Staff Reporter
Farmer's Weekly's Staff Reporter team provides accurate, timely, and trusted coverage of South African agriculture, delivering expert-backed reporting on farming, livestock, crops, agribusiness, technology, policy, and industry developments.
Producing cashmere
Cashmere is one of the finest fibres in the world and is considerably warmer than wool. Products made from this fibre are in great demand, especially in Western countries.
COVID-19 and the rise of organic farming
According to the 2021 statistics yearbook ‘The World of Organic Agriculture’, which presents the latest statistics and emerging trends in organic farming from 187 countries around the world, organic farmland increased by 1,1 million hectares in 2019, and organic retail sales continued to grow.
Backgrounding beef animals for higher profit
Most South African beef producers sell their weaners straight to feedlots for finishing. Chéri-Lynn Steyn, a master’s student in agricultural economics, explains how backgrounding these animals can increase the income of commercial beef farms and even of the feedlots themselves.
Tackling climate change and biodiversity loss
Climate change is inextricably linked to the accelerating destruction of nature. This report discusses how natural climate solutions, which include land management programmes that increase carbon dioxide storage and reduce carbon emissions, can help tackle both problems simultaneously.
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What to think about when buying a tiller
Tillers are great for breaking up small plots or for tunnel maintenance. Husqvarna has gathered some advice to think about before you buy a new tiller. The Husqvarna range comprises two different types of tillers: rear-tine and front-tine.
Young farmer’s 7t/ha soya bean crop proves power of agtech
As the TAU SA Young Farmer of the Year 2020, Danie Bester epitomises the ideal modern farmer: energetic, curious, tech-savvy and connected to his peers globally. While his precision farming techniques have yielded him a bumper soya crop, this ambitious producer plans to do even better.
Webinar: Can green energy in agriculture be the game-changer?
With the prevailing challenges in traditional electricity generation and supply in SA, how can green energy in agriculture play a role in resolving this?
South Africa’s ‘real tobacco wars’
According to Shadrack Ntando Sibisi, executive chairperson of the South Africa Tobacco Transformation Alliance, the five-month long ban on the sale of tobacco products, which formed part of Government’s COVID-19 lockdown regulations, resulted in a sharp increase in illicit tobacco trade, and this trend was not reversed by the lifting of the ban.
Jacto takes next leap with Agriculture 4.0
Jacto recently presented “Jacto Next” to the Brazilian market, a new business division of the company responsible for marketing and delivering specialised services on farms.
Boost productivity with heifers
The replacement heifer is the foundation of a productive cow herd. Its selection and development can greatly affect the profitability of the farm through its genetics, future performance and longevity.
Silicon Valley start-up debuts electric tractor
In December last year, agriculture technology start-up company Monarch Tractor, which has been referred to as the ‘Tesla of the agriculture world’, introduced the world’s first single unit, fully electric, driver-optional smart tractor.
Thorn tree leaves: a nutritious grain substitute in pig feed
Smallholder pig production in Southern Africa is constrained by feed shortages and the demand for grains to feed the ever-growing human population. This makes it important to identify alternative feedstuffs for pigs.
Escape to the beautiful Overberg
Brian Berkman recently travelled to apple and wine country in the Overberg region to experience true Cape farm hospitality at Paul and Nicky Wallace’s property in the Elgin Valley. Paul Wallace Wines offers a tranquil getaway for anyone looking for a farm break close to Cape Town, and is a special treat for wine lovers.
Tackling a widespread pig zoonosis
Diseases that spread from animals to humans are a serious health risk. One such disease, associated with pigs, is a particular problem in rural South Africa, says Dr Caryn Shacklock of Afrivet.
Error 404: the barriers to digital inclusivity
Progress towards digital inclusivity is threatened by growing digital dependency, automation, information suppression, and gaps in regulation and capabilities, notes the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Risks Report.
Regenerative farming for livestock farmers
Faced with increasing financial and ecological pressure, livestock farmers have no other option but to become more sustainable and resilient. Fortunately, explains independent agricultural consultant Dr Louis du Pisani, the solution can be found in well-managed veld, which also contributes directly to the health of the earth.
Bumper maize crop won’t undermine producer price – Grain SA
It is highly unlikely that maize prices will decline, despite industry stakeholders forecasting a record harvest this season.
Bringing the latest innovations in precision agriculture to SA
Jacto’s self-propelled sprayers will help farmers take an innovative leap forward in precision agriculture technology.
Succession planning: the time to talk is now
In this first article in a new series on how to run a family farm successfully, Trevor Dickinson, CEO of specialist consultancy Family Legacies, writes that the key to a profitable, long-lasting business is to start a family conversation about succession planning. And this needs to happen sooner rather than later.
A zero-emission electric loader
JCB recently launched its first-ever electric Loadall model, a sign that the expansion of its E-TECH range of zero-emissions machines is gathering pace.
