Implications of coronavirus for regional food supply chains
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is dominating the news, with fears emerging about the widespread effect on the economy in general, and the food system in particular.
How to control eelworm
Many vegetable crops are susceptible to root knot eelworm (Meloidogyne spp, also known as nematodes or roundworm), and beans are no exception.
Microgreens: a tiny crop with big returns
What started out as a hobby has turned into an exciting farming venture for Melanie and Jan-Hendrik du Plessis of Sabie, Mpumalanga. Lindi Botha visited the couple’s microgreen farm, Bumblebee...
Running veld-adapted Dohne Merinos since 1945
The Blaine family near Kei Road in the Eastern Cape began breeding Merinos in the 1880s, and by the 1940s had established the Ross Dohne stud. This became a foundation...
Irrigating your home garden
If you apply too much water, you’re in danger of leaching nitrogen out of reach of the plant roots, says vegetable expert Bill Kerr.
Understand cattle behaviour to achieve low-stress handling
Stress in cattle can cause these animals and their handlers numerous problems, and ultimately lose money for the cattle farming business. Dr Johan Cloete, a ruminant technical veterinarian with MSD...
Latest research: Macadamias need less water than you think!
With a looming water crisis and an expanding macadamia industry, the obvious question arises: where will the water for the new orchards come from? A recent groundbreaking study shows that...
African Horse Sickness: the great vaccine debate
African horse sickness is endemic to Southern Africa, and the disease is often fatal. As it is caused by a virus, there is no treatment, and horse owners have to...
Value-adding boosts hydroponics venture
Basil Williams, the managing director of Herbal View Hydroponics, cultivates 3t of various herbs per month on just 1ha of land. Recently, he also tapped into the enormous potential of...
A grass-based approach to beef stud farming
The Arwin Farms Bonsmara Stud, founded in 1982 in the Dordrecht district of the Eastern Cape, is run entirely off the veld. Mike Burgess visited Johan and Michael-John Greyling to...
The Carbon Trust honours Keenan
Keenan has been recognised by the Carbon Trust for offering livestock farmers feed mixer machinery and software solutions that can help them reduce their on-farm carbon footprint, while enhancing production...
The crucial nitrogen-humus link
Humus contains approximately 10% nitrogen, and thus acts as a storage facility in the soil for this element.
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Minimal coronavirus impact for cross-border banana farmers
To date, border closures and limitations on movement as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic have had minimal impact on South African farmers with operations in Mozambique.
