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The mohair market made a turnabout on the 5th sale, with the indicator gaining 10% to close on R77,61 - and 94,5% of the small, mixed offering was cleared. Mohair SA's general manager, Deon Saayman, said, "Good after-sales will improve this figure."

Maize farmers mustn't plant themselves out of business, but rather diversify to other crops and livestock for long-term survival, says Tom van Rooyen, a 2010 Grain SA Grain Producer of the Year finalist.<

In the "us vs them" game no one wins, and the divide between the government and commercial farmers has largely been created by "stone-throwing politicians", says Agri Eastern Cape president Ernest Pringle.

James and Brett Domleo are providing pineapple farmers with an alternative outlet in a prickly market. Robyn Joubert spoke to them about their pioneering idea.

The adult mohair indicator fell 9% to close at R70,85, despite emergency intervention from the industry at the fourth sale of the 2010 mohair winter season.

Good rainfalls have offered some farmers relief from dry conditions. Rain was mostly concentrated over the eastern parts of the country with isolated rainfall over the central parts, said Grainvest weather analyst Louis Botha.

African countries need to implement home-grown policies to accelerate food production that are better suited to their state of economic growth and development, says Akin Adesina, former president of the African Association of Agricultural Economists. He highlights the main challenges of accelerated agricultural growth on the continent and gives some policy suggestions to overcome these obstacles.

Making the transition from conventional farming to organic farming, and then to biological farming, hasn't been easy for this Hluhluwe pineapple farmer. But achieving a higher yield in extremely dry conditions has made it worth his while. Robyn Joubert investigates.

Many VEGETABLE FARMERS ask what fertiliser to use when planting cabbages. The question assumes each crop has a specific requirement, regardless of what's already in the soil.

After a number of dry years and with part of the region declared a drought disaster area in mid-2009, 2010 was always going to be tough for the members of the Upper Cathcart Farmers Association (UCFA) in the Eastern Cape. And as Mike Burgess discovered, farmers there have been reminded just how isolated they are from efficient state support in times of drought – and that it’s better to rely on the generosity of fellow farmers.

Many new farmers lack the money to start up their business. But before applying for a loan, make sure it's really necessary, writes Susan Pletts.

Groundnuts is a drought-toleraGroundnuts are rich in protein and can be eaten raw, cooked or roasted. The upright types are mostly cultivated under drier conditions, while the runner kinds are often irrigated.