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What’s holding up land reform?

Specialist land reform writer Stephan Hofstätter argues swift, orderly and effective land reform is vital for political stability and long-term economic growth. But botched state interventions have exacerbated tensions between the landed and landless that will lead to violent confrontation, unless dysfunctional institutions are drastically overhauled.
Issue date 26 October 2007

New equipment on show

Judging from the list of exhibitors, the annual Bien Donné Expo, scheduled for 1 to 3 November and aimed at Vineyard and Orchard farmers, will be a perfect opportunity to view the wide range of specialised equipment available to farmers and those involved in the peripheral sectors of the industry
Issue date 26 October 2007

Dig those greens: plant medicine for your soil

Initial research shows plants like broccoli and rocket may replace synthetic soil fumigants, which are being phased out. They also improve soil condition and have no harmful side-effects. Glenneis Erasmus reports.
Issue date 26 October 2007

No-till success on the Orange River

Jaco van Niekerk of Luckhoff, a Grain SA commercial grain producer of the year finalist, pioneered no-till in sandy loam soils. Today, five years down the line, he's managed to boost yields and cut capital and operating costs dramatically, as Peter Hittersay reports.
Issue date 26 October 2007

Undefeated Solly: no chip on his shoulder

While farming in the 1980s, Solly Ratsomane managed to acquire land from an apartheid government. Under the new government he had to face floods with minimal compensation and a land claim. But nothing could stop Solly. Through all of this, both during apartheid and in the new dispensation, white farmers were more than willing to help. He's become one of Limpopo's top commercial farmers. Cornelia du Plooy writes.
Issue date 26 October 2007

Cactus pear: an oasis in dry Africa

Anyone searching for a wonder fodder crop for semi-arid regions need look no further than the cactus pear
Issue date 26 October 2007

Write a ‘stop doing’ list and build a culture

'It takes great self-discipline to stop doing those things you enjoy, but which add little benefit to the business'.
Issue date 26 October 2007

Crossbred lambs better?

Rising input costs and low market prices are forcing sheep producers to produce more meat and wool per hectare
Issue date 26 October 2007

‘The state should take agriculture seriously’

The effect that uncertainty surrounding land reform is having on investor confidence is often underestimated, Sanlam's Group CEO Dr Johan van Zyl told delegates at Agri SA's annual congress. For this reason, and the fact that rising food prices are here to stay, the state should start taking agriculture a lot more seriously, and entrust it to a senior minister.
Issue date 19 October 2007

Launching the backhoe loaders

Having recently launched the YTO range of agricultural tractors, Super Group Equipment (SGE), part of the JSE-listed Super Group, has now put its considerable marketing power behind equipment used in both agriculture and construction: Hidromek Backhoe Loader Tractors
Issue date 19 October 2007

Community with faith in potatoes

The humble potato's ability to create 5 000 jobs, yield almost 28t/ ha and uplift an entire community was proven at the recent handover of the Makuleke Irrigation Scheme. Cornelia du Plooy reports on how a strategic partner in potato farmer Arthur Creighton, help from the state, and a market with Simba SA proved key to their success.
Issue date 19 October 2007

KZN Young Farmer rolling with the dairy punches

Brandon Karg, KwaZulu-Natal's 2007 Young Farmer of the Year, runs an extremely productive dairy farm by applying the best technology, taking control of the value chain, implementing an innovative approach to labour, and establishing his own transport system. Lloyd Phillips spoke to him.
Issue date 19 October 2007

Local stays lekker in UK

The UK is one of South Africa's major export markets, but a new study indicates that, despite pressure on British consumers to support developing countries and conservation, patriotism is primary. Glenneis Erasmus reports.
Issue date 19 October 2007

Winning pair of Hereford genes

With quality genetics running through his Hereford stud, Wessel Wessels of Platdoorn Herefords can't help but receive prestigious awards such as this year's Farmer's Weekly-ARC Best Elite Hereford Cow. Mike Burgess reports.
Issue date 19 October 2007

Mining agriculture into the ground

Decades of mining pollution are slowly catching up with the environment, directly impacting on agriculture. A former head of the Geology department at Wits, Prof Terence McCarthy, is regarded as a leading authority on wetland geomorphology. He warns that the impact of new mining permits in the Chrissiesmeer area in Mpumalanga will be devastating. Susan Botes reports.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Realities in Africa – tough but lucrative

'There are various African realities - the important one for South African agriculture is the reality of a huge market for our produce.'
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Billy’s Groot Trek-tor

Earlier this year, Billy van der Mescht of Indo Trak drove a small Chinese-built tractor on a cross-country trip of almost 1 200km, to raise money for CANSA and prove the reliability of these budget-priced tractors.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Food or fuel … or both?

The Southern African Biofuels Association has released a briefing paper challenging arguments that bioethanol production would worsen food inflation and reduce food security. Glenneis Erasmus gives a summary.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Successful farmer targets traditional markets

Tshabeni Mangwana began his farming career as a communal farmer back in 1958 in the Herschel district of the former Transkei. After acquiring a farm in 2002 through the Eastern Cape Land Affairs' flagship LRAD programme, he started successfully marketing quality livestock to the former homelands and proved sceptics wrong. Mike Burgess reports.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

The Overvaal Bonsmara Group: working together, separately

Triple the benefits at a third of the cost. This is the bottom line behind the success of the Overvaal Bonsmara Group. Three North West farmers joined forces four years ago to share costs of genetics, auctions and marketing. Susan Botes found that - yes - teamwork between individual farmers is possible, but finding the right partners is the key.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

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