Caxton Magazines
Handle bean seeds with care
Labour Legislation Has Forced many farmers, who used to plant by hand, to mechanise their planting and harvesting. However, mechanical planting can damage vulnerable bean seeds.
Making SA agriculture a better world competitor
'Joint action between farmers, agribusinesses and government is urgently needed to protect and improve our global competitiveness.'
Mystery of missing birds
Never before in the history of South African pigeon racing have as many birds been lost in training as now. Since May this year, large numbers of racing pigeons have failed to return from training flights and race events.
A jumpstart for sector productivity
Between 2004 and 2005, agriculture's real output grew at 4,1%, although employed labour was down by 10,9%. The National Productivity Institute (NPI) wants to develop a culture of productivity, and plans 39 turnaround solutions for 2007, impacting on more than 9 000 jobs. NPI's corporate services executive Bongani Coka spoke to Cornelia du Plooy
Will SA cope with Zim’s spillover?
Dr Jan du Plessis of the strategic management research
organisation, Intersearch, contends that free and fair elections won't solve Zimbabwe's problems, and that Robert Mugabe has paved the way for dangerous, large-scale foreign intervention in the region. He thinks the survival of land reform could be much briefer than politicians thought.
A harvester is only as good as its operator
Recently the UK Farmer's Weekly reported on the UK National Combine Driver of the Year Award. The occasion proved that correct setting and efficient driving can hugely improve combine performance and productivity.
Bringing up broilers
Robyn Joubert visited Hanbury Chickens, a family-run broiler business in KwaZulu- Natal. Modest and efficient, the Hanburys use modern methods to get the most out of their birds - guaranteeing their customers affordable, high-quality chickens.
Why we can’t lose the renosterveld
As it made way for the sprawling croplands of the Western Cape, renosterveld became synonymous with agricultural non-productivity, earning itself names like uitvalgrond. But, as Odette Curtis writes, this shrinking habitat, rich in plant and animal life found nowhere else in the world, should be conserved as it affords farmers unique ecotourism opportunities.
Natural plant growth stimulants and pesticides
At a recent course on sustainable farming, Graeme Sait, CEO of Australian company Nutri-Tech Solutions, promoted natural growth stimulants and pesticides such as triacontanol and aloe vera, and more effective integrated pest management.
Bad fertiliser could harm pineapples
'Why did they [the agriculture department] continue to sell the product [fertiliser] knowing it was not within specification?'
Effective no-till control of maize root diseases
Root diseases overwinter in crop residues on the land pose a significant threat to no-till enterprises. No-till experts have joined forces to find the best methods of overcoming this challenge. Lloyd Phillips reports.
Issue Date 25 May 2007
Issue Date 25 May 2007
Lime application in no-till
In recent years, no-till farming practices have been implemented on an ever-growing scale. As a result, many no-till farmers have adopted the common practice of surface-applying all their required soil amendments. This allows stratification of nutrients and acidity at surface level.
Issue Date 18 May 2007
Issue Date 18 May 2007
Controlling diseases under no-till
Issue Date: 7 October 2005
Validating no-till in KZN
Early experimentation with no-till in KZN was done by farmers themselves. Now soil scientists from the University of Tennessee visit to learn from their experience. Lloyd Phillips reports.
Issue Date:4 May 2007
Issue Date:4 May 2007
The art of tree extraction
Today Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous artists of all time. But he died in poverty. I can't really judge his art, but recently some of his works sold for several hundred million dollars each. During his lifetime, however, he only managed to sell one painting. There are still people like him around.
Food to make a long life worth living
Eat pasta. Live forever.
Stress in endurance rides
Competitive long-distanc e riding tests the stamina of both horse and rider.
Give your seedling transplant TLC
From emergence to pulling, seedling growers spend five to eight weeks providing their seedlings with daily care. Farmers usually provide good care once the transplants are planted and irrigated, but there is a weak link - transplanting.
The Bradburys’ racing methods
Last week I wrote about the champion stock of Bradbury Lofts, and this week's article focuses on their racing methods.
‘Agricultural marketing needs a fresh mindset’
Ronald Ramabulana, CEO of the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) talks about the stagnation in exporting and local markets, the lack of research and young blood in agriculture, and setting up a database of emerging farmers to streamline land reform. Cornelia du Plooy reports.
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