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.
Uptake of technology can assist smallholders
The uptake of technology could assist smallholders in increasing production, and governments needed to invest in technologies that could boost smallholder production.
Great returns with tobacco, the ideal cash crop
Tobacco producer, Peter Kok, says that tobacco is a cash crop that can assist diversification and expansion.
Vukani Agri now sole importer of Farmtrac tractors
Escorts Agri Machinery, a division of the India-based Escorts Group, has appointed newly formed SA company, Vukani Agri (Pty) Ltd, as the exclusive importer and distributor of Farmtrac tractors and agricultural implements in South Africa.
R380m budgeted for disaster relief not used for drought
More than R380 million that could have been used to assist farmers during the drought has not been spent. This was revealed during a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee meeting in which the committee was given an account of how Treasury and other departments had assisted farmers during the drought.
Farmers assist students with practical training
Walter Gouveia and Kobus Schoeman believe it is up to younger farmers to break the mould of conventional farming practices and stereotypes and farm sustainably for the future. They now mentor students to ensure that this message is widely spread.
Firefighting demonstration
Forming a fireline when conducting mopping up operations after making firebreaks, or cleaning up after a fire, should be done in a co-ordinated fashion to keep firefighters safe. The Working on Fire team demonstrates how to conduct a mop-up operation.
Rhino poaching numbers down in Kruger, but spiking elsewhere
There has been a notable decline in rhino poaching incidents in South Africa’s national parks, but poachers might be shifting their focus to private owners.
No fall armyworm impact on sugar industry, despite concerns
Despite reports by news agency Bloomberg that fall armyworm (FAW) may soon affect the sugar cane industry, experts believe that this may not be the case.
Farm security: crucial tips to improve safety
Security advisor Henk Boshoff says that farmers should avoid becoming soft targets for potential farm attackers. He spoke to Gerhard Uys about making a farm and its surrounding communities safer.
GM maize could be less susceptible to fall armyworm
It was likely that some genetically modified (GM) maize was less susceptible to fall armyworms.
Precision farming, new technology and an eye for opportunity
Grain SA’s Grain Producer of the Year 2016, Jozua du Plessis, was one of the first grain producers in South Africa to implement precision farming practices in the late 1990s. He spoke to Gerhard Uys about how precision farming, coupled with conventional cultivation methods and a keen eye for opportunities, is the key to his successful and sustainable operation.
A guide to trademarks, patents and plant breeders’ rights
The use of trademarks, patents and plant breeders’ rights can make an agricultural business more competitive locally and internationally. Gerhard Uys spoke to David Cochrane and Madelein Kleyn about the application processes involved and the implementation.
Ultrasonic sound used in drip irrigation line cleaning
An ultrasound cleaning technology for drip irrigation systems, produced by SA inventor Leon Lingnau and marketed as Greendrum, was proven to be highly effective during recent trials by the Agricultural Research Council – Institute for Agricultural Engineering (ARC-IAE). Felix Reinders, programme manager at the ARC-IAE, spoke to Gerhard Uys.
Snail farming: making good use of a small space
Stanley and Heather Micallef began by growing snails in an open-air paddock. Earlier this year, they changed to a climate-controlled set-up, which has enabled them to increase production significantly. Snail farming can be a profitable enterprise for smallholders, they told Gerhard Uys.
Groundnut production: challenging but profitable
Gerhard Dreyer, owner of The New Nut Company in North West, says there is always demand for groundnuts in the local and international markets, and farmers in the right climatic conditions could reap rich rewards from investing in this crop. Gerhard Uys reports.
A naturally potent biocide
Eco-Lyte is an environmentally-friendly disinfectant that eliminates pathogens. Gerhard Uys spoke to Rowan McDonald, chief technical officer at ECA Technologies Africa, about the new technology.
The way forward with grass-fed beef
Cloete Afrikaners takes the increasing consumer demand for grass-fed beef seriously. Adrian Cloete spoke to Gerhard Uys about the challenges of doing so in an industry currently geared to the interests of feedlots.
A rare crossbreeding project
Simmentaler stud breeder Dr Emile Kotzé is crossing the Pustertaler with the Nguni and Simmentaler to produce a veld-adapted, dual-purpose breed that can thrive in the feedlot. He spoke to Gerhard Uys about his efforts to attain his breeding goals.
Managing weather risk
Insuring against weather volatility is the norm in countries such as the US, but is not common practice in South Africa. Hans Smit of BVG, a risk management company, says a new weather derivative product could help crop producers hedge against erratic weather.
Improvement in Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index
After remaining below 50 index points for five consecutive quarters, the Agbiz/IDC Confidence Index recovered by 13 index points to 60 index points in the third quarter of this year.
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