SA’s canola growers poised for success

Canadian canola expert Phil Thomas says producers can improve yields with innovative technology and better farming practices. Kobus van Tonder reports on Phil’s recent visit to SA.

About agents

We spoke about the fiduciary relationship between producer and market agent in the previous issue and focused on the producer. This week we turn the spotlight on the market agent.

Growing tomatoes in a bacterial wilt area

Bacterial wilt can be a devastating disease in tomatoes. I’ve seen whole crops destroyed, and if you’re farming in a warm area where the disease is prevalent, it’s worth knowing how to eliminate or reduce potential damage.

Putting theory to the test

Left to his own devices, a young sugarcane farmer from Upper Tongaat has made great headway in developing a farming model that meets his financial and sustainability goals. Robyn Joubert reports.

Be pro-active where early blight is a threat

Early blight (Alternaria solani) is a fungal disease that every tomato grower should know about. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘target spot’ as it forms concentric rings reminiscent of a ‘bulls-eye’.

Make it work

Last week I wrote about the all-important fiduciary relationship between producer and market agent. Now I’d like to offer a few suggestions to both parties as to how to make it work.

Watch out for powdery mildew

There are now two species of powdery mildew which attack tomatoes in South Africa. The most common is Leveillula taurica. The spores don’t need water to germinate and it is therefore a problem in greenhouses and in lands in dry areas or seasons.

Proven Mango success

Rénald Radley runs 30ha of mango orchards on Radley Estate. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to him about producing quality mangos through careful pruning and inducing drought.

Fiduciary responsibilty

The fiduciary responsibility carried by market agents remains the most crucial requirement of their relationship with producers.

Physiological disorders of tomatoes

An unmarketable fruit is pure loss, having cost the same to produce as a perfect fruit. And there are a number of disorders which can affect the percentage of marketable fruit gained from a tomato crop, or which can downgrade the fruit.

Is this wave unstoppable?

A wave of rejuvenation and new commitment is sweeping all before it as role players in the sector take on the most serious challenges currently faced by South Africa’s fresh produce markets.

Managing successful crop rotations

Kiewiet, Theo and Neilus Ferreira have long realised that soil is a farm’s greatest asset, so they expend as much effort on crop rotation as on growing crops. A family business, they also believe in keeping ‘family’ and ‘business’ separate. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

These pests will creep into your crop unseen

Whiteflies and mites are likely to attack your tomato crop unnoticed if you don’t keep a wary eye open for them.

Tobacco farming in Zambia

Ten years ago, James and Rita Chance were forced off their thriving tobacco, maize and cattle farm in Zimbabwe. Since then, they have made a success of tobacco farming in Zambia.

Saddened & annoyed

Recently, I wrote about one of our fresh produce markets in a way some readers might have found a bit scathing.

Beware the thrips threat!

The western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) was accidentally introduced into this country some years ago, with severe consequences for many crops.

Growing diversity in the Swartland

Western Cape finalists for 2012 Grain Producer of the Year, Francois and Pieter Eksteen, who farm in the Rooi Karoo near Piketberg, follow in the pioneering footsteps of their father, finding stength in a flexible approach and value in market control.

It’s not too late

Recently, I paid a two-day visit to one of our medium-size markets, and want to try and describe the scene that greets anybody who drives through the main entrance.

Growing lettuce for the home garden – part 2

This issue we look at the different kinds of lettuce available and which are best for your home garden.

‘Goliath’ of the fynbos industry

In 2012, Jacky Goliath won many awards for Nursery which she co-owns and runs in Simondium near Franschhoek. She and business partner Elton Jefthas started a backyard business growing 1 000 fynbos plants in 2001. Now they produce more than 600 000 plants per year.

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