Getting started with carrots
Here are some guidelines regarding plant population, fertilisers and climate to get you started on carrot production.
Tick-borne diseases in goats and sheep
Tick-borne diseases can cause major animal losses. This week we look at how to identify heartwater.
Overheads can make or break your business
Overhead costs are like a beard. They're always there, just as the hair you shave grows back. If you want your business to succeed, keep your overheads manageable, writes Susan Pletts.
Diseases in tomatoes
Tomatoes can be affected by many different diseases - and some, like powdery mildew, can cause serious damage.
Interest fixed or linked?
You pay interest when you borrow money, so you must know how to negotiate and have a good credit rating, writes Susan Pletts.
Caring for cabbages
Cabbages are heavy feeders and need plenty of food to grow. Without enough water, the heads will dry out and taste bitter, so fertilising and watering the plants is important.
How to tell if your chickens have NCD
This bird disease is highly contagious, especially to domestic poultry. Death rates are high and no treatment is available.
How to calculate cash flow
An accurate record of your cash flow is important for your business to succeed. A basic knowledge of addition and subtraction is all you need to draw one up, writes Susan Pletts.
Furrow irrigation
This form of irrigation is good for row crops, such as tomatoes, cabbages, and leafy vegetables.
Calving and pregnancy in cattle – part 1
Cattle occupy a unique role in human history and some consider cattle the oldest form of wealth. One of the ways to get your cattle to multiply and your wealth to grow is through "breeding management".
How to grow lettuce – Part 2
This issue we look at the different kinds of lettuce available and which are best for your home garden.
Keeping track of your earnings
In the past people traded with whatever goods they had. But these days we can't conduct business without money - our income, writes Susan Pletts.
Understanding cash flow
Budgeting is knowing how much money goes in and out of your business, and cash flow shows when this will occur, writes Susan Pletts.
Budgets – why do we need them?
Working without a budget is like swimming in a rough sea with no life saver – you’re sure to drown, writes Susan Pletts.
Dealing with soil compaction – part 2
When it comes to farming, soil compaction can't be prevented. But it can be managed to maintain crop yield and irrigation efficiency, and to reduce production costs, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Why measuring your land is essential!
Measuring your land will tell you how much of a crop you can plant and how much livestock you can keep, writes Susan Pletts.
Managing a sow – part 2
A sow is a female pig used for breeding, and a healthy female can give six or more litters. This week we look at handling a pregnant sow.
Dealing with soil compaction – part 1
Small-scale farmers often overlook the damage caused by bad tillage methods, leading to compacted soil, destroying their hard work, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
Maths vital for profitable farming
We can't escape maths, so learn to love it, because it's something you can't do without when it comes to running your business successfully, writes Susan Pletts.
