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I shudder when I hear someone say, ‘If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.’ It’s an excuse for sloth and would have caused Murphy to have a heart attack, writes Peter Hughes.

In this article, Brian Berkman visits the picturesque Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate in Hermanus, where the team consistently looks for a perfect product in smaller quantities rather than an average one in bulk.

JD Mostert, a consulting swine nutritionist at CS Vet, and Dr Stefan Steyn, a veterinarian at Afrivet, shared their expertise with Sinenhlanhla Mncwango, delving into why biosecurity and nutrition are critical pillars in establishing and maintaining a productive pig farm geared for long-term success.

Bill Kerr explains how bean common mosaic virus and bean yellow mosaic virus can infect a field and spread, leading to major crop losses.

A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.

Accurate monitoring of cattle’s body temperatures is crucial for ensuring optimal herd health and productivity. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to animal health experts for tips on precise temperature readings, early disease detection, and maintaining biosecurity in a herd.

Irrigation has resulted in significant crop yield improvement across the globe. In some regions, irrigation is essential for successful crop production; however, it remains out of reach for many small-scale farmers.

Brian Berkman visited Klein Botrivier Farm, on Karwyderskraal Road in the Overberg’s Bot River, to learn about Melissa Genevieve Nelsen’s Méthode Cap Classique winemaking.

Cobus du Plessis explores the fundamentals of budgeting for farm management, explaining its importance, the different types of budgets, and key concepts like fixed and variable costs.

Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry’s humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country’s avocado production.

A germination chamber set at about 25°C leads to a high germination percentage and shortens the time span before seedlings are placed out in the nursery, saving the grower money.

Dean Barnard, the Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of Year for 2024, grows hops and plums near Waboomskraal in the Western Cape. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the ongoing refinement of his production techniques, and how he overcame his struggles with anxiety to achieve remarkable success.