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

South African farmers have again become the victims of bad publicity with the release of a documentary that supposedly highlights the poor working and living conditions of farmworkers on SA wine farms. The documentary, Bitter Grapes: Slavery in the Vineyards, was filmed by investigative journalist, Tom Heinemann, and released in Sweden. It allegedly exposes the slave-like conditions vineyard workers in the Western Cape are forced to endure. The release of the documentary has subsequently resulted in some Danish supermarkets removing SA wines from their shelves. I cannot help but be sceptical about this documentary, which Heinemann himself describes as “a very sharp-edged film about the industry”. I suspect this documentary, much like the Human Rights Watch report, “Ripe with Abuse”, about the living and working conditions of farmworkers in South…

Rosemary Klusener of the SA Sugarcane Research Institute sent this photograph of her two-year-old granddaughter, Alexis Braithwaite. Alexis’s father, Michael, a dairy farmer in the Winterton district, says that she likes nothing better than to help feed the calves, and gives them a good talking to if they don’t finish their feed! GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your letters and photos to: Farmer’s Weekly, PO Box 1797, Pinegowrie 2123, SA, fax 011 889 0862, or email farmersweekly@caxton.co.za. The views and opinions expressed on the letters page do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly or Caxton. Readers’ letters will be published and edited at the sole discretion of Farmer’s Weekly.…

Pure fruit juice could be added to the list of taxable beverages under the National Treasury’s proposed tax on sugar-sweetened drinks. This would have a serious impact on fruit farmers and the processing sector, and could lead to job losses. The sugar tax was proposed by Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, during his 2016 budget speech. Pure fruit juice was exempted from the tax in the draft policy paper as sugar was not added to the final product. However, Treasury announced that it would debate imposing a sugar tax on pure fruit juice at a workshop in November. Treasury’s chief director of economic tax analysis, Cecil Modern, told Farmer’s Weekly that many health experts had argued that 100% fruit juice should also be subject to the tax as “the natural…

 Contamination of wool, especially through alien material in bales, costs wool producers thousands of rands in income, and has a major impact on the entire processing chain, according to Jan Louis Venter, a production advisor at the National Woolgrowers’ Association (NWG). INJUDICIOUS CROSSBREEDING WITH KEMP-CARRYING EWES CAN RESULT IN WOOL BEING DOWNGRADED Venter said that alien fibres and other materials, such as cigarette butts, dog hairs, baling rope, plastic bags and marking ink, had been found in bales of wool sent to auctions. “Baling rope and plastic bags leave fine fibres that are almost undetectable by the naked eye. These fibres are then processed, but because they are not natural they do not absorb the dye. When the material is coloured, these fibres show up, and because it can’t be…

 Apricot exports are showing signs of recovery from the previous season’s smaller export crop, according to a recent HORTGRO report, which contains the expected export figures for South Africa’s stone fruit crop. ‘NO SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL SHOULD BE EXPECTED FOR THIS REGION’ Apricot export volumes were expected to increase by 4% to around 730 000 4,75kg-cartons, said Jacques du Preez, general manager: trade and markets at HORTGRO. De Preez ascribed the increase to good fruit set reported in most production areas, but added that it was still below the three-year average. HORTGRO expected an increase of 5% in export volumes for nectarines and a 4% and 6% increase in peaches and plums respectively. “These increases are as a result of young orchards coming into production,” Du Preez said. The growth rate…

On average, dams in South Africa currently have 18,1% less water than at the same time in 2015. The current average dam level in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland is 49,4%. After winter rainfall, dams in the Western Cape were, however, 9,3 percentage points fuller than this time in 2015, with a current average level of 62,1% throughout the entire province. Johan van den Berg, manager of specialised crop insurance at Santam Agriculture, estimated that between 200mm and 300mm rain in a two-month period would be enough to provide sufficient moisture to curtail water restrictions, but admitted that he could not substantiate this. “Soft, constant rain will replenish soil moisture, cloudbursts have a lot of run-off and will replenish dams. But more than 200mm of rain, over large areas in…

