Farming Basics

Master farming basics with practical tips on crop growth, livestock care, irrigation, soil management, and effective farm operations.

How resilience can bring peace of mind to a farmer

Coping with adversity is not the same as being resilient, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Ploughing: things to know before you plunge

Ploughing: things to know before you plunge

Everything a farmer needs to know about what the law says about vegetation removal, soil cultivation and erosion.

Producing livestock feed without mechanisation

Many emerging farmers lack the resources to produce crops needed to feed their livestock when grazing becomes scarce. But with a little innovation, they can overcome this challenge, suggests Shane...

Avocado production- Part 4: Fertilising and harvesting

Correcting nutrient imbalances takes time, but the process is well worth it – the results will determine your fertiliser programme and the success of your crop.
future of farming

Future of farming: are you up for the challenge?

Think carefully before choosing farming as a career, urges Roelof Bezuidenhout.

Avocado production– Part 3: Planning your orchard

The hedge-type tree-row layout is best for irrigation and the use of implements.

Dairy farming: a beginners guide

As the fifth-largest agricultural industry in South Africa, milk production provides a regular income for thousands of small and large producers. If you wish to enter the sector, make sure...
Growing avocados: know your soil

Growing avocados: know your soil

It is important to determine in advance the suitability of the soil for avocado production.

Improved efficiency with heat pumps

If managed correctly, a heat pump can be an affordable and effective alternative to the hot water cylinder or geyser.
Animal identification: when to brand livestock

Animal identification: when to brand livestock

Marking livestock can deter thieves. It is also a legal requirement. Gerhard Uys provides a brief overview of the process.
Growing avocados

Growing avocados

Rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, avocados are always in demand.

Vaccinate your livestock!

Most of the cases of infectious diseases reported to the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa every month can be prevented if livestock are vaccinated properly.
banana-cover

Bananas: Pest control and harvesting

Want a good crop of healthy bananas? Follow these simple guidelines.
Understanding risk assessment

Understanding risk assessment

Good risk assessment can help decision-makers see more clearly, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
preparing-the-soil-for-bananas

Advice for growing bananas

Farming bananas can be profitable, if production is planned and carried out carefully.

Understanding Estimated Breeding Values

Estimated breeding values provide the most reliable information on how an animal might breed, says Amari Bornman, animal scientist at Simmentaler SA.
Cabbages a step by step beginner’s guide

Cabbages: a step-by-step beginner’s guide

Producing this crop is relatively easy, provided you follow a few simple steps, says Bill Kerr.

Energy efficiency: the easiest way to save

South Africans are blasé about how they spend energy. However, saving energy is always cheaper than generating it.

Agendas and minutes: commonly used meeting procedures

Whether you’re in a co-op or one of a few farmers getting together to buy inputs at a better price, knowing how to run a meeting will contribute to your...

Turning veld assessment upside down

It’s not only the growth on top that counts, says Prof Hennie Snyman of the Department of Animal, Wildlife and Pasture Sciences at the University of the Free State.
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