Indice dei contenuti per 15 September 2023 in Farmer's Weekly

Scania Southern Africa is planting a forest: one tree for every customer who partners with them to drive the shift to a sustainable transport solution. Scania's sustainable transport solutions include low-emission Euro 5 vehicles, the soon-to-be launched Scania Super with Euro 6 engines and zero-emission Scania battery electric vehicles. The trees will be planted in areas where they have the most impact. Many communities in South Africa lack green spaces. Research links trees to a reduction in crime, better school performance and improved health benefits. Every tree planted in a Scania sustainability pioneer's name will create a healthy and sustainable community ecosystem, while ensuring these business visionaries are forever a part of the environment they are helping Scania to protect. “Considering that our roads carry more than 70% of all…

WEEKLY NEWS WRAP ‘Growers need to be educated about nematodes and their potential impact on root and soil health' – Prof Driekie Fourie, nematode specialist at Syngenta, on the increasing nematode populations and the effects on farms (pg 15). ‘More and more farming communities, through their farmer unions, are organising themselves and stepping up, rolling up their sleeves to attend to challenges that they face' – Deidre Carter, CEO of Agri Limpopo, on the need for collaborative action needed to restore South Africa (pg 16-17). ‘Farmers engage in sharing their skills and equipment, and are introduced to networks to boost their ability to survive' – Tobie Badenhorst, head of group sponsorships and cause marketing at Nedbank, on projects in rural communities to improve food production (pg 20). ‘Government keeps pushing…

Farming and hope are intrinsically synonymous, said Deidre Carter, chief executive officer of Agri Limpopo in her address at the Agri Limpopo Congress, held recently at Modimolle. “After all, crops are sown in the expectation of a good harvest. Positivity is part of the farmer's DNA.“ She pointed out that bad, reckless, and irrational governance and policy choices had many consequences, with the primary one being a lack of business confidence across the economy, specifically in the agriculture industry. Other factors that have a major impact on the agriculture sector include diminishing government capacity, unrelenting electricity blackouts, ever- worsening road conditions, collapse of the rail network, inefficient harbours, failing municipal Service delivery, endemic criminality and lawlessness - including stock, crop, equipment, and cable theft, and failing biosecurity. However, what was…

South Korea's farmers have decided to change their crops to suit the ever-changing climate in the area. According to the Research Institute of Climate Change and Agriculture, seasonal fruit, like apples and grapes, will no longer feature on local farms in the next few decades. They will be making way for tropical fruit. The institute said farmers were looking for more temperatureresistant fruit like mangoes and passion fruit. Farmers from Gangwon in the north of South Korea might be the only ones still able to grow apples. Researchers from the institute said the average temperature in South Korea went up by 0,6°C between 2013 and 2022. The areas where seasonal fruit, such as pears, peaches and grapes, are able to grow will shrink as well, the report said. “By 2090,…

Before attending an auction with your animals, it's important to prepare for the event. Bear in mind that at an auction, you are not only hoping to achieve the best price possible for your animals, but are also establishing or cementing a reputation for your business. If your animals are in poor condition, injured or visually unappealing in some way or another, you may be setting yourself up for future failure, as buyers may begin to associate your brand and business with inferior quality. Properly preparing your animals for auction is important to ensure they are healthy, well-presented, and market-ready. If your animals are in good condition it can help you achieve better prices while ensuring their well-being. BEFORE THE AUCTION Conduct a thorough health check of the animals you…

FAST FACTS Irrigation ensures a consistent water supply to plants, which is essential for their survival and growth. Irrigation supports microbial activity, ensuring efficient nutrient recycling and maintenance of soil structure, and helps prevent soil erosion by binding soil particles together. Sustainable irrigation practices are crucial for conserving water resources, increasing crop productivity, and minimising negative environmental impacts. There are various ways to promote and maintain soil health. One of these is through irrigation methods. Irrigation plays a crucial role in maintaining soil health and promoting optimal plant growth. It provides essential water to crops, particularly in regions with insufficient rainfall or unreliable water availability. Irrigation ensures a consistent water supply to plants, which is essential for their survival and growth. Water is a primary component of plant cells and…

