Caxton Magazines
The ongoing battle for sustainable land reform in SA
Government’s many land reform policies and legislation may be intimidating for South Africa’s commercial farmers, but organised agriculture is striving to ensure that these are developed and implemented fairly. Sandy la Marque, CEO of the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union, explains.
News making headlines in FW – 22 May
Land reform is the top news maker this week, after Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Gugile Nkwinti made a surprise announcement that government is considering lowering the land cap from 12 000ha to 5 000ha.
Getting your green beans off to a good start
Green bean farming in South Africa has changed considerably over the past twenty years or so. Not long ago, beans were planted and weeded by hand.
An eco-friendly cottage
It is possible to design an eco-friendly cottage. Jonno shows us how.
The horse passport explained
This legal document helps to simplify equestrian sport and ensure greater protection for horses, explains Dr Mac.
Introducing guar – a resilient, versatile crop
Long grown in India and Pakistan, and more recently in the US, Australia and other parts of Africa, guar is now being introduced to South African crop farmers as a hardy and high-value legume crop for marginal soils.
Boosting kikuyu pasturage
Kikuyu is a perennial summer grass that can be over-sown by other pasturage in winter.
The key to successful honeybee farming
Former minister of agriculture Dr Kraai van Niekerk’s honeybee hobby, which he started after quitting politics in 2009, has grown into a fully-fledged farming enterprise. It is now among the top 20 honeybee operations in the Western Cape.
Israelis’ agricultural partnership with Eastern Cape mooted
The Israelis are hosting an agribusiness seminar in East London today a day after meeting Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane about a possible partnership to develop agriculture in the province.
Fewer options on share options
A recent ruling reveals how SARS views the matter of the exercising of company share options.
Selling produce: the best options
I always remind the market agents whom I train that when it comes to marketing options, they are one of eight available to a farmer.
Crisp greens in a wok
For years, vegetables were simply annoying competitors for real estate on my plate. I needed the room – all of it – for meat. Then I learned how to cook the green things. No boiling to a flavourless pulp: just a moment at high heat in a wok.
Wildlife ranching: WRSA’s Dr Peter Oberem explains
Wildlife ranching continues to be a fast-growing industry with a bright future, notwithstanding recent negative press that its practices harm conservation, says Dr Peter Oberem, president of Wildlife Ranching SA.
Strict price control needed
Higher input prices are on the cards. Farmers who in many cases also face lower crop yield will have to manage costs diligently to survive a difficult year.
DoL confirms that forestry wages apply to 9-hour day
In response to an enquiry from Forestry South Africa (FSA), the Department of Labour (DoL) has confirmed that the new minimum wages for workers in the country’s commercial forestry sector are based on a nine-hour working day.
Understanding pesticide resistance
Why pesticide resistance is a serious problem, and how farmers can help to prevent it. Paul Donovan explains.
Afasa, Nerpo ask for clarity on land ceilings
While Afasa and Nerpo agreed with Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Gugile Nkwinti’s land ceiling of 5 000ha, stakeholders needed to be engaged further on the matter as there were still “more questions than answers”, the two organisations said during a media breakfast in Pretoria today (18 May).
Teamwork: farmers’ strongest weapon against crime
Farm attacks are a grim, ever-present reality in South Africa. But farmers have started to work together to fight the scourge – and the results are beginning to show.
Transformation? ‘We’re on it’
Upon returning from a visit to the Bosveld Sitrus group in Letsitele in Limpopo with the Agricultural Writers of South Africa, I was infused with optimism about the future of agriculture in the country.
Energy-saving efficiency
Grain farm operating expenses have increased steadily over the past decade, with the high costs of inputs, especially electricity, becoming one of the most serious challenges facing farmers. But the sector has great potential for efficiency improvements, says Andrew Etzinger, senior general manager at Eskom’s Integrated Demand Management department.
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