Dieback: root of the problem
Dying trees in plum orchards, just a few years after planting, recently sparked alarm among Western Cape farmers, especially those in the Berg River region. Prof Piet Stassen, a private consultant and stone fruit rootstock expert, shared his recommendations on the subject
with Jeandré du Preez.
What’s good for apples, is good for wine
The Ceres Plateau, only recently incorporated into South Africa’s Wine of Origin scheme, is establishing itself as one of the best wine-producing regions in the country. Kallie du Plessis and Hendri Carstens of the farm Dennekruin spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this exciting development.
Pride in potatoes
Stephan Fourie, who produces potatoes near Frankfort in the Free State, believes that three pillars support success in farming: an excellent product, sound management and good labour relations.
Precision farming a must for the future – O’Neill
Sugarcane farmer Brad O’Neill won the 2015 Nedbank Eston Show’s Farmer of the Year
and Best Milling Cane award in the category 10 000t to 20 000t delivered in the 2014 season.
Reduce losses with this drought strategy
Fruit farmers in the Ceres Valley will have to manage their water strategically this season, as parts of the region received less than half the annual rainfall. Louis Reynolds of Fruitful Crop Advice provides some tips on reducing water losses.
The value of nets in citrus and table grape production
The farm Matroozefontein has the most westerly citrus orchards and table grape vineyards in Southern Africa. In this arid area, farming under nets has proved a success.
Integrated systems for optimal results
All the production processes in the Uys family’s mixed farming enterprise, from grazing management to cash crops and cover crop production, occur in rotation to benefit one another as well as the soil.
The Karsten Group: International fruit giant
Recently named the Agricultural Writer of SA’s Farmer of the Year for 2015, Piet Karsten has built a farming empire on the Orange River, where some of SA’s top export fruit is grown. Susan Marais visited the Karsten Group’s headquarters in Kanoneiland in the Northern Cape to learn more.
Putting the soil first
Soil quality determines the quality of produce, the volume of water needed to produce it and ultimately the production cost. Restoring degraded soil takes time, but thereafter production costs plummet. Jay Ferreira spoke to organic nut farmer Jeremy Bryant to learn more.
Seeing the drought in context
Viewing the current drought in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal within its historical context allows us to understand it better – and forecast more accurately what is to come. This is according to Dr Johan Malherbe from the Agricultural Research Council’s Institute for Soil, Climate and Water.
Serious about seed potatoes
CEO of Agrivan Farming in North West, Werner du Plessis, spoke to Gerhard Uys about farming seed potatoes and how his business has remained at the top of its game for over 25 years.
Beating the drought with conservation farming
A farmer can significantly reduce climate-associated risk with conservation farming practices. Western Cape farmer, Michael Dippenaar, shares his journey with Glenneis Kriel.
