Table of contents for 4 March 2016 in Farmer's Weekly

IT’S UP TO FARMERS THEMSELVES TO MAKE LAND REFORM WORK Working for Farmer’s Weekly, I am often asked whether I think there is a future for farming in South Africa. My short answer is that there simply has to be because without agriculture, South Africa has no future. But the reality of the situation is far more complex and uncertain. For starters, our government has painted itself into a corner by pursuing two vastly conflicting priorities: land reform and food security. South Africa will never have enough money to settle all restitution claims by paying market-related prices for land; equally, there is no clear and proven plan to ensure that productive agricultural land transferred to land reform beneficiaries remains productive. But perhaps most concerning of all is the degree of…

A recent study by the World Resource Institute (WRI) has shown that Chinese investment in African forests have increased tenfold between 2007 and 2015. According to the report, the impact of these projects was mostly negative. “About 75% of African timber was exported to China every year,” the report said. Although Chinese investment in the forestry sector could improve market access and increase income for local communities and small-scale operators, according to the WRI, an International Institute for Environment and Development study found only negative consequences such as low contribution to local employment, poor labour practices, deforestation, and illegal logging. The WRI found that small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which were not easy to regulate, played a large role in the African forestry sector. These SMEs usually did not receive…

A R26-million marula processing factory has opened in the KwaNgwanase area of northern Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal. The factory will soon begin processing wild harvested, and eventually commercially grown, marula fruit into marketable products, including jams, oils and beer. The capital for the factory was provided by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). The national Department of Rural Development and Land Reform provided a further R5 million to fund the purchase of a marula-destoning machine, which can also crack the marula nuts to extract oil. Part of the R5 million would be used to buy two trucks, one to transport local Tembe workers to collect wild marula fruit for processing, and another to deliver the processed marula products to markets. “The processing plant will see close to 50…

Agri SA is lobbying government to rescue distressed farmers, suffering due to the drought, by subsidising farm workers’ pay, in affected areas, by up to R1 300 per month, per worker, for the foreseeable future. Speaking to the Cape Town Press Club, Omri van Zyl, Agri SA CEO, said this drought could be the worst in 100 years. A drought task team report was presented, which was forwarded to the finance and agriculture ministers. Seeking R4 billion in state guarantees, and R17 billion in the worst-case scenario, Van Zyl explained that these state guarantees would not pressurise the fiscal balance sheet, as money was not transferred to anyone. Agri SA, which has teamed-up with organisations including Afasa, TAU SA, Land Bank, Agbiz and the IDC, said that the SA farming…

Local communal livestock farmers in KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) impoverished uMsinga area have reportedly expressed excitement over plans to build a goat abattoir, funded by the KZN Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs (KZN DARD), in the region. And, according to the KZN chapter of the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA KZN), if this abattoir is successful, more such abattoirs could be built in other parts of the province. Saudi Arabia, claimed KZN DARD, had requested a supply of meat from one million goats annually from the province’s government. KZN DARD and AFASA KZN believe enabling local farmers to take advantage of the international and local demand for formally and hygienically raised and processed goat meat would generate sustainable income for these often poor farmers. Cyril Xaba, KZN DARD’s MEC,…

Trade arrangements between the US and South Africa, post Agoa, should realistically develop into reciprocal agreements, in a more mature trading environment, according to Sharon Bomer-Lauritsen, the US assistant trade representative for agriculture (USTR). Bomer-Lauritsen was speaking at a round-table discussion moderated by Tinashe Kapuya of Agbiz. The aim of the discussion was to glean information about the agricultural sector in South Africa. USTR had been tasked by the US Congress to write a report and make recommendations on how the trade relationship between the US and South Africa should be structured, said Bomer-Lauritsen. The US wanted to establish a bilateral trade relationship with South Africa rather than a preferential agreement, she said. There were two important issues in this regard: the out-of-cycle review which gave the US flexibility to…

Zimbabwean subsistence and smallholder farmers were most affected by the devastating drought in that country, according to Hendrik Olivier, CEO of the Commercial Farmers’ Union of Zimbabwe. The situation in the south and south-west, including Masvingo and Matabeleland, was dire, he said. “These people have nothing. They have no food and virtually everyone has lost livestock to the drought. They have probably sold the last of their livestock to pay for school fees,” Olivier said. He said that although he was not aware of any human deaths, there was widespread hunger and suffering. The Zimbabwean government stated that 16 000 head of livestock – including cattle and goats – had been lost to the drought. Humanitarian organisations, such as the World Food Program (WFP), had played an integral role in…

