drought - search results

Modern weather forecasting technology, in combination with lightning-quick social media communications, allowed most of KwaZulu-Natal’s farmers to prepare for the snow, ice and heavy rains that fell this past weekend.

In ‘Erosion, the cancer of agriculture’ (FW, 22 Oct 2010), Lehman Lindeque, then president of the International Erosion Control Association SA, stated that the lack of soil conservation threatened SA’s limited resources.

Nuclear energy has many beneficial applications. One is the potential, through the sterile insect technique, to suppress Eldana, a pest that causes significant economic losses to sugarcane farmers, as well as eradicate malaria from South Africa. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Langkloof Roses is home to thousands of rose bushes, and its gorgeous cut flowers are well-known at retail outlets in the Western Cape. Jacoba Samuels, who has had nearly two decades of experience on the farm, manages the entire production process. She spoke to Jay Ferreira.

Farmers often struggle to grow crops for food, yet weeds flourish on their own without any effort on our part. Bill Kerr explains why.

Political uncertainty, climate change, water shortages, poor economic growth, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution are reshaping the way that industries are operating. The Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde, challenged delegates at the Red Meat Abattoir Association annual general meeting held in Stellenbosch, to ready themselves for these changes.

Dragon fruit has the potential to provide South African farmers with an easily propagated, fast-ripening alternative to fruit such as avocados.

Some farmers think that seedlings should not be kept too long because they will not be as productive. They are partly right, but age matters less than physiological development.

One man’s weed is another man’s food. So, what exactly is a weed, and what functions do these plants perform in nature? Bill Kerr provides some insights.

In preparation for winter, most farmers in summer rainfall areas are supplementing their livestock feed. However, agricultural researcher, Jan Hoon, explains that normal winterfeed supplementation is not enough for animals in drought-stricken areas.

At some point, even the greatest tragedies become old news and a protracted crisis loses its punch.

Coping with adversity is not the same as being resilient, says Roelof Bezuidenhout.