Nature: farmer’s best friend
A vegetable farmer in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, who converted to biological crop production, has significantly increased yield, improved quality and reduced input costs. Robyn Joubert reports.
Making money from muck
Nutrient-rich dairy slurry was once considered a liability and a pollutant, but the current high fertiliser price has changed all that, says dairy technical consultant Gavin Brockett. Robyn Joubert spoke...
Good choices keep costs down
The winner of the Berg River Table Grape Competition for 2008 Johann Britz of the farm Tweespruit near Paarl, chose a pitted grape cultivar because he believed it was best-suited...
Humates: snake oil or valuable resource?
While humates are promoted as an almost magic potion by some, sub-standard products have battered their reputation. Glenneis Erasmus talked to several agriculturists to find out what they are, how...
Clearing aliens the environmentally friendly way
In South Africa, eradicating invasive woody alien vegetation for alternative land use is normally a relatively heavy-handed method involving big drums of diesel or water and herbicide.
‘We’re going to be the Brazil of Africa’
While much is still uncertain about the local biofuel industry, Mozambique is already planting vast jatropha plantations for biodiesel production. The country's minister of Science and Technology has announced that...
New top cultivars at Nampo
Seed breeders and suppliers provided colourful and informative exhibition stands yet again at Nampo Harvest Day 2007. In this week, we introduce you to some new champions in the field...
Mealybugs: villains of the vine
Last week's article showed the impact that leafroll virus can have on vine quality and production, and stressed the need for vigorous measures against mealybug. This week Glenneis Erasmus covers...
Leafroll virus is not so innocent
While its true that the leafroll virus doesn't destroy grapevines, it can nevetheless have a severe impact, often resulting in crop losses of up to 60%, which adversely affects wine...
Clean green salads all year round
Growing salad crops in hydroponic systems boosts production and creates a year-round supply. However, the system is capital-intensive and requires careful monitoring. Glenneis Erasmus spoke to hydroponic lettuce producers Duncan...
Biofuels sweetener for sugar beet pioneers
Fish River Valley farmers have heard wild promises before that growing sugar beet would save them from relying on maize and lucerne crops prone to price volatility and ostrich exports...
New guidelines for Cape no-till wheat
New dynamic recommendations for row width and planting density in Western Cape conservation tillage systems have been developed by key players in agriculture, including Dr Mark Hardy (Western Cape Department...
Thwarting the sirex wasp’s invasion of SA
Ever since the highly destructive sirex woodwasp reached our shores in 1994, its devastation of pine plantations has resulted in a R300 million loss for the local timber industry. The...
How Brink boosts canola yields
The Swartland Canola Competition recognises outstanding farming efforts, identifying trends that could help enhance the production of this crop. This year's winner, André Brink, may have found the secret formula...
Waging war on herbicide resistance
As weeds become increasingly resistant to herbicides, farmers will have to adopt strategic or long-term approaches when cultivating their crops. The time has come to consider other alternatives, before resorting...
SA kenaf fibre processing plant ready for lift off
The processing of fibre and derivatives from kenaf is about to commence in Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal, in a brand new plant presently undergoing commissioning, with production set to kick off in...
Plunging into coffee?
Over the last few years, coffee production in South Africa has been more of a boutique industry limited to a handful of growers on minimal land. But as a coffee...
Bringing black truffles to South Africa
Ranking alongside caviar and saffron in price and rarity, black truffles are now produced in South Africa by Donna Hornby of Truffles of Africa in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal.
Fulvic acid passes the fertigation test
Fruit farmer Ian de Kock of Harmonie farm near Montagu in the Western Cape, says the use of fulvic and amino acids has improved crop health, yields and fruit quality...
Quality spawn is key to mushroom success
Growing mushrooms on a small scale for home use or commercial sale can be lucrative. However, Lloyd Phillips discovers why a good-quality mushroom crop can only come from spawn produced...
