Caxton Magazines

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

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

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

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

'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

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

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

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

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

A land reform farm in KwaZulu-Natal had everything going for it: prime land, capital, market access and top-notch mentorship. Today the estate is thriving - despite the best efforts of land affairs officials to throw a spanner in the works. Stephan Hofstätter reports.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Research indicates that at least one aspect of temperament in ostriches can be modified by selection. This could help farmers breed ostriches that adapt better to the intensive farming systems found on most commercial ostrich farms. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Kwanalu recognises sterling efforts by DFA officials
Limpopo farmers prove hard to beat

This year's Agri Mega Week distinguished itself as the largest agricultural forum in the Western Cape, with something for everyone. Exhibitions filled over 52 000m² this year, with almost 20 000m² under canvas. The event was attended by over 15 000 people. Glenneis Erasmus was there.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

The annual report of the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union, which marked the 10th anniversary of its formation, contained some interesting information in the commodity reports. Joe Spencer provides a summary.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Some days farmers living close to the irrigation canal from the Lindleyspoort Dam in the Swartruggens district have to keep the doors and windows of their farmhouses shut in an effort to keep out the stench emanating from the canal. One of these farmers, Hannes Esterhuizen, said this is because of sewage from a works right next to the dam wall is spilling into the canal.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

A recent ruling of the South African Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) upholding the demolition order on illegal cottages built along the Wild Coast has been welcomed by campaigners for the protection of this environmentally sensitive and scenic area. Judge JFP Brand of the SCA ruled against 16 illegal cottage owners who appealed a December 2005 ruling by the Mthatha High Court that they be evicted from their dwellings and the buildings demolished.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) wants to check the quality of South Africa's biodiesel. However, this task will be futile without the participation of biodiesel producers. SABS has therefore called on both commercial and private producers to participate in the initiative. Samples will be analysed at no cost to the suppliers, who will receive a confidential report enabling them to make informed decisions on product conformity and carry out the required adjustments.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

South Africa will not turn into a second Zimbabwe if current legal precedent has anything to do with it. This was the assurance given by the Land Claims Court after Puntlyf emerged victorious from a long court battle. what has been described as a victory for all farmers, the court recently ruled that farms cannot be subject to expropriation when farmers evict unwelcome squatters.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

A GCO Corporation, a US manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment worldwide, has bought the privately owned Industria Agricola Fortaleza Limitada (SFIL), a leading Brazilian provider of farm implements.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007

Rostselmash, Russia's largest producer of agricultural combine harvesters, has acquired its first foreign asset, the Canadian tractor-maker Buhler Industries. Rostselmash will pay CA$143,3 million in the next five years for about 80% of the common stock in the company.
Issue Date: 12 October 2007