Staff Reporter
Why plenty of food means plenty of conflict
A large body of literature claims that where there is a lack of food, conflict is bound to increase as people battle over limited resources. However, researcher Ore Koren suggests quite the opposite, saying that conflict is likely to increase when food sources are abundant.
Dealing with blight in sunflowers
Severe brown blight infection in sunflowers results in smaller seeds, a reduced yield, and lower oil content.
Contributing to the growth of dairy farmers
As a member and former president of Milk SA, Tsitsikamma dairy farmer Nigel Lok explains that 25% of the statutory levy commercial dairy farmers pay to Milk SA goes to transformation.
Termites and grazers: a complex, subtle relationship
After a number of farmers near Middelburg in the Eastern Cape expressed concern about increasing termite activity, James Hagan, an MSc student in ecology, conducted a study on the effects of livestock grazing on termites.
Cattle theft made brutal by Africa’s illicit arms trade
The circulation of illicit arms has made cattle rustling more violent and harmful. East Africa has lessons to share on prevention, say Duncan E Omondi Gumba and Nelson Alusala of the Institute for Security Studies Africa.
Personalised banking relationships are essential for farmers
Tsitsikamma dairy farmer, Nigel Lok, has 920 Holsteins producing 25 000ℓ of milk per day, and a total herd of 1 800 cows.
Potatoes SA Transformation Symposium 2018
‘Approaching potato farming as a successful business venture’ is the theme for the 5th Potatoes South Africa Transformation Symposium taking place on 7 June 2018 at the Saint George Hotel in Gauteng.
Estate Duty and Donations Tax increase
Estate Duty is a tax which is payable by every person who dies and who was ordinarily resident* in South Africa at the date of death or who was not ordinarily resident but owned assets in South Africa at date of death.
OIE warns of latest major animal health threats
A statement issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), following its 86th general session in Paris recently, highlighted a number of the current major animal health threats around the world.
Former Farmer’s Weekly journalist George Nicholas turns 100!
Congratulations to George Nicholas, who is celebrating his 100th birthday today! George has 72 years of service to the agricultural industry in South Africa.
Signs of a healthy dairy cow
To be profitable, a dairy herd must be in good shape. It’s therefore crucial to be able to recognise a healthy dairy cow, and know when things are not right.
How agriculture can ease the global urban water shortage
A new study that looks at the water competition between cities and agriculture has found that urban water demand in 482 of the world’s largest cities will increase by 80% by 2050, leading to an acute urban surface-water deficit. However, the study also discovered that in certain instances, even a 10% increase in irrigation water-use efficiency can help to overcome urban surface-water deficits.
Tips on how to grow aloe
This plant yields juice and gel which are used for processing in the cosmetics industry.
Firestone agricultural tyres – the hard-working partner you deserve
Firestone prides itself on giving you the right tools to get the job done, and its Farm Hard tyre range has the perfect tyre for every need.
Alert issued for Rift Valley fever
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (DAFF) has advised farmers to vaccinate their livestock against Rift Valley fever.
TISA concerned about ‘extreme tobacco legislation’
The South African government should first tackle the illicit trade in tobacco products before considering implementing legislation intended to severely restrict the marketing and use of legitimate tobacco products in the country, says the Tobacco Institute of Southern Africa (TISA).
Veld to plate: Profiting from beef exports
Not all cuts of beef are considered equal, and where in the world you eat your steak also determines how much you pay. Namibian farming economics consultant Dr Helmke Sartorius
von Bach examines the origin of modern slaughter techniques, the price of beef in Southern Africa and Europe, and the potential for beef exports to lucrative markets such as Norway.
Eastern Cape’s world-class student Angora stud
The Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI) Student Angora Stud is accustomed to accolades; it produced, for example, the South African Champion Ram at the 2009 International Mohair Summit in Graaff-Reinet. But it was the National Angora Show in November 2016 at Willowmore that really underscored the esteem with which the stud is held in the mohair industry.
Feeding cattle: learn the basics
When rounding off cattle for slaughter, you can either grow and mix feed on the farm or buy ready-mixed feed. If you have only a few animals, buying a mixed ration may be cheaper and more practical.
Stock theft threatens growth in SA’s goat value chain
While common across South Africa, goats remain a largely untapped resource for poverty alleviation and rural development. But efforts to remedy the situation are being undermined by the widespread theft of goats. Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas Erasmus, provincial commander of the SA Police Service’s KwaZulu-Natal stock theft and endangered species units, examines this issue.
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