Cleaner Production Centre, the Natio
A 24% comeback for agribusinesses
Agricultural businesses profitability managed to turn from falling below 5% in 2006 to rise to an astronomical 24% in 2007, according to the latest PricewaterhouseCoopers Agribusiness Benchmarking Survey conducted among 21 agribusinesses. Total turnover r
Thailand rejects SA fruit
Thailand has stopped all fresh fruit imports from SA due to a pending change to its phytosanitary import conditions. Anton Rabe, CEO of the Deciduous Fruit Producers Trust, said that even though the amount of fruit exported to Thailand is quite small, the
DA says diversification is answer to power crises
The DA expressed its concern about the losses farmers are incurring due to Eskom’s power cuts. “Agriculture is the cornerstone of South Africa’s economy and unless immediate solutions are put forward to help farmers cope with these power cuts, this indust
Ostriches still big business
Mosstrich, the world’s second largest processor of ostrich products, increased its turnover from R178 million during 2005/2006 to R224 million in 2006/2007. A pre-tax profit of R21,5 million was achieved of which R14,7 million was declared as production b
Wool gets personal
As farming gets tougher, wool growers will increasingly have to get involved in and take responsibility for their own organisation, according to the National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA) production adviser, Braam Coetzee.
Issue Date: 15 February 20
Issue Date: 15 February 20
Wool price ups confidence
The 19th wool sale saw the merino wool indicator ease 0,2% to close at R6,23/kg clean. That puts the BKB market indicator 26% higher than a year ago, with the rand trading at similar levels against the dollar, according to Ken Craig of BKB. “Prices are tr
Pork explores township market
The pork industry enjoyed a good year in 2007 and imports were needed to satisfy local demand. D espite the growth the African Pork Producers’ Oganisation (Sappo) plans to launch a R5 million pork promotion drive to target new markets, while retaining its
WORLD NEWS- 15 February 2008
No end to world grain shortage
NZ to limit size of dairy farms
EU milk quotas resist change
Issue Date: 15 February 2008
NZ to limit size of dairy farms
EU milk quotas resist change
Issue Date: 15 February 2008
Sappi’s profit up 46% but the remains a challenge
Sappi Group reported a first-quarter sales increase of 8,7% compared to 2007. Sales amounted to US$1,377 billion (R14,667 billion), while operating profit, excluding special items, peaked at 92 million – a 46% increase over the year before.
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