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.
Starke Ayres: Sure-fire tomatoes and peppers
All Starke Ayres tomatoes and sweet peppers are carefully selected for local conditions. Its latest hybrids are the best combination yet of reliable growth, exceptional taste, and long shelf life.
High-end agri products most affected by COVID-19 lockdown
A reasonably bright year for South African agriculture is forecast with growth of the sector expected to be strong in 2020, despite the impact of COVID-19 and its attendant regulations.
Farming optimally and getting the most out of your land
The sixth episode of Tech Terrain dives into how you can farm optimally using the resources at your disposal.
Co-op or corporate? Choose between these agri models
Agribusiness VKB, which has been doing business in South Africa for over a century, started as a co-operative, but has since been converted into a company. Managing director Koos Janse van Rensburg writes that the debate on capital formation and value creation within agricultural businesses is as old as the industry itself, and explains the relative merits of the co-operative and corporate models.
Plum production: an overview
Most plums are consumed fresh. The remainder are processed and used as canned or dried fruit.
21st century update of Kubota ‘dream tractor’
Half a century after exhibiting its first-ever concept tractor at the 1970 Japan World Exposition in Osaka, Kubota unveiled a vastly updated version of its ‘dream tractor’ at a new product exhibition held in Kyoto City in January.
Establishing a sustainable agribusiness from the onset
The fifth episode of Tech Terrain looks at important building blocks to give farmers a head start in business and ensure sustainability.
Fraudsters scam public with fake Didiza Facebook profiles
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (agriculture department) has issued a statement in which it warns members of the public about a number of fake social accounts claiming to belong to agriculture minister, Thoko Didiza.
Common cabbage diseases
Cabbage is vulnerable to several diseases. All can be controlled to a greater or lesser extent, but in some cases the only solution is to plant a resistant variety.
Developmental & finance matters on the African continent
The fourth episode of Tech Terrain takes an in-depth look at changing conditions for farmers across the African continent. Here are a few highlights.
Watch out for rabies!
This deadly zoonosisis a real threat to all warm-blooded animals.
Preventing hybridisation to protect natural resources
Some farming enterprises, such as wild harvesting, require particular care to ensure long-term sustainability and protect the environment.
Tech Terrain: The adoption of technology across Africa
The third episode of Tech Terrain explores the adoption of technology by farmers of all sizes across the continent and the impact of it.
Why the world’s drylands need urgent protection
Drylands are home to two billion people, many of whom are poor and depend directly on the land’s resources for food and energy. Drylands also generate crucial environmental services and contain 35% of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations explains the importance, and challenges, of conserving drylands.
Polysulphate an ideal fertiliser for potatoes and other crops
Polysulphate is a new, multi-nutrient fertiliser that has been introduced to South Africa by ICL.
The basics of foot-and-mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease has drastically reduced South Africa beef exports, as importing countries buy animals and animal by-products only from FMD-free countries.
How important is a brand name in modern agriculture?
With agricultural technology evolving at a rapid pace, it can sometimes seem overwhelming for farmers. This is where Tech Terrain steps in – an exciting new online agricultural talk show focusing on the role of technology and mechanisation in the modern agricultural landscape.
Forage harvester’s efficiency drives profitability
Improved forage harvesting technology drastically enlarges the silage surface area. This improves the product, benefitting farmers and harvesting contractors, says Stehan Cloete.
Win two Viavi Avocado hampers worth R2 500 each!
It’s avo season and Viavi is giving away two hampers. These hampers include: Viavi branded leather apron, t-shirt, cellphone cover, Viavi Avos and a R250 Woolworths voucher. To enter, simply fill in your details below.
Win a layer cage worth R13 800!
Stand a chance to win an Elite 120-bird laying cage worth R13 800! To enter, fill in the form below. Entries close 31 July 2020.
