Farming Basics

As the economic crisis in Europe closes doors to agri-exporters, markets in other parts of the globe are opening. Robyn Joubert reports on export opportunities in Iran, Australia and Vietnam

The sugar industry is ready to generate renewable electricity for the national grid from sugar cane bagasse, a by-product of the sugar milling process. The SA Sugar Association's executive director, Trix Trikam, explains the potential and the pitfalls to Lloyd Phillips

In Mauritius, the sugar industry co-generates a significant proportion of the country's electricity needs, using bagasse as feedstock.

Veterinary vacancies at state level have left a void in South Africa that impacts on the effective implementation of animal disease control and risk mitigation measures. With an estimated 20 vacant posts at national level, and 104 at provincial, this equates to a 37% vacancy rate. Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria, Prof Gerry Swan, talks to Robyn Joubert.

Farmers in Beaufort West are taxed R3 104 (R2 500 after rebates) per annum for each R1 million their farm is worth, while farmers under the adjoining Baviaans municipality are paying about R95 per R1 million. This indicates problems in the application of the new Municipal Property Rates Act, which farmers need to be aware of.

If nothing is done to increase water availability in the Vaal River water supply system - including clamping down on illegal water use by irrigation farmers - it will be the farmers themselves who first feel the pinch of a severe drought-like deficit.

By 2025, South Africa's total water deficit is projected to be 2 044 million cubic metres a year. Dr Anthony Turton, environmental advisor and the South African Environmentalist of the Year 2010, speaks to Robyn Joubert about South Africa's water scenario

The Underberg/Himeville Community Watch keeps a tight grip on crime in the Kwa Sani district in KZN. John Pearce, CEO and district security co-ordinator of the community watch, speaks to Robyn Joubert

In the wake of a number of animal disease outbreaks this year, including foot-and-mouth disease in northern KZN, the meat industry must take regulation into its own hands, says Gareth Lloyd-Jones, managing director of Ecowize, a hygiene and sanitation service provider. Robyn Joubert reports.

Agricultural firm Agriterra is building up a considerable presence in Mozambique by sourcing and milling maize from 350 000 small-scale growers. This model has proved itself, and the company is growing steadily. Euan Kay, executive director of Agriterra, spoke to Robyn Joubert.

Evergreen agriculture combines conservation farming and agroforestry to create what proponents call an 'out of the box solution' to increase crop yield, improve soil, make better use of scarce rainwater and absorb atmospheric carbon. Alan Harman investigates.

While organised agriculture tries to persuade government not to fall for the impractical legislation animal-rights activists want to force through on predator management, the black-backed jackal and caracal continue to tear the heart from the small-stock industry. Experienced problem animal hunter and trapper Niekie Mostert, from Smithfield in the Free State, discussed some solutions with Roelof Bezuidenhout.

What do farmers and ranchers need to know about agricultural and wildlife insurance? Heather Dugmore speaks to insurance broker Mike Wadge who has 20 years experience in the field. He manages the Port Elizabeth branch of SATIB Risk Solutions, which specialises in wildlife, hospitality and tourism insurance.

Charl Senekal's achievements over the past 30 years have made him a 'super farmer' - he's got big ideas and the guts to follow them through. He told Robyn Joubert about his success with mechanisation and economy of scale.

Moses Khangale, deputy director for veld and forest fire regulation and oversight at the department of agriculture, discusses the importance of Fire Protection Associations and tells Heather Dugmore how to register one.

'KwaMandlangampisi' might be a bit of a mouthful, but it's a name to savour because it's the country's first Protected Environment, and it bars an important catchment area from mining. Heather Dugmore finds out how this giant step for conservation in South Africa carries a range of other benefits for farmers.

Zimbabwean Dr Langelihle Simela recently replaced firebrand Aggrey Mahanjana as the CEO of the National Emergent Red Meat Producers Organisation (Nerpo). Peter Mashala spoke to her about unions, livestock and Nerpo.

A farmworker was recently badly mauled by a leopard on a game/citrus farm at Hankey, west of Port Elizabeth. This incident has led to the formation of a committee of concerned livestock and game farmers who feel over-zealous conservationists are misreading the leopard situation in the 500 000ha Greater Baviaanskloof. A member of this committee, livestock and game farmer Arthur Rudman of Blaauwkrantz Safaris, Uitenhage, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout.

For six months every year, the Eberts family and other contract harvesters are on the road, cutting crops for farmers across the American Midwest, from the Texas border in the south to the Canadian border in the north. The job takes dedication, as machinery is expensive and rain can hold up crew, who sometimes work for up to 18 hours straight.

A presidential pilot project in Uganda is using value-adding to exploit a massive banana surplus, producing banana flour with biofuel as a byproduct. Robyn Joubert reports.