In the late 1500s, the Dutch low countries were a Spanish colony, ruled as the Spanish Netherlands from Madrid. Then along came William, Prince of Orange, a bygone territory in what is now the south of France. He was one of the main leaders during the Dutch Revolt, which began in 1566 and led to the formal recognition of a self-governing Dutch republic more than 80 years later. Though William was assassinated before independence from Spain was official, he is largely credited as the country's founding father. According to the tale, Dutch farmers at the time began to develop and cultivate orange varieties of the carrot as a mark of respect for William's House of Orange. The carrots grew in popularity and spread around the world to become the vegetable's…

During the this year's Trooping the Colour Ceremony, held in June, King Charles rode his new charger, a black mare called Noble, who cavorted merrily while her antics were televised. Fortunately, her rider is not only a king but a very competent polo player and he soon brought her to attention. Two other members of his family (one was Princess Anne) also rode black Canadian Police Service (CPS) horses during the ceremony. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (commonly called the Mounties). Their association with the royal family dates back to 1904, when King Edward VII bestowed the title of ‘Royal' on the then North-West Mounted Police in Canada. The Mounties took part in the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953 and have presented…

Hillbilly Homes LIFESTYLE Dear Jonno, Do you have any ideas about building a house on an old cement reservoir? I have an erf that has an old reservoir with a 14m diameter. I would like to utilise the space for a basement or cellar. The reservoir is above ground and about 1,8m deep. I hope you can assist. Kind regards, Lourens Dear Lourens, Thanks for the enquiry and further explanatory discussion. You mentioned the outer walls of your reservoir are thick and sturdy, and together with the concrete slab you would like to turn this into a comfortable home. With the reservoir diameter of 14m I have had to take the roofing into consideration, together with keeping it structurally sound and in terms of health and safety regulations. Your request…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. This article was originally published by The Conversation. Read the article at shorturl.at/iIMN9. “Arriving at the tranquil “village health facility in southwestern Nigeria, we were met by a small gathering of men – young and old – with thinly veiled excitement. These rural farmers were visibly intrigued by our research interest in their experiences as proud growers of e ·ȱԄo¥ (leaf of wealth), as they colloquially describe cannabis in the Yorùbá language. They had consented to meeting at the health facility because of its obscure location. CRIMINALISED Cannabis is a heavily criminalised plant in Nigeria. It can get its growers, traders and users long prison sentences. The National Drug Law Enforcement Act prescribes an…

The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform's Women Entrepreneur Awards were held in all districts of the province to highlight, recognise and empower women in the agriculture sector. The awards seeks to motivate women and youth to venture into agriculture and the agro-processing sector, and to acknowledge the efforts and contributions of women in economic development and job creation through agriculture. Speaking about the awards, department MEC Nonkqubela Pieters said women were the nucleus of economic development in the country and should be empowered and supported to become stronger in agribusinesses. In the provincial awards, 28-year-old Siphesihle Kwetana of King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality was recognised as one of the most successful farmers in the OR Tambo District and province, taking top honours at the awards ceremony, held…

The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) collaborated with Rhodes University's Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science (DIFS) recently to host a pop-up science exhibition for Makhanda residents, where aquaponics was put on show. The exhibition formed part of the university's National Science Week, held annually to create awareness of science. According to Andisile Klaas, SAIAB science communicator, the aim was to advance science through demonstrating the field to people outside of the profession. The science week took place from 31 July to 5 August with the theme ‘Transforming lives through evidence-based science'. Two nodes of science were focused on, namely energy (building sustainable electricity), and agriculture. In an effort to showcase the agriculture component, SAIAB decided to explore and create awareness of aquaponics, an innovative and sustainable farming…

FAST FACTS Oja Farms process their soya beans into snack bars and dry beans. Market uptake has been slow due to the negative view of soya beans. The Cloetes want soya beans to be marketed in the bean category and not as a meat replacement. Soya mince, hamburger patties and sausages – this is where it all went wrong for soya beans for human consumption in the 1960s. Since then, mention of the ingredient on product labels has quickly seen hands withdrawn from products on supermarket shelves and in fridges as memories of this meat replacement have set an unsavoury precedent. The negative perception of soya beans is the biggest hurdle the Cloete family of Oja Farms have faced in gaining market traction with their novel soya bean-based products. Since…

