Crops

This year is the International Year of Biodiversity and it is time that we remind ourselves of the major impact that biodiversity has on our businesses says Dr Bob Scholes, ecologist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and chair of the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network. There is after all a direct relationship between the economy and biodiversity.

A farmer's production plan, describing the farm’s resource potential, the type of enterprise, planned production output, and the existing output is an important part of a business plan.

The annual Boerepatente Kompetisie always showcases great ideas to improve and simplify the farming experience, including devices to conquer load shedding and the dangers it brings. Joe Spencer reports.

There are many complicated financial topics that concern all farmers, from pay as you earn (PAYE), value added tax (VAT), provisional taxes, income tax, management accounts and financial statements.

German company Krone began making forage harvesters in 1977, selling 5 000 “Corn Chopper” tractor mounted units. In the 1980s Krone introduced its first self-propelled harvesters. The latest range of Big X models includes monsters powered by twin engines with up to 750kW of power. Krone harvesters imported into South Africa by Rovic and Leers come with the new EasyCollect 753 maize header.

Different business vehicles are taxed in different ways, which should guide your vehicle choice before you start up.

‘Inborn talents do predispose certain people to becoming more successful than others, but each of the five indispensable talents of a great manager can be honed and developed.’

Threats of nationalisation and expropriation will eventually stop the farming clock, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.

With farming profitability under pressure, it often happens that a farmer works all year to produce a crop to sell, but at the end of the season does not have enough money to repay the production loan.

Though Government has assured farmers and other stakeholders that it doesn’t plan to nationalise farmland, its written policy implies otherwise. The consequences would be disastrous, writes Frans Cronje, deputy CEO at the South African Institute of Race Relations. This independent think-tank that has produced cutting-edge research and policy critiques on South Africa since 1929.

'How much time and disruption is there in your life due to your own poor service delivery, and how much is it costing you?

'A crucial part of any manager's job is to recognise risk and manage it. Here's how it's done.'

Harald Pakendorf, seasoned political analyst and journalist, predicts that the ANC will lose its two-thirds majority in the coming election. Addressing some 500 delegates at the annual VinPro information day, Pakendorf said the solid supporter base of the ANC has been eroded significantly since 1994.

The annual Bien Donné Agricultural Expo in the Western Cape, hosted by the Agricultural Research Centre, is known for showcasing the latest and the best machinery and equipment, intended to make farmers' jobs easier. Joe Spencer was there.
Issue date : 30 January 2009

Chicken, the universal bird of Africa, lends itself to cooking over a fire. And this is the hot and sticky way I like it �
Issue Date: 28 September 2007

Morningdew Farms and Afgri's Delmas branch held a well-attended joint demonstration at one of Jannie Neuhoff's farms, Hadeda's Garden Estates.

SA's vultures are facing extinction due to a roaring, yet unsustainable, vulture trade, with the birds being harvested quicker than they can breed. At this rate, species such as the white-backed, white-headed and lappet-faced vultures will no longer exist in 10 to 30 years. The Endangered Wildlife Trust gives its view.

'If you're an exporter, [foreign exchange] is one of your top risks, and yet again and again I come across farmers who pay scant attention to it.'

Director Leslie Liddel of Biowatch SA, a non-profit civil organisation, presents its case for the stricter regulation of GM crops and the labelling and separation of these from other products.

“Dudley's prices are ridiculous,” said Joe, “I can buy better quality animals at a lot less, including transport, from Solly in Middelberg.” “Rubbish,” responded Dudley, “Our animals are younger and of far superior quality. We deliver them to your door, and give you 30 days to pay. I can get my prices from any butcher in town.”