Selling your produce
I wonder how many farmers appreciate the work involved in selling their produce? When you walk onto a busy market floor, you’ll see agents engaged in animated debate with buyers...
Vinitaly – the world’s oldest wine exhibition
The beautiful city of Verona, situated in the northern part of Italy, plays host to the country’s largest and most important wine expo, Vinitaly. The annual event attracts almost 150...
Cutting the risks of planting early
In frosty areas, growers usually want to start planting as soon as it’s safe to do so. But due to late frosts, the timing isn’t always easy to determine.
Milling company helps with land reform sugarcane farms
While it’s well-known that the vast majority of South Africa’s land reform transfers have failed due to factors such as inadequate post-settlement support, in Mpumalanga the opposite is happening, thanks...
Making Cucurbitaceae weed-control easier
Controlling weeds has become a big issue with the increasing cost of labour. Fortunately, when it comes to the cucumber family, there are several options to reduce weed growth as...
From a security guard to a farmer
Lufuno Managa, a young farmer from Limpopo, found that big dreams don’t only come true in big cities. He left Pretoria to return home where he is now growing tomatoes...
Create a Sense of security
Readers of this column will know that I have written many times about the ‘oil’ that drives the fresh produce engine – that all-important trust between the farmer and the...
Leading barley producer innovates & improves
Quality beer needs quality barley and there’s not enough of it in South Africa. RD Erasmus, well-known Western Cape barley producer, spoke to Jacques Claassen about how he has optimised...
Doing sterling work
The challenges of agriculture and the highly competitive nature of international trade make it absolutely essential for us to have support services that supply statistics, information, research, market access, transformation,...
Soya bean processing plant growth
With an estimated R1 billion spent on expanding and building new soya bean processing facilities, the South African soya industry is poised to unlock value for farmers and processors.
Winter frosts – be prepared
Cold areas will soon get their first winter frosts. Minimise the damage by taking certain measures. Most often, a light frost will occur about a week into May in cold...
What about farmers’ markets?
The concept of a farmers’ market is probably the oldest version of agricultural marketing we know and remains a popular choice for many all over the world.
Fertilising cucurbits for crop success
You don’t fertilise cucurbits solely according to the plant’s requirements – you also have to take into account the soil’s fertility.
Ensuring optimal greenhouse irrigation
Irrigating in the correct quantities and at the right frequency are key to greater production in a hydroponic greenhouse system. Greenhouse specialist Martin von Holdt shared his knowledge on the...
Table grape farmer’s success
This year, top honours in the Hex Valley Table Grape Association Block Competition went to Hannes du Toit, who successfully manipulated the tricky and relatively new Sugrasixteen grape variety to...
Spacing of Cucurbitaceae
I’ve been devoting so much time to the spacing of Cucurbitaceae because this aspect is so little understood and has been a limiting factor for countless producers over the years.
The relationship business
Last week, I provided a ‘Market Agent’s Checklist’. But, as with most things in life, it turns out this checklist is far from one-sided.
Get the rotation right, says leading rooibos producer
Willie Nel, recipient of Rooibos Limited’s Producer of the Year Award, says sustainable rooibos production depends on a rotation cycle that will ensure consistently good quality yields. Denene Erasmus reports.
How to fine-tune pumpkin spacing
In the last issue, the importance of spacing Cucurbitaceae was discussed. Aspects other than climate will influence the spacing.
Market agent’s checklist
The list that follows is by no means complete, but should serve as a guide to any producer who wants to check if they’re getting the best value for their...
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