FAST FACTS The litchi is a tropical fruit that is popular for its sweet and fragrant flavour. It is native to Southeast Asia. There are several popular varieties that produce goodsized, sweet fruit. Litchi trees need ample water, but don't like wet feet. Therefore, well-draining soil is essential. The litchi (Litchi chinensis) is a tropical fruit known for its sweet and fragrant flavour. Native to Southeast Asia, it is cultivated in various parts of the world with suitable climatic conditions. Litchi trees require a subtropical to tropical climate, with warm and humid conditions for optimal growth. According to data from September 2021, China is the largest producer, accounting for about 80% of the world's litchi production. Within China, the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian and Guangxi are major litchi-growing regions. Other…

White blister (Cronartium ribicola) is also referred to as white rust, because the pustules that are formed closely resemble rust apart from the colour. The pathogen is a fungus called Albugo candida. Albugo can infect a wide range of cruciferous crops and weeds. I often come across the weed shepherd's purse (Capsella bursapastoris) covered with pustules. I farmed cabbages for many years without coming across C. ribicola, but when I started planting a new variety, I came across symptoms for the first time. I won't name it, because I'm not sure whether this variety is particularly susceptible to C. ribicola, or whether the seed was infected. However, I find it flaring up on farms from time to time. Brassica species and varieties vary in susceptibility. C. ribicola is also found…

BEANIE FAIRLANDS I'm 67 and a retired paediatric/neonatal nursing sister, and have an independent 27-year-old son. In my mid-20s and early 30s I assisted with farming Angora goats and Dohne Merino sheep in the northeastern Free State, a place that made my soul sing. So, if you can share your space, humour and truth, then hello. TAKE A CHANCE I am a hands-on person still in the workplace. I reside in a coastal town in the Eastern Cape. Are there any genuine men out there aged between 65 and 70 looking for companionship with a genuine and caring lady? My interests are music, art, cooking, catering and home life. SELECTIVE BREEDER I am a bilingual, active, fit, trim, good-looking 72-year-old pensioner with a farm in the Karoo looking for a…

The Agri 5 Expo will give private companies, government departments and agencies an opportunity to promote their social programmes, foster dialogue, share the development experience of African farmers, and boost their participation in the agriculture sector within the poultry, livestock, dairy, crop and piggery industries. To register for the event, visit agri5expo.co.za. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 14 TO 16 SEPTEMBER Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa, Sandton Convention Centre. Visit organicandnaturalportal.com/expo. 18 TO 21 SEPTEMBER International Macadamia Symposium, Zimbali The Capital Hotel. Register at ims.samac.org.za/registration. 3 TO 5 OCTOBER Windaba Conference, Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 2). Visit windaba.co.za. 16 TO 20 OCTOBER 12th International Symposium on Pollination, Kirstenbosch, Cape Town. To register, visit shorturl.at/nrwM6. 22 TO 23 NOVEMBER Emerging Farmers & Agro Processing Conference, Southern Sun Hotel, Sandton.…

Zambia's government is seeking to diversify into agriculture as the economic growth of the country stutters. Zambia's economy is projected to grow by just 2,7% in 2023, down from 4,7% in 2022, as contractions in the mining and energy sectors restrained growth. The country's income traditionally depended largely on copper mining, but the government is hoping for growth in the agriculture sector to improve the economy. The economy has been eroded by the effects of COVID-19, climate change and other factors. AN OPPORTUNITY Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema sees this setback as an opportunity to spur growth after a US$6,3 billion (about R117 billion) debt restructuring in June last year. He said government was in the process of reviewing various laws that impeded agricultural growth, aiming to maximise use of ample…

The George Agricultural Show, held from 24 to 26 August in the Western Cape, was filled with excitement this year, with the World Tent Pegging Championship, which was won by Saudi Arabia, probably the highlight of the event. Along with this, it was the first time that three national dairy championships (Holsteins, Jerseys and Ayrshires) were held simultaneously at a show in the Western Cape. A huge range of other animals were also on show, including sheep, goats and poultry, with over 500 birds from 70 poultry breeds competing. The youth show for the first time included a Youth Auctioneer Competition. In this competition, youngsters did an auctioneering course, after which they participated in a mock auction that was won by Philip Brandt of Boland Agricultural School. Breyton Milford attended…

