Farming Basics | Farmer's Weekly

Prevention can outsmart pests and diseases

Magda du Toit — Sun, 28 May 2023 08:00:39 +0000

Successful pest and disease management depends on scouting and monitoring crops. Magda du Toit spoke to a major citrus producer, as well as pest-control experts from various organisations.

Investing in agricultural schemes

Shane Brody — Fri, 19 May 2023 08:35:21 +0000

Some investment groups are considering strategies that allow you to invest in various farming operations in South Africa. This is not a bad idea, so long as you only invest through reputable entities, says Shane Brody.

Why it makes sense to farm meat goats

Shane Brody — Sat, 13 May 2023 08:00:12 +0000

Goats in South Africa are strongly linked to cultural and religious practices, and this creates a good, sustainable market. Goat herds grow quickly, and these hardy creatures are well suited to smaller farms, says Shane Brody.

Why many first-generation family agribusinesses don’t survive their founders

Trevor Dickinson — Sun, 07 May 2023 09:54:15 +0000

Lack of succession planning is one of the key reasons why so many family agribusinesses fail to last, writes Trevor Dickinson. Very few businesses that are simply ‘handed over’ in an informal manner will survive.

Plant citrus to supplement your income

Shane Brody — Sat, 06 May 2023 08:00:39 +0000

Citrus fruits, which are rich in vitamin C, fetch a good price. Consider starting a co-operative system in your community, planting trees in a number of yards and buying inputs in bulk to save money, says Shane Brody.

When to wean beef calves

Staff Reporter — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 08:20:37 +0000

Calves should be weaned at the correct time so that they achieve optimal weight, and their dams can conceive again as soon as is practical.

Recognising and accepting the responsibility of stewardship

Trevor Dickinson — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 08:00:06 +0000

The owners of the most successful family agribusinesses understand that their enterprise is not a possession. Instead, it’s a legacy they are obliged to take care of for future generations, says Trevor Dickinson.

Natural fertilisers for vegetables

Staff Reporter — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 08:00:11 +0000

Use these fertilisers as a source of plant nutrition or to improve the physical and chemical properties of the soil and avoid over-fertilisation.

How to provide enough water for your herd

Shane Brody — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 08:00:40 +0000

Clean drinking water is an absolute essential for livestock, says Shane Brody. If animals don’t get enough to drink or the quality of the water is poor, their health will suffer, and the farmer’s profits will decrease as well.

The ins and outs of water-use regulations and legislation

Staff Reporter — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 10:46:32 +0000

This article, the first in a series by Integrated Water Use License Application Management, is aimed at helping farmers to better understand relevant water-use legislation and regulations in South Africa.