I have often contrasted South Africa’s tilapiagrowing industry with those in neighboring countries, and a recent visit to Zambia brought these contrasts to light. Aquaculture in South Africa is a troubled industry. With the exception of the well-established trout and abalone sectors, performance is poor and success stories few. In the warm-water sector, tilapia have still not achieved commercial-scale production, despite widespread interest. Projects in climatically suitable areas – Limpopo, Mpumlanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal – are bedevilled by red tape and a general reluctance by government to allow industry development. Over-regulation stifles growth. There is no reason that low-altitude areas should not develop pond-based tilapia farms where water is available; they differ little from the Zambian plateau where such production is thriving. However, despite the fact that the Nile tilapia…

VALUE-ADDING ENTERPRISES EXPOSE EMERGING FARMERS TO THE BEST PRODUCTION METHODS AND GIVE THEM ACCESS TO TRAINING Please tell us more about VKB’s philosophy of adding value to primary agricultural production. We believe that South Africa should be self-sufficient in food supply. We also think that adding value to the primary agricultural products in our area will create additional demand for locally produced agricultural products. This will in turn stimulate and increase production of the primary products usually produced in the VKB areas of interest – the eastern Free State and Limpopo. These include maize, wheat and soya beans. This means that the company effectively purchases the grains for the respective industries in its fold directly from producers. This sustainable diversification option will help to contribute to food security in South…

Peter’s father, Antonios Tselingas, was sent to Malawi as a 13-year-old after the Second World War to join his sister and her family. Ten years later, he bought the Nyenyezi and Chipunga Estates, where he started farming flue-cured tobacco. Peter and his brothers George and Christos kept up the tobacco enterprise and subsequently expanded into poultry and beef. Chipunga and Nyenyezi remain the family’s home farms, and Christos and Peter’s son, Antonois, still produce tobacco on the two farms.…

AVOID USING MULTI-NUTRIENT MIXTURES AS A FOLIAR FEED – THESE CAN LEAD TO THE LETTUCE BECOMING STRESSED When planting lettuce, it is very important to ensure that the soil is sufficiently moist to reduce transplant shock. I often come across farmers who plant the seedlings into hot, dry soil, saying that irrigation follows close behind the planting. The problem with this practice is that the fine hair roots on the outside of the seedling plug are damaged immediately; the irrigation will come too late for them. These farmers reason that the healthy plant soon generates new roots. This is true, but the damaged roots could serve as an entry point for root diseases. These may only manifest much later and not be associated with planting in hot, dry soil. This…

If there’s one thing I have learnt in my life, it is that change is here to stay. And we need to adjust, because if we don’t, we’ll be left behind. ‘IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION; BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD’ At Shalom Ministries, our team makes full use of digital technology, especially social media. We have to, because we want to reach as many people as possible, in all walks of life and of all ages. The same applies to agriculture. As farmers, we have to adjust to the times in which we live. My sons are all farming now and I don’t have time to farm any more. I spend most of my time preaching and writing. But I want to…

URBAN GARDENING  by Jane Griffiths (Sunbird, R295) Here Griffiths caters to the increasing trend for townies to grow at least some of their own food as a contribution to sustainable living. She explores the topic widely, ranging from container gardening and raised beds for small plots or even balconies to aquaponics and keeping hens and bees. Her clear and well-considered how-to approach benefits from excellent photographs, which are also a design inspiration. A great gift for townie friends or grown children. THAT GIRL FROM NOWHERE by Dorothy Koomson (Sphere, R250) It was a shock when Clemency found out she was adopted. It was both a shock and a relief when she bumped into someone so like her that she at last had a blood relative of her own. Trying to…

