Getting South Africa ‘unstuck’ on land
Feeling stuck in life is awful. It is demoralising, makes you unproductive, leaves you feeling gloomy about the future, and the longer you remain stuck the more difficult it becomes to escape.
Get to know the real state of your business
The fact that many of us still do not understand the basics of accounting is a harsh indictment of the quality of education we received at school.
Beef Cattle Information Day
Join us for the first Farmer’s Weekly Beef Cattle Information Day on 30 August. Top speakers from the South African livestock industry will present on topics ranging from disease management and animal nutrition, to the branding and marketing of beef in South Africa.
Watermelon planting tips
Many watermelon growers plant as soon as possible in the season so they can market the crop early, when prices are high.
A new old broom for agriculture
I was left with two overwhelming impressions after reading through Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza’s Budget Vote speech for the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development that was delivered in Parliament recently.
Innovative event is a learning opportunity for breeders
Access to the latest information and the opportunuity to compare with peers are both crucial for the cattle breeder. This is what the Simmentaler/Simbra Hoogland Study Group aims to achieve for its members with its annual Young Bull Day.
Common livestock illnesses and how to treat them
Diseases can result in huge financial losses for a livestock farmer. Any potential problems should therefore be treated as soon as possible.
High-tech solutions to manage weed resistance to herbicides
According to agronomy expert Leonard Oberholzer, weeds’ resistance to herbicides is expected to be one of the greatest threats to food production in years to come.
‘Green’ livestock production: the facts and the fictions
Global livestock production is increasingly under attack from certain societal groupings who claim that the sector is causing unnecessary environmental harm. Dr Jude Capper, of UK-based Livestock Sustainability Consultancy, explains how livestock farmers can change this perception.
Yield and quality determine profits, nothing else!
Costs under your control such as yield and product quality are what determine farming success. Don’t waste time on costs you cannot influence or control.
Fertilisation: basic principles that every farmer should know
Achieving optimal yields is greatly dependent on providing crops with the right nutrition at the right time. Understanding the role of fertilisers and ensuring the correct application can make the difference between profit and loss.
Low prices: a plague for farmers
If I had to draw a single conclusion from the ‘Agricultural Outlook: 2019 to 2028’ published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at the beginning of July, it would be that South African farmers will require much better assistance from government if they are to remain globally competitive.
