Strawbale fever
Strawbale building has gathered much interest from Farmer's Weekly readers. Abre J Steyn answers a few more questions on the technology, and envisions a database through which readers can share their insights.
The modification bug makes a comeback
Many obsolete camera components are still very usable with some modification. And once the modification bug re-emerges, one bite is all it takes to get your creative juices flowing again, writes Abré J Steyn.
The modification bug bites
If a piece of equipment is to work better, you have to modify it. But once you start modifying, it's difficult to stop, writes Abré J Steyn.
‘n Boer maak ‘n plan
As poaching has threatened almost one rhino a day this year alone, South African farmers have resorted to desperate measures. With this in mind, Abré J Steyn decides to revisit the idea of horn farming.
Building with Straw
Strawbale houses aren't as flimsy as many think - some date back 600 years. Plus, they're cheap and easy to build, writes Abre J Steyn.
Making sense of sound
It's easy to take hearing for granted as most of us know nothing about how the delicate ear interprets sound waves, writes Abré J Steyn.
Making money from farmstays
Namibia is far more successful than South Africa when it comes to guest farm accommodation.
Hush!
Sound always carries a message in the animal kingdom and the design of an animal's ear tells us something about its habitat, writes Abré J Steyn.
The old professor, Ben Engelbrecht
Careful observation and experimentation made theology professor Ben Engelbrecht an expert lure fisherman at a time when nobody knew very much about the art, writes Abré J Steyn.
Catch & release – alive!
As the tigerfish is our premier inland gamefish and because its numbers are dwindling, Abré J Steyn feels strongly about the art of catch-and-release. But with this fish, successful release is no easy feat.
The scaly wings
Moths are not as popular or admired for their beauty as their cousins the butterflies. However, they have an essential ecological role as pollinators and are essential to life on earth, writes Abré J Steyn
Old Platanna
Chameleons may look like mini dinosaurs, but they're a highly evolved kind of lizard with unique abilities, "modifications" and "specs". But their numbers in South Africa are declining, writes Abré J Steyn, with several featuring on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's endangered list.
