Crops

'The Chinese eat an average 440kg of vegetables per capita a year against a world average of 200kg.'

'Sunlight is the ultimate limiting factor. Water and nutrients will only optimise the limits set by day length.'

A ley pasture gives tired soil a chance to recuperate. It also offers economic benefits, explains rangeland scientist and land reclamation specialist, Dr Wayne Truter.

'Transplant shock will make the plants bulb at a small size, or go into hibernation.'

'Anybody can deliver to a market at any time - be it one unit or thousands.'

'Stick to what you know and make changes gradually over a few seasons,' writes Bill Kerr.

'Five buyers for an entire industry simply doesn't add up in a free market scenario,' writes Mike Cordes.

Koos Mthimkulu, Grain SA's 2011 Developing Farmer of the Year, started off as a farm worker and is today a successful grain producer. He ascribes his achievement to hard work, solid mentoring and the support of Grain SA. Not content with resting on his laurels, Koos plans to expand his business and become an independent commercial farmer, as Annelie Coleman found out when she visited him.

The mountainous district of Barkly East in Eastern Cape is best known for its livestock and lucerne, but as Mike Burgess discovered, farmer Piet Steyn has broken with tradition and introduced a colourful alternative in tulips.

Since buying Pongola Mill in 2009, TSB Sugar Holdings has made considerable investments in the mill and its staff and is developing its relationship with growers. This strategy promises to lay a solid foundation for the future.

To many farmers and home gardeners, crop rotation is a holy grail – they’ll never plant the same crop consecutively in the same ground.

There’s nothing worse than not having success with your first crop, so choose one that is cheap and easy to grow. In other words, choose cabbage.