South Africa’s first Extra Virgin Olive Oil Expo (EVOO Expo) will take place at The Olive Boutique in Riebeek-Kasteel on 12 November. According to Derek van der Riet, co-owner of The Olive Boutique, the aim of the event was to promote micro and small olive oil businesses. Olive farming is one of the fastest-growing agriculture sectors in South Africa, doubling in size every four to five years, said Van der Riet. The olive industry has many small growers and boutique-style table olive and olive oil processors. The expo will provide a platform for these enterprises to connect with other businesses in the industry. “It can also play a role in industry growth, access and transformation,” he said. Technical workshops and exhibits are scheduled for entrepreneurs wanting to enter the industry…

PACIOLA’S ACCOUNTING SYSTEM IS STILL IN USE MORE THAN 500 YEARS AFTER ITS INVENTION If any teacher at boarding school had asked what we associated with Italy, we would have immediately said Sophia Loren, the buxom, sultry Italian star who dominated movie screens of that era. Then, as an afterthought, perhaps, we might have muttered something about a boot-shaped country somewhere far away that produced grapes and wine. Little did I know then how much we are indebted to the Italians for one of the world’s greatest inventions! It all started with Giovanni Peluga and Luigi Constantine, who had a small market stall in Venice in the late 15th century. “How much did we make, Giovanni?” asked Luigi one day. “Two thousand florins.” “A thousand each, then,” said Luigi. “Not…

Trademarks, plant breeders’ rights (PBR) and patents are effective in ensuring that ideas and produce are protected and able to generate a profit as a result of exclusivity and reputation. According to David Cochrane, intellectual property rights lawyer at Spoor and Fisher, there are three principal areas of intellectual property (IP): trademarks, patents and plant breeders’ rights, TRADEMARKS A trademark is a brand name, slogan or logo that distinguishes the goods and services of one producer from those of competitors. “Trademark protection can be obtained automatically through the development of a reputation. If a farmer has a good reputation generated by his trade name, he may already have protection under common law,” Cochrane explains. While the formal registration of a trademark is thus not necessary, a farmer will be able…

• According to trends and forecasting company, Prospectiva 2020 Foresight, demand for avocados is concentrated in developed countries. • The US and Europe are the largest consumers of avocados, with average annual per capita consumption of 2,5kg and 0,56kg respectively. • Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Serbia, the Czech Republic and Bosnia are among the most attractive markets for this fruit. • US Department of Agriculture statistics show that Mexico is the largest avocado producer, supplying 45% of the international market. • The state of Michoacán, where 92% of Mexico’s crop is produced, has 106 000ha planted to avocados. • Chile, Indonesia, the US, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Brazil and Peru are other leading avocado producers. • South Africa has 15 500ha planted to avocados, according to the SA Avocado Growers’ Association’s…

The design of Falcon’s new flail cutter is based on lessons learnt from many years’ experience with imported models, and knowledge of South Africa’s unique farming conditions. After extensive field trials, the new machine was introduced at Nampo this year. The flail cutter is now in full production at the Falcon factory in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. Sizes range from 1,5m to 2,3m, suitable for tractors from 35kW to 60kW. The 2,3m model F230 has proved highly successful at pasture topping; it removes unpalatable grass and dung pats, and spreads the cut material evenly across the full width of the machine. This promotes new growth and greatly improves pasture productivity. Falcon machines are also sold to orchards and vineyards, where the cutters are set up to shred, mulch and desiccate prunings, as…

THESE ATTITUDES CAN EVENTUALLY CHANGE THE COURSE OF A NATION We need to be very careful that we behave like Christians. This will have more impact on our society than anything we might say, or ‘preach’. Actions speak louder than words. “Let love be without hypocrisy,” says Romans 12:9. “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love…” St Francis of Assisi had a very special saying: “Preach the Gospel at all costs, and if you really have to, use words.” I love to see a young man open the passenger door of his bakkie to let his wife and children be seated first. Or a man enter a restaurant and take the lead to ensure that everything is in order,…

