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.
