Early pest management for tomatoes
The first consideration for those who plant in the soil is the threat of soil insects, especially cutworms.
Using horsepower to control invasive aliens
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...
Top maize farmer ups profit with minimum till
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...
Fiddling while Rome burns?
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.
Why prune tomatoes?
There are instances where tomatoes have to be pruned and cases where pruning is entirely optional. We therefore need to know why we prune and when or if it’s necessary.
No success without hard work & humility
Gilly Scheepers is the unassuming 2012 Grain SA and Syngenta Grain Producer of the Year. Flourishing in rugged terrain across three districts, he attributes his success to hard work and...
Growing tomatoes without stakes
Staking tomatoes involves a lot of work and expense, and many try to avoid this by planting determinate varieties.
Keep the customer happy
In our imperfect social and business environment we frequently find that companies say one thing and make ambitious promises – especially when it comes to good service – but seldom,...
Are you legal?
Market agencies are required to register with the Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC) before they may conduct business.
Israel’s land
How did Israel Motlhabane go from funeral parlour director to Grain SA’s 2012 Developing Grain Producer of the Year? Annelie Coleman visited him at his farm Annasvlei to find out.
Know your tomato seedlings’ needs
Tomato growers invariably buy their seedlings from a dedicated seedling nursery. This usually means the seedlings are produced in seedling trays with 200 cavities.
Tell it like it is
In the market agency business, the establishment of a sound working relationship between producer and market agent remains the single most crucial requirement for success.
