Conservation agriculture

KwaZulu-Natal’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Africa’s largest estuarine system, is a Unesco World Heritage Site. The uMfolozi River, long artifically separated from the lake, is again flowing into it, restoring the functioning of the ecosystem.

Greg Butler, Australian conservation agriculturalist, recently spoke to SA farmers about smart production strategies and innovation in a competitive farming environment. Jacques Claassen reports from the Conservation Agriculture Western Cape conference.

Leopard populations are at risk across their range. Research conducted by the Limpopo Leopard Project has resulted in an adaptive management system for leopard conservation. Carnivore ecologist, Ross Pitman, spoke to Nan Smith about the system.

Global farming conditions and practices can vary significantly. This could not be more evident when comparing sugarcane production on Réunion Island with that of South Africa.

Farmers need research on mixed density management, says Dr Peter Ardington, veterinarian and livestock farmer from Mandeni in KwaZulu-Natal.

Before humans began disrupting grassland ecosystems, large moving herds of grazing herbivores were part of the natural order, says farmer and vet Dr Peter Ardington, who has studied historical documents on the grazing habits of game. Roelof Bezuidenhout summarises his studies.

There are many easy ways to save water. Here are some tips from Rand Water.

Sugarcane is often called an environmentally hostile crop, but one Eston sugarcane farmer is putting that attitude to bed.

Which ectoparasiticides are safe for these valuable birds? You’ll find the answer on this handy oxpecker compatibility chart.

This year the annual Grassland Society of South Africa’s Peter Edwards Award was shared by Arnold Griesel and Kobus Marais. They discuss how conservation farming has worked for them.

Farmers in semi-arid grassveld regions should not graze recently-burnt veld too soon. Ecologically, this is the worst thing to do as it compounds grazing problems.

The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is home to more than 9 000 indigenous plant species. Collectively, these plants are known as fynbos, from the Dutch fijnbosch – fine (leafed) bush. It is the richest floral region in the world.