Caxton Magazines
Woolies on wool
Roelof Bezuidenhout talks to Hugo Lemon, textile technologist in Woolworths' menswear division, about the retailer's commitment to exchange new ideas with wool producers to enhance SA's industry
Safex: less investigation, more education needed
'In the absence of a controlled market, farmers are responsible for their own marketing decisions.'
Structural changes on the cards
On 21 February at Pannar's Crop Extravaganza near Delmas, Mpumalanga,
Ernst Janovsky, head of agriculture at First National Bank, gave two
sessions of about 100 farmers each, insight into agricultural market
dynamics and explained the predicted structural changes and
management actions needed to be globally competitive
Orchard sprayers: efficient in all conditions
The comprehensive range of agricultural equipment distributed by Northmec's national branch network includes Jacto spraying equipment, developed for high performance spray applications in orchards
Aloes alleviate poverty in the Eastern Cape
Cape Aloes (Aloe ferox) in the Eastern Cape have provided the Xhosa people with medicinal and cosmetic necessities for hundreds of years. Recently their value has been recognised in helping to alleviate grinding poverty in the region.
Waging war on herbicide resistance
As weeds become increasingly resistant to herbicides, farmers will have to adopt strategic or long-term approaches when cultivating their crops. The time has come to consider other alternatives, before resorting immediately to chemical tools.
Indigenous Veld Goats: made for Africa
Eastern Cape farmer Lionel Whittal, who runs a herd of 100 Indigenous Veld Goat ewes on his farm in Bolo in the Eastern Cape says the breed is gaining popularity among goat breeders due to its great mothering abilities, excellent disease resistance and adaptability. Greg Miles reports
SA kenaf fibre processing plant ready for lift off
The processing of fibre and derivatives from kenaf is about to commence in Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal, in a brand new plant presently undergoing commissioning, with production set to kick off in early April
Plunging into coffee?
Over the last few years, coffee production in South Africa has been more of a boutique industry limited to a handful of growers on minimal land. But as a coffee culture grows locally and internationally, the demand for beans suggests it may be the right time to revisit home-grown coffee. Robyn Joubert reports.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
San finally reap rands from hoodia
The SA Hoodia Growers Association (SAHGA) recently entered into a benefit sharing agreement aimed at compensating the San people of Southern Africa for their indigenous knowledge of the hoodia species.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
More support for women farmers
Thousands of female farmers in the SA sugar industry have been promised support by land and agriculture minister Lulama Xingwana to further empower them in what was once a male-dominated sector of SA's agricultural economy.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Aids a threat to the industry
The feed industry and the broader commercial agricultural sector in SA will not escape the effects of HIV/Aids and population changes.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Meat demand pressurises feed industry
The secretary general of the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF), Roger Gilbert, said the growing demand for animal protein products, driven by population growth in the developing world, will place more pressure on the feed industry.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
‘A better image will attract skills’
The head of Absa's agribusiness division, Andrew Makenete (pictured), said skills development is one of the best ways to fast-track empowerment, but for the agricultural sector to attract skills and investment, it must address its negative image.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Pests and diseases hammer the sector
The SA forestry production sector is reeling from an ever-increasing onslaught of pests and diseases affecting its trees. Fears are that this problem is going to balloon out of control unless drastic and effective counter-measures can be devised and implemented.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
DWAF task team will tackle issues
A task team is set to be appointed by water affairs and forestry minister Lindiwe Hendricks to investigate the challenges facing the SA forestry production sector.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Don’t tax interest income, says Absa
Farmers who use their own money to run their businesses and those who plan to retire on the proceeds of fixed deposits will surely back a suggestion from Absa's economic researchers that finance minister Trevor Manual should abolish taxes on income from interest.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Look out for recycled stolen wools
Stolen wools are being recycled into the trade and individuals are knowingly or unknowingly buying these wools, according to the SA Wool and Mohair Buyers Association (SAWBA) in Port Elizabeth.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Better demand for kid mohair continues
The third summer mohair sale of 2007 continued to deliver positive results for growers.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Agri SA vows to act against pesticide mismanagement
Farmers' union Agri SA has pledged to act publicly against any farmers who are misusing pesticides or otherwise endangering neighbours through toxic pollution. The warning follows reports that widespread pesticide poisoning around Groblersdal, Mpumalanga may be responsible for teenage boys growing breasts, as well as increased incidents of cancer, miscarriages, ear infections and partial facial paralysis.
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
Issue Date: 13 April 2007
