Farming Basics

Pepper is a tropical plant that prefers hot, humid areas such as the Lowveld and the northern coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal.

Before putting together a feeding schedule, confirm the properties of the available feed.

There are many sources of good cattle, both registered (stud) and commercial. It is best to purchase from a successful and reputable breeder who sells only sound cattle as breeding...

Barley is highly sensitive to competition from weeds, especially in the initial stages. Early control measures will therefore enhance yield potential.

The incidence of ear rot in South Africa’s maize-producing areas can vary greatly from year to year and from land to land within the same season.

A cover crop is a fundamental and sustainable tool used to manage various functions of soil health. It is defined as any type of plant grown to improve any number...

Raising cattle properly requires money, land and skill. Do you have enough of each to enter this business? Equally importantly, do you have a genuine interest in cattle?

It is time once more for our annual warning about this deadly disease. Rabies can strike any warm-blooded animal and it is rightfully a feared zoonosis.

As with any crop, fertilisation can be successful only when the minimum acidity requirements are met.

It’s crucial for livestock health and economic efficiency to bring herd size in line with the fodder production of the farm, so that sufficient quality dry matter is provided on...

Security advisor Henk Boshoff says that farmers should avoid becoming soft targets for potential farm attackers. He spoke to Gerhard Uys about making a farm and its surrounding communities safer.

Habitual abortions can cause devastating financial losses, and culling will be required to bring it under control.

Rift Valley Fever causes abortions and death of lambs, and can be fatal to humans. Vaccination is crucial.

Taking crops off the land without returning nutrients to the soil is called ‘mining’ the soil. If you do this for some years, your crops may grow slowly, have a...

Research programmes since 1991 have identified barley cultivars that ensure an economical, optimal yield and grain conforming to SAB Maltings’ quality specifications. This is an overview of the research.

Suggested application rates for some common crops, including tomatoes and potatoes.

It’s easy to calculate the size of your plot. All it takes is a bit of patience and simple arithmetic. Here’s how to do it.

This infectious condition is one of the most common causes of abortion and death in sheep and goats.

Shepherd’s purse and sow thistle are weeds that are hard to eradicate once established, says Bill Kerr.

Before the introduction of chemical fertilisers, farmers all over the world, including those in South Africa, used manure to restore the fertility of their lands.