William Pulles’s letter “Western Cape farm workers – the real story”, was published in the 19 February issue of Farmer’s Weekly. William has been part of the Western Cape farming community since 2004, when he started farming ostriches on his farm in Meiringspoort near Klaarstroom. He was also a director of Klein Karoo Limited and of the Western Cape Ostrich Producers’ Association. In 2012, he sold his farm and bought another in the Montagu district where he focuses on the production, packing and supply of Cape gooseberries to major retail chains. He is married to Karin and the couple have three children. Visit www.farmersweekly.co.za  and click on ‘Opinion’, then ‘Readers’ letters’ for more feedback on articles and current issues.…

‘WE WILL TAKE WHAT MEASURES WE CAN TO ASSIST THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR’ “There is no doubt that we are in crisis and that we have to do extraordinary things to meet the challenges we face,” Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, told journalists during a press conference on the 2016 Budget. The budget, which Gordhan presented recently in Parliament, paves the way to reduce the fiscal deficit through “stringent cost containment measures” on the one hand, and targeted spending to ensure inclusive growth on the other. Gordhan called on “public representatives, civil servants, businesspeople, youth, workers and citizens” to come together to “address declining confidence and the retreat of capital” and “combat emerging patterns of predatory behaviour and corruption”. DROUGHT RESPONSE In his speech, Gordhan confirmed that government had a plan…

Ratings agency Moody’s has revised SA’s economic growth forecast downwards to 0,5%, lower than the World Bank’s 0,7% forecast. The drought and power cuts were two factors contributing to the country’s disappointing economic growth, according to a recent Moody’s report. In addition to consumers already feeling the impact of food inflation, commercial and small-scale food producers were struggling to stay afloat, Grain SA economist, Wandile Sihlobo, said. “We run the risk of losing a large number of new farmers and food security for the country. It’s important that all farmers stay in production,” he said. He added that both commercial and small-scale producers had been farming under severe financial pressure. “This is the second year in a row that farmers are experiencing dry conditions.” The sector required urgent external financial…

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa is working with a number of African countries to increase the number of farms on the continent. The initiative’s first three pilot model farms will be established in Tanzania, Zambia and the DRC, according to Daily News Egypt. The farms, which are earmarked for crop production, will be between 200ha and 240ha. Negotiations were underway to establish farms in Ethiopia, Kenya and Eritrea. Egypt would be a significant partner in the programme, providing the necessary technology and environmentally compatible seed varieties. Countries involved would provide infrastructure, water resources and labour. – Staff reporter…

While citrus rejected by the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) is at its lowest for the past three years, there are still many unnecessary rejections due to poor or incorrect labelling. This was according to Vijan Chetty, the National Manager: Cold Chain at PPECB. Speaking at the Citrus Research International (CRI) postharvest workshop held in the Western Cape, Chetty said that only 1,43% of the 113 million, 15kg cartons of citrus inspected last season had been rejected. About 144 000 cartons have been rejected in special markets due to labels that did not meet the labelling requirements. Hannes Bester, National Extension Manager at CRI, explained that packhouses that failed to comply with national labelling requirements would not only suffer economic losses due to the rejected products being diverted to…

The continuing drought has transformed parts of the Molopo region in the far north-western corner of North West into a desert landscape, according to Nicol Muller, Agri Molopo chairperson. Commercial beef cattle producers in the region have been forced to cut their herds by at least 40% over the past three years. At least 3 000 head of cattle have succumbed to the drought since 2012, while at least 12 000 breeding animals have been removed from the area, said Muller. In the Leniesdeel, Tlakgaming and Ganyesa areas of Molopo, showers of between 20mm and 120mm were recorded during the past month. Vergelegen reported showers of between 14mm and 60mm. Vorstershoop, Jakkalskop and Bray received virtually no rain. Extreme temperatures worsened the situation. Temperatures in the mid-40s have been commonplace…

Poachers killed about 100 elephants during 8 000 incursions into Zimbabwean game parks and conservancies countrywide last year. Edison Chidziya, director-general of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) told a parliamentary portfolio committee on the environment, water, tourism and the hospitality industry that, to counter the carnage, ZimParks was planning to deploy drones in game parks. ZimParks, he said, was also investing in more helicopters, sniffer dogs and surveillance cameras. “We’re working with other law enforcement agencies on regulatory frameworks for the use of drones. We managed to detect 8 000 incursions into park estates since last year by 145 poachers,” Chidziya said. Zimbabwe is battling the poaching of elephant, rhino, lion, zebra and other high-value animals. Poachers are using new ‘silent’ tactics, particularly cyanide poisoning of salt…

