Crops

Emerging beef cattle farmers in sub-Saharan Africa struggle with low fertility and high mortality in their herds. Yet the situation could be improved if farmers were taught the importance of diligent measuring and recording, says Prof Michiel Scholtz of ARC’s Animal Production Department.

As a visitor to South Africa, as far as I am concerned, the last paragraph of ‘Rolling blackouts stall SA economy’ (The Mercury’s Business Report, 7 March) summed up the Eskom fiasco. It said: “Dames has a hard time trying to work independently from government.”

In a recent interview on a finance show, an economist mentioned that employment in the agriculture industry had fallen from 2,1 million before enactment of the minimum wage to 770 000.

I refer to “New bill needs to better define value” in Farmers Weekly of 14 March. Those who are calling the Property Valuation Bill a “quick fix” are still hellbent on retaining the economic interest of only a few.

When Danie du Plessis’s article says food security must be a priority, it sounds like a desperate attempt to bring up anything that may protect the rights of land owners.

For some, biryani exists only to give meaning and purpose to lentils. For others, a crabstick biryani is the ultimate in perfect taste.

Stay permanently connected to the Internet, but choose your ISP wisely.

If you don’t yet have a vision statement for your organisation on paper and if you haven’t agreed upon the ethics which apply to your business, do it soon. And never, ever break your own rules.

South African palates are fine-tuned to enjoy Chinese- influenced cooking. Given the popularity of skottel cooking, this pseudo-wok is all you need for a high drama, high heat dining event in your own backyard.

Using a hashtag adds a keyword to your message, making it globally searchable.

The MF 7600 series has been expanded and Barloworld Agriculture has introduced the new MF branded hay making equipment.

Our country is facing a bleak future ahead, unless economic stability and growth are achieved and maintained. Poverty and unemployment are some of the factors contributing to this, according to Bennie van Zyl, TAU SA general manager.

Integrity is a delicate jewel. It takes years to build, and only a few seconds to destroy.

In South Africa, we all know about braai competitions. Back in the USA, chilli con carne competitions are the big thing, particularly in the southern states along the Mexican border. Prizes are awarded for exciting new variants on this all-American classic. Try this one for size – and don’t forget that cold yoghurt chills chilli burn best.

When it comes to genetically modified crops, ignorance isn’t bliss, it’s downright dangerous, making the public prey to scaremongers and hampering food security, warns Dr Charlie Reinhardt.

Farmers who don’t put much effort into interviewing prospective new employees are looking for trouble, warns Roelof Bezuidenhout.

The FAE UMH 250 mulcher, coupled to a Valtra T191H, shreds old stumps effortlessly.

Harvesting macadamias and other nuts is costly in SA. New equipment could soon change this, says Joe Spencer.

The booming game industry has had an unintentional spin-off – animals escaping onto neighbouring, unfenced properties. Whom do these animals belong to now? The answer is not as simple as it seems, and farmers who shoot first and ask questions later could be in trouble with the law.

High taxes and an economic recession mean that estate planning is essential for preserving wealth.