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I read the article ‘Adopt sustainable practices’ (27 July, pg 8) with interest.

South Africa could go down a number of paths in the next five years. Strategist and author Clem Sunter outlined these scenarios at the recent PestBiz congress in Durban.

“South African agriculture is a healthy, vibrant industry, and will remain so if we only keep the politicians and politics out of the business.

Brahman stud breeder James Prinsloo runs a thriving cattle enterprise on the Mpumalanga highveld where winter temperatures can fall to -12°C. Known for their resilience to heat and drought, the Brahman of the Jamica stud prove the commendable adaptability of the breed. Annelie Coleman reports.

This easy-care, dual purpose breed thrives in the harshest conditions, offers high net profits and is a pleasure to farm. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.

Many a successful businessperson or professional is turning to farming these days. Veteran agricultural journalist George Nicholas thinks he knows why.

Malekaleke Maila farms with Pedi sheep on communal land in Limpopo. Unable to run his flock near his village, he is forced to spend each week away from home. Yet, through careful management, he earns a reasonable living and is paying for his children’s studies. Peter Mashala spoke to him.

Pierre Heydenrych, a fourth generation wheat farmer in the Western Cape, talks about the difficulties of the weather and the low wheat price.

The compulsory blending of a minimum of 5% biofuel with mineral diesel and 2% to 10% with bio-ethanol announced in the Government Gazette on 23 August has been hailed as a breakthrough by the agricultural industry.

Late blight in potatoes is caused by airborne spores of the Phytophthora infestans fungus. The disease manifests as irregular dark lesions on the stems and leaves and spreads quickly.

World maize consumption is expected to increase by 31,9 million tons this season. Loffie Brandt of Absa AgriBusiness reports on these and other trends both locally and globally.

It makes no economic sense to produce poor quality hay.