Crops

Cobus du Plessis explores the fundamentals of budgeting for farm management, explaining its importance, the different types of budgets, and key concepts like fixed and variable costs.

Zander Spammer, an agricultural resource manager at Southern Oil, spoke to Zunel van Eeden about the growth of the canola industry in South Africa and the main uses for this versatile crop.

In a recent food rescue operation, SA Harvest drew on its relationships with Dutoit Agri and logistics companies to ensure that nutritious food reached those who needed it, writes Ozzy Nel, the company’s COO.

Rinus de Bruin, agronomist at NWK, warns that crop production on marginal soils is no longer an option. The challenges posed by ever higher input costs mean that farmers simply cannot continue to plant on lower-potential soils, he says. Selecting the correct crops for each area is also of the essence.

Early in the year it was indicated in this column that 2024 would be important among other things for the fact that half of the world’s population would hold elections.

The Farmers Weekly team reflects on 2024 and sends heartfelt wishes to our readers for a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year ahead.

Considering carbon credit schemes to enhance sustainability and create additional revenue? Dr Justin du Toit, production scientist at the Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute in Middelburg, Eastern Cape, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about the realities of these mechanisms.

While the optimism over South Africa’s electricity supply is refreshing, it may be misguided, even if well-intentioned, say Mzukisi Kota, Lubumba Kamukwamba and Kelly-Rain Green of Webber Wentzel.

Wendy Petersen, a trailblazer in the South African wine industry, spent nearly three decades working towards the empowerment of black women in the industry and transforming communities. She spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about her determination to make a difference and push boundaries.

Land Bank recently emerged from a four-year period of default. Themba Rikhotso, CEO of Land Bank, spoke to Glenneis Kriel at Nampo Cape about what lies ahead for the bank.

In an increasingly digital world, data is as much an asset as physical resources are. As applications develop, the need to collect mass data to provide personalised solutions is becoming more prevalent. This leaves producers with an uneasy choice of whether or not to share data. Feroz Sheikh, chief information and digital officer at Syngenta, spoke to Lindi Botha about why farmers should share their data, and how to do so safely.

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe recently announced his department’s plans to conduct the first major seismic survey in 50 years in the south-central Karoo. Prof Raymond Durrheim, Emeritus Professor in the School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, spoke to Annelie Coleman about this announcement and the possibility of fracking in the area.

South Africa’s Employment Equity and Skills Development acts lay the foundation for an inclusive workplace that is prepared for future growth, writes Anton Visser, Group COO of SA Business School.

A ground-breaking programme is addressing gender-based violence in South Africa’s rural communities and empowering young men to fight harmful stereotypes.

Selling and marketing are entirely different jobs. The seller thinks short term, while the marketer has the long term in mind. Farmers need to think like marketers, writes Peter Hughes.

South Africa is hindered by insufficient and incoherent policies regarding disaster relief for farmers, say Dr Theo de Jager and Francois Rossouw of Saai. A solid policy on disaster relief is needed to support farmers, including those recently been affected by the devastating fires that swept across several provinces.

The Fairtrade movement was one of the first to focus on social and ethical trading. Paul Colditz, commercial director at Fairtrade Africa, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the opportunities and challenges Fairtrade faces.

The issue of land reform was mentioned as a positive development in the State of the Nation Address in February 2024, when President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated that the 30% target set for agricultural land transferred to black South Africans by 2030 was already approaching 25%.

Micromanagers have certain common personality traits and characteristics. Get to know yourself well enough to avoid developing this bad management habit.

While it may lack the glamour of other industries, agriculture is arguably one of the most crucial sectors for the South African economy, contributing significantly to food security, employment, export earnings, and the broader economy, and providing the foundation for rural life.