IT in fresh produce
The other day, I met with two young people from the subtropical fruit sector. As we settled down around the table, they brought out their smartphones.
Fresh produce: A complex business
The latest South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) crop estimate makes for interesting reading, and reminds me once again of just how complex the fresh produce business can be.
The link between Arrested Ear Syndrome and chemicals
Arrested Ear Syndrome, which causes partial or complete failure of the maize ear, has recently begun to appear in local maize crops. Grant Pringle, agronomist from Pannar Seeds, details possible...
Finding the fig niche
Hanro and Karin Knoetzen produce two varieties of figs on 8ha of their 600ha mixed-crop farm near Porterville in the Western Cape. While most of the crop is bound for...
Starting a new market agency
Over the past year or so, several new market agencies have opened on some of the bigger markets.
Interesting facts about lettuce
Lettuce has its origin in the eastern Mediterranean and has been cultivated for thousands of years. It is part of the daisy family Asteraceae, and the range of varieties is...
Table grape farmer shares his netting production secrets
In 2000, farmer Wilfred Stephan became one of the first producers in the Western Cape to grow table grapes under nets, a system that offers a multitude of benefits. He...
Small markets – can they survive?
As I’ve noted before, in the 1940s this country had more than 100 markets. Today, we are down to 24.
Beating cucurbit viruses
Having ignored my own advice – given to readers in a past column – I recently ended up paying the price.
Free State apple farmers’ climate-smart management
Pitso Sekhoto and his daughter Nono farm apples near Senekal in the Free State. The Sekhotos spoke to Gerhard Uys about orchard production, climate change and drought.
Fresh produce market forecast
At this time of the year, I usually make my annual forecast of the fresh produce markets. I peer deep into my crystal ball and, with uncanny accuracy, predict that...
Dieback: root of the problem
Dying trees in plum orchards, just a few years after planting, recently sparked alarm among Western Cape farmers, especially those in the Berg River region. Prof Piet Stassen, a private...
Learning from the lands
Every year offers opportunities to gain more experience and understanding of how to improve production.
Nepotism at the market
The casual visitor won’t be aware of it, but for someone like me who is closely associated with markets it is amazing to see the number of people working as...
What’s good for apples, is good for wine
The Ceres Plateau, only recently incorporated into South Africa’s Wine of Origin scheme, is establishing itself as one of the best wine-producing regions in the country. Kallie du Plessis and...
Flagship market sold?
The name of this column, ‘On the Market Floor’, was chosen for a good reason: the market floor is exactly where you’ll hear all the news in the fresh produce...
Marketing your fruit and vegetables
Providing a steady supply of quality products when marketing your fruit and vegetables will lead to success.
Herbicide – get more bang for your buck
Crop chemicals are expensive and if herbicide spraying isn't optimised, you get poor value for money, writes Bill Kerr.
