Field Crops

In this article, Janine Ryan looks at the importance of maize production in the world today, and its value for food security. She also explores the history of maize and how it evolved into a crop that is widely cultivated.

While production on most grape farms in the Orange River region has taken a knock this season due to adverse weather conditions, GPA Boerdery has managed to achieve a decent harvest. Lourens Maass and his son Kobus, who run GPA, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their recipe for success.

At NAMPO 2023, Pannar’s team of experts will be available to help farmers determine which maize hybrid seed with PowerCore™ technology best suits their farm for the next growing season.

Diseases of sunflowers, such as brown rust and head rot, can cause severe economic losses for farmers. Janine Ryan looks at the signs of these and other diseases that can help farmers to identify them, as well as some control and prevention strategies.

Planning and forward thinking are important in farming, says Kobela Mokgohloa, the owner of Korema Farm in Winterveldt near Pretoria. He spoke to Magda du Toit about how he grew his cucumber production, as well as his plans for the future.

Farmers can reclaim their power by integrating powerful insect-resistant seed traits in their maize crop production, thanks to Pannar's PowerCore™ technology

With blackleg being amongst the worst diseases of canola, South African researchers are conducting trials to find the most resistant cultivars and most effective fungicides for local conditions. Dr Gert van Coller of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture offers advice on control of the disease.

Light Ngobeni and Zinhle Nkosi, agricultural economists and master’s students at the University of Pretoria and the University of Limpopo respectively, write about the importance of cassava production for farmers and consumers in South Africa, and how to develop the value chain.

Lettuce is beholden to an inconsistent market, with demand often dependent on the weather. Sustainable production therefore requires careful management of supply and demand. Equally important, as farmer Jakkie Mellet explained to Lindi Botha, is a shorter, more productive, growth cycle.

One of the most important decisions the Van der Berg brothers ever made was to include the production of cactus pear in their farming operation. Dewald van der Berg spoke to Annelie Coleman about their business.

Yield potential refers to the maximum yield that a farmer can obtain from a crop in a given environment and is largely determined by a specific combination of factors. Magda du Toit spoke to industry experts about the basic principles that determine yield and profit in maize farming, and how a farmer can improve results.

The Ernst family, owners of Allesbeste Boerdery in Tzaneen, are renowned for their pioneering research and development work in the avocado industry. Zander Ernst, director of marketing and production at Allesbeste, spoke to Magda du Toit about their latest project, which involves the trellising of avocado trees.