Staff Reporter

Brian Berkman discovers a tranquil, luxurious and perfectly located farm near Beaufort West, and suggests that it’s a road-trip stop deserving of at least a two-night stay.

Denene Erasmus, editor of Farmer’s Weekly, speaks to Wiana Louw, general manager of the Southern African Grain Laboratory (SAGL), about the important role of the SAGL and how local wheat quality compares to imported wheat. They also talk about the research conducted by the SAGL to ensure good food quality and safety in terms of the grain products produced in South Africa.

The expansion of agriculture increases the risk of deforestation, which will not only have a negative impact on climate change mitigation, but also diminish food security for millions of desperately poor people. This report looks at the link between food security and forest ecosystems.

AGCO/Fendt is developing the next generation of field robots as part of a strategic research project. The new series of Xaver sowing robots differs markedly from the past two iterations, and in more than just appearance. The inner seed units of the machines are also entirely new.

First minted in 1967, the South African Krugerrand set the global standard for collectable and investment gold coins and is still the most extensively collected and traded bullion coin in the world.

Most farmers are entirely dependent on the safe haulage of their produce to market. The effects of disrupted transport on individual producers, as well as on the rest of the agriculture sector, can be disastrous.

Groundnuts are high in protein, tasty, and a convenient and popular food. All of this makes them a potentially valuable source of nutrition in rural communities. Growing and selling them can also earn much-needed income. Loureine Muller, a groundnut agronomist at commodity trading company Triotrade, explains how to produce this crop.

Denene Erasmus, editor-in-chief of Farmer’s Weekly, interviews Eugene du Preez, director of SiQ, a company that specialises in agricultural statistics and spatial data.

An Agricultural Research Council study of the performance of Brahman bulls in feedlots across South Africa has highlighted the non-genetic traits, such as environment and herd of origin, that affect the average daily gain and feed conversion ratios of the animals. Researchers Melville Ferreira, Alfredo Lepori and Frans Jordaan explore the importance of the results, emphasising that maximum feed efficiency is essential for the long-term sustainability and profitability of the beef industry.

Farmer’s Weekly editor Denene Erasmus interviews Prof Ferdi Meyer, director of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), about the history of BFAP and the research topics that are being prioritised. BFAP was founded in 2004 and is a non-profit organisation. It exists with the distinct purpose to objectively inform and support decision-making by stakeholders in the agro-food, fibre and beverage sectors of Africa. It provides independent, rigorously tested, research-based market and policy analyses.

Farmer’s Weekly and Agri SA hosted a webinar to discuss the new minimum wage increase, what options there are for farmers to apply for exemption, and the affordability of the minimum wage for various farming sectors. Farmer’s Weekly editor Denene Erasmus welcomed speakers Christo van der Rheede, Agri SA executive director; Lebogang Sethusha, head of Agri SA’s Labour and Development Centre of Excellence; Richard Nicholson, economic research manager at the South African Cane Growers’ Association; and Dr Koos Coetzee, an independent agricultural economist.

The Maize Trust and various other boards are essential for research and development in the agriculture sector.

Mpumelelo Mkhabela, a political analyst, says that it is crucial for the South African agriculture sector to highlight the quality of its produce on international markets.

German-based agricultural machinery manufacturer CLAAS has announced the launch of two new mower ranges, as well as changes to its line-up of ORBIS row-independent front attachments for the JAGUAR self-propelled forage harvester.

Providing feed and water for game animals can be challenging, as some methods may cause injury. Here are some helpful tips for setting up feed and water troughs, as well as building a crush.

Dr Roelof Botha, economic advisor to the Optimum Investment Group, explains the factors that leads him to believe that 2021 may be a return to greater normality.

The past year has been tumultuous with poor economic growth and rising unemployment. However, the agriculture sector still offers huge opportunities for risk takers, says Theo Venter, an independent political and policy analyst.

The Agricultural Development Agency was launched in February 2020, but is already going full steam ahead to support the black farming sector and improve national food security.

A study commissioned by Agri SA shows that should land expropriation without compensation be pursued, South Africa’s economy will take a drastic turn for the worse.

Having a top-quality irrigation system is all very well, but without accurate irrigation scheduling you will never achieve optimal results, says irrigation expert and agronomist Robbie Childs.