Dealing with aphids on brassicas
Aphids are a problem in two ways. Firstly, they cause physical damage when feeding on the crop.
ARC’s soya bean cultivar recommendations
The soya bean cultivar best adapted to a specific area will provide the best yield and quality. The ARC national soya bean cultivar trials are valuable in determining the most suitable varieties. Annelie de Beer, researcher at the ARC Grain Crops Institute in Potchefstroom, explains.
Defeating the cabbage moth – biologically
Nearly everyone who has ever grown brassicas has had a problem with the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). Small wonder it is also called the ‘cabbage moth’.
A pound of dedication & a pinch of luck for young farmer
Even if your father is a successful farmer, it’s important to start at the bottom to become a top farmer. This is the view of Kolver Mülke, Agri Northern Cape’s Young Farmer of the Year 2014.
Change and growth in the markets
The traditional route for a person entering the market agency business has seen the youngster working alongside an older person, receiving on-the-job training.
A new platform for fruit picking
The use of picking platforms for fruit tree management and harvesting is still relatively new in South Africa. Thomas Babl, who has been using the technology for the past two years, shares some of the lessons he has learnt with Glenneis Kriel.
Kill the weed, not the cabbage
As soon as you have planted your cabbage crop, you should apply herbicide with insecticide to eliminate cutworms.
Leadership for markets
In his excellent book ,In the Driving Seat – Lessons in Leadership, Brand Pretorius quotes Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric: “Before you become a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”
Consistent quality: the key to Saronsberg’s success
After only a decade of winemaking, Saronsberg has firmly established itself as one of South Africa’s most consistent producers of top-quality wines.
Denene Erasmus visited owner Nick van Huyssteen and winemaker Dewaldt Heyns to learn more about their much-lauded wines.
Space cabbages correctly
Many factors play a role in the spacing of cabbage – the process is not quite as simple as you might imagine.
Playing with inflated prices
Some (but not all) market agents have been doing it for years, but that does not make it acceptable.
Success with hydroponics
Hugh and Isabel Wallace farm 4ha of vegetables undercover on Silver Dawn, close to Krugersdorp. They produce high-quality vegetables for the export market and top-end local stores.
Disease & insect control in grapes
The Rossouws of Mooigezicht Estates in De Doorns in the Cape Winelands have made the science of table grape production more precise than ever. Each hectare of the 300ha produces around 50 000 bunches of grapes.
Nitrogen: the key to high cabbage yield
A shortage of nitrogen is the single most common reason for a cabbage crop not reaching its full yield potential. This applies equally to the quantity applied as to how to conserve it and maintain its correct level.
Fresh produce sector attracting more youth
Traditionally, the fresh produce sector has been lax in attracting youngsters into the fold. But this is changing, and it’s encouraging to see the developments in recruiting that have taken place in recent years.
How to plant cabbage correctly
Cabbage can be planted by hand or mechanically. For hand planting, the best tool is a home-made miniature hoe. This can be constructed by cutting up an old implement disc into wedges and welding a section of pipe to each as a handle.
Managing weed resistance to glyphosate
Dr Charlie Reinhardt of the University of Pretoria’s SA Herbicide Resistance Initiative offers the following ‘5 Golden Rules’ for managing weed resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides.
True farmer’s markets?
Farmers have been selling their own produce for centuries, in fact since the dawn of time.
Dealing with SDS and charcoal rot in soya
Traditionally, most of South Africa’s soya bean production has been in the cooler, wetter eastern half of the country. These environmental conditions favour the development of certain soya bean diseases.
Global roundup from the fresh produce sector
I subscribe to a selection of newsletters from overseas that keep me in the loop with what’s happening on the international fresh produce scene. What happens abroad frequently affects our fresh produce sector at home.
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