Field Crops

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.

New varieties and technology are ensuring that local soya bean producers are now better equipped to compete with farmers in other production areas around the world, reports Magda du Toit.

Advanced seed technology presents farmers with the opportunity to introduce more resilient crops, improve yields and adapt to a more dynamic farming environment to ensure a sustainable future.

Stoller South Africa offers a wide range of plant physiology solutions for leguminous and non-leguminous crops.

To combat the effects of climate change, South African wine farmers will have to plan the establishment of new vineyards more carefully, especially if they want them to achieve heritage status.

When it comes to managing powdery mildew in grape orchards, prevention is better than cure, and the key lies in taking action early in the season.

FMC’s new Amicor® Insect Control represents an advancement in insecticide technology, and offers farmers so much more than mere insect control.

Integrated pest management (IPM) helps farmers reduce their dependence on chemicals to fend off pests, while improving biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Industry experts Andrew Bennett and Rodney Bell spoke to Magda du Toit about the factors involved in implementing an IPM programme.

According to a study by Ale Vidal Elgueta et al, researchers from Chile and France, the intensification of agricultural production over the past two millennia has led to a reduction in the level of iron in maize.

In Pongola, the tomato leaf miner is threatening the sustainability of family-run Basaki Boerdery, one of the last tomato producers in the area. Brothers Sakkie and André Terblanche spoke to Lindi Botha about their strategy for fighting this pest.

They are notoriously tricky crops to grow in summer, but broccoli and cauliflower flourish on Southern Block farm in KwaZulu-Natal. By focusing on optimal soil and vigorous plants, this farm uses minimal chemical inputs. Lindi Botha spoke to the team about their winning recipe.

Growing black winter truffles can be a highly lucrative undertaking for farmers looking to diversify their enterprises. Volker and Paul Miros, who run Woodford Truffles SA, spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee about the expert knowledge and capital required to do so.

Cover crops are the gifts that keep on giving. Not only do they maintain soil moisture and improve soil health, but they are a valuable tool for reducing pest loads in subtropical orchards. By planting specific species, farmers can reduce their pesticide bill and meet the crop safety requirements of their markets.

Over the past few years, monocropping has largely given way to the crop rotation system, and ley farming has gained popularity in grain-producing areas such as KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, the Free State and North West, where many farmers also produce livestock. Prof Chris Dannhauser spoke to Susan Marais about how the rotating of grain crops with planted pastures can be a highly useful practice.

Exciting times are ahead as a new report on market opportunities for sorghum in South Africa sees the light and new research indicates the best sorghum cultivars for farmers as well as the processors of this crop, writes Mariana Purnell, a consultant with eGrain, a provider of electronic warehouse receipts for the grain industry.

On a quest to diversify away from the crops traditionally cultivated in Mkhondo, Mpumalanga, André de Waal shifted to the production of essential oils. By growing, distilling and marketing these products, he has gained greater control over the value chain, ensuring his business is both viable and sustainable.

In this article, the first in a two-part series, Magda du Toit speaks to experts about the different growth stages of a maize plant in the vegetative phase, as well as the crucial management practices to follow during this time to achieve optimal yield. Advice on weed control is also included.