Watch out for glyphosate contamination
The repeated use of the herbicide glyphosate has been found to compromise fruit production. James Dick, co-owner of production consultancy DNS Crop Institute, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this problem.
Saffron: harvesting ‘red gold’ in the Karoo
Bennie Engelbrecht is breaking new ground for saffron production in South Africa through his company Saffricon. He spoke to Wouter Kriel about his journey so far and his plans for...
The basics of wheat production
South African wheat growers have to compete with imports of the grain, which puts them under pressure to maximise production efficiency. Decisions on which cultivar to plant and the seeding...
A formula for successful fynbos production
Nico Thuynsma’s love for all things floral and horticultural, and fynbos in particular, led him to establish a nursery and cut flower operation in the Cullinan area of Gauteng, where...
Integrated pest management: Taking care of crop protectors
Integrated pest management has become an increasingly popular means of protecting crops against damage from pests such as weeds and insects, and is being driven by, among other factors, the...
One of SA’s biggest avocado growers is on a coffee high
With some areas of South Africa having the ideal conditions for growing coffee, the country has the potential to produce a world-class product. However, only a few farmers are planting...
An affordable way to fix poor drainage
Slow water seepage in a field can adversely affect yield, profit, and the land’s long-term sustainability. Lindi Botha spoke to two experts about how to identify and rectify drainage problems.
Great canola yields begin with healthy soil
By investing in soil health, Swartland canola farmer Sakkie Rust has attained higher yields and made his crops more drought-resistant. He explained his methods to Wouter Kriel.
Making the most of wild-grown honeybush
While many farmers have had their fingers burnt in the production of honeybush, the crop can be highly lucrative, and Quinton Nortjé of Melmont Honeybush Tea can attest to this....
Early planting: the key to soya bean success
Soya bean farmer Gerrie Schoeman uses careful planning to time his planting perfectly. In addition, he uses the best resources at hand, including experienced service providers and the latest technology,...
Managing irrigation of fruit when water is scarce
Water availability has become one of the greatest limiting factors in agricultural production in South Africa. Johan Kotzé, director of Dutoit Agri Eastern Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how...
Improving nitrogen-use efficiency in wheat
With global fertiliser prices at a two- year high, nitrogen use came under the spotlight at the 2021 SKOG Pre-Plant Information Day. Speaking at the event, agronomist Jacques Smith highlighted the...
Tips for growing bigger garlic bulbs
Graceland Garlic Seeds offers sound advice on how and when to plant garlic for optimal returns.
Precision farming pays off for KZN potato producer
Growing and marketing potatoes for maximum profit can be complex, as there is a narrow window for obtaining the highest prices. To ensure his business gets its timing right, GoldenGrow...
Lettuce: Meet the salad kings of SA
Dew Crisp started out as a hydroponic farming operation near Johannesburg in the early 1980s and has since grown to become one of South Africa's leading producers of value-added salad...
Striving for optimal maize yields
Bernard Rabé of Rabé Boerdery in the Fochville area in North West runs a grain-focused operation on dryland. He aims to achieve the highest possible yield by following variable fertiliser...
Limpopo farmer gives indigenous okra a boost
Part-time farmer Tsakani Mhlongo is the founder and owner of SwaTsakani Farming in Tzaneen, Limpopo, which produces vegetables such as okra, tomatoes and spinach, as well as broilers. She is...
Young farmer’s 7t/ha soya bean crop proves power of agtech
As the TAU SA Young Farmer of the Year 2020, Danie Bester epitomises the ideal modern farmer: energetic, curious, tech-savvy and connected to his peers globally. While his precision farming...
Getting a silage maize crop into the bunker chop-chop
In terms of its cost-benefit ratio, silage maize is arguably the best-value stored green feed for milk production systems in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. However, to maximise the nutritional quality and...
Vegan demand presents new opportunities for marginal sugar farmers
North American yellow field peas could be a lifeline for struggling sugar cane farmers. As an ingredient in tasty meat-replacement products, the future of this relatively unknown crop looks bright....
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