Silage basics
Utilising silage pays for feedlotters and dairy farmers, but the process has to be managed well, says Gerhard Uys.
Growing papayas – Part 1
Although papayas are to some extent drought-resistant, yield will be low if they do not receive sufficient water.
The importance of pump selection
An irrigation pump ill-suited to your operation can result in wasted energy and added cost. For the best results, do your homework!
Sunflower basics – Part 3
Compared with a grain crop, sunflower utilises soil nutrients exceptionally well. Here is an overview of the crop’s fertiliser requirements.
Efficient feeding during drought
Precision feeding can take the sting out of a drought, according to Dr Chris Landman, a feed specialist and consultant. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Dehorning beef cattle – how you can benefit
This practice has many advantages – reducing injuries is just one of them.
Sunflower: learning the basics – Part 1
A sunflower crop performs well in dry conditions, but will struggle in sandy soils.
Evaluating an orchard
A variety of factors are taken into account when evaluating an orchard or vineyard.
Nitrogen in fertiliser: why it is important
Nitrogen is found in the chlorophyll of plants and is responsible for good vegetative growth.
Backgrounding cattle
‘Backgrounding’ is grazing an animal on pasture or in a veld camp and feeding it a supplement in preparation for more intensive feeding in a feedlot.
Tools for better energy efficiency
You can find hidden ‘tools’ on your electricity bill to help keep the cost of consumption down.
Growing cowpeas
This protein-rich nitrogen-fixing legume has a beneficial effect on follow-up crops.
Using draft animals to plough the fields
Animal draft power still has an important role to play in agricultural development, says Bruce Joubert.
The advantages of liming
There are many advantages to using lime. It neutralises acid soil and rectifies the pH so that the highest yield can be obtained.
Protect your cattle against brucellosis
All involved with cattle farming and milk processing must work together to control and eradicate this disease.
Advice on how to mark your livestock
Marking your livestock proves ownership, and it's part of the record keeping that's essential if your farming enterprise is to survive and do well.
Cleaning your borehole
Regularly checking for tree roots that grow into a borehole, usually just above the water level but as far down as 15m, can save you a lot of trouble.
How snakes can help farmers
Most people know about the destructive effect of insects on crops, but rodents can be equally destructive. This is where snakes enter the picture, says Paul Donovan.