THE SLEEP REVOLUTION by Arianna Huffington (Allen, R290) Huffington suffered from insomnia and resulting health problems, prompting her to examine how she was living her life. All this formed the basis of her previous bestseller, Thrive. While promoting that book, she found that the problem of sleep created the most debate, hence this sequel. Anyone who suffers from insomnia will have encountered many of the solutions before, but Huffington links them to persuasive research in recent medical studies. THE LAST KINGS OF SARK by Rosa Rankin-Gee (Virago, R200) A coming-of-age novel set on Sark, an islet in the Channel Islands where cars are banned and the rich have shady secrets. Polish cook Sofi flits between generations, awakening longings, especially in Pip, a reclusive teenager. THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S…

CONFERENCES & EXPOS 2 NOVEMBER Goat Agribusiness Conference, Durban Botanic Gardens. Phone Nokwanda Mavundla on 082 562 9014, or email info@goatsunlimited.co.za. 2 TO 4 NOVEMBER Integrated Environmental Understanding of Food Security in Africa, East London. Visit www.agbiz.co.za/uploads/AgbizNews16/160930_IDAMconference.pdf. 9 NOVEMBER Subtrop Marketing Symposium, Emnotweni Arena, Mbombela. Phone Lizette de Wet on 015 307 3676. 16 TO 18 NOVEMBER 9th Interpera World Pear Congress, Franschhoek. Phone Thea van Zyl on 021 870 2900, or visit www.hortgro-science.co.za/ interpera-2016. 28 TO 30 NOVEMBER Africa Agri Investment Indaba, CTICC, Cape Town. Visit www.agri-indaba.com. COURSES & TRAINING 8 TO 9 NOVEMBER SA Stud Book Beef Cattle BLUP (English), Pretoria. Phone Elsa van der Bergh on 051 410 0900, or email elsa@studbook.co.za. 8 TO 11 NOVEMBER Introduction to Pig Production, Irene. Phone Annetjie Loubser on 012 672…

BOTH THE MEDIA AND THE STUDENTS MALIGN THE POLICE, WHO IN ESSENCE CAN’T DO ANYTHING RIGHT Is there a reason to be positive about South Africa and its future? Definitely! Let’s look at some of the reasons for this… • Parliamentary democracy is more robust than ever in the country’s history. More people are tuning in and watching parliamentary debates that are actually relevant to our everyday lives. • Vigorous party politics is enlivening the party system, moving it away from a dominant (not very democratic) system to a multi-party system. The DA and EFF are becoming stronger, theoretically increasing political participation. • Our judicial system is still independent with higher courts deliberating according to and upholding the values of the Constitution. • We still have a relatively free press…

The Merino indicator decreased 1,2% to close at R153,53 (clean), while the Australian market increased 1,4%. The market performed well despite the dampening effect of the stronger rand, which was offset by improved demand and the higher wool value. According to Cape Wools, the competition amongst buyers was good, with Standard Wool purchasing most of the 10 052 bales on offer. According to James de Jager, manager of wool at OVK/CMW, wool prices for 18,7 micron (µ) and finer decreased 2%, while wool of 19µ to 20µ decreased 0,5%. The best price of R134,30/kg was achieved by the Kenneth Biggs Trust of Jansenville for a BH lot of 17µ, which was purchased by Segard Masurel. Meanwhile, processing mills were attempting to acquire enough stock in preparation for winter in the…

