Livestock marketing tips

Informal sales may be a convenient way to improve cash flow in the short term, but they make it difficult to budget, and you won’t be able to take advantage...

Game handling basics

Providing feed and water for game animals can be challenging, as some methods may cause injury. Here are some helpful tips for setting up feed and water troughs, as well...

The building blocks of irrigation scheduling

Having a top-quality irrigation system is all very well, but without accurate irrigation scheduling you will never achieve optimal results, says irrigation expert and agronomist Robbie Childs.

Soil health: farming with nature, guided by science

Changing to a healthier production system may pose new challenges, but is worthwhile in the long run. Glenneis Kriel spoke to a number of influencers and pioneers about making the...

The Meatmaster: locally developed for low input costs

This composite breed, with its predominantly Damara genetics, is hardy and highly functional.

How to keep the family business in business

Very few family farming operations transition effortlessly from one generation to another. The process requires careful planning, hard work and a lot of patience. Annelie Coleman spoke to several experts...

Budgeting basics: Every successful farm has one

A comprehensive and all-inclusive budget is critical to the success of any production operation, according to Anche Suurd, an agricultural economist at NWK. Without this basic financial tool, it is...

Using allelopathy in a weed management strategy

Cover crop residue leaches allelochemicals, which help control weeds. But to achieve good, prolonged results, you will still need to implement effective weed control.

All about the Namaqua Afrikaner

This long-legged breed has a smooth, white hair coat with a black or red head.

Breeding seasons in summer rainfall areas

The following guidelines and recommendations for cattle breeding seasons are applicable to a summer rainfall region and should be adapted accordingly for a winter rainfall region.

The basics of wheat

Wheat is an important grain crop in South Africa, ranking second after maize in terms of area planted and production. This article explores the structure and growth of the wheat...

Look after those earthworms!

Earthworms play a crucial role in improving soil quality, and every farmer should try to maintain a healthy population of these remarkable creatures.

Planning for precision irrigation

Precision irrigation requires a system designed with all your resources and production goals in mind, with the aim of ensuring optimal production.

Stress in cattle

As part of an animal’s stress response, its body releases cortisol, a hormone that provides energy to help the animal escape the stressor. If the stress persists, however, the animal’s...

Are top-priced genetics really worth it?

Logic seems to dictate that some livestock producers must suffer buyer’s remorse after purchasing an animal for an eye-watering price. Glenneis Kriel asked a few farmers whether their record-breaking acquisitions...

Dealing with soya rust

Soya rust is spread by windblown spores and results in significant crop losses in many soya bean-growing regions of the world, including South Africa.

Beat the heat! How to care for livestock in extreme weather

South Africa’s increasingly common heatwave conditions pose a major threat to the country’s farmed cattle, sheep and goats, which often feed and live outdoors. Lloyd Phillips spoke to a number...

Irrigation systems for undercover cropping

Maximising water-use efficiency in South African undercover crop farming operations has become both a financial and moral imperative. But selecting the most appropriate undercover irrigation technologies can be a challenge...

The importance of having a breeding season

Optimal reproductive performance is crucial to the success of a beef cattle enterprise. A defined breeding season can help to achieve this.

The psychology of retirement

Retirement is not a single event; it involves both emotional and financial considerations, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Farming Basics