Crops

‘Complexity’ results from success and growth. ‘Complication’ is the way we choose to deal with it. Peter Hughes explains how managers and staff can streamline and work smarter.

Peter Setou, chief executive of the Vumelana Advisory Fund, argues that all stakeholders in the land reform programme should demonstrate their commitment to the strategy in order to drive its success.

Zimmatic centre pivots are proving to be a vital factor in driving the success of farms as a decent irrigation system should provide the farmer with ease of use and the ability to leverage technology to boost yields and manage water more efficiently.

Simone Bruckner, managing director of resistor manufacturer Cressall, explains the steps that need to be taken to help farmers around the world make a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ outlook for cotton production (2022 – 2031) looks at the opportunities and challenges facing the world’s cotton producers.

The South African agriculture sector is heavily burdened with crime. Using the Free State as a case study, Annelie Coleman spoke to industry stakeholders about the true cost of crime to the local farming community, and the threat it poses to the long-term sustainability of food production in the country.

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, does not believe that South Africa is collapsing, despite its current political, economic and infrastructural problems. One reason for hope, he argues, lies in the compassion and patience of South Africans. He has seen it first-hand for 30 years.

With fuel contributing heavily to a farmer’s input costs, every fuel price hike has a negative impact on the bottom line. Godfried Heydenrych, managing director of Argo South Africa, spoke to Magda du Toit about what a producer can do to mitigate the effects of rising fuel costs.

There’s no management problem that hasn’t been faced before. Lessons from these issues are at your fingertips on the Internet and in many publications; use them and have your best year yet, says Peter Hughes.

There are many hypotheses on why horseflies may be put off by a zebra’s stripes. In a recent study, researchers concluded that this may be a result of the temperature on darker stripes, rather than the stripes themselves.

With more diversification comes more risk, says Andries Wiese, national business development manager and head of agri insurance at Hollard. Producers need to work on a risk management strategy tailored to their business’s specific needs to protect them against loss and financial liability. He spoke to Susan Marais about how to approach this task, and where to get the right sort of advice.

No matter how good a situation is, pessimists are unable to escape their negative outlook on life and will only see the pitfalls ahead. They have no place in a growing business. Keep them out, says Peter Hughes.

It stands to reason that without marriages, family businesses cannot continue. But the integration of in-laws into the business introduces complex dynamics. Trevor Dickinson suggests ways in which new spouses and family businesses can cope effectively.

In the Wild Coast region, where very poor roads and rough conditions are the norm, Isuzu trucks are valued for their ruggedness and reliability.

South Africa has strict legislation governing the licensing, purchase and use of a firearm. Magda du Toit explores the rules and official processes that regulate gun ownership, and speaks to experts in the field.

Rural crime, including stock theft, can be fought or prevented by working together as a community and employing high-tech security systems. Willie Clack, vice-chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, and Francois van Zyl, marketing manager at Etse Electronics, spoke to Susan Marais.

Nick Stubbs owns and runs a large dairy in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, and says a reliable tractor is vital to his operation’s success.

According to a new report, smallholders and indigenous peoples can be effective forest managers, as they occupy nearly half of the world’s forest and farm landscapes and are often invested in these areas.

Incredible new technologies emerge almost daily, providing great opportunities for those who have the courage to exploit them. In contrast, those who ignore these advances face great risk, says Peter Hughes.

Employing advanced lubricants, Castrol’s products are recognised worldwide for innovation and high performance through the company’s commitment to premium quality and cutting-edge technology.