FAST FACTS Soil degradation is often ignored when it comes to threats to agriculture and food production. Healthy, fertile soil is essential for crop yield. Soil degradation does not happen overnight, and using improper practices over years may leave farmers with poor soils that cannot be revitalised. The importance of soil in agriculture is perhaps one of the most overlooked facets of food production. Members of the public who are not involved in agriculture tend to focus on climate change and weather-related matters as the biggest crises facing agriculture and sustainable food production, while soil and soil health are often ignored. However, as many farmers know, soil health is essential for optimal crop and livestock production. According to Jane Wakefield, a technology reporter for the BBC, more than half of…

FAST FACTS Maintaining high grass quality improves milk solids. Manure slurry provides sufficient nutrients for pastures, so that chemical fertiliser is not necessary. Farmers in Ireland have a host of environmental laws to comply with, which pushes up costs. The cool summers and ample rain in Ireland make for ideal grass-growing conditions. The rolling hills of verdant pasture, with sheep and cattle dotting the landscape, are synonymous with the Irish countryside, as is the world-renowned butter that farmers produce off these fields. Dairy farmer Vanessa Kiely-O'Connor, from the picturesque outpost of Innishannnon in southern Ireland, is suitably proud of the cheese and butter that the country produces. She has managed to squeeze in my visit between running the dairy single-handedly and attending co-op meetings, yet still made time to bake…

Most of the vegetables we grow come from other parts of the world, writes Tom Kha Gai at thegardener.co.za, but if we do a little investigation. we find all sorts of interesting African edible plants. One such plant is the horned cucumber. The horned cucumber (Cucumis metuliferus) is native to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola. C. metuliferus is a fascinating plant with a long list of other common names. These include African horned cucumber, wild cucumber, horned melon, spiked melon, and the cuke-a-saurus. The horned cucumber has been cultivated for more than 3 000 years. It is is part of the cucumber and melon family, Cucurbitaceae, but the flavour of the fruit is bolder and more tropical than you'd expect. “It starts out with a flavour…

Sporting a refreshed 2023 facelift, the T8 Super Lux offers R50 000 worth of additional factoryfitted features, all covered by the manufacturer's extensive warranty while maintaining its retail price parity with the current T8 Lux range. The global launch of the T8 in 2019 boosted the growth of the JAC Motors brand, further enhancing the company's competitiveness in the international market. The T8 is manufactured in China, exported to over 40 left- and right-hand-drive countries, and valued by its owners for its versatile dual-lifestyle ability. Karl-Heinz Göbel, CEO of JAC Motors South Africa, says: “The new T8 Super Lux, with enhanced features, elevates our customer value proposition.” The new line-up includes 4×2 and 4×4 derivatives, all priced under R500 000. Positioned between the affordable T6 double-cab workhorse line-up and the…

ACROSS 3. Perceives (6) 8. Soft cheese originating in north-western France (4) 9. Three-lobed leaf or plant producing them (7) 10. Fragrant flower with dark-green leaves also called Cape jasmine (8) 11. Tiny invertebrates often with sectional bodies (7) 13. White and dark-red cattle breed originating in Switzerland (11) 14. Oppressive ruler (6) 16. Expel from the body (5) 19. Total number of fish caught in one outing (5) 21. Dark-red root of the Beta vulgaris plant that is eaten as a vegetable (8) 22. Wandering away from domestic control (8) 24. Red wine grape originating in Shiraz, Persia (5) 25. Fragrant garden herb, Thymus vulgaris (5) 28. Ramshackle dwelling (6) 30. A plantain with long, narrow, ribbed leaves (6-5) 31. Dig up (7) 33. Anything that delays or hinders…

Did you know we are in Little Jerusalem? That is how Bartel du Toit, of La Plume Farm and Boutique Guest House, begins our conversation. “Yes,” comes the reply, “on account of the many Jewish people in the early ostrich feather trade.” “Yes,” he says, “but also because, like Jerusalem, we are surrounded by four mountains: the Kammanassie, Outeniqua, Swartberg and Rooiberg.” The original Du Toits were Huguenots who first came to Franschhoek, but four generations of Bartel's family have lived and farmed in Oudtshoorn. “My father had 60ha wine grapes and produced 1 000t of grapes annually. Today, there are no vineyards left in this area. This is a direct result of climate change,” he says. Bartel's father was instrumental in the building of the Kammanassie Dam and pipeline…