Crops

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

As a tomato grower you always need to be on the lookout for the African bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), no matter the season.

Recently a senior market agent was complaining to me about other market agents on the market bad-mouthing his sales staff when talking to producers. As he spoke, my hackles rose.

Richard Myburgh started out small, buying fruit from producers and selling it to small businesses. But his business grew quickly and when he eventually outgrew the packhouse that he was renting on a farm in the Vyeboom area, he decided it was time for him to buy his own farm. Denene Erasmus reports.

Many of us are quick to find fault in the business sector where we operate, but we’re slow to implement changes.

Everyone who knows anything about tomatoes knows that spraying and disease control are extremely important. Tomatoes have a reputation for being especially susceptible to a host of pests and diseases.

Winners of the Agricultural Writers of South Africa’s Farmer of the Year award for 2012, the Retiefs from Van Loveren in Robertson believe in value for money and doing things on a big scale – and this does not only apply to their popular big bottle wines. Denene Erasmus reports.

Wastage of fresh fruit and vegetables is a costly part of the business. When the products you’re handling are highly perishable, then the best efforts to preserve them can only have limited success

When it comes to fertilising tomatoes after planting, much will depend on what fertiliser you used in the pre-planting stages and the condition of the soil.

The climatic, soil and water requirements of citrus trees.

We all know the Shoprite/Checkers stores, but how many people outside the fresh produce trade know of Freshmark, the company that distributes their fresh produce throughout South Africa and into Africa?

The first consideration for those who plant in the soil is the threat of soil insects, especially cutworms.

Combating invasive alien vegetation on rugged terrain can be expensive and challenging. But an ingenious solution introduced by KZN farmer Clinton Whitehead promises to be effective and affordable. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Top Free State maize producers Johan (Snr) and Johan (Jnr) van Huyssteen counteracted increasing grain input costs by phasing out wheat and sunflower crops in favour of maize. This made for 50% of lands lying fallow, a marked cut in production costs and minimum till practices. Annelie Coleman reports.

In her speech at the AGM of the African Farmers Association of South Africa, agriculture minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson spoke glowingly of the Walmart initiative to support small-scale farmers.