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.
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Why Africa needs fairer food laws
Food and agriculture laws hamper food security in Africa and elsewhere, say Tigist Gebrehiwot, Steve Cornelius and Lise Korsten in the journal article ‘Impact of global food and agriculture laws on Africa’sfood security’.
Le Roc Brangus’ and Dormers’ October production sales
Le Roc Brangus will be hosting its 10th production sale on 21 October, while Le Roc Dormers will be hosting its first production sale on 22 October. Both sales will be held on the farm Eastry in Tweespruit.
Ten ways to cut food waste – report
In a recent study, published by the World Resources Institute, researchers explored 10 scaling interventions that could help reduce food loss and waste across supply chains and geographies. According to the report, ‘Reducing Food Loss and Waste: Ten Interventions to Scale Impact’, governments, businesses, farmers, consumers, and everyone in between need to play a role in implementing these interventions.
A must-read for farmers! First book by top agri economist
Wandile Sihlobo, one of South Africa’s foremost agri economists, is perfectly placed to provide a balanced, accessible view of agriculture in South Africa. He spent his school holidays in the rural Eastern Cape, studied agricultural economics at university, has worked in private-sector agriculture, where he consulted widely with farmers, and has been a policy adviser to government.
Identifying and controlling sweet potato viruses
Sweet potatoes are an important commercial crop and contribute significantly to food security in many poorer South African households. Dr Julia Mulabisana and Dr Sunette Laurie of the Agricultural Research Council’s Vegetable and Ornamental Plants division explain how farmers can recognise and control the most serious viruses that affect this crop.
Basic chicken care: how to breed and feed
This article examines how to breed and feed chickens properly, as well as how to maintain good hygiene in order to keep the birds healthy and productive.
Preparing a good seedbed for tomatoes
Tomato seedlings grow best in a well-drained seedbed under full sun and protected from strong wind. Irrigation should be frequent but light.
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The John Deere SMART campaign is using the brand’s renowned machines, hands-on training and its huge dealer network to help new era farmers profit from mechanisation.
Investing in financial markets
In general, South African investors have seen meagre returns on their savings and retirement portfolios over the past few years. Indeed, some wonder whether it would not be better to stash their money under the mattress. Jaco Visser spoke to a number of investment managers about the products that are available and which investment strategies are likely to deliver the best returns.
How to improve the oil yield of a sunflower crop
Dr Safiah Ma’Ali, a senior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council’s Grain Crops Institute, outlines a recent South Africa study demonstrating that farmers can significantly improve sunflower oil content and yield by adjusting planting dates.
Stats SA says thank you to the commercial farming community
The 2017 Census of Commercial Agriculture by Statistics South Africa showed that the total number of farming units involved in commercial agriculture in that year 2017 was 40 122, and that these farms used 46,4 million hectares of land.
Reduce heat stress in poultry with vitamin C supplementation
High environmental temperature is the most common stressor of chickens in South Africa.
The basics of the Persian breed
This indigenous fat-rumped meat breed does well in arid semi-desert, savanna bushveld and coastal spekboom veld. The lambs mature early.
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John Deere delivering real solutions in real time
With full aftermarket service and rapid response times, John Deere ensures peace of mind for farmers.
Controlling fleabane in wheat and maize
This winter weed is widespread throughout Southern Africa. It has small seeds and is a shallow germinator.
The Weekly Wrap – Update on SA’s wheat imports outlook
In this episode of the Weekly Wrap podcast, Farmer’s Weekly editor, Denene Erasmus, and journalist, Sabrina Dean, discuss the top stories featured in the 22 & 29 May issue of the magazine. They discuss how the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will affect South Africa’s imports of wheat, a commodity for which the country is a net importer, for the rest of the year.
Drape Net ensures better yield and top-quality produce
Sunburn and related disorders, such as sunscald, can cause substantial losses of marketable produce and revenue. Drape Net, imported and distributed by Nulandis, offers farmers a durable, easy-to-install, cost-effective solution to protect their expensive crop investment.
Nguni bull sells for record R310 000 on WhatsApp auction
The livestock auction industry in South Africa has suffered major setbacks during the past six months.
What livestock farmers should know about climate change
Dr Louis du Pisani, national manager for production advice and development at the National Wool Growers’ Association, explores how livestock farmers can mitigate the negative effects of climate change on their operations.
