Crops

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.

Limpopo farmers Kosie and Manie Eloff, faced with the need to re-establish their avocado orchards, decided to conduct a multiyear experiment comparing the yields of trees planted on ridged and level soil surfaces. They discussed their methods and results with Lindi Botha.

Growing tomatoes in tunnels is not as easy or affordable as some people think. Do your research before committing yourself, cautions Bill Kerr.

Blueberries are a challenging crop to cultivate, as the plants don’t readily absorb key nutrients, and the berries can therefore vary in flavour, quality and size. With an increasingly picky market, farmers need to optimise plant nutrition to obtain a consistent crop that commands high prices. Lindi Botha spoke to Dr David Marks.

Once bacterial wilt has infected tomato plants, there is no way to stop its spread. Prevention is the only option, says Bill Kerr.

Healthy soil is a key driver of farm productivity, profits, and sustainable food production. Dr Hendrik Smith explained to Magda du Toit how farmers can improve the health and fertility of their soils.

The Lingenfelder brothers have made significant changes to production methods and orchard management since joining their family’s apple and pear farming operation in the Western Cape’s Overberg region. They spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their techniques, precision-farming technologies, and yield increases.

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.

Healthy soil is a crop farmer’s most important asset. Farmers Danie Bester and Tyson Zunckel, both of whom produce maize, soya bean and wheat, spoke to Magda du Toit about their soil-management practices.

Gerhard Meyer has achieved export success with his top-quality pomegranates. Now he and a group of other Klein Karoo farmers have established a brand specifically for pomegranates grown in this area, promising substantial employment and attracting government support. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the project.

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.

For thousands of years, Southern African communities have used the bark, leaves, fruit and kernels of the marula tree for their medicinal and nutritional properties. Martin Rust spoke to Magda du Toit about how his family is exploiting this multi-faceted resource, which occurs naturally on their farm in northern Namibia.

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.

You can save money by scouting your tomatoes regularly and catching diseases and pests such as African bollworm early, before they establish a bridgehead in your crop, says Bill Kerr.

Angus McIntosh, a livestock farmer at Spier, recently hosted an information day during which he discussed the importance of ‘outdoor’ livestock production for the future of food security.

Potatoes are vulnerable to eelworm, which can significantly reduce yield and create unsightly marks on tubers, says Bill Kerr.

The return on investment for conventional farms has declined by an average of 1,4% per year in real terms since 1986. But every farmer has a microbe army that can fight back against this trend. Susan Marais found out more at a recent regenerative conservation agriculture farmers’ day in Mpumalanga.

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.

Plants are programmed to fight for survival in the competition for nutrients and light. To get the best fruit out of a tomato plant, for example, you have to fool it, says Bill Kerr.