Crops

To understand why the members of a family business might be reluctant to initiate succession planning, it’s important to consider the family’s life stage at the time of succession, writes Trevor Dickinson.

John Deere Financial is committed to seeing your business succeed. This means enabling you to get the best John Deere equipment through personalised financing and one-to-one support so you can achieve your business goals.

Modern irrigation is a complex, finely tuned system that requires precision planning and meticulous maintenance. Compromise on this, and you could end up with less than optimal performance and costly repairs.

Preparing your ground for landscaping has become easier, all thanks to Husqvarna's innovative tillers. These tillers offer several benefits, such as ease of use, safety, and stability.

Justin Platt, founder and CEO of regenerative farming companies Zylem SA and RegenZ, looks at the key technologies affecting agriculture.

Laurence Palmer, an independent security consultant, outlines practical steps that South African farmers and farmworkers can take to avoid becoming victims of farm attacks, and to protect themselves if attacked.

Profit is a concept that cannot be trusted. It’s difficult to calculate and provides an ideal way of manipulating figures, so beware of those who habitually use the word, warns Peter Hughes.

Recent advances in irrigation technology are making it easier for farmers to produce more food, while remaining environmentally friendly.

Automation and digitalisation present opportunities to enhance women’s agricultural productivity, according to Dr Elizabeth Mkandawire and Dr Selorm Dorvlo, researchers in South Africa and Ghana respectively.

While similar in theory, hydroponic and aquaponic systems differ significantly in terms of capital outlay, input costs and method of operation. Janine Ryan provides an overview of the differences between these systems to help aspiring growers choose the right one in terms of their production goals.

These three groups of people often struggle, for different reasons, to come to terms with succession planning. Their reluctance, writes Trevor Dickinson, may reinforce the founder’s reluctance to take the process seriously.

Modern drones have come a long way from their clunky forebears; they’re also more affordable. One key use for them is as ‘eyes in the sky’ to help maintain security, and this makes them ideal for farmers. Security consultant Laurence Palmer gives a brief history of the drone and explains what it takes to operate one.

Looking for a hot-water high-pressure cleaner to tackle dirt on your farm? Kärcher’s latest product range is hard to beat, with its unique combination of power, efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Astron Energy has been delivering long-term value to farmers for decades, demonstrating a deep understanding of the significance of boosting productivity on farms.

Financial literacy and intelligence are crucial life skills for personal and business success. If you believe ‘talking money’ in public is bad manners, you will hinder development of these skills, says Peter Hughes.

Some investment groups are considering strategies that allow you to invest in various farming operations in South Africa. This is not a bad idea, so long as you only invest through reputable entities, says Shane Brody.

What more can we do to conserve and nourish the soil, a precious resource? Carel van Niekerk Jr of Piket Implements shares his advice.

Top agri machinery manufacturer Piket Implements has been in business for 90 years and is busier than ever. The company, which has released a YouTube video, praises its loyal clients and ‘remarkable employees’.

Attention to detail has helped Welgemeen Boerdery achieve top honours for its Golden Delicious and Kanzi apples, and Abate Fetel pears. Hannes and Sakkie Hanekom explained their approach to Glenneis Kriel.

Lack of succession planning is one of the key reasons why so many family agribusinesses fail to last, writes Trevor Dickinson. Very few businesses that are simply ‘handed over’ in an informal manner will survive.