Farmer's Weekly 07-Aug 2015

I had just started writing about South Africa missing out on trade opportunities while its southern hemisphere competitors wasted no time filling the gaps that opened up in international markets (see story on p19), when my mother called to say it was raining. My parents farm in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal. Like so many other farmers in this drought-stricken province, they have waited months for signs of rain. On that day, just 18mm of rain fell in a few hours, hardly enough to soak even the top layer of the parched soil. By evening the rain meter held the only proof of that morning’s drizzle. The Bivane Dam, which supplies water to irrigation farmers in and around Pongola, is now at about 40% of capacity and it is months before the rainy…

It is common knowledge that a second doubling in food production will be needed to feed the world’s population by 2030. Yet it is becoming increasingly difficult to increase crop yields appreciably towards the elusive ‘genetic potential ceiling’. So what can we do to increase food production significantly in a relatively short time in this hot, crowded and hungry world? In short, we should support sound scientific endeavour, and trust this science as practised by scientists of proven ability. WHAT TO TRUST? Scientific research outputs worthy of the name ‘good science’ are invariably published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Scientists are competitive animals and will not allow false scientific outputs to go unchallenged. Sooner rather than later, the truth will come out. Good science is currently pitted in a ‘war’ against…

There has been a great deal of controversy about the breeding of non-typical colour variant game animals. These animals have been called ‘mutations’, ‘freaks’, ‘lucky-packet animals’, etc. There is also a continuing furore about so-called ‘canned lions’. These two enterprises go hand in hand. I am not in favour of ‘hunting’ captive lions or breeding and distributing non-typical animals, as I have been a game ranger, farmer and professional hunter in Southern Africa, involved in conservation management and hunting, for over 50 years. My main objection to ‘hunting’ canned or captive-bred lions is a matter of ethics. Many of the operators tell prospective hunting clients that these lions are wild and free-roaming and are naturally found on their properties. This is untrue and extremely unethical. Most of these lions have…

Farmer’s Weekly’s regular columnists often receive questions from readers. In this new column, our writers attempt to answer as many of these as possible. Aquaculture  Q Dear Nicholas I want to know which harvesting methods I can use for tilapia kept in earthen dams that cannot be drained. I have looked on the Internet and have only been able to find seine netting. I was thinking more along the lines of the fish kraals in Kosi Bay? As I know nothing about fish or aquaculture, I will appreciate your input and thoughts. Marcelle van den Hoven A Dear Marcelle The simplest method is using a gill net stretched across the water body. Mesh of different sizes will catch fish of different sizes. Stretched mesh of 80mm to 100mm in diameter…

Paul Gray’s letter, titled “Look after our fragile veld”, was published in the 24 July issue of Farmer’s Weekly . Paul says he has always been mindful of the importance of ensuring the sustainability of all natural resources, and has been involved in environmental and conservation matters on a voluntary basis for 40 years. Originally from Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, he is a quality assurance consultant and develops and audits management systems for ISO 9001 and related international standards. He is now semi-retired and lives in Cape Town.…

The article “Owning the value chain – Boran stud’s success story” (FW, 24 July) refers. Hats off to Simeon and Jarren Hurwitz for creating a successful business operation. We hope it inspires more farmers to look at ways of taking their hard-worked-for produce directly to the market. We share their belief and have done so with the wine we produce. Over the next few years we will increasingly focus on exactly this, in conjunction with more sustainable farming practices. Hayley St Leger Breytenbach, Brenaissance, via Farmer’s Weekly’s Facebook page Visit www.farmersweekly.co.za  and click on ‘Opinion’, then ‘Readers’ letters’ for more feedback on articles and current issues. GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your letters and photos to: Farmer’s Weekly, PO Box 1797, Pinegowrie 2123, SA, fax 011 889 0862,…