Crops

I regularly attack politicians and their bedfellows, and highlight the damage they’re causing to SA’s fresh produce markets.

There are a number of particularly bad weed species which can be tough and costly to deal with once established.

Hendri Jansen van Rensburg is the latest farmer to join the ranks of the Free State Young Farmers of the Year. At 35 he just made the cut-off age for the competition, but his unassuming nature by no means detracts from his farming skills. Determined and brimming with positivity, Hendri fully deserves the title. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

Many role players have for years lamented the lack of commitment by municipalities when it comes to their fresh produce markets.

Many of my colleagues are worried about the future of commission markets in this country.

Kwasizabantu Mission is venturing into exotic fruit production, with a focus on the bright pink dragon fruit, to sustain its missionary work. .

Officially, the world’s number one weed is nutgrass, more correctly called ‘nutsedge’, as it’s not a grass but a sedge. (Sedges don’t have nodes as do true grasses.)

Umkomaas Valley farmer Johnny Sfaelos forged a farming career for himself 52 years ago – and the cost-effective ways of his generation have helped him cap his costs. Robyn Joubert visited him at Valley View.

The appearance of one or two unknown weeds on my land has reminded me of the danger of leaving them unattended just because they appear to pose no threat due to their low numbers.

Successful farming comes not only from hard work and attention to detail, but also through taking good advice, says DAFF’s female entrepreneur of the year Pam Fyfie. Lloyd Phillips spoke to her.

Trials conducted by the Agricultural Research Council at its Zeekoegat experimental farm in Roodeplaat have compared conventional farming practices with conservation agriculture, and have identified many benefits to CA. Peter Hittersay reports.

Marketing fresh produce is a competitive and frequently expensive business as producers seek ways to improve margins.