Keeping the farm in the family

A big concern for farm owners is how to ensure their farms stay in the family for generations to come.

Proper estate planning is necessary

Proper estate planning can spare future generations much unhappiness and legal costs especially where the succession of agricultural property is involved.

The basics of subdividing

The assistance of a land surveyor is key to ensuring lawful procedure. Altus Strydom, chairperson of the South African Geomatics Institute, spoke to Gerhard Uys.

Determining wheat yield

It’s important to adapt and revise your management strategies as the cropping environment, yield potential, commodity prices and input costs change.

Why can’t that cow stand up?

A number of diseases and conditions can result in cattle and other ruminants being unable to stand up.

Using ‘cow power’ to make your dairy farm self-sufficient

Manure can be used to produce biogas, electricity and fertiliser. In the process, you will recycle nutrients and increase profits while reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Cutting propagation made easy!

Many people think that growing new plants or trees from cuttings should be left to qualified horticulturists. In fact, this technique is relatively simple, says Shane Brody.

When to postpone a disciplinary hearing

Holding a disciplinary hearing must follow due process. This includes taking into account when to postpone the hearing.

How to grow beetroot in your home garden

This vegetable is ideal for the home garden. It’s easy to grow, tasty, and highly nutritious, says Bill Kerr.

Bacterial blight of cowpeas

This is one of the most destructive diseases of cowpeas, according to Dr Alina Mofokeng of the Agricultural Research Council’s Grain Crops Institute.

Understanding the basics of livestock farming

Many novice farmers make the mistake of not starting off with the best possible animals in terms of genetics and environmental suitability, says Shane Brody.

Seasoned farmer’s tips on keeping livestock in shape

Herd health should focus on prevention rather than cure. Chris Nel spoke to Piet Wolmarans about his practical, down-to-earth animal health management programme based on solid scientific principles and four decades of hard-won practical experience.

Counting the cost of your farm

Farm input costs include items such as feed, labour and machinery. The following general cost input terms are useful in calculating precisely how much your farm costs you to run.

Never compromise on shearing shed hygiene

Jan Louis Venter, production advisor for the National Wool Growers’ Association, discusses how farmers can prevent wool and mohair clip contamination.

The last harvest – guidelines to retiring

According to Stats SA, only 6% of South Africans can afford to retire comfortably, while retirement planning was highlighted as the biggest financial planning concern amongst commercial farmers in a recent study for Farmbiz by Marketing Surveys and Statistical Analysis.

Dealing with downer cows

With good preparation, this phenomenon can be prevented in communal areas, says Prof Cheryl McCrindle.

Groundnuts: a useful rotation crop

In South Africa, groundnuts are grown in the summer rainfall areas under irrigation or dryland conditions. Farmers with limited resources, particularly those in the northern and eastern parts of South Africa grow groundnuts mainly for their own consumption.

Farming Basics