Pieter Dempsey
A rooftop hops farm in the city
Hops are traditionally grown in the Western Cape, but on a rooftop in Johannesburg, Khaya Maloney has shown it is possible to grow hops in the city using a hydroponic system.
Regenerative agriculture: “We learn from pioneers and our own mistakes”
Gert Janse van Rensburg produces vegetable crops on the family-owned farm, Langplaas, in North West. He spoke to Pieter Dempsey about the regenerative farming techniques he employs.
Starting a Boer goat stud on a 10ha farm
Jonathan Carlson started working on his dream of becoming a farmer straight after he finished school: he made and sold neck clamps for cattle to raise the funds he would need to turn his aspirations into reality. Today, he runs a small yet successful Boer goat and cattle operation.
Preventing and fighting veld fires
Fire protection associations play an integral part in managing fire risk during the dry winter season. Pieter Dempsey spoke to Johann Breytenbach, general manager of the Free State Umbrella Fire Protection Association, about the importance of these organisations and how they can grow their capacity and capability.
A formula for successful fynbos production
Nico Thuynsma’s love for all things floral and horticultural, and fynbos in particular, led him to establish a nursery and cut flower operation in the Cullinan area of Gauteng, where he produces proteas and other types of fynbos. Pieter Dempsey spoke to him about his passion for growing these plants.
The future of SA’s egg producers
The egg industry is one of the largest employers in South Africa’s agriculture sector and a key provider of affordable protein to millions of consumers. Pieter Dempsey spoke to Dr Abongile Balarane, general manager of the Egg Organisation at the South African Poultry Association, about the strategies that are being adopted to support egg producers and secure the future of the industry.
SA expecting good grain, oilseed crops, despite rising costs
Some analysts have expressed their concern that rising input costs such as that of fertiliser and other agrochemicals could potentially discourage farmers from planting grain crops.
Bean aggregator helps small-scale farmers grow
Lusanda Moletsane runs an aggregator of small white beans from two farming clusters located in Nigel and Bronkhorstspruit respectively. She spoke to Pieter Dempsey about her passion for helping small-scale farmers become commercial producers, her success so far, and her dream for the future.
IDC grants R85 million for sugar farmers affected by unrest
The sugar industry has expressed relief and gratitude for the Industrial Development Corporation’s (IDC) pledge of R85 million in financial assistance for the damage suffered during the civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal during July.
Year-to-date tractor and combine sales up by 30%
The strong performance in agriculture machinery sales in September can be attributed to an optimistic outlook for the upcoming season, with weather experts predicting a 70% chance of a La Niña weather pattern in the Southern Hemisphere.
Farmers have to make things work for themselves – Vercueil
The uncertainty about private property rights, diminishing collateral value of land, poverty, food insecure communities, a population that is growing faster than the economy, security problems, and climate change all work together to create an atmosphere of negativity in South Africa.
Management of important grain diseases
Plant pathology scientists Dr Gert van Coller and Dr Bradley Flett spoke to Pieter Dempsey about some diseases that pose significant threats to South Africa’s maize and wheat production, and how to control them.
Getting started with egg production
From small beginnings and facing many challenges in poultry production, Kobedi Pilane, who farms near Parys in North West, has grown his egg farm into a 5 000-layer commercial operation. Pieter Dempsey spoke to him about his journey.
Women farmers worst affected by inequality in food systems
Women account for about 50% of all farmers in East Africa and Southern Africa, with around 70% of them living in poverty and being disproportionately affected by extreme weather and the loss of agricultural property.
Opportunities for SA in Botswana dairy industry
The Botswana dairy industry produces about seven million litres of milk annually, while more than 53 million litres will be imported in 2020/21.
Wildfires threaten sensitive North West World Heritage site
Thousands of hectares of veld were destroyed and the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve threatened when a wildfire broke out in the Magaliesberg mountains in North West in the fourth week of September.
Breeding world-champion Charolais
When his cattle business was hit hard by drought, fifth-generation North West farmer Loutjie Campher started breeding Charolais as a means of rebuilding his herd.
Farmers warned to be on the lookout for brown locust outbreaks
There are fears that this season could see some of the worst infestations of brown locusts (Locustana pardalina) in South Africa on record.
Robust tractor sales continue in August
Tractor and combine harvester sales in August are a clear indication that farmers remain optimistic about the production conditions for the season ahead.
Breeding for efficiency adds value for this cattle farmer
Anneri Otto, who farms near Coligny in North West, never planned on becoming a farmer. However, when unfortunate circumstances forced her to take charge of her husband’s operation, she rose to the challenge, and now produces Hereford and Angus cattle, as well as pecan nuts.
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