Promising new Valtra tractors

Wynn Dedwith of Parys-based Valtrac, the importers and distributors of Valtra tractors in South Africa, expects the latest T Series Valtra tractors to be locally available later this year.

Paraguayan technology saves SA’s apples

For years Pieter Fourie, project manager of the Bethlehem Farmers' Trust, struggled with an annual loss of 40% to the project's apple crop. Local experts couldn't come up with any cost-effective solutions, until Pieter started surfing the internet for a solution. Mike Burgess reports.
Issue date: 20 April 2007

Rules cast shadow over lion breeder’s den

Outraged over new regulations on canned hunting, specifically of lions, that were announced earlier this year, a group of North West lion breeders and provincial nature conservation officials gathered on Ben Duminy's Doornkop farm in Groot-Marico to address the situation.
Issue date: 20 April 2007

Are Angora goats getting weaker?

No one knows exactly how many Angora goats succumb annually to sudden cold snaps in South Africa. Farmers prefer not to talk about these fatalities - it's too much like a death in the family. But as Roelof Bezuidenhout discovers, breeding for more fashionable finer fleeces might be responsible.
Issue Date: 30 April 2007

Fruit export chain – transparency needed

Trade liberalisation has resulted in huge market expansion for South African fruit. It has, however, also resulted in numerous new challenges for producers. Glenneis Erasmus reports.

How Brink boosts canola yields

The Swartland Canola Competition recognises outstanding farming efforts, identifying trends that could help enhance the production of this crop. This year's winner, André Brink, may have found the secret formula to canola success - nitrogen, seed density and rainfall.

Injured raptors get a new lease on life in KZN

Raptor rehabilitation got a boost when the Mayibuye Community of Umlaas Road, near Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu- Natal gave 60ha of land to Ben and Shannon Hoffman on a 99-year lease. husband-and-wife team will operate the African Bird of Prey Sanctuary on this land.

Why smallholders lose out on organics

Smallholder farmers can cash in on the growing organic crop market. However there are a host of factors that prevent them from successfully competing on the formal supply chain, say Mark Darroch and Tinashe Mushayanyama of KwaZulu-Natal University's department of agricultural economics.

Concern over higher PPECB citrus levy

he PPECB (Perishable Products Export Control Board) recently announced a 13,4% inspection levy increase for citrus fruit. In the case of inland inspections of cartons larger than 5kg the levy will increase from 27,5c to 31,2c.

Barley farmers plan to enter the feed industry

The barley industry hopes to develop the barley feed market in order to enhance profitability and diversify market risks. Current production primarily focuses on the beer market.

Pretty pink pompom weed threatens veld

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) said this member of the daisy family is quickly becoming an increasing threat to grassland conservation in South Its spread has especially boomed over the past 10 years.

SA too dry for biofuels, says scientist

Comparing South Africa with Brazil in terms of potential for biofuel production is like comparing peanuts with coconuts and could be dangerous if taken too far, according to well-known soil scientist and consultant Prof Giel Laker of Pretoria.

More biofuels incentives needed – Saba

Government support for the biofuels industry is critical for the industry to get off the ground in SA. This was one of the key messages at the second African Biofuels Conference held in Gauteng recently.

Safex might introduce other commodities in future

Safex has been looking at the possible introduction of new commodities for a long time, as all businesses should keep expanding their options and not stagnate.

North West prays, while Limpopo receives

While one province is praying for rain, another's prayer has been answered. Widespread rain brought relief to farmers throughout Limpopo, while the North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment organised a provincial Prayer for Rain on 2 April.

‘Stop politicking and focus on profit’, farmers told

Rian Pheiffer, Managing Director of Overberg Agri, voiced his disappointment with the poor attendance of especially commercial farmers at the Agricultural Indaba. He said the poor attendance of producers, agricultural specialists and agribusinesses reflected poorly on the industry, and communicates to the general public that the industry is not functioning as a unity.

TAU SA holds property rights dear

Farmers forced to sell their properties for land reform should record in writing they had not given up their land willingly and reserved the right to reclaim it in the event of a change of government. This is among the more drastic recommendations in a discussion document recently released by TAU SA, which wants agricultural policy in SA to rest on three main pillars: the principle of private property, the market economy and the right to safety and security.
Issue Date: 30 April 2007

Union has a plan to fix the farming sector

Tau SA HAS RELEASED ITS BLUEPRINT FOR sustainable agriculture in SA. Likely to ruffle some feathers, the report pulls no punches in analysing the roots of the sector's problems.

Game ranchers dubious of buffalo feedlots

Game ranchers and veterinarians are sceptical about the Department of Agriculture's plan to domesticate certain game species for meat production.

The wrong tool for the job

Biodiversity literally means the variety of living organisms, both large and small. In theory it sounds good to safeguard or to restore the biodiversity of what is left of our natural ecosystems. To do this, however, one must have a good knowledge of the environment and the myriad of species that inhabit it, as well as sound ecological insight into the principles underlying the concept of diversity

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