Staff Reporter
Agribusiness Africa Conference 2018 brought to by Farmer’s Weekly
After a successful Agribusiness Africa Conference in 2017, Farmer's Weekly will be hosting another thought-provoking and informative event from 18-19 July 2018 at Emperors Palace.
Sustainability in pasture-based dairy farming
One of the questions modern farmers face is whether they can farm in an environmentally sustainable, yet profitable, way. Craig Galloway provided the answer in his PhD thesis on the sustainability of pasture-based dairy farms.
Diversifying your income with UK retirement investments
The repo rate in South Africa has been slashed from 6.75% to 6.5%. Typically, a decrease in interest rates causes house price growth, so it’s great news for the property market.
Waste management fundamentals
By law, you are required to store or dispose of waste responsibly. Failure to do so may result in a fine. More seriously, it harms the environment.
Severe weather conditions exacerbate Irish fodder crisis
After a long and extremely wet winter, farmers in Ireland are being faced with a fodder crisis, as they do not have nearly enough feed to supply their herds this spring.
International success for SA bow maker
Based in the Eastern Cape, Warrick Harvey has rapidly built an international reputation as a crafter of exceptional bows. Mike Burgess spoke to him about his life-long love of archery.
Breeding record-breaking Mutton Merinos
Henning Vorster sold a SA Mutton Merino ram for a South African record price of R110 000 at the National Sale in Bloemfontein in 2017. To find out why farmers are willing to pay record-high prices for his dual-purpose sheep, Mike Burgess visited his stud on the farm Bloubosfontein.
Keeping the farm in the family
A big concern for farm owners is how to ensure their farms stay in the family for generations to come.
Farmers, forget about price!
Farmers have little or no control over producer prices. They should therefore focus on production and marketing efficiencies.
Time for the private sector to fight rural poverty
While rural development is supposed to be a key focus of the South African government, the state is failing in this obligation. Veteran rural development expert Jimmy Lonsdale believes the private sector should take over this responsibility to ensure that meaningful rural development is achieved as soon as possible.
Proper estate planning is necessary
Proper estate planning can spare future generations much unhappiness and legal costs especially where the succession of agricultural property is involved.
Want a profitable bull? Do your homework first!
Selecting a bull that will significantly improve a herd can be a daunting task, especially for a new buyer. At the 2017 Aldam Stockmans School, cattle veterans Martin Seyfferdt, interbreed cattle judge, and Arthur de Villiers, Arcadia Bonsmara stud owner, offered advice on selection breeding and marketing, and explained the breeder’s role in selling high-performance bulls.
Huge livestock losses may worsen food security in Somalia
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that large-scale livestock losses as a result of drought have severely impacted the livelihoods of farmers, which could exacerbate Somalia’s food security.
Bloem Show
Bloem Show is an annual event in Bloemfontein and takes place from 26 April - 5 May 2018. It is one of only two shows in South Africa that still successfully combine agricultural, entertainment and trade activities in one event.
Determining wheat yield
It’s important to adapt and revise your management strategies as the cropping environment, yield potential, commodity prices and input costs change.
The Gysie Britz story
With his passion and skill, Gysie Britz raised the bar in South African pigeon racing. Thomas Smit spoke to the champion fancier about his success.
Rhino Horn Trade Africa website launched
Members of the Private Rhino Owners Association (PROA) and any individual or company that owns rhinos or legally acquired rhino horn, may trade them legally through the PROA website.
When to plant sunflower for optimal yield
Sunflower’s consistent yield and drought-tolerance make it an attractive crop for SA’s dryland regions. It also has a relatively long planting window. Nonetheless, care should be taken to plant at the optimal time, cautions Dr Safiah Ma’Ali, senior researcher at ARC-Grain Crops Institute.
Why can’t that cow stand up?
A number of diseases and conditions can result in cattle and other ruminants being unable to stand up.
Farming without government support
In many countries, farmers are supported in various ways by government. South Africa’s real competition lies not in these largely inefficient farming systems, but in other unsubsidised countries such as Australia, Chile and New Zealand.
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