US and Europe agree to Ethiopian coffee trademarks

European and US coffee roasting distribution companies have signed an agreement to use Ethiopia's coffee speciality trademarks.
Issue date: 28 September 2007

Millions missing but DLA picks scapegoat

Alleged misadministration has seen millions disappear from the Department of Land Affairs (DLA) in the past financial year. According to the Public Service Commission's Professor Stan Sangweni a recorded R45,65 million has been lost due to financial misadministration in all national and provincial departments.

Animal Identification Act to be reviewed

The Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs (Registrar of Animal Identification) and the Cattle Theft Head Office are in the process of reviewing the Animal Identification Act No 6 of 2002. Cattle farmers have the opportunity to submit suggestions to make the act more practical and user-friendly. Suggestions can be sent to Superintendent AP Oosthuizen on fax (012) 393 1548 or e-mail [email protected].
Issue date: 28 September 2007

KZN farmers proactive on land reform

KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) is finalising plans to create a land reform company to speed up transfers and post-settlement support, based on a model pioneered by the sugar industry.
Issue date: 28 September 2007

Du Toit slammed for ‘cheap politicking’

Deputy Land Affairs and Agriculture minister Dirk du Toit has been accused by a broad spectrum of critics of indulging in cheap politicking to mask government failures, following remarks he made in parliament that farmers evicting workers illegally should face expropriation.
Issue date: 28 September 2007

When can farmers legally evict workers?

Issue date: 28 September 2007

townie the art dealer

Beauty is in the eye of beholder, the saying goes.
Issue date: 28 September 2007

The Journey

As the sun went down an eerie silence settled over the vastness of the lake. The beach of pearl-white sand was gently lapped by water clear as glass. vacant space around me seemed to reach beyond infinity. There was not a breath of air that moved...
Issue date: 28 September 2007

HOT & STICKY CHICKEN

Chicken, the universal bird of Africa, lends itself to cooking over a fire. And this is the hot and sticky way I like it ï¿½
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

Proper stables for happy horses

When planning to build a stable, it is a good idea to visit many establishments - two at least. Don't focus on a pretty and stylish appearance, look for a horse-friendly environment.
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

The Beerbird has landed!

As Beerbird co-directors Barry Owen and Greg Ivins put it: “We could tell you a half-baked story about our great-grandfather learning the secret of the Beerbird from some unnamed tribesman during his travels in darkest Africa. Or we could tell you the truth: the one and only Beerbird, the original beer chicken-cooking device and the greatest way to prepare chicken the world has ever seen, is now available in SA.”
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

Sporadic bean diseases

This week I look at bean diseases that you will not encounter frequently.
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

Get your forecasts right

'Being optimistic is an essential trait for success, but if this optimism clouds judgement to the extent that completely unrealistic projections are made, it's a serious problem.'
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

Big money winners in 2007

Every year the racing pigeon fraternity hosts a number of “money” races which get bigger and bigger, with the stakes going higher and higher. The dividends of potential returns are often so high that one can afford to lose most races and still make a profit by winning just one big event.
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

Promised land undermined

As secretary of the Mpumalanga Lakes District Protection Group (MLDPG) Koos Pretorius has battled possibly-illegal coal-mining licenses threatening his organic cherry farm since 2006. Koos contends that the carelessness of the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) could cause the long-term destruction of one of our country's most pristine agricultural areas. Susan Botes spoke to him.
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

How to demotivate farmers

'It seems government officials and politicians have little sympathy for commercial farmers and actually want them off the land. This may not be government's true stance, but they do very little to put the record straight.'
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

A flush of roses for the Border area

When she settled near Sunrise-on-Sea, north east of East London, Barbara Allen had no idea she'd become one of the largest cut-rose producers in the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess visited Murambi Roses to learn how her lifelong love for roses has fuelled her current success.
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

Mardouw: ultra-high density olive production

Planting single-leader trees at ultra-high density - Mardouw Olive Estate in the Western Cape is experimenting with a novel alternative to the Mediterranean orchard system, and after four years returns look promising. Wouter Kriel spoke to farm manager Schalk van Eeden.
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

Unleashing the potential of new black farmers

Grain SA wants to turn new black producers into established and successful commercial farmers through its Farmer Development Program. According to Jenny Matthews, the board member responsible for this programme, the aim is to create viable, sustainable commercial enterprises for these farmers. Annelie Coleman speaks to her.
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

Beware! Game can infect your herd

Some animal diseases are easily spread from game to domestic herds. The pathogens are constantly adapting and, without careful management, can have a serious impact on both the wildlife and livestock industries. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

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