Farming Basics

Martin Booyens, InteliGro’s biological solutions technical specialist, spoke at the Bio-Alliance SA-Brazil 2025 Conference in Pretoria, hosted by the South African Bioproducts Organisation and the Brazilian Embassy, outlining steps to implement integrated pest management programmes.

Dairy flavour profiles are often overlooked. Many factors can affect how milk looks, smells, and tastes. Rina Belcher, co-owner of Belnori Boutique Cheesery in Bapsfontein, Gauteng, explains how goat’s milk characteristics change with the animals’ living conditions.

The continual practice of ‘monoculture’ planting by farmers is becoming increasingly detrimental to the quality of produce in the longer term, so cyclical rotation is a better option, writes Shane Brody.

Farm security measures enforced by farmers and supporting organisations play a crucial role in preventing attacks and livestock theft. Farmers are also adopting tools to discourage criminal activity and strengthen prevention.

Farmers living in communal farming regions may feel that they are unable to grow cabbages because they don’t have access to places selling seedlings. Shane Brody has a solution for them.

Biosecurity in feed management is a crucial aspect of disease prevention. Bonita Cilliers, technical and regulatory adviser of the Animal Feed Manufacturers’ Association, spoke to Nichelle Steyn.

At the 25th Nematological Society of Southern Africa Symposium in Mpumalanga, Hans Helder, associate professor at the Laboratory of Nematology at Wageningen University & Research, highlighted soil health and how long-read DNA sequencing can identify beneficial and harmful nematodes.

Farming is a risky business that’s not for the faint-hearted, says Paul du Plessis, manager of Hollard Agri. He adds that although we are made to toil the earth and enjoy the fruit thereof, thistles and thorns are part of the package.

A proper biosecurity strategy should be in every South African farmer’s toolkit, and Dr Sello Maboe, veterinary services manager at Ceva Animal Health in Midrand, Gauteng, believes it is the cornerstone of a profitable farming business.

Genetics, performance data, and breeding values are powerful tools for marketing animals, but a championship show title carries a lot of weight, often translating into tangible price premiums and stronger demand from buyers locally and internationally.

In the 1990s, three South African vets developed FAMACHA, a tool that has since evolved into the Five Point Check to help livestock farmers fight parasite resistance in their animals. Dr Faffa Malan explains how it works.

Regenerative agriculture offers a strategic alternative to input-heavy conventional farming. It is a biologically driven, systems-based approach that rebuilds soil health and functioning to support long-term productivity, profitability, and environmental resilience, while reducing farmers’ dependence on external inputs.

At this year’s South African Sheepdog Association Nampo Cape exhibition, dogs herded with precision, reflecting years of training, trust, and patience. Jurie van der Vyver, owner of border collie Cap, showed Glenneis Kriel what it takes to raise a champion.

Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports on how biotechnology has revolutionised agriculture, offering innovative solutions to challenges such as pest resistance, drought tolerance, and food security.

From living stones to wandering dudes, Linda Piegl looks at strangely named plants and how to grow them in your garden.

Hydroponic production offers an alternative for small-scale vegetable growers who without access to arable land or sufficient space. While upfront costs tend to be high, hydroponic farming can be a lucrative venture if approached and implemented carefully.

With climate change intensifying the risk of droughts, and urban development putting pressure on already scarce water supplies, farmers are under increasing pressure to make every drop count.

Lettuce has a relatively short growth cycle and can be harvested multiple times a year, providing farmers with a consistent income stream. However, successful production depends on careful cultivar selection, temperature and soil moisture management, and tackling seasonal challenges.

Rabbit farming is gaining traction in South Africa. Farmer Daisy Moleko spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the breeds, biosecurity, and market access opportunities driving growth in this niche livestock sector.

As droughts become more frequent and severe across South Africa, farmers are under increasing pressure to adapt their practices to protect their livelihoods.