Farming Basics

World maize consumption is expected to increase by 31,9 million tons this season. Loffie Brandt of Absa AgriBusiness reports on these and other trends both locally and globally.

Farm murders: State-endorsed conspiracy, or just like any other violent crime in SA? On 9 July on the Redi Thlabi Show on Talk Radio 702, the various positions on farm violence were well articulated by guest speaker Ruth Hall, associate professor at the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), and Afriforum CEO Kallie Kriel.

A new, environmentally sensitive fire management system is being introduced in the KNP. Peter Mashala spoke to Nick Zambatis, manager of biodiversity, and Danie Pienaar, head of scientific services, about the changes.

Transport costs and traditions have made it difficult for communal farmers to play a major role in the commercial livestock industry. In KwaZulu-Natal, this situation is changing as auctioneers mobilise to take business to the people. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is playing a leading role in an effort to overturn the global ban on rhino horn trade. Ezemvelo CEO Dr Bandile Mkhize outlines the province’s rhino anti-poaching plan to Robyn Joubert.

Petrus Bosman (31), the Santam-Agri Western Cape Young Farmer of the Year 2012, is the managing director of his family’s wine and vine farming business in Wellington. He spoke to Denene Erasmus about having a positive attitude in the wine industry and the satisfaction of looking after employees.

Worldwide, small-scale farmers struggle for market access. Retail giant Walmart assists growers by sourcing produce directly from them. Peter Mashala accompanied Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson to Costa Rica to view a case study of the model’s success.

Deciduous fruit farmers face many challenges, the biggest of which is finding new markets to compensate for increasingly strict European regulations on chemical residues. Charles Hughes, managing director of Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, spoke to Lindi van Rooyen about growing SA’s market share.

The partnership between Pannar Seed and US-based Pioneer Hi-Bred was recently given the green light by the Competition Appeal Court. Pannar Seed managing director Deon van Rooyen explained to Annelie Coleman that his company had been mindful of possible concerns about the merger, and had held discussions with its customers, the department of agriculture and labour unions before taking the decision.

Farmers and retailers are often accused of ramping up prices. But Professor André Jooste of the NAMC maintains that consumers should also consider the non-food costs in agri-food value chains. Lloyd Phillips investigated the matter.

More than 90% of South African farming operations are family owned. Annelie Coleman spoke to André Diederichs, family-owned business specialist and independent consultant, to find out the secret to running these businesses successfully and the pitfalls they face.

Care is essential to avoid piglet mortality in the first three days of life. Here's a list of tips on how to manage piglets.

Desbo Mohono, formerly human settlement MEC in North West, was appointed the province’s new MEC for agriculture on 4 May 2012. She shared her plans for the next 18 months in office with Peter Mashala.

The SA pomegranate industry is in its infancy, with growers facing many more difficulties than anticipated. But these are being overcome, writes Robyn Joubert.

Seeland Peba says high feed prices prevent many small-scale livestock farmers making it to their second production cycle. He tells Peter Mashala why he and his partner started Super Grand Animal Feeds.

Advocate Jacques Swanepoel, vice-chairperson of the Red Meat Producers Organisation and chairperson of the RPO’s North West Stock Theft Forum, says indications are that the police are no longer able to control stock theft in the country. He spoke to Annelie Coleman.

According to government’s National Development Plan, agriculture is to play a vital role in job creation and economic development. The NDP’s deadline is 2030, so it’s vital that government and agriculture start reading from the same page. Dr Ferdi Meyer spoke to Lloyd Phillips.

Biosecurity plays a vital role in ensuring maximum profitability for poultry farmers. Because of the high mortality rate in chickens, hygiene, stocking density and the immediate environment all need to be managed effectively. Dr Nokuthula Ntseki, from Rainbow Farms gives Lindi van Rooyen practical advice for farmers.

Despite vastly divergent opinions on the breeding of colour variant game, everyone agrees on its massive profitability. As demand increases, so does controversy. Dr Gert Dry, president of Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) contends that colour variants are a natural occurrence. Lindi van Rooyen spoke to him about maintaining biodiversity in the game gene pool.

It was recently announced that a majority share of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope is destined to be built in Africa. Prof Justin Jonas, Associate Director: Science and Engineering at SKA South Africa, spoke to Denene Erasmus about the implications for Karoo farmers.