A microcosm of SA agriculture

The 14 August issue of Farmer's Weekly is a microcosm of South Africa’s agricultural sector.

Dust, spray and eradicate

First it was drones. Now unmanned helicopters could become the next big thing.

Our strengths, our problems and our future

SA has economic opportunities, but tough challenges. For farmers, positives are a sizeable domestic market and top local suppliers, says Wessel Lemmer, senior agricultural economist at Absa.

Praying for rain

I had just started writing about South Africa missing out on trade opportunities while its southern hemisphere competitors wasted no time filling the gaps that opened up in international markets...

Look up to the clouds for your administrative solutions

A few minor tweaks can always save a lot of time, money and effort. And it’s not just about changing the way we physically do some of the things on...

Sustaining the SA trout industry

South Africa’s trout industry has a meaningful socioeconomic role to play in the country’s future, says llan Lax, chairperson of the Federation of SA Flyfishers.

Don’t dismiss smallholder farming

I started writing for Farmer’s Weekly about seven years ago. At that time, I was inclined to follow the school of thought which asserted that smallholder farming was a poverty...

Land reform – let’s stay out of the boxing ring

SA’s land reform debacle could destroy everything achieved since 1994, warns communications expert Prof David Venter. He was speaking at the recent Hortgro Science Symposium held near Franschhoek.

The future of meat processing is here

New robot technology can debone breasts at a rate of 1 500 chickens per hour.

‘We need experienced positive people’ – Gwede Mantashe

Speaking on strategy to Eastern Cape farmers, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe stressed that white commercial farmers were the key to successful transformation. Moreover, rational and positive debate was needed to...

Interactive & environmentally friendly

Instantly available, digital magazines are becoming ever more popular, says Greg Miles.

Cleaner energy should be our focus

Last month, Germany closed down yet another nuclear power station. This was done without affecting the country’s energy-generating capacity as the plant had already been replaced by alternative energy sources...

Things won’t change by themselves

It was seven years ago that South Africa’s shortage of power generating capability first became evident with electricity blackouts.

Uniting for growth – government and farmers

KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Cyril Xaba recently addressed farmers at the KZN Poultry Institute in Pietermaritzburg, sharing his strategy of forming partnerships in the sector.

A robot to watch over your vegetables

Designed Down Under, this is the latest advance in automated crop management.

Reluctant protectors of the law

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the supreme law of the land, allows most of us to sleep a little easier.

Saving money with virtual mobiles

Want to buy cellphones for your staff? This solution could be the answer.

Agri schools: time to reassess

Government wants to see more small-scale farmers undergoing formal education in agriculture. For this to work, a new kind of agri school is needed, says educational consultant Dr Willem Burger.

Land reform: time to take the initiative

How will producers and agribusiness be affected if the agriculture sector cannot come up with a plan for land reform? In no way must food security be put at risk,...

Too chicken for the poultry industry?

Now is not the time to enter the poultry industry, says South African Poultry Association (Sapa) CEO, Kevin Lovell.

Opinion