South Africans should brace themselves for tough times ahead, as well as the risk of possible riots over high food prices. This was according to a Grain SA, report presented to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on the possible wider impact of the drought which has seen the 2016 crop estimate for maize being reduced by at least five million tons. GRAIN SA APPEALED TO GOVT FOR R1 BILLION IN STATE GUARANTEES FOR EMERGING FARMERS South Africans had not yet felt the full impact of the drought in their pockets, Wandile Sihlobo, senior agricultural economist at Grain SA, said. “Food is going to be expensive, and there are lots of people who won’t be able to afford it. We need to put some food security net…

Symbiosis between plants and microbes is extensive in nature and used in agriculture. How such genetic interactions work requires more research. Symbiotic microbes can be added to seed as seed treatment or applied to the roots where they invade the plant to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with plant cells. One well-known symbiotic relationship is that between certain legume species and Rhizobium bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen to benefit the plant. Researchers at the Boyce Thompson Institute in the UK took up the challenge to find and describe the unknown plant genes that enable symbiosis between plants and the Mycorrhiza arbuscular fungus (AM). Most plants get their mineral nutrients from a partnership with this fungus. The intensive investigation made use of the latest sequencing of genetic codes of 50 plant…

EMPLOYERS SHOULD ACT PROACTIVELY WHEN APPOINTING A NEW EMPLOYEE The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report of 2015/2016 (WEFGC report) rates South Africa 140th – out of 140 countries – in terms of hiring and firing practices. The vast legislation regulating labour relations in South Africa stresses the importance of the employer following the correct procedures when dealing with potential and current employees. The necessity for following correct procedures is particularly emphasised when an employee is to be dismissed, which, according to the WEFGC report, is a great challenge. Due to the perplexing labour environment, it is of the utmost importance to manage labour risk efficiently by appointing the correct employees, rather than appointing employees who are unsuited for the position and who must then be dismissed. HOW TO APPOINT…

In addition to farming various blesbok colour morphs, Petri has invested in golden wildebeest, king wildebeest and golden gemsbok. He explains that wildebeest, with an inherent ability to protect their young effectively, are a safer investment than smaller antelope species such as blesbok because of the threat posed by predators to vulnerable young. Petri also markets ‘splits’ (heterozygotes), and female animals mated to colour variant bulls at impressive prices. In 2015, he sold gemsbok cows mated to a golden bull for R25 000 each. Horn length in all game is an important driver for demand and female animals mated to bulls with exceptional horn length fetch top prices. Animals with impressive horns will also be hunted as trophy animals for a very high fee when they grow old and unproductive.…

Holomo Lebona, who has farmed cattle and mutton Merino sheep in the Free State since 2009, describes himself as a town mouse. “Ek is eintlik ‘n dorpsjapie (I’m actually a townie),” he says. However, he has always wanted to farm and his family history is deeply connected with cattle. “During the Second Anglo Boer War when Kitchener applied his scorched earth policy, my family in the-then Republic of the Orange Free State protected the Bothas,” says Holomo. “The Bothas were an honest family and after the war they gave land to my family to farm. After the 1913 Land Act, no Africans were supposed to own land, but because of the agreement with the Bothas, my grandmother was allowed to keep it. She lived there till 1960, when she was…

I TAKE PHOTOS OF WHATEVER COULD BE USEFUL IN MY TRAINING OF MARKET AGENTS The other day, I met with two young people from the subtropical fruit sector. As we settled down around the table, they brought out their smartphones. My cellphone, in contrast, stayed firmly in my pocket – on ‘silent’, because when I’m in a meeting, I’m afraid the world has to wait. I was not offended that they did not think the same way. In fact, I was impressed as their fingers whizzed over the screens, producing photographs, documents and even a copy of a recent column I had written. My phone does not boast all these wonderful aids to human communication that Peter Hughes mentions in his Managing for Profit column (see pg 30) – at…

