Communication is essential
The huge distances between producers and markets. Perishable products. Tough competition. The lack of understanding of markets and marketing by many producers.
Square versus round plugs
In addition to seedling hardness, there’s also the matter of seedling size, which, of course, depends on the size of the cell – or plug – in the seedling tray.
The liming miracle
The results speak for themselves and it’s not for nothing that lime can be called the soil’s ‘antacid’.
The finest grapes in the Hex River Valley
Edward Taylor, winner of this year’s Hex Valley Table Grape Association’s Block Competition, produced Red Flame seedless grapes with good colour and berry size by employing strict bunch management practices...
Switching to no-till – how it’s done
Henk Conradie adopted no-till practices four years ago on the nine farms he manages in Mpumalanga. He tells Peter Hittersay how he converted to this system and why it has...
Give credit where it’s due
Since it opened six or seven years ago, I have had a love-hate relationship with the Kei Fresh Produce Market (KFPM) in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
How to harden seedlings
Seedlings need to be hardened to enable the plants to survive in the new environment where they are planted. But, as you will see, hardening has another advantage.
Maximum yield with rainfed soya beans
A wise farmer adapts his production methods to his farm’s environment. Gerhard Keeve, an award-winning soya bean producer, shares his approach to obtaining the maximum yield under rainfed conditions with...
Still the best option
This week I want to discuss orderly marketing on the local fresh produce commission markets. This can be a harsh school for the unwary, but it can also be beneficial...
Know your seedling needs
Vegetable seedlings vary quite a bit, so make sure you tell your seedling grower what you need.
Growing maize in the Swartland
By early 2012, the maize price had nearly doubled year-on-year, with serious implications for livestock farmers who buy in large quantities of maize for feed. Western Cape dairy farmers, already...
The 10 commandments of fruit marketing
I came across one of my previous columns (Farmer’s Weekly March 2002), and make no apology for repeating it, because it is sound advice that applies to all fresh produce.
Leaf miner control problems
There’s absolutely no reason for leaf miners to be a problem any longer – other than in isolated cases, that is. .
Marketing is key
A young farmer recently asked me about marketing. His two basic questions were, “How do I go about supplying the markets?” and “What about...
Dealing with leaf miners
The leaf miner, which was once so feared, should now only be a mild irritation or no problem at all. If this is not...
Maize trials: Western region
The ARC-Grain Crops Institute recently published its annual report on the 2010/2011 and the multi-seasonal results going back to 2008/2009 for the national cultivar trials for maize.
The challenges ahead
With all eyes on the road ahead in 2012, I would like to share a few thoughts with you. A positive ending to 2011...
Why hard times are good for vegetable producers
Many vegetable farmers are currently unhappy about the low prices they’re receiving for a wide range of vegetable products. Add increased input costs and...
New plum delights farmers & markets
The South African-developed African Delight plum cultivar has been enthusiastically welcomed by farmers and consumers, and promises to become the country’s third most-planted variety within five years. Denene Erasmus spoke...
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