Ultra fertiliser blend drastically boosts soya yield
Soya bean production in South Africa has increased drastically over the last decade, reaching a record production area in 2022/23. During this season, the area planted to soya exceeded that...
Cotton, the ‘white gold’ of dryland crop production in SA
Cotton production in the North West has proved to be a viable alternative to maize and soya bean, with the profitability of cotton exceeding that of maize and soya bean...
Born to farm: A vegetable farmer’s tale of perseverance
Koketso Baloyi Mofokeng started full-time farming in 2018 after encouragement from her husband, Katiso. Despite facing many challenges, the young photographer-turned-farmer remains passionate about the cabbage, green beans, peppers and...
How to get a good start when planting vines
Vine improvement company Vititec’s client liaison manager, Reinier Louw, presented the dos and don’ts when establishing new vineyards at the Vine Workers’ Development Course.
Aphids: a potentially deadly threat to brassicas
Aphids suck the sap out of leaves, damaging them. They are also a vector of cauliflower mosaic virus, which causes yellow patches on the leaves and stunting. The message is...
Soil health: a multi-perspective conundrum
Soil health refers to the ongoing ability of soil to function as a crucial living ecosystem that supports the existence of plants, animals and humans.
Benefit from agrochemicals, but avoid the hazards!
Agrochemicals are often used as a scapegoat for agriculture’s impact on the environment, yet these chemicals do not by definition harm the environment, and they play an important part in...
Advice from a successful organic raisin producer
Gawie Steyn, an organic raisin producer of the Orange River Valley, has proved that organic production can be commercially viable. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his production practices.
Micronutrients are used in modern cropping systems
Agronomic advances, breeding, and biotechnology have increased yields to new heights. The intensive cultivation, increased nutrient demand, and farming practices can lead to multi-micronutrient deficiencies.
Learning through trial and error how to produce kiwifruit in SA
A sunrise industry in South Africa with potential to expand markets locally and abroad, kiwifruit offers good returns on a small piece of land. Malcolm Deacon, owner of Gold Tree...
A successful cabbage crop starts with good seedlings
Growing your own seedlings requires experience. Mistakes are inevitable and you’ll need to adjust your system accordingly, says Bill Kerr.
Understanding the value of maize
In this article, Janine Ryan looks at the importance of maize production in the world today, and its value for food security. She also explores the history of maize and...
A growing market for SA’s world-class olive industry
The production and consumption of olives and olive oil are on the rise in South Africa. Magda du Toit spoke to farmers and other experts about the country’s burgeoning olive...
Swiss chard: seeds or seedlings?
Farmers can plant Swiss chard in one of two ways: direct seeding or seedling transplants. Bill Kerr explains the pros and cons of each approach, and advises how to get...
Two appealing new black-skinned plums from TopFruit
TopFruit is introducing two black-skinned plums with excellent eating quality and early harvest windows. Characterised by their black skin and red flesh, they have been carefully selected and developed to...
Macadamia production: cost-cutting ideas to balance falling prices
South Africa’s relatively young macadamia industry has a long way to go to establish optimal farming practices and efficiencies. However, with nut prices falling, producers need to focus on cost...
Get to know dragon fruit
Dragon fruit production in South Africa is growing, thanks to increasing demand from Northern Hemisphere countries.
Cabbage: an ancient, nutritious crop more popular than ever
Cabbage, which is native to western Europe, has been cultivated for at least 3 000 years and is today a major crop worldwide, says Bill Kerr.
Grape farming: stick to the basics to succeed!
While production on most grape farms in the Orange River region has taken a knock this season due to adverse weather conditions, GPA Boerdery has managed to achieve a decent...
The importance of timing in your farming operation
You may know all that’s necessary about growing a crop, but if your timing is off, your profits will suffer severely, says Bill Kerr.
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