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.
Factors that influence the adoption of smart agriculture in SA
Smart technology is a hot topic these days – and notably so in agriculture, where there are many uses, from drones and remote water monitoring, to soil analysis, animal tracking, irrigation control and more.
Managing resistance of African stem borer to BT-maize
Andri Visser, a doctoral student at the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management at North-West University, explores how assumptions about the behaviour of the African stem borer affect the resistance management strategy and sustainability of Bt-maize.
Unlocking export markets for SA’s vegetable industry
Global opportunities are opening up for South African vegetable producers and exporters with the emergence of new markets in some Asian and African countries. This is due to an increase in middle-income earners, says Ezra Steenkamp, deputy director of international trade research at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Dealing with liver fluke in cattle
Fasciolosis, also known as liver fluke, occurs throughout South Africa, can cause many problems in cattle.
Wildlife welfare laws need updating
South Africa’s laws governing the welfare of wild animals under the ‘physical control of humans’ need to be updated. This is the view of the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).
The main types of irrigation
Overhead irrigation is commonly used for pasture irrigation, while drip irrigation can be used for feed crops such as maize.
Agribusiness confidence down, but still positive
South Africa’s agribusiness sector remains generally optimistic about business conditions in the country, according to the latest data.
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.
