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changing brake pads

The basics of bakkie maintenance

A surprising number of farmers do not take the trouble to learn more about their vehicles. You can save time and money by getting to know the basics or even tackling the job yourself. Jake Venter explains the essentials, and how to identify a few potential problems.
broiler production

Advice on how to start a broiler business

Chicken farming is the only type of animal production that can provide an income in the short as well as the long term.
butternut crop

Butternuts: know your market and maintain quality

Butternuts are a reasonably easy crop to grow, with few in soluble problems. The real challenge is to match the cultivar with the market. Mpumalanga-based producer Francois Steyn spoke to Lindi Botha about how he solved this problem.

Autonomous tractor market on the move

The growing scarcity of farm labour due to factors such as urbanisation will see an increase in the demand for self-driving farm equipment. In response to this, John Deere recently unveiled its latest autonomous concept tractor, an all-electric model.

Challenges to feeding a growing population

Global agriculture has to increase its output dramatically to meet the needs of a rapidly growing human population. John Hassell, Koch Agronomic Services’ customer support manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, highlights the challenges and urgently required solutions for meeting this unprecedented demand.

How much will you give to save SA?

For the last year or so, I have often thought about what occurred in South Korea in 1997 and 1998 when the country faced economic ruin due to the impact of the Asian economic crisis.
Dryland maize

Farmer programme results in higher yields and better lives

Increasing yields tenfold is a feat that every farmer dreams of, but few realise. Yet, for the past 20 years, Grain SA, through its Farmer Development Programme, has quietly assisted numerous farmers in achieving exactly that. Lindi Botha visited three beneficiaries to find out more.

Livestock can lower GHG emissions – report

Media reports have created the impression that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends a reduction in meat and dairy consumption to mitigate climate change. This is simply not true.
Biodiversity strips

Biodiversity: a valuable ally for the farmer

Caring for the indigenous vegetation on a farm not only helps protect plant species from extinction, but benefits the production of crops in several crucial ways. Glenneis Kriel spoke to Cape Nature botanist Rupert Koopman and Stellenbosch University researcher Rhoda Malgas.

Strict selection criteria are vital to Boerperd breeding

This popular indigenous breed is a hardy and muscular all-rounder that excels in many equestrian sports, says Dr Mac.
barley crop

Empowerment trust banks on barley

Since its inception, the Overberg Boerdery Trust has not only increased its output of barley, but raised dividend payments to its farmworkers.

Viticulture equipment from Italy

A farmers’ day in Paarl afforded wine farmers the chance to look at some of the best viticulture equipment from Italy.

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