Latest articles
How will history judge us?
I know ignorance is a poor and cowardly excuse. However, as someone born in the early 1980s, I was oblivious when growing up of the terrible and unfair reality that most South Africans were subjected to at the time.
Introducing the Plantix plant doctor app
Up to 30% of crop yields are lost worldwide each year due to plant diseases and pests, says Simone Strey, CEO of Peat.
Preserving seeds for the future
The Global Seed Vault, the brainchild of scientist and conservationist Cary Fowler, was built nearly 150m into the side of a mountain in Svalbard, Norway, in 2008.
“Houston, we have a harvest!”
The film The Martian, based on the novel by Andy Weir, has captivated audiences across the world since its premiere in 2015.
Technology integral to global food production
According to Absa’s senior agricultural economists Wessel Lemmer and Ernst Janovsky, who recently addressed the Absa Agribusiness round table in Centurion, technology will play an increasing role in food production as the world races to feed its growing population.
Darting game by drone with fighter-pilot accuracy
Potchefstroom company Haevic, has recently developed a drone that can be used to dart game.
A GPS tracking device that ensures peace of mind
The GT300 is a live web-based personal GPS tracking device that is ICASA-approved and can be purchased and used without a contract.
Angus Buchan’s new app
Farmers and fellow Christians who follow Angus Buchan will be pleased to hear about the new app released in March this year called ‘Uncle Angus’.
A top-of-the-range caller ID that’s easy to use
CallApp caller identification and call blocker is a free app available for download at Google Play (Android), Itunes store (Iphone) and callapp.com. It is regarded as the world’s largest and most comprehensive caller ID.
Taking farm sales to new heights
As mentioned before in this column, unmanned vehicle systems or drones have become extremely popular among farmers.
A Kiwi farmer on the pros of wireless dairy farming
North Waikato dairy farmer Tony Walters says that wireless technology can now be used to prove that New Zealand dairy farmers are farming in an environmentally sustainable manner.
A few useful WhatsApp basics
WhatsApp was launched in 2009 by former Yahoo employees Brian Acton and Jan Koum. In February 2014, Facebook purchased the app for US$19 billion (about R280 billion).
Getting a head start on farming robotics
On 7 May, the first-ever AgBot (agricultural robotics) competition was held in the US on Gerrish Farms, one of the oldest family-owned farms in Indiana.
Broadband alternatives to DStv
Internet connectivity has improved significantly throughout the country in recent years, opening up a range of entertainment options.
Setting up a Facebook account
Facebook can be daunting for those farmers who say they were born BC (before computers). However, it’s an excellent way to share ideas with other farmers and stay in contact with family members.
Why we should keep a close eye on vertical farming trends
A few months ago, I wrote about Zero Carbon Food, an urban, vertical farming initiative in London using hydroponic systems and LED technology in an old World War II bomb shelter where they harvest up to 20 000kg of greens a year.
A new app for sharing files over cellphone networks
Sending or sharing files over the Internet or cellphone networks can be a tedious affair, especially with a poor rural network connection.
The DJI Phantom 3 Pro – stock thieves beware!
I recently took my DJI Phantom 3 Pro drone to a farmer’s day in Komga to demonstrate its capabilities.
More & more farmers are using drones
As I’ve noted before, drones are growing in popularity amongst farmers.
How a Fitbit for cows can change dairy farms for the better
Wearable technology like the Fitbit is all the rage amongst tech-savvy fitness fanatics these days, and if a small Pakistani tech firm has its way, something similar may soon take the livestock farming sector by storm.
