Farming Basics

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

Dealing with the ‘silent disease’ – measles

Cases of measles are frequently found in slaughter stock.

Managing trichomoniasis

Beef management consultant Barry Symons tells Lloyd Phillips how to go about dealing with this serious disease.
An easy guide to growing granadillas

An easy guide to growing granadillas

In South Africa, the purple granadilla, also known as the passion fruit, is grown commercially as well as for home use. Here is an overview of how this crop is produced.

Borehole cost: are you being ripped off?

Hydrogeologist Dale Barrow provides some tips to help you understand the price you are quoted when analysing borehole cost.

Dealing with slugs and snails

These pests are not just the bane of the suburban gardener – they can wreak havoc with agricultural and horticultural crops, explains Paul Donovan.

Feeding goats

Good feed and plenty of clean water are important to keep your goats healthy.

Know your crop pests: Mealybug

Scientific name: More than 120 species have been identified in South Africa alone. Family: Pseudococcidae Distribution: Worldwide

Boosting kikuyu pasturage

Kikuyu is a perennial summer grass that can be over-sown by other pasturage in winter.

Understanding pesticide resistance

Why pesticide resistance is a serious problem, and how farmers can help to prevent it. Paul Donovan explains.
Beetroot pests and diseases

Beetroot pests and diseases

How to deal with root rot, downy mildew, cutworm and other pests.

Intensive vs extensive farming

In the trend towards increasingly extensive livestock production, are we not moving too far from natural production systems and placing our hope in feed from a bag? Roelof Bezuidenhout poses the question.
Preparing your land for winter

Preparing your land for winter

With a long hot summer almost over, it’s easy to become complacent. If you’re not careful, winter can arrive suddenly and find you unprepared.

The basics of growing beetroot

Raised beds, direct sowing, mulching and other basics.

Sawfly – pollinator and pest

Scientific name: Sawfly is the common name for insects belonging to suborder Symphyta of the order Hymenoptera. Distribution: Widespread.

Controlling liver fluke disease

Fasciolosis is a disease found worldwide. According to reports, its incidence is increasing in certain regions.

How to grow beetroot

This popular vegetable is fairly easy to grow and produces a good yield.
Liver fluke facts

Liver fluke facts

An overview of this deadly zoonotic disease and the parasites that cause it.
Interested in selling vegetables?

Interested in selling vegetables?

Before starting production, you should obtain as much information as possible – and ask yourself some tough questions! Commercial vegetable-growing is not for everyone.

Grazing perennial ryegrass

To survive, perennial ryegrass needs good management practices. In particular, farmers should ensure that grazing does not take place too frequently.

Keeping records for layers

A management calendar is crucial for success even if you are simply supplying eggs to your own family.
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