How to Crop

Balancing a short- and a long-term payoff in crop farming requires careful consideration of inputs. Johann Pistorius, who farms maize and soya bean in the Nigel area, spoke to Lindi Botha about how he doubled his yield by reducing his inputs.

As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, the role of soil health in enhancing agricultural resilience cannot be overstated. Dr Hendrik Smith, conservation agriculture facilitator at ASSET Research, and Prof Gerhard du Preez, associate professor at North-West University, spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about the basics of soil health and how it can be improved.

People often perceive soil as a vast reservoir containing water, nutrients, microbes, and organic matter, assuming plants will simply draw upon these resources as required.

Research, genetic selection, machine learning and drones are being investigated as possible means to strengthen the fight against grapevine leafroll disease. Glenneis Kriel spoke to the experts.

Off-season farming activities are essential for a successful harvest, says Magda du Toit. She spoke to experts about the importance of soil management, pest control and other actions that producers should take between winter harvesting and summer planting.

Climate change intensifies and water resources dwindle, innovative irrigation techniques and sustainable water management become increasingly vital. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to industry experts about the importance of irrigation for crop farmers.

Fungicides are indispensable tools in disease management, offering protection against fungal pathogens and ensuring the health and productivity of crops and plants. In this guide, Zunel van Eeden aims to improve producers’ understanding of the different types of fungicides, their various modes of action, and more.

Cultivators can improve output, quality and profitability while supporting the sustainability and prosperity of the cannabis industry by implementing best practices in pest management, environmental control, nutrition management, genetic selection, and harvesting procedures. By Thomas Walker.

Regenerative farming relies on restoring soil to its optimum health so it can sustain food crops without the use of synthetic inputs. But does that mean fertilisers have no place in a regenerative system? Lindi Botha reports.

Farmers can position themselves for success in the booming hemp market by remaining informed, implementing innovative techniques, and tapping into the expertise of specialists, writes Thomas Walker.

For Cynthia Sekgobela, retirement in 2016 brought a bold new beginning. After 21 years as an accountant and tax consultant, she swapped her ledgers for her true passion in farming and started Gung’s Boerdry in Zuurbekom, a 2,5ha farm on the West Rand.

When it comes to protecting your irrigation system, few things are more important than effective filtration. The correct choice of filtration method to protect your system against blockages is not a mere financial decision, numerous other factors must be kept in mind.

Dr Asive Luningo from the Department of Paraclinical Science at the University of Pretoria discusses the wild sunflower’s impact on livestock.

Bats and owls have a significant contribution to make to controlling pests on farms. Provide them with adequate housing, and these insect and rodent eaters will offer a cost-effective, consistent pest-control service. Lindi Botha looks at best practices for building and erecting owl and bat boxes.

In this article, Zunel van Eeden, a master’s student at North-West University, explains why integrated pest management provides short as well as long-term, sustainable benefits.

The search for specific therapeutic effects is one of the most intriguing trends in cannabis genetics, writes Thomas Walker.

The soil in your garden is a living organism that needs air, water and nourishment. That’s why tilling, or soil cultivation, is imperative for a healthy garden.

To be a successful cannabis producer requires a disciplined, business-oriented approach. Fortunately, lessons learnt by seasoned professionals can provide guidance to prospective entrepreneurs, says Thomas Walker.

The effective extraction of cannabinoids, terpenes and other components is crucial in the production of cannabis products. Thomas Walker discusses various extraction techniques, and how they affect the end product.

Peter Craven, seed supply and quality lead at Syngenta, and Kobus van Huyssteen, technical manager at the South African National Seed Organisation, spoke to Magda du Toit about the importance of proper seed storage.