MORE THAN 600 000 JEEPS WERE MANUFACTURED FOR THE MILITARY BETWEEN 1941 AND 1945 The petrol-electric Lohner-Porsche exhibited at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris was very likely the first practical 4WD vehicle. An electric motor in each hub powered the wheels, thereby circumventing the problems faced when designing a shaft-driven front-wheel drive. The car was the brainchild of Dr Ferdinand Porsche of Volkswagen Beetle fame. Its stack of lead-acid batteries, charged by an on-board petrol engine, provided the power for the electric motors. The next 4WD car was built by the Spyker Company of Amsterdam in 1903. It was also the first car with a six-cylinder engine, and one of the first with four-wheel brakes. But it never ran. The First World War gave the concept a major boost.…

To make chicken-fried steak for four – maybe with mash but definitely with cream gravy – you will need: • 1 kg tenderised beef steak• Canola or sunflower oil on demand• 250g plain white flour• 20g freshly ground black pepper• 20g coarse salt• 500ml milk• 250ml (or less) water As you can see from the startlingly brief ingredient list, the science is in the method and the equipment. For reasons unclear to me, this meal, like so much Southern cooking, demands a cast-iron skillet or saucepan or smallish Dutch oven. In my time as a kitchen mechanic, my cast-iron saucepan has become a favoured piece of equipment. Seasoning the beast was the only new skill I had to learn. This is done by coating the raw iron surfaces, including the lid, with cooking oil, inside and out,…

Many of the crucial vitamins we need for good health can be depleted by factors under our control. One of the greatest culprits is alcohol, which mainly affects the B-complex vitamins. These are important for brain health, among others. Thiamine, commonly known as Vitamin B1, is often drastically depleted by heavy drinking. This can lead to lethargy, anxiety, depression and lack of appetite. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is also affected by alcohol, which inhibits the body’s absorption of the vitamin and causes it to break down prematurely in the blood. The vitamin is vital for the formation of neurotransmitters in the brain and should be maintained at a high level in the blood. Cortisone and oestrogen also deplete B6. Symptoms of a lack of B6 include depression, mental confusion and premenstrual…

South Africa has had its driest year since 1904, but let us not forget the many other disastrous regional and national droughts before and since that. These, however, never had the same affect on the economy as the current one, simply because there were fewer people to feed. And less water was used, wasted and polluted. Another important difference between the impact of the current drought and those of the previous century is that hard-pressed farmers who could not survive despite subsidy schemes took on part-time jobs elsewhere. As these opportunities no longer exist (even in good times), drought-stricken farmers are now trapped on their farms. For them, advice on ‘how to cope’ is next to worthless. Crops and grazing need nothing less than water to grow while animals need…

• Treasury’s projected GDP growth rate for 2016 has been revised downwards to 0,9%, but the rate of economic growth is expected to improve gradually to 1,7% in 2017 and 2,4% in 2018. • Consumer price inflation is forecast to rise from an average of 4,6% in 2015 to 6,8% in 2016, before declining to 6,3% in 2017. • Excise duties on wine and sparkling wine will increase by 24c/l to R3,31/l and 78c/l to R10,53/l respectively. • Excise duties on beer will increase by 11c/340ml can to R1,35/340ml can. • A sugar-tax will be introduced on sugar-sweetened beverages on 1 April 2017. • A tyre levy of R2,30/kg tyre will be implemented, effective on 1 October 2016, in a bid to reduce waste. • The general fuel levy will increase by 30c/l, effective on 6 April…

Landless communities have truimphed over the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Act of 2014, which reopened the land restitution process for another five years. The Land Access Movement of South Africa (LAMOSA), the Association for Rural Advancement, the Nkunzi Development Association, the Communal Property Associations of Moddervlei, the Maluleke Communal Property Association and Popela represented these communities in court, and were assisted by the Legal Resources Centre and law firm, Webber Wentzel. The act disadvantaged at least 8 257 previous claimants whose cases had been lodged during the initial claims process but had still not been settled, according to a statement from LAMOSA. Former LAMOSA director and member of the Alliance for Rural Democracy, Constance Mogale, told Farmer’s Weekly that the Constitutional Court had ordered the Department of Rural Development…

