Organic farming: a commercial farmer converts
Peter Nicholson of Roselands farm near Richmond in KwaZulu-Natal believes organic farming can be used to sustainably feed the world. He shares his vision with Lloyd Phillips.
How a family citrus farm became a mega business
With citrus orchards that extend for more than 60km along the Eastern Cape’s Sundays River Valley, Sitrusrand is one of the largest producers in the area, and exports to many...
Table grape farmer increases turnover by 900%
Jacques Beukes is a table grape farmer in the Western Cape, and is always searching for new ways in which to expand and improve his business. Since joining the family...
The fine business of growing micro-greens
Erika Oberholzer produces microgreens and elfin vegetables for local and export markets, as well as herbs and medicinal plants for the essential oils industry, on 7ha in Midrand.
Combining tunnels, nets and open-air farming for diversified vegetable production
Lephalale vegetable producer, Pieter Pieterse, spoke to Gerhard Uys about the challenges of sustainably farming numerous crops in tunnels, on open land and under netting.
Optimising conservation farming with technology
Andrew Jonker runs a wheat and livestock operation near Riversdale in the Western Cape. He explained to Glenneis Kriel how he combined conservation farming principles with the latest precision farming...
Allesbeste – pushing the boundaries of innovation
The Ernst family of Allesbeste Boerdery is renowned for its pioneering work in the avocado industry. Through innovative methods, improved genetics and research, the aim is to increase the fruit’s...
Alternative vineyard trellising doubles yields in Robertson
There has long been a misconception that good quality wine can only be produced from vineyards with low yields. Glenneis Kriel speaks to three farmers from Robertson who have been...
Free State Young Farmer positive about farming in SA
DJ van der Linde, the 2016 Free State Young Farmer of the Year, maintains that an optimistic attitude can make the difference between success and failure in farming. The young...
Vertical farming – less space, less water, higher yield
Undercover farming techniques have recently expanded to include so-called vertical farming, which requires an even smaller footprint and uses water and fertiliser even more efficiently.
Fern business exports 10-million stems a year
The Gerber family’s Forest Ferns business in Tsitsikamma started with just one product, says Johan Gerber. Today it harvests 35 products on 150 000ha located between Port Elizabeth and George, much...
The delicate art of large-scale rose farming
Langkloof Roses is home to thousands of rose bushes, and its gorgeous cut flowers are well-known at retail outlets in the Western Cape. Jacoba Samuels, who has had nearly two...
Tillage vs no-till: a farmer’s cost comparison
Agricultural economist and part-time farmer, Dr Philip Theunissen, provides a detailed efficiency and cost comparison between conventional tillage and no-till maize crops.
Managing no-till soil acidity and fertiliser requirements
No-till may be a sustainable and cost-effective crop production system, but it comes with challenges of its own. Guy Thibaud, veteran soil scientist with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and...
Success with small-scale herb production
Husband-and-wife team, Miki and Cathy Clark, knew nothing about farming when they began their small-scale herb production operation on 1,2ha of land five years ago. Now they produce over 2t...
Why we bank on butternuts – Drotskie brothers
Francois and Danie Drotskie run a mixed farming operation comprising vegetables, cattle and game. Surprisingly, their butternut crop is amongst their most valued enterprises. Gerhard Uys visited them.
Benefits of vermiculture
David Leslie and his son James use vermiculture to keep their potato, bean, maize and soya crops healthy – and it’s paying off. Gerhard Uys visited them on their Free...
A fine fynbos business
Fifteen years ago, Jacky Goliath and Elton Jefthas planted 1 000 fynbos plants in Elton’s back garden, establishing De Fynne Nursery. Today, operating on 22ha, De Fynne is a renowned...
Integrated pest management system
The international farming community must contend with numerous pest and disease threats to their crops, as the pressure of an increasing global population mounts. According to Schalk van der Merwe,...
Technology takes farming to new levels
Paul Cluver, managing director of Paul Cluver Wines, and his sister, Karin, the production manager, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about new technologies used to improve fruit and wine production efficiency,...
