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.
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.
Tour to AgriTech, Israel 2018
(Bookings are closed) Join the Farmer’s Weekly tour to the Tel Aviv, Israel for the AgriTech Show the 6 - 11 May 2018.
Agritech Israel panel discussion
"Agri solutions for rural areas/new entrants to the market". Panelists Leeko Makoene Made with Rural, Jacques Bredell, technical field representative Hishtil SA, Michael Gorelik, COO of Tahal and Denene Erasmus, editor of Farmer's Weekly SA.
Botswana contravening UN declaration on agricultural funding
Farmers in Botswana have expressed concern about that country’s government continuing to allocate low budgets to the agricultural sector.
Using ‘cow power’ to make your dairy farm self-sufficient
Manure can be used to produce biogas, electricity and fertiliser. In the process, you will recycle nutrients and increase profits while reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Astral anticipates markedly improved half-year results
Various factors are expected to result in Astral Foods (Astral) posting what the JSE-listed company described as a “marked improvement” in its financial results for the six months ending 31 March 2018.
National parks for all seasons!
Experience South Africa’s national parks when they are at their best this coming year, says Taryn Arnott van Jaarsveld and René de Klerk.
The Farmer’s Weekly Nampo Tour 2018
(Bookings are closed) Join us again for this year’s Farmer's Weekly Nampo Tour from 15-18 May. The tour includes entrance to South Africa’s premier agricultural exhibition, the Nampo Harvest Day, as well as farm visits to commercial producers in South Africa.
From a tiny plot to a thriving commercial farm
Former extension officer, Sithembele Malgas, started farming in the Idutywa area of the former Transkei in 1990. Today, he produces cabbages, spinach and butternut in rotation on 3,5ha under irrigation and farms more than 500 beef cows near Cathcart in the Eastern Cape.
Budget 2018: no mention of land expropriation
Despite the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the State of the Nation Address that the ANC would urgently pursue policy reforms that would pave the way for the expropriation of land without compensation, the figures presented in the 2018 budget indicated that it would be business as usual at the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) for the next three years at least.
‘A tough, but hopeful #budget2018’ – Gigaba
The 2018 national budget, tabled by Minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba, in Parliament today proposes several interventions that will ensure improved fiscal health and economic growth for the country in future, but all South Africans will have to pay to make this happen and change won’t happen overnight.
Imported genetics: a winning strategy for top Angus breeder
The Sid Knott Red and Black Angus studs in the Eastern Cape were founded on top genetics sourced from the US and New Zealand. Over the years, their progeny have been bred to thrive in South Africa’s harsh conditions. Mike Burgess visited the family farm, Wolseley Estate, to speak to the stud’s founder, Sid Knott.