Rice farmers in Nigeria plan to export rice by 2019, when the country’s local consumption requirements would have been met. Nigeria had until recently been one of the largest importers of rice in the world, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). ThisDay newspaper reported that Africa Exchange Holdings (AFEX) in Nigeria had announced that it would partner with the country’s ministry of agriculture and rural development to link rural farmers to local and international markets. According to AFEX country manager Ayodeji Balogun, Nigeria was already preparing its storage and export facilities. About 45 000 farmers had been provided with secure storage facilities and an electronic warehouse receipt system to provide sufficient grain for local consumption and enhance export opportunities. FAO data indicated that Nigeria was Africa’s leading consumer…

From May this year, citrus producers exporting to Europe will no longer be allowed to use Guazatine, a fungicide used for sour rot control. Hannes Bester, National Extension Manager at Citrus Research International (CRI), ascribes this to the European Union’s (EU) lowering minimum residue levels for Guazatine from 5mg/kg to 0,05mg/kg. On 13 May 2016, this new regulation comes into effect for oranges and grapefruit in the market. This means that producers exporting to the EU cannot use Guazatine on relevant produce at all. However, Guazatine can still be used on soft citrus and lemons until packing date 12 May 2016. Propiconazole has so far been identified as the best replacement for Guazatine. It is, however, not as effective, according to Dr Cheryl Lennox, a postharvest pathologist at Stellenbosch University.…

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) recently released a report estimating that there are currently significantly fewer wild animals in private ownership across South Africa than previously thought. However, Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) did not agree with the EWT’s figures based on previous data it compiled, which indicated that there were approximately 18 million privately-owned wild animals in the country. The EWT report, which followed an 18-month study of South Africa’s private wildlife ranching sector, indicated that there were about six million large wild herbivores in private hands. According to EWT, its study aimed to assess the social, economic and conservation benefits provided by SA’s private wildlife ranching sector. The study was intended to help develop best practice and incentives to promote the industry, as a means of assisting SA…

Although South Africa’s export fruit still had some of the lowest pesticide residue levels in the world, these were on the rise. With food safety becoming increasingly important to export destinations such as the EU and the US, South African producers should clamp down on the use of unregistered pesticides and ensure all chemicals were applied correctly. This is according to Prof Lise Korsten of the University of Pretoria’s department of microbiology and plant pathology. She presented her latest research on pesticide residue levels in South Africa’s export and local produce at the South African Avocado Growers annual research symposium, held recently in Tzaneen. Tracking the compliance of mainly fruit exports between 2006 and 2014, Korsten’s research found that compliance of residue level regulations had dropped from 99,49% to 96,78%.…

SA’s land reform policies, economic factors and major climatic challenges remain the apple industry’s greatest obstacles, despite high international demand. Calla du Toit, a fruit farmer in Ceres and apple and pear export company Tru-Cape’s procurement manager, emphasised the need for growers to remain competitive and export-focused through the development of new varieties. According to him, varietal innovation could assist in improving orchard productivity, and was imperative in keeping the business sustainable. “Farmers can’t be competitive and improve farm productivity if they only grow old varieties,” he said. He added that the drought posed a challenge for farmers trying to deliver apples of a consistent quality to consumers. “Our growers are struggling with colour development of fruit [because] of warm temperatures,” he said. He urged growers to use technology to…

WITH TWITTER, YOU CAN SEND MESSAGES TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN YOUR BUSINESS The obsession with smartphones, especially with younger people, can be infuriating. Far too often, while trying to hold an ordinary conversation with someone, we end up competing with a smartphone. But as business people, we can turn this love affair with the smartphone to our advantage, because this is a tool of amazing power. Think of the different ways in which it allows you to communicate. Used as a straightforward phone, and often this is best, it allows you and the other person to catch up on each other’s lives before doing business, and enables you to explain difficult concepts more easily. But there are often times when an SMS is better, especially if you don’t have time…

This autumn may be the hardest in a long while for farmers. The harvests for some are depressingly poor as hot, dry weather takes its toll on maize, grass and cattle. Dairy farmers, however, stand to benefit in the future, as the milk shortages predicted for months and even years ahead will inevitably cause the current disgracefully low milk price to rise. March is a busy month for pasture-based dairy managers. Hay and silage making are in full-swing, and split-season operators are calving down the autumn group. PASTURES As the rotation slows and the cycle lengthens, good pasture management remains the key to a profitable operation. The Kikuyu base is usually oversown in March or April, so grass managers are focusing on grazing the residuals down hard to open up…