An increasing number of urban young people in Israel are trading city life for farming. According to Haaretz.com, former executives are leaving their careers because they want to experience farm life and have a connection to the land. Until four years ago, 36-year-old Dotan Goshen was the vice-president for sales at a technology firm in Israel before resigning to set up an organic farm. He leased 0,4ha from a kibbutz and started preparing the land and recruiting customers. “[I did all this] even before I had a vegetable in my hand,” Goshen said. Leeko Makoene, founder of Made with Rural, a company that helps young, small-scale farmers get on their feet, told Farmer’s Weekly that in South Africa it was critical to encourage people to farm. “Food production is one…

Rural crime costs the Free State many millions of rands each year, according to statistics released by Free State Agriculture (FSA). The figures were based on a survey carried out by the FSA Safety Desk among farmers in the Virginia area. The results of the survey were then extrapolated to the rest of the province, according to Dr Jane Buys, FSA Safety and Security specialist. The survey indicated that commercial farmers in the Virginia district lost between R3,83 million and R6,86 million to crimes such as vehicle theft, stock theft and burglary, she said. By adding a figure of between 20% to 50% for under-reporting of cases to the SAPS, estimated losses could be as high as R10 million a year, Buys said. The situation was exacerbated by the fact…

South African grain producers would be well advised to consider soya beans and sunflowers as alternatives to maize production in the 2016/2017 summer grain production season, according to Grain SA economist Luan van der Walt. Soya bean and sunflower prices were expected to level out in the new production season. “The high demand for these oilseeds globally is likely to support the prices. This makes sunflowers and oilseeds the ideal crops for risk diversification,” he said. A record soya bean harvest of 114 million tons was expected in the US, but the global demand for the crop outpaced production. It was highly likely that the 2016 global demand would not be met, according to Van der Walt. The 2016 global sunflower harvest was expected to increase for the second consecutive…

Regulations against the legal trade in ivory, no culling, the cessation of hunting and over-protection of elephants were leading to biodiversity loss, permanent damage to vegetation and desertification in African countries. This was according to Ron Thompson, president of the recently formed True Green Alliance. “As soon as the carrying capacity for elephant in an area is exceeded, biodiversity loss starts to occur, as elephants use all available resources,” Thompson told Farmer’s Weekly. He was responding to Botswana’s president Ian Khama, who recently said he would not support Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe in their bid to have the trade in ivory legalised. Thompson, who has 57 years’ experience in nature conservation, said that Southern Africa was on the brink of a natural disaster due to high elephant numbers. The…

The potato price is expected to increase until mid-November because supply is insufficient to meet the current demand, according to a recent Absa Agribusiness report. CEO of Agrivan Farming in the North West, Werner du Plessis, who provides seed to potato growers, said that sales of seed potato had not shown a decrease yet, but dryland production was down as a result of low rainfall. Producers who irrigated to supplement rainfall did not have sufficient supply of water this year, especially in KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern Free State. “I have a feeling the market price will remain between R45/10kg and R55/10kg,” said Du Plessis. “It’s a relatively moderate price. Maybe not if compared with the past decade, but if you take increasing input costs into consideration, and the fact that…

THE NEED TO RESTRICT, REGULATE, CONTROL AND POLICE IS OUT OF ALL PROPORTION The latest catchphrase to hit South African aquaculture is ‘aquaculture development zones’ (ADZs). The department of agriculture’s National Aquaculture Policy Framework considers the creation of such zones a desirable step forward in developing the sector. Aquaculture ventures would be grouped together, we are told, and this “would attract and incentivise investment in the sector, provide services, manage the risks associated with aquaculture” and “provide skills development and employment for rural or coastal communities”. Marine aquaculture depends on the availability of seawater (which, apart from pumping costs, is free), land and training. If such ventures were grouped in ‘zones’, such as the East London Industrial Development Zone, this would entail levying urban land rates, municipal industrial energy charges…

Gauteng Red Brahman Champions Contacts: Andries Marx and Fanie van der Merwe: 082 859 5896 | Khuphukile Dube: 078 010 8317 | Gerrie Roos and Derrick Louw: 083 324 0989 National Pinzgauer Champions Contacts: Bertie van Zyl (Pty) Ltd: 015 395 8377 or 083 627 6899 (Paul Bester) | Eugene Cilliers: 082 333 7559…

