Caxton Magazines
Saving farmers’ little helpers
Dung beetles can restore the health of farming ecosystems, reports Cornelia du Plooy. But their survival is threatened by toxic anti-parasitics. A toxicity rating system for animal health products now gives farmers an indication of how to use these products safely.
The sad demise of our ‘flat dogs’
Like claws, my fingers groped in vain to catch something to hang onto. Having lost my balance, I was falling backwards overboard in 10m-deep croc-infested water. I plunged head-first into another world.
Health and happiness at the same time
Make a peaceful, healthy, fine-tasting Middle Eastern chickpea salad.
Issue Date: 3 August 2007
Issue Date: 3 August 2007
Danger signs that need expert attention
Even though many South Africans live in remote areas and it is difficult to get a vet, in some situations there is no alternative.
Eliminate risks and ensure a uniform stand
Much attention should be given to planting bean seed as carelessness at this stage can be very costly.
Pigeon racing back in the day
When I first took an interest in pigeon racing in 1968, the number of wealthy pigeon fanciers on South African soil could be counted on the fingers of one hand.
BEE: the do’s, the don’ts and the maybe’s
The five-year process of drafting the AgriBEE Charter is nearing completion and it could be finalised and gazetted in the next three months. Wilma den Hartigh asked Tobias Doyer, CEO of the Agricultural Business Chamber, to clarify a few uncertainties about BEE in agriculture and explain how farmers can make it work for them.
SA economy remains resilient
'While prospects have greatly improved, farmers must take the advice of the liquor adverts and “enjoy the better times responsibly”.'
Looking into sugar’s future
The Agricultural Marketing Ministerial Review Committee's review of regulation in the sugar industry is in the final stages of completion. Rodger Stewart, chairperson of the SA Sugar Association, gives his views on what a transformed industry can expect.
Ultimate green all-terrain vehicle
Bruce McLeod first saw the Ecorider when a friend ordered one over the internet from the manufacturers in Nairn, Scotland. “It was love at first sight,” says Bruce. “After putting the bike through its paces on our farm in Cederberg, and being well-versed in off-road driving, I had no doubt whatsoever this machine is unique, a very different animal to the conventional quad bike.
Soil Health – Upgrading root systems
One of the many critical functions of mycorrhizal fungi is an increase in a plant's area of nutrient uptake by literally extending roots, says Dr Joanna Dames, head of Microbiology at Rhodes University. Among other farming benefits, they also aid soil aeration and moisture penetration, with a new product now optimising these benefits.
Hoedspruit land claim: coming to fruition
Collapsed land reform farms are depressingly common in South Africa, but in Marulaneng (Hoedspruit) claimants and farmers have teamed up and their fruit estates are flourishing. In fact, the district is shaping up as a model the rest of the country could learn from. But as Stephan Hofstätter found out, red tape threatens to spoil the party.
Wildlife’s healthy tick burdens
Parasites play an important part in natural ecosystems, and wildlife can bear their tick burdens and still stay healthy - if humans stop interfering. So says Professor Ivan Horak (left) of the University of Pretoria's Onderstepoort campus. Cornelia du Plooy investigates.
Goat’s milk – tapping into global health demands
Powdered goat's milk is one of the world's biggest agricultural value-adding businesses because it is more digestible than cow's milk. Now former Zimbabwean farmer Jean Vos and his brother-in-law François de Chalain have tapped into the potentially lucrative local market with their Saanen goat's milk products.
Prelude to a disaster Loskop Dam goes toxic
Mining pollution threatens to turn Loskop Dam into the largest toxic acid lake in Africa, as decades of coal mining on the Mpumalanga Highveld starts to catch up with us. Massive pollution of the upper Olifants River is now decanting throughout eastern Gauteng, and even neighbouring provinces. Susan Botes reports on a crisis that not only threatens farmers.
Don’t blame springhares for chicory losses
Farmers who blame the southern springhare for destroying their chicory crops often hunt it as pest. However, a recent study indicates that the springhare is an innocent victim - the damage is more likely to be caused by the common duiker, an antelope that not only injures the leaf stock but also digs into the soil to expose the chicory root.
Emalahleni by-laws to tame killer dogs
A heated debate took place at the Indwe police station between police, Emalahleni municipal officials and farmers from Indwe and Dordrecht.
The face of the consumer has changed
'The percentage spent on grain decreases with an increase in income and the percentage spent on dairy products increases.'
Sharks beware! Humans in the bay!
'The nets were never designed to keep the sharks away from the beaches but merely to kill them.'
‘We’re going to be the Brazil of Africa’
While much is still uncertain about the local biofuel industry, Mozambique is already planting vast jatropha plantations for biodiesel production. The country's minister of Science and Technology has announced that it aims to become the Brazil of Africa. Fanie van Rooyen went to Mozambique to visit what's probably one of the biggest jatropha plantations in the world, and discovered it's run by a South African.
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