Know your crop pests: African army worm
Despite its common name, the African army worm is in fact the larva (caterpillar) of a moth.
The law that cuts your profits
In their eagerness to make farming pay, or make a success of a particular branch of agriculture, farmers often forget how the law of diminishing returns can retard progress, warns Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Improving your soil
Kraal manure contains all the nutrients a plant requires, but not
always in the desired proportions.
What you need to know about plant galls
Galls can show up on a plant as a result of attacks by pests and fungi,says Paul Donovan.
Using kraal manure as fertiliser
It’s difficult to move fertilisers from town to your village or farm, but there is an alternative to buying in fertiliser.
Beware of blowfly strike
Crutching is highly effective as a preventative measure, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Profit from better broiler production
Get the basics right – temperature, brooding, oxygen and lighting – says broiler specialist Matthew Wilson.
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 Professional Consultants.
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 guidelines.
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 avoid them.
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, and the Americas.
