How to Business

Locally sourced material can give buildings an attractive, natural, cost-effective finish. Roelof Bezuidenhout offers some examples.

Keep detailed records to claim diesel rebates according to the taxman’s requirements.

SARS recently clamped down on diesel rebates, and many farmers have been hit with hefty fines. Don’t become one of them. Susan Pletts goes through the claims process.

City dwellers may get by without taking much interest in what goes on in their street or block of flats, but farmers simply can’t afford to ignore their neighbours, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Make sure you can pay your bills while you wait for your farming operation to earn an income, cautions Susan Pletts.

Implement a record keeping system as soon as you move on to your new farm says Susan Pletts.

Buyers often forget that they must pay the ‘tax’ portion of the purchase price of the farm, cautions Susan Pletts.

Base the decision to buy a farm on sound business principles, not on emotion and sentiment, cautions Susan Pletts.

Land Bank’s REM financing package has some tough requirements, and many readers have asked for some of these to be clarified, writes Susan Pletts.

A US academic believes farming to be one of the most stressful occupations in the world. “Profits are uncertain. Producers must adapt to rapid technological advances and consumer expectations.

STEP 1: Adopt mixed farming methods

According to expert Bruce Gibson, the three golden rules for broiler house management are look, listen and smell. This week Lloyd Phillips reports on the importance of close observation.