Field Crops

The Ruperts, one of South Africa’s most prominent families, are using their foothold in the local wine industry to save a small part of the country’s proud wine heritage through the Old Vines Initiative.

Mossie Basson, conservation manager at Graham Beck Wines in Robertson, has developed a conservation plan that has rehabilitated poor soils and decreased chemical and water use, while increasing the natural resilience of vineyards. All this is helping the vines to produce better quality grapes. Denene Erasmus reports.

The local wine industry is undergoing a slow but steady revolution, with traditional thinking making way for daring new ideas. Ken Forrester spoke to Denene Erasmus about the growing popularity of Rhône grape varieties.

A careful expansion strategy and optimum risk management has earned Johan van Zyl the title of Free State Potato Farmer of the Year in 2007 and 2013. Lindi van Rooyen finds out what it takes to stay ahead in the potato game.

The beautiful city of Verona, situated in the northern part of Italy, plays host to the country’s largest and most important wine expo, Vinitaly. The annual event attracts almost 150 000 visitors and has become a hub for the international trade in Italian wines. Denene Erasmus reports.

While it’s well-known that the vast majority of South Africa’s land reform transfers have failed due to factors such as inadequate post-settlement support, in Mpumalanga the opposite is happening, thanks to TSB Sugar’s proactive approach. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Lufuno Managa, a young farmer from Limpopo, found that big dreams don’t only come true in big cities. He left Pretoria to return home where he is now growing tomatoes and vegetables and living his dream. Peter Mashala spoke to him.

Quality beer needs quality barley and there’s not enough of it in South Africa. RD Erasmus, well-known Western Cape barley producer, spoke to Jacques Claassen about how he has optimised his farming practices and geared his production towards improving quality and yield.

With an estimated R1 billion spent on expanding and building new soya bean processing facilities, the South African soya industry is poised to unlock value for farmers and processors.

Irrigating in the correct quantities and at the right frequency are key to greater production in a hydroponic greenhouse system. Greenhouse specialist Martin von Holdt shared his knowledge on the ideal irrigation strategy with Lindi van Rooyen.

This year, top honours in the Hex Valley Table Grape Association Block Competition went to Hannes du Toit, who successfully manipulated the tricky and relatively new Sugrasixteen grape variety to produce a good quality, high yield crop with big berries. Denene Erasmus reports.

Willie Nel, recipient of Rooibos Limited’s Producer of the Year Award, says sustainable rooibos production depends on a rotation cycle that will ensure consistently good quality yields. Denene Erasmus reports.

Cactus pear cladode production is a good enterprise for farmers in semi-arid and arid parts of South Africa. It requires little input costs and is highly sought after as animal feed. Supplier Danie van Tonder can hardly keep up with the demand. Annelie Coleman reports.

Only a small amount of hops is needed to make beer, about 40g of the dried product for every 100l, but beer would just not be the same without it. SAB Hop Farms near George grow this essential ingredient in one of South Africa’s favourite drinks.

From humble beginnings, Walter Williams has grown a business that today has three farms as well as a fruit packing business in the Ceres Valley. He spoke to Denene Erasmus about his early days as a farmer and his tried-and-tested production techniques.

On top of the Piketberg, Advanced Potato Propagation propagates mini-tubers in specially adapted greenhouses. Jay Ferreira speaks to APP’s manager, Ferdi Breytenbach.

The eastern Free State’s apple orchards are doing well with a small edge in marketing time over the more established orchards of the Western Cape. Lloyd Phillips talks to Charles Smith of Fyvie Farming.

Janie Cilliers became a farmer out of necessity, but soon fell in love with it. And, after much hard toil, seven years down the line JC Trading in Brits has grown from four tunnels to 29, delivering nearly 25 000 cucumbers a week. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

In the drive to mine the wealth of Mpumalanga, many productive farms have been turned into open cast mines while others wait to be dug up. Investing in soil which is soon to be mined presents some challenges to the farmer. Lindi van Rooyen visited Ivan Enslin to see how an appropriate soil management plan can save money and optimise yield.

Canadian canola expert Phil Thomas says producers can improve yields with innovative technology and better farming practices. Kobus van Tonder reports on Phil’s recent visit to SA.