Significant expansion of ZZ2’s avocado business in Limpopo is currently underway. The company has entered into a R500 million partnership with land claimants from the Makgoba Community Trust to replace abandoned tea plantations in Magoebaskloof with avocado orchards. About 110ha of tea plantations near Tzaneen have been removed to make way for avocado trees. Through projects such as these, ZZ2 wants to become the biggest avocado grower and exporter in South Africa and create a substantial number of jobs in the Tzaneen district. According to Clive Garrett, there is a shortage of avocado trees at commercial nurseries in South Africa, which has inhibited expansion. Derek Donkin, CEO of the SA Avocado Growers’ Association, says there is an 18- to 24-month waiting period for new trees from commercial nurseries. To address…

As discussed in the previous issue, marigolds serve little purpose as a companion crop. However, they can remove several important eelworm (nematode) species from the soil if used as a trap crop. Marigolds are hosts to a number of nematode species. Yet female eelworms that enter marigold roots after hatching are unable to generate the giant cells needed by the females to reproduce. In this way, marigolds clear the soil of most of the eelworm population. To do this effectively, however, there should be no eelworm-susceptible plants growing with the marigolds. The most common nematode species in South Africa are the four root-knot species Meloidogyne hapla, M. incognita, M. arenaria and M. javanica. A root-lesion species, Pratylenchus penetrans, also occurs; this can be controlled by the Tangerine variety of marigolds.…

NEVER USE A PIPE TO LENGTHEN A SPANNER – YOU COULD STRIPTHE THREAD OF THE BOLT I’ve spent a great deal of my life struggling to get on with inanimate objects. They seem determined to avoid doing what they’ve been designed to do. This converts even a simple job into a difficult, sweaty, grumpy-making trial. Vehicles are especially adept at the art of annoying their owners, but I’ve developed a technique that has stood me in good stead over the years: I always carry a full set of tools in my car. This is because I’ve broken down only when I didn’t have the correct tools with me. Carrying tools intimidates a vehicle into meekly doing as it’s told. It’s a good idea to build up a set of tools…

Long, long ago, when mighty pterodactyls darkened the noonday sky, my bible was a cookbook by a Mr Pellaprat. It was as thick as three Durban phone books but more interesting. In it was a recipe for Chicken Riesling that I have made many times. Recently, I found a battered copy of Pellaprat at a fete and checked the Chicken Riesling. It was nothing like the evolved version that you are about to cook. Evolution is a good thing – in recipes as well as in biology. Let us begin. Section the fowl like this: drumsticks, thighs, back, breasts, wings. Allow each wing to remain attached to one third of each breast. Rip off the skin and discard it. Chop the back in half. Peel and thinly slice the onions,…

Feel the ‘need’ to binge on something you won’t regret later? Try a tin of baked beans! A new brand, Dürsot’s Bean-a-betic, is sweetened with stevia and surprisingly tasty. Beans are among the healthiest foods around; their high fibre content is excellent for constipation and as an aid to lower cholesterol. They can help with weight loss and warding off diabetes. They are also packed with vitamins and minerals. A cup of cooked beans contains roughly 15g protein, so you can use them to vary protein foods such as lean meats and fish. A bonus is that they are remarkably affordable. If you’re watching your weight or blood sugar, you’re probably familiar with the glycemic index (GI). High GI foods cause rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin; foods lower…

Spotlight SORTING THE BEEF FROM THE BULL (Sigma, R275) was inspired by the EU scandal that unravelled when horsemeat was found masquerading as beef. The authors, professor of biogeochemistry Richard Evershed and science writer Nicola Temple, point out that the urge to adulterate food for profit is age-old and still prevalent. They uncover the basics of food fraud and food crime, with evidence from eggs, fish, honey, wine and spices. A 2013 study of SA game meat, where endangered mountain zebra was found being sold as kudu, for example, reminds us this practice is not just an overseas problem.…

