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...
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...
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...
Plough for more
Citrus, subtropical fruit and tomato producers have expressed mixed reaction to what is generally perceived to have been a warmer-than-usual winter so far.
Protesters set fire to at least 15 vineyards in De Doorns in the Western Cape this week causing widespread damage, just as the table grape season kicks off.
It would take up to five years before farmers in the Western Cape recovered completely from the current drought.
“I am warning you now already. In the next six months you are going to get very angry,” said Dr Piet Croucamp, political analyst at the University of Johannesburg.
News from the game industry in 2015 was dominated by the record prices paid for so-called colour-variant species and high-value game species.
Although fuel prices are expected to decrease early in April 2018, any benefits that this may have had on consumer pockets, including those of farmers, will be cancelled out by...
Input costs are biting hard, but Matla-Gamede Farming’s owners are determined to turn their operation into a fully-fledged commercial business.
In 2009, the managing director of Nerpo, Aggrey Mahanjana, took charge of the 5 000ha Carnarvon Estates land reform farm in the Eastern Cape. Today he can look back on...
Careful financial planning is required before moving off the grid. Prof Alan Brent from the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies shared some crucial cost calculations with Glenneis Kriel.
An Eastern Cape distributor is marketing a unique maize seed pack to communal homestead maize producers with notable success. Mike Burgess visited Border Seed Distributors to investigate why this product...
Jerome Thomas, Western Cape Farm Worker of the Year, started his career as a general labourer on Kanonkop Estate 15 years ago. He now works as a supervisor and serves...
Independent agricultural education institutions catering to the black youth could be an answer to our land reform failures. With the financial support of private corporations and the mentorship of successful...
Deep-fried chicken – how the taste buds rejoice! Is there a better way to swiftly prepare poultry? Hotter? Tastier? Even more juicy?
Tommy asks Jonno to help design a simple office with a thatch roof on his farm.
Calamari – squid to our friends in the marine biology sector – is a wonderful addition to one’s seafood repertoire. Easy to cook, a marvel to present and a delight...
Also known as spicy buns, these teatime favourites can be enjoyed any time of the year. What makes them so special? Two things: the spicy bite that enlivens every mouthful...
Spaghetti with a sauce is a family staple throughout this nation of ours. Instead of working a can opener, here’s a more hands-on pasta meal for four that is easy...
Christine and her husband want to build a three-bedroom home on one level, with open-plan living rooms surrounding an atrium with glass roofs.
Special care needs to be taken when moving fish in order to minimise their stress levels and thus prevent unnecessary deaths.
As it stands, prospective legislation seeking to control the use of Nile tilapia will be counter-productive and hamper the growth of aquaculture in South Africa.
Facial paralysis is a fairly common ailment in horses. The paralysis of the facial nerve can be slight or very dramatic. If treated immediately it normally can be reversed
James Stephen talks to Chris Nel about establishing a new stud herd and rehabilitating a previously neglected farm at the same time.
When the lights go out, you have to act fast, as your fish could be dead within 20 minutes. A backup plan is essential.
The Fairworld Merino Stud in the Eastern Cape has been at the forefront of genetic fine wool production in South Africa for over a century. It holds the current South...
The manner in which lettuces are transplanted makes all the difference to the profitability of a crop, as all subsequent practices and expenses up to maturity remain the same.
As I write this, the new draft Agricultural Produce Marketing Agencies Bill (APMA) is under public review. The department of agriculture, which is ‘driving’ the bill, has met with many...
FARMERS TEND TO ACCEPT THE seedlings they're given and don't pay much attention to what sort of condition they're in.
Introducing biological practices was a brave move on the part of Pongola sugar farmer Ernst Holl – but a current yield of 120t cane/ha from 16-year-old cane shows he’s on...
I often chuckle inwardly when I’m on a market floor listening to a negotiation between the salesperson and a buyer. The exchange frequently differs dramatically from what I teach about...
Whether dealing with chillies or peppers, you should know what your market requires before choosing a variety.