THE TT4.90 OFFERS ENHANCED PERFORMANCE WITH NUMEROUS NEW FEATURES New Holland has always offered its customers an impressive variety of tractors, ranging from the smallest 26kW TT35 through to the 447kW T9.670, as well as the specially designed award-winning vineyard and orchard tractors. This year, the global brand will be launching a new model in the 60kW to 70kW range – the TT4.90 4WD – which promises to be an exceptional new addition to the New Holland stable. The range complements the existing TD Straddle range, which is based on the best-selling 66 S-series family. TT4.90 4WD Equipped with heavy-duty axles, the TT4.90 offers muscled-up performance with many advanced new features. TT4 tractors are designed to spend more time working on the land and less time in the workshop. For…

Valtra tractors are tested in extreme conditions, from sugarcane plantations in Brazil to the cold and snow of Finland. Pöttinger offers a comprehensive range of implements with the emphasis on soil and crop protection, intelligent technology and cost-effectiveness. Both manufacturers’ products are distributed in South Africa by Valtrac. 1 New N series Valtra has always produced powerful four-cylinder engines, and the latest are no exception. The new Valtra N Series comprises three models with 4,4-litre Agco Power four-cylinder engines: the 85kW N104, 92kW N114e and 99kW N124. Three models are equipped with 4,9-litre Agco engines: the 107kW N134, 121kW N154e and 126kW N174. With the power boost feature, the N174 can produce 136kW with 730Nm torque. Options for the cabs include the Twin-Trac reverse drive system and luxuries such as…

‘THE TUAREGS’ HORSES WERE LEAN, HEALTHY AND IN GOOD CONDITION – ALTHOUGH NOT TALL, THEY WERE WIRY AND STRONG’ In South Africa, horse riding is sometimes seen as an elitist sport introduced from Europe, yet North Africans were noted horse riders thousands of years ago and their horses remain a valued cultural resource. In fact, new archaeological evidence suggests that horses were domesticated and ridden in northern and western Africa long before the Ancient Egyptians harnessed them to their war chariots. The Tuareg, for example, are an ancient Berber tribe who ride horses and camels and practise nomadic pastoralism with sheep, goats and cattle in the Sahara. According to legend, Tin Hinan, Queen of Hoggar, united several tribes to form the Tuareg in about 450AD. The men are responsible for…

Dear Jonno I’m a regular reader of Farmer’s Weekly, and am also intrigued by all the different home styles you devise. I am recently widowed and live in a large farmhouse of 350m². I am looking to relocate to something much smaller in the town of Howick close by. The site I’ve made an offer on is roughly 30m x 45m and fairly flat. The home I would like to build is small but comfortable, with an open living area and three bedrooms. The third bedroom will be located in the attic roof area. This will be where I do all my crafts. Most importantly, I would like the house to be fairly contemporary in styling, so when the time comes it can be sold to a prospective city dweller.…

Alec Hogg has built on his experience as an award-winning financial journalist to become a media entrepreneur. In his second book, HOW TO INVEST LIKE WARREN BUFFETT (Jonathan Ball, R140), he combines gems from Buffett, Hogg’s own investment hero and the second-richest man in the world, with more than three decades of his own experience. Here’s what counts for Hogg: • Reading During a sabbatical between businesses on a Midlands farm a couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to read and think as widely as possible, making a huge difference to how I approached my new business. • Archiving Several years’ worth of notes from both the World Economic Forum in Davos and Buffett’s famous Berkshire-Hathaway AGM helped me crystallise the plain-speaking advice I wanted to pass on to South…

Dairy production is key to the survival of vast numbers of people. Globally, around 150 million small-scale dairy households (equivalent to 750 million people) are engaged in milk production. Now the world’s first dairy-related ‘massive, open online course’ is available from Coursera, which partners with universities and organisations to offer web-based education courses. According to the website, more than 5 000 people in 157 countries have already signed up for the eight-week course, called ‘Dairy Production and Management’, which will begin on 7 March this year. Dairy farmers will be offered a comprehensive rundown of all aspects of dairy management, including genetics, nutrition, reproduction, animal health and farm economics. BEST PRACTICE “The course will deliver fundamental knowledge and best practices related to sustainable dairy production systems in their broadest sense,”…