THE CURRENT MODEL OF CO-OPS IS A TOP-DOWN APPROACH IN FAVOUR OF THE STATE Co-ops – stepping stone or stumbling block? The concept of cooperative business is not new in South Africa, or any progressive country in the world. However, the distinguishing factor is that in a new democratic state, the concept is often authoritatively imposed by all three levels of government. The concept, incredibly, is believed to be the ultimate vehicle for entrepreneurial, business and commercial development and growth. This concept is shortsighted, if history is permitted to reflect the true reality of what the drive behind the formation of cooperative enterprises was, primarily in Europe and subsequently South Africa. The impetus behind the formation of collective enterprises was a response to the unscrupulous business forces of the time,…

SA PRODUCERS SHOULD FOLLOW GLOBAL TRENDS AS THEY AFFECT LOCAL PRICES Despite the decline in sunflower seed production over the past few years, the world is set to harvest a bumper crop in the 2016/2017 production season. Recent estimates from Sunseedman, a Turkish based consulting group, suggest that the 2016/2017 global sunflower seed production could reach 48 million tons, which would be a 14% year-on-year (y/y) increase and the highest volume in the past five years. This comes after an 8% y/y increase in plantings to 27,5 million hectares. KEY DRIVERS The Black Sea region, particularly Ukraine and Russia, is set to be the key driver of this expected production uptick. Ukraine alone should produce 29% of the global sunflower seed crop (14 million tons of an expected 48 million…

South Africa’s fisheries sector contributes 0,5% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), and could make a bigger contribution without further exploiting marine resources. To achieve this, the industry should develop an integrated approach to oceans management, which considers coastal communities that rely on fishing for their income. This is according to John Duncan, senior manager of the World Wide Fund South Africa (WWF-SA) marine programme. According to the WWF-SA’s latest report, ‘Oceans facts and figures: Valuing South Africa’s ocean economy’, a number of fish stocks, including abalone, West Coast rock lobster and certain linefish species, were depleted or overfished. Poaching was also high and increasing. “In developed countries, governments would consider closing fisheries when they are at such low levels. However, in South Africa, this would have a serious…

A number of sheep recently given as a gift to Cedara Agricultural Research Centre in KwaZulu-Natal were discovered to be infected with sheep scab disease. This has resulted in a quarantine being imposed on a section of the research centre. An anonymous source working at Cedara told Farmer’s Weekly that the infected sheep had been placed in the pound at Cedara immediately after arrival, and inspected by a state veterinarian for health problems. It was during this inspection that the sheep scab was discovered. The source added that it appeared the infected animals had not been in contact with other livestock at the facility. A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in KwaZulu-Natal, Khayelihle Nkwanyana, told Farmer’s Weekly’s that the infected sheep were gifts originating from the…

Smallholder farmers, represented by the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (Afasa) and the National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (Nerpo), recently handed a petition over to a representative of the Presidency at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Approximately 60 emerging farmers gathered at the Union Buildings to deliver the petition, which stated that after 22 years of democracy, many black farmers were still operating on the periphery of mainstream agriculture, and were thus unable to run viable businesses. Aggrey Mahanjana, Afasa secretary general, told Farmer’s Weekly that emerging farmers were particularly concerned about the slow pace of the land reform process, and that government’s post-settlement support was not adequately managed. At the joint Nerpo/Afasa annual general meeting, held the day before the petition handover, Mahanjana said that without proof…

