Want to run a farm? Save successfully
Diligent saving reduces risk while boosting sustainability, and is important in running a farm, says MC Loock, Standard Bank agribusiness manager.
Bio-security for poultry profit
With increasing input costs and tighter profit margins, poultry producers have to be efficient to stay in business. Niel Saayman spoke to Dr Sean Wisdom, a vet with C4 Africa...
Reading the fleece
To ensure superior quality, it’s crucial to inspect the fleece carefully when selecting a Merino ram. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
About neem oil
The origins of this ‘new’ pesticide can be traced back several centuries, when it was used in cosmetics and medicines, notes Paul Donovan.
Understanding erosion – Part 2
This week we take a closer look at soil erosion, which reduces productivity and pollutes watercourses, wetlands and lakes.
Ram selection for the Merino flock
Merinos are coming into their own as breeding criteria expand to make these animals more suitable for dual-purpose production. Selecting good flock rams can be difficult, but Roelof Bezuidenhout provides...
Dealing with diarrhoea – Part 2
Calf diarrhoea can cause a greater financial loss than any other disease-related problem.
Watch out for those poisonous plants
One of the greatest risks to farmers is the loss of livestock as a result of plant poisoning. So it’s important to know what promotes their growth and how to...
Know your crop pests: Mediterranean fruit fly
Despite its name, the Mediterranean fruit fly is thought to have originated in sub-Saharan Africa. But it has now spread over the entire continent, as well as Asia, Europe, Australia,...
10 tips on how to use vet medicine correctly
Not sure about how to correctly use veterinary medicine for animals, read through our tips.
Remove bush and increase grazing capacity
Bush encroachment has affected large areas of savannah to such an extent that keeping livestock is no longer viable. Lindi van Rooyen looks at rehabilitation of grasslands.
Dealing with clostridial diseases (1)
Pulpy kidney and other illnesses can be deadly. Some symptoms and preventive measures.
Weaning weight and fair performance comparison
Leslie Bergh, a researcher in beef cattle improvement at ARC’s Animal Production Institute, discusses factors that affect weaning weight in beef cattle and how to compare calves’ performance.
Know your crop pests: African bollworm
Scientific name: Helicoverpa armigera Family: Noctuidae Distribution: Throughout Africa
How to run a meeting
Meetings are essential in any business, including farming. But they need to be well-run to be effective.
Groundnuts in a nutshell
A source of plant protein and oil, groundnuts are produced by commercial and subsistence farmers. ARC agronomist Loureine Salomon offers tips for growing this popular crop.
Why colostrum is important
A calf must drink from its mother as soon as possible during the first 12 hours of its life.
