Farming Basics

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.

With the Netherlands being the second largest importer of South African fruit, local farmers need to adapt to the Dutch consumers’ preference for sustainably produced food. Prof Nico Visser, agricultural counsellor at the Dutch embassy in Pretoria, spoke to Jaco Visser.

A clever marketing campaign for guavas has helped remind consumers about the health benefits of this unpretentious fruit, and opened new opportunities for farmers by reviving the demand for fresh guavas in supermarkets. Denene Erasmus investigates.

Nandi Mayethula-Khoza became Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development in 2009. She spoke to Peter Mashala about her department’s projects, in particular her plans to increase employment in the province.

Lifting poverty and creating jobs through small agribusiness growth is on Dr Lekau Mphasha’s agenda. He talks to Peter Mashala.

Global demand for berries is at an all-time high, with sales in the UK, South Africa’s main export market for berries, expected to reach the £1 billion (R12,9 billion) mark this year. Trevor McKenzie, chairperson of the South African Berry Producers Association, spoke to Denene Erasmus about advancing the local berry industry.

Recent charges of animal cruelty brought against a crocodile farmer have placed single-pen farming under the spotlight. Rob Reader, former chairperson of the SA Crocodile Farmers’ Association (SACFA), speaks out about this issue.

With visionary enterprise, sugar cane farmer Renuka Devi Somaroo is expanding her business by putting together a mosaic of abandoned farms under land claims in the Glendale Valley. Robyn Joubert spoke to her.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) plays a leading role in assisting governments to grow agricultural sectors and build a food secure foundation. Rosebud Kurwijila, FAO representative for South Africa, spoke to Lindi van Rooyen about skills shortages and uplifting small-scale farmers.

Since the mid-1990s, Tony and Stuart Buchler of Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape have transformed a sideline broiler enterprise into their core business. Today, as Mike Burgess discovered, they control the entire broiler value chain – from the placement of day-old chicks on their farm, Tyndall, to the marketing of poultry products via their retail outlet, Tyndall Meats.

The newly released bills amending the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act offer more clarity to questions surrounding the future of labour brokers in South Africa. Jan du Toit, Senior Labour Law Consultant at SA Labour Guide, highlights key amendments.

Andy Tladi was 53 when he swapped the life of a business executive for full-time farming – on the land he once ploughed as a small boy. Today, eight years later, his business has grown to four farms, one of which is in the Republic of Congo. Lindi van Rooyen reports.

Prof Michael de Jongh, author of Roots and Routes – Karretjie People of the Great Karoo – talks to Roelof Bezuidenhout about his research into the lives of the gypsy-like first people of South Africa who play an integral role in the extensive sheep farming economy of the region.

The Spring Show, held from 1 to 6 September in Pretoria, has undergone numerous name changes in an effort to remain relevant. Now, rebranded as an agricultural show, it is set to regain its reputation as one of the country’s foremost events. Event organiser Robert Walker spoke candidly to Lindi van Rooyen about turning the show around.

In the Great Karoo you will encounter roughly one human for every 100 sheep, but Francy and Peter Schoeman from Langbaken farm near Williston are breaking the mould with their small herd of Jersey cows and cheesery. Denene Erasmus visited them.

Today’s high cost of living sometimes means that a single income source just doesn’t cut it. Sigrid Lemmer turned to part-time meat rabbit production. She talks to Lloyd Phillips.