Israel’s land
How did Israel Motlhabane go from funeral parlour director to Grain SA’s 2012 Developing Grain Producer of the Year? Annelie Coleman visited him at his farm Annasvlei to find out.
Managing eldana the natural way
Push-pull plants can be used to control the serious sugar cane pest, eldana, while simultaneously nurturing wetlands. Robyn Joubert reports.
Farmers reap benefits of empowerment programme
Ten farmers on 55ha of communal land in Mpumalanga are reaping the benefits of an empowerment programme started by the Mineworkers’ Investment Company. Peter Mashala reports.
Irrigation scheduling to manage crop quality
Irrigation scheduling at one of South Africa’s largest irrigation farming enterprises has led to a saving of up to 34% in water use and possible enhanced crop performance. Robyn Joubert reports.
Home-grown health
Growing your own vegetables is easy if you know what and when to plant. Bill Kerr shares some tips on planting, harvesting and caring for a few easy-to-grow veggies.
It’s all about scale, value adding & quality
Rossouw Cillié from Ceres is a dedicated farmer and canny businessman. He supplies markets and retailers with year-round, high quality fresh produce at reasonable prices. Denene Erasmus reports.
Keeping cabbages clear of pests and diseases
Cabbages are popular with South African consumers and can provide growers with sustainable short-term income. However, sound management is needed for keeping cabbages clear of pests and diseases.
A stomping family success
World-renowned for its award-winning wines and olive products, Kloovenburg also produces table grapes and figs for export. With four sons all wanting to farm, Annalene and Pieter du Toit are planning to diversify their farming enterprise even further. Keri Harvey paid them a visit.
Success for emerging citrus farmers
Aimed at bringing emerging farmers into the commercial cycle, the Sundays River Citrus Company’s development project is that rarity – one that actually works. Samantha Barnes reports.
Biodynamic preparations and compost
According to Wikus, a distinguishing feature of biodynamic farming is the use of nine biodynamic preparations which are said to enhance soil quality and stimulate plant life.
Top winery dabbles in biodynamics
Haskell Vineyards in Stellenbosch has taken a giant leap of faith by converting one of the farm’s top vineyard blocks into a biodynamic farming experiment. Wikus Pretorius, general manager, shares some biodynamic farming ideas with Denene Erasmus.
Canola – a viable alternative
One of South Africa’s most experienced canola farmers, AJ Louw of Malmesbury, tells Denene Erasmus about the benefits of canola in
a rotation system and as a cash crop in its own right.
Haute couture food garden
As a luxury art, hospitality and wine destination, Delaire Graff Estate blends many elements, but its roots are in the soil. Its gourmet restaurants are stocked with produce from its carefully landscaped, biodynamic greenhouse and gardens.
Conservation farming on communal land
Crop farming on communal land is suffering from the effects of soil erosion and climate change. But KZN communal crop farmer Nicholas Madondo is using conservation farming methods to fight back. Lloyd Phillips visited him.
Veggies boost the bottom line
By including vegetables in their diversified farming business the Mongs have been able to make better use of machinery and labour already at their disposal, thus lowering the fixed input cost for each division. Denene Erasmus reports.
Wheat farming in the Western Cape
Pierre Heydenrych, a fourth generation wheat farmer in the Western Cape, talks about the difficulties of the weather and the low wheat price.
Putting worms to good use
Moving from pigs to earthworms is not a typical business move – but that’s what Umhlali farmer Barry Milstead did. It’s part of his efforts to farm his subtropical orchards more in tune with nature. Robyn Joubert reports.
Protecting the soil
Hopefield entrepreneur, Francois Turner, hasn’t ploughed his potato lands since 2007. He explained to Keri Harvey how the no-till method of farming potatoes works and why he believes it’s the way forward for potato farmers.
Small-scale farming booms in Kenya
Seed research, a special training model and financial support are helping to transform small-scale farming in Kenya, improving both yields and returns. Bob Koigi reports.
Karoo small-scale wine producer excels
Garagiste winemaking is growing in popularity in South Africa. Denene Erasmus visited Herman and Susan Perold on their award-winning 1ha wine estate in the Great Karoo to find out more about this movement and the advantages of small-scale winemaking.
