Look after your wind pump
A wind pump is expensive, but is one of the most neglected pieces of farm equipment, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Managing heifers and first-calvers
It’s expensive to grow out heifers until they calve for the first time. It pays to invest in the heifer group, says the ARC’s Leslie Bergh.
Farming hydroponically – part 3
Hydroponics is a popular way to grow vegetables because of the high quality of the produce and efficient water use. If you use a greenhouse, you can supply vegetables out of season when the price is good.
Carrot pests and diseases
Protecting carrots from nematodes, leaf and bacterial blight and white mould.
Veld and flock management
A goat farmer must plan veld and flock management in advance, advises Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Spinach: a step-by-step guide on how to grow it
Spinach is a cool weather crop that doesn’t grow well in hot summer months when the days are long. The best temperature for growing spinach is between 16ºC and 24ºC.
Constant inspection of your flock is crucial for success
If you want to be a successful livestock farmer, your animals must be the last thing you think about at night, and the first thing you think about in the morning.
Responsible landownership
Laws dictate what farmers can and can’t do. They are for the good of the land as well as beneficial to the farmer.
Solving soil problems improves uptake
Compost can make soil healthier and more productive without
costing the earth.
Inbreeding
Can cattle breeders benefit from mating related animals? Leslie Bergh provides some answers.
Don’t mix your staples
The KwaZulu-Natal Wool Growers’ Association recently expressed its concern about the number of the farmers mixing different wool lengths into bales for sale.
Protecting your plants
One of the most important functions of the food web is to suppress pests and diseases.
Cross-bred or pure-bred: designing a herd
Weigh up the advantages for your situation and decide accordingly, says Leslie Bergh. Good management is the key to successful cattle farming.
What to look for when buying breeding goats
Just like with sheep, fertile, good-quality goats are important for better production, healthy kids and good quality meat.
Labour basics
One of the many challenges you’ll face as your farming business grows is deciding how many people to employ, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
