Latest articles
Selecting the right nitrogen fertiliser
When it comes to vegetables, choosing the right nitrogen fertiliser is extremely important. For many US agronomists, ammonium sulphate is the fertiliser of choice.
With mushroom & moringa on the side
After the success of the Winterveld Citrus Project, Winterveld United Farmers’ Association’s first project, its members decided to diversify and supplement their income. Philip Kgosana explains to Peter Mashala why he chose two unusual options.
Indigenous ‘Kanna’ keeps you calm & focused
Inspired by indigenous knowledge, a South African company has developed a natural, highly effective, mood-lifting and anxiety-reducing plant extract from the succulent plant, Sceletium tortuosum. Denene Erasmus spoke to Dr Nigel Gericke.
The relationship between nitrogen & organic matter
Vegetable growers frequently ignore the relationship between nitrogen and organic matter when deciding on the amount of nitrogen to apply to a crop, yet it is extremely important.
How to handle fresh produce
Instilling the importance of careful handling of fruit and vegetables is not as simple as it might seem.
Cheap imports dampen aspirations
Sugarcane farmer Lee Hlubi is working hard to contribute to the agricultural economy. But the influx of cheap sugar imports is threatening to derail her efforts.
Food losses
I have been pursuing the theme of food wastage and loss for the past few weeks because the problem is much more serious – and complex – than most people would care to admit.
More about nitrogen
The inability of soil microbes to convert ammonium to nitrate at a soil temperature below 10°C has caused reduced yields in winter without farmers understanding what the problem is.
Carrot Lessons from Rugani Carrots
As struggling farmers, Vito Rugani and Vincent Sequeira had the courage to jettison many of the attitudes that bedevil SA farming. Today, Greenway Farms is the continent’s largest producer of carrots. Lindi van Rooyen visited the farm.
The complexity of berry production
While many variables affect commercial berry production, strict management and a scientific approach are crucial for success.
Understanding nitrogen
Certain elements are essential for plant growth, so it stands to reason that if any of these are in short supply, the plant’s development will be affected.
Consumer needs?
Last week, I wrote about the enormous amount of food wasted on our planet daily. The statistics are alarming, but numbers tell only part of the story.
Growing baby carrots
Almost everything that applies to growing ‘normal’ carrots falls away when you plant for the baby carrot market.
‘Be passionate about farming’
Maurice Boki, top developing grain producer, farms maize, crossbred Bonsmaras and Dohne-Merino sheep near Matatiele in the Eastern Cape.
Mentorship programme benefits farmer
With a passion for farming and a vision of where he wants to be, Mdu Mlangeni is proving that it’s never too late to achieve a dream. As Grain SA’s mentorship programme has contributed to his success, he now contributes to the livelihood of the community.
Macadamia nuts – a growing market
if a farmer willing to wait seven years for a return on investment will find that money does indeed grow on trees.
Positive growth for potato industry
I recently attended a Potatoes SA (PSA) Information Day at Patensie, not far from Port Elizabeth. The area is well-known for its citrus and potatoes, which seem to occupy all of the limited, open flat spaces available.
Marketing and presentation of your carrot crop
As with most commodities, presentation of the product has a disproportionate influence on the price received.
Other carrot leaf diseases
This week, I want to look at three other diseases that are very similar, but may need different products to keep in check. These are Cercospora, bacterial leaf blight and powdery mildew.
Ask your market agent
Have you ever spoken to your market agent about his or her ‘legitimacy’ as a commission salesperson?
