Caxton Magazines
National water quality under the spotlight
Contamination of the country’s water resources is escalating fast and all fingers point to poor governance. current electricity shortage could soon be exacerbated by an equally alarming water crisis, as more evidence of pollution and poor management comes
‘We are not killing the grain industry’
Transnet Freight Rail’s scheduled rate increase in April of between 16,5% and 22% would reduce farmers’ margins and likely impact on food prices, especially grain-based foods. The rate increase is attributed to high costs and low profitability caused by e
Kenya conflict not an opportunity for SA tea and roses
Kenya’s tea and flower industries are in disarray following the political unrest after the 27 December 2007 Kenyan elections. However, opportunities for South Africa to meet the demand left by the ailing East African exporter are slim.
Issue Date: 15
Issue Date: 15
Indigenous veld goats on the up
Interest in Indigenous Veld Goats is growing despite the Indigenous Veld Goat Society waiting now for two years for the breed to be registered with the Registrar of Animal Improvement.
Issue Date: 15 February 2008
Issue Date: 15 February 2008
Dramatic drop in maize price predicted
Safex is predicting a dramatic drop in white and yellow maize prices by July, based on the good rains and the large areas planted to maize. Coupled with the SA Reserve Bank governor, Tito Mboweni, opting not to increase interest rates for now, consumers h
SA record of R800 000 for a pigeon
Mark Kitchenbrand paid R800 000, a SA record, for a racing pigeon at the post Sun City Million Dollar Pigeon race (SCMDPR) auction.
Issue Date: 15 February 2008
Issue Date: 15 February 2008
Fresh setback for Tafelkop farmers
Smallholders at the Hereford Irrigation Scheme outside Groblersdal in Limpopo, who invaded vacant state farms over a decade ago, were dealt another blow last week in their efforts to become commercial farmers. O fficials informed them the much anticipated
Dairy input costs under the spotlight
The Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) and the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) will launch an investigation into input costs and the effect thereof on the profitability of milk producers.
Issue Date: 15 February 2008
Issue Date: 15 February 2008
Lemon with a twist
The Eureka Seedless lemon is a world first and a real coup for ARC scientists. Robyn Joubert talks to Peter Turner of Citrogold, the cultivar management company commercialising the Eureka Seedless.
Issue date: 08 February 2008
Issue date: 08 February 2008
Manitou thrives on hard work
The Manitou Maniscopic MLT 627 T is highly manoeuvrable and can lift 2,7t to a height of 6m. Operators at the Winterton facility received training from Manitou instructors. This should extend the service life of the unit and will help to improve productiv
Soil health for sugar
New sugar cane varieties increase yield, but the long-term impact on the soil is untested. Richard Cole started leaving crop residue on the soil nine years ago and so far yield is higher and he’s avoiding eldana infestations. Robyn Joubert reports.
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Iss
Farmers do government’s job
Agricultural spokesperson for the Democratic Alliance Gerrit van Rensburg talks about the problems associated with the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (Esta) and possible solutions to its application shortfalls.
Issue date: 08 February 2008
Issue date: 08 February 2008
MPO gathers troops in Eskom battle
Rolling blackouts are costing the dairy industry R100 million per month. Now the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) is seeking legal council in preparing a case against Eskom for losses incurred. Though there are only 3 400 dairy farmers in SA, MPO managi
World news – Issue date 08 February 2008
NZ and Australia in WTO apple dispute.
NZ needs overseas farmworkers.
In praise of potatoes
The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation has declared 2008 the International Year of the Potato (IYP 2008).
Issue date: 08 February 2008
Issue date: 08 February 2008
KWV sells distribution company in Germany
KWV recently announced the sale of its German subsidiary Eggers and Franke to GmbH, which already distributes KWV’s successful Golden Kaan range. The sale of the company forms part of CEO Thys Loubser’s business transformation plan.
Latest crop estimate figures show planting increase
The Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) has released its preliminary figures on area planted for summer crops and its production forecast for winter crops. Some 2,79 million hectares of commercial maize were planted, compared with last season’s 2,55 million he
Callais farm expropriated, but questions remain
Callais 226KT in the Hoedspruit district, the second farm in South Africa to be expropriated for land restitution, was officially acquired by the state on 24 January 2008, and handed over to Strategic Farm Management (SFM) the same day. SFM is a privately
Woes are here to stay, says Agri SA
Agri SA and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) met with Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga in late January and the conclusion was that power shortages are here to stay – the issue is how best to manage them.
Issue date: 08 February 2008
Issue date: 08 February 2008
Eskom’s practical tips for farmers
Eskom has been running an electricity conservation programme called Demand Side Management (DSM) since 2003, which encourages consumers to use less electricity especially during peak times (6:30am to 10am and 5pm to 9pm). Because peak consumption has incr
