Crops

Groundwater is an essential tool in agricultural production. However, it remains an untapped resource in Africa, as this recently published report shows.

Don’t act without careful consideration when identifying employees for promotion. If you carry out your homework diligently, you should be able to avoid tears and recrimination, says Peter Hughes.

A water pump can be the decider between saving a forest and losing it to fire, says Bruce Hart of SOS Contractors.

Most farmers already know the value of using PVC in their irrigation systems, but do they know which type is best for their operations? Here, Agrico helps explains the differences between PVC-M and PVC-U pipe.

Energy-related challenges pose a significant obstacle to the agriculture sector’s continued growth in South Africa, says Abraham Cambridge, founder and CEO of The Sun Exchange, which specialises in solar-energy projects.

Creativity has had more impact on the world than any other human trait. We all have it, but some nurture it better than others. Creativity blossoms when we give ourselves ‘idle time’, says Peter Hughes.

MF Connect teams up with your Massey Ferguson dealer to help you ensure that your tractor operates at peak performance.

According to a UN report, there is evidence that captive breeding is being used in some instances as a guise for the illegal trafficking of wildlife and their body parts.

Leading any business is tough. Leading a family business can be considerably more difficult. Family business leaders have to deal with relationships and emotions that simply are not present in an ordinary business set-up. And this is in addition to the normal stresses of running a company. Under these circumstances, establishing or continuing a legacy for generations to come can seem like an impossible dream, says Trevor Dickinson.

There is growing concern among South African poultry producers about ‘cheap’ chicken pieces being imported into South Africa. This was according to Izaak Breitenbach, head of the South African Poultry Association’s Broiler Organisation.

The AGCO ASK feature enables farmers to ‘design’ their tractors according to their own needs and requirements.

With farmers under increasing pressure to improve practices to offset global warming, LEMKEN has developed a plough that aims for better soil health and fertility.

A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme says wildfires will become an increasing reality for the world due to climate change and other factors. Thus, fire management and risk reduction are essential.

A promotion based solely on ‘gut-feel’ can prove disastrous. I know; I made this mistake years ago. It damaged our organisation, my confidence, and the lives of a man and his family, says Peter Hughes.

Farmers are continually required to do more with less: in other words, improve yield without boosting inputs. Optimising orchard health is therefore crucial, and it starts with the correct diagnosis. This is where drone technology is showing increasing promise, as it reveals what is invisible to the naked (and earthbound) eye.

Buying a generator might seem like a daunting and expensive undertaking, but given South Africa’s unpredictable electricity supply, they are becoming increasingly valuable tools for homes and businesses. Here, Husqvarna provides some tips for choosing the right generator for your needs.

A new report states that the lack of coordinated action on climate change poses profound dangers to society. Amongst these is an increase in already stark inequalities.

‘People-pleasers’ and ‘injustice collectors’ tend to suffer from the same basic problem: a lack of self-esteem. Trevor Dickinson explains these different personality types and how they fit into the larger family business.

Hentie Breedt, marketing and communications manager for John Deere Africa and the Middle East, writes about the exciting John Deere products and machinery that will be on display at Nampo 2022.

A range of problems, including weak commodity prices many years before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, has contributed to the worldwide dearth of new tractors on the market. As a result, some farmers have had little choice but to turn to second-hand machines for their operations.