One agripreneur, two enterprises. Success despite the odds!
When the COVID-19 lockdown forced Ncumisa Mkabile to shut down her catering business, she put her entrepreneurial spirit to the test by starting two small-scale farming businesses on a piece of land in Khayelitsha.
The building blocks of irrigation scheduling
Having a top-quality irrigation system is all very well, but without accurate irrigation scheduling you will never achieve optimal results, says irrigation expert and agronomist Robbie Childs.
Giving the environment a legal right to thrive
Global warming and climate change are expected to lead to the extinction of various forms of wildlife, as well as severe water shortages and famine, threatening the lives of millions of people. The Rights of Nature movement seeks to change this by ensuring that the environment has access to legal restitution in order to ensure that it not only survives but thrives.
Top Santa Gertrudis breeder’s endless search for perfection
Having farmed Santa Gertrudis cattle for nearly half a century, Amy Williams is sought after for her professional advice, and many farmers credit her for their success. Moreover, her stud has continued to produce award-winning animals year after year, proving that her expertise and passion are undiminished.
Filling the narrowest gap in the tractor market
Buyers of orchard and vineyard tractors have a disappointingly limited range from which to choose. Manufacturers, it seems, have not found this an easy segment to supply. But Valtra now offers a solution that appears to be economically sustainable, writes Stehan Cloete.
Pet and family-friendly accommodation on history-rich farm
Welcoming farm sounds and smells, a large stoep, activities in nature, and tranquillity await visitors of the farm Houtenbek in Mpumalanga.
Hard work pays off for canned fruit business
After losing their farm, Isa Basson and her husband, Sonnie, established a preserved fruit brand. She spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how they have thrived by keeping faith and adding value to fruit.
Balancing with your seat and legs
Developing an independent seat is crucial for horse riding, says Dr Mac. This means you need to learn to balance without using your hands, and relying only on your legs and core muscles.
Weighing your cattle: a crucial step towards profitable livestock production
Technological advances are making it easier to weigh livestock and use this information to influence herd management decisions. Glenneis Kriel spoke to a number of experts about
the advantages of weighing livestock regularly.
Getting started with vegetables
First, the bad news: if you are starting a small vegetable farm, you will have to wait several years before nutrient recycling takes place in the soil.
A beekeeper’s perfect balance between nature and nurture
With bee populations dwindling globally, beekeepers are looking for ways to improve the resilience of their colonies. Albertus van Zyl spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how he achieves this.
The drivers of change in agriculture
Food and farming are increasingly gaining prominence on national and international economic, political and research agendas.