Gerhard Uys
Gerhard Uys grew up as a real city lad, but spends his free time hiking and visiting family farms. He learnt the journalism trade as a freelance writer and photographer in the lifestyle industry, but having decided that he will be a cattle farmer by the age of 45 he now indulges his passion for farming by writing about agriculture.
He feels Farmer’s Weekly is a platform for both developed and emerging farmers to learn additional farming skills and therefore takes the job of relaying practical information seriously.
Valais Black Nose sheep: adorable, delicious and lucrative
On a small lifestyle farm near the rural town of Cambridge in New Zealand, Andrew and Leigh-Anne Peake are establishing the Valais Black Nose sheep as a new breed in the country. The couple have found the journey highly enjoyable, reports Gerhard Uys.
Deer farming: a big export business in New Zealand
With large exports of deer venison and antler products worldwide, New Zealand deer farmers are at the top of their game. Gerhard Uys spoke to Bill Robinson of Raroa Red Deer Stud.
Pretoria breeder’s passion to save SA’s spotted donkey
Gerrit van de Pypekamp realised that if someone didn’t take charge and save the spotted donkey, its genetics would one day be extinct. What he did not expect was how rewarding raising donkeys would be. Gerhard Uys visited him in Montana, Pretoria, to find out more.
How best to feed lambs and ewes
The first phases of a lamb’s life are crucial for future growth. Kenneth Hamlett of Tau Mills spoke to Gerhard Uys about correct feeding practices for lambs and in-lamb ewes.
Growing garlic: a golden opportunity for SA farmers
South Africa imports most of the garlic sold in the country, but the local industry can thrive if farmers work together and produce good-quality crops. Jacques Terblanche of Graceland Garlic Seed explains to Gerhard Uys how producers can optimise garlic production.
Limpopo extension officer makes farming ‘cool’ for schoolkids
Extension officers are slowly gaining ground in the fight for food security in rural areas, but many challenges remain. John Mthembi explains to Gerhard Uys why he has targeted schools.
Debate about humane killing of fish rages on
Compared with most other agricultural industries in South Africa, the farmed fish industry is in its infancy. With no legal framework yet in place, fish farmers and animal welfare organisations are at loggerheads about how to kill fish with the least suffering.
Officials investigated for land fraud
A number of officials in the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) are still being investigated for fraud and corruption relating to farm allocations for a project that ended in 2010, according to the DRDLR.
Pasture-based dairy: lower cost and more lactations
In an area where feeding total mixed rations is the norm for dairy production, Jurie and John Hartley milk 1 200 cows off pasture – with impressive results.
‘Drought keeps taking a toll on SA farmers’
It is expected that communal farmers will be hardest hit by ongoing drought conditions across the country and subsequent lack of grazing, according to Gerhard Schutte, CEO of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO).
France bans widely-used herbicide
The sale of Roundup Pro 360 was recently banned in Lyon, France after a court found that regulators failed to take safety concerns into account when clearing the herbicide.
Maize crop forecast not as dire as it seems – economist
Many factors influence the current forecasts for the South Africa maize crop and maize prices, and the current drought conditions, in especially North West and some parts of the Free State, should not be compared to the conditions and prices experienced in 2015/2016, according to Wilbie Venter, a grain trader at Unigrain based in Randfontein.
A practical software solution for wildlife data management
Data from species and environmental monitoring is often hard to translate into real-world management solutions. Conservationists Dr Pieter Olivier, Andrew Purdon and Michael Mole are solving this challenge with practical software.
Want a more profitable dairy? Take care of your calves!
Three key factors can reduce calf mortalities and boost milk yield: correct hygienic practice in calf cages, control of Cryptosporidium parvum, and implementing a colostrum programme. Specialist veterinarian Dr Chris van Dijk and feed specialist Kenneth Botha explain these.
Land expropriation decision a big mistake – Agri SA
Government’s resolve to allow for the amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for expropriation of land without compensation is a nail in the coffin of the agriculture industry, according to Agri SA president Dan Kriek.
Dutch company’s success in turning food waste into feed
A Dutch company that produces animal feed from food waste says this is the only way in which agriculture can remain sustainable. Gerhard Uys spoke to Karel van der Velden from Nijsen/Granico.
McDonald’s wants to reduce antibiotics use in beef production
International fast food company, McDonald’s, recently announced plans to work more closely with its beef suppliers worldwide in an effort to decrease the use of antibiotics in livestock production by the end of 2020.
US-China trade war fallout to impact local pork industry
Although it seems as if a truce has been reached in the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, soya prices and pork production in South Africa may still be negatively affected, according to the CEO of the South African Pork Producer’s Organisation, Johann Kotzé.
Investigation into ‘illegal’ garlic imports
An oversupply of garlic on local markets is currently dragging down the producer price.
Free-range chickens: Part-time farmer’s success on rented land
Robert Patson of Happy Land Farm in Kyalami believes free-range chickens not only hold the answer to healthy food, but that his model of farming could help alleviate poverty for individuals and communities.
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