Farming Basics

Master farming basics with practical tips on crop growth, livestock care, irrigation, soil management, and effective farm operations.

Brucellosis biosecurity

This highly contagious zoonotic disease of cattle continues to be of great concern, says Dr Sewellyn Davey, State Veterinarian, Western Cape.
agricultural land

Buying agricultural land – know your market

Buying a farm in South Africa calls for careful consideration and in-depth investigation. The purchase of high-potential agricultural land is a costly affair which should be approached with sound knowledge...

Anti-venom basics

Using anti-venom has its disadvantages, but in the right hands, and at the right time, it is life-saving.

Know your crop pests: cotton stainer

Cotton stainers resemble assassin bugs and may be up to 2cm in length, with males being smaller than females.

Buying a farm? Consider value, price & location

Director at TG Kruger Real Estate, Rumpff Krüger, advises us what to consider when buying a farm.

Getting started with peas

Bill Kerr discusses factors to take into account when growing peas.

The basics of heritability – Part 3

Genetic markers, selection and cross-breeding play a role in improving profitability in pigs, says Prof Cheryl McCrindle of the University of Pretoria.
Nguni

Europe’s influence on South African cattle

A wide variety of cattle breeds are seen in South Africa today, says Theo Oosthuizen.

The basics of heritability: disease and parasite resistance

Selecting for disease and parasite resistance in cattle can help improve production, says Prof Cheryl McCrindle of the University of Pretoria.

Dealing with sorghum pests

The pests on sorghum are many and varied, from aphids, beetles and locusts to flies, grasshoppers and spider mites. Bio-control works well against many of these, notes Paul Donovan.

Water important in weaning pigs

Water is an important nutrient in weaning piglets. Piglets have to drink 800ml per day as it improves digestibility, reduces diarrhoea and lowers down the pH in the gut.
goat-farming-heritability

Understanding the basics of heritability – Part 1

This week we focus on sheep and goat farming, where genetic markers are now being used to select for production.
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