The moratorium on cattle slaughtering imposed on Namibia’s biggest feedlot, Okapuka, has been lifted. Piet Gouws, president of the Namibian Livestock Producers’ Organisation, said that the moratorium had been imposed at the beginning of September after traces of the prohibited substance, zeranol, which promotes growth in livestock, were found in cattle urine. All slaughtering for the export market was also immediately halted, resulting in a severe drop in weaner prices. “The moratorium on slaughtering [cattle] forced the local red meat production value chain to a standstill. Farmers could not market any animals as the Okapuka feedlot [near Windhoek] was closed. “The feedlot contained 8 000 weaners on 24 October, when the moratorium was lifted by our Department of Veterinary Services,” he said. Namibia exports red meat to Denmark, the UK…

It is not uncommon for insect pests to develop resistance to chemical and biological pesticides as they mutate. But control measures are now being extended, thanks to new sources of genetics. The history of Bt genes from the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium goes back to the 1930s, when a crude suspension of sexual spores was sprayed on plants to counter certain insect larvae. Later, genes controlling the expression of beneficial bacterial crystalline bio-pesticide proteins were identified, isolated and cloned for insertion into crop plants’ DNA. Isolated cases of insects developing resistance were resolved by adding other Bt genes, called stacking genes. In one development, a 20-person research team assessed the same bacterium but focused on vegetative spores that contain VIP bio-pesticide proteins. Spore synthesis was controlled by various VIP genes…

If only some farmers realised that it takes remarkably little effort to improve product presentation – and get a higher price as a result. It starts with the basics, such as decent packaging. “But packaging is expensive,” they insist. “Only if used incorrectly,” I reply. Decent packaging sets the tone for what follows. The next step is attention to grading. The colour (ripeness) of the fruit or vegetables in the container should match. This creates eye-catching uniformity. It takes time and attention to detail to get these fundamentals right. A packing system has to be in place, staff need to be trained, and management must be on hand to guide and supervise. These are the first steps towards adding value to the produce and catching the buyer’s eye. You need…

GULPING DOWN CONCENTRATE TOO QUICKLY IS OFTEN A CAUSE OF CHOKE Choke, to use the medical term, is a fairly common condition in horses and if treated promptly, it has few lasting effects. The symptoms are frightening, however, as a long drool of dirty water spools out of the horse’s nostrils and mouth. Horses sometimes panic and cough violently, or throw themselves about, showing signs similar to a violent episode of colic. Mostly, though, they stand in a corner with their head down. Horses normally chew their food until it forms a soggy bolus (lump). This is pushed to the back of the mouth with the tongue, then swallowed. In older horses with irregular, sharp or missing molar teeth, a lump of hay may not be sufficiently chewed and get…

Dear Jonno I own a farm in Kenya, and am looking to build a farmhouse with modern interiors. The building site is on a slight slope, and the main views are to the north and east, facing beautiful mountains. I would like an open-plan kitchen and walk-in pantry with dining area, and a sunken living area with a fireplace. I require four bedrooms, including a spacious master bedroom, and three bathrooms. I would also like a guest bathroom. Regular building materials will be used for construction. I hope you can design a practical home for me. Thank you in advance. Regards Leila Dear Leila Thank you for the home design request for this beautiful site. The sketch depicts the front facade of the house, with the mountains in the background.…

Since he was a boy, SA sports journalist and writer Luke Alfred has found that walking helps him to ponder. His new book, EARLY ONE SUNDAY MORNING I DECIDED TO STEP OUT AND FIND SOUTH AFRICA (Tafelberg, R250) , is thus aptly titled. Here’s why he walks: 1. Inheritance As a child, I used to go walking quite regularly with my parents in the Magaliesberg, Drakensberg and Wild Coast. Trying to recapture that with my father and sons wasn’t quite what I expected… 2. Reading I enjoy reading accounts of walks by great writers such as Charles Dickens. 3. Challenge I was a very active child, so the judicious physicality of walking appeals. Not all walks have to be as physically demanding as my experience near Salem in the Eastern…

The Global Seed Vault, the brainchild of scientist and conservationist Cary Fowler, was built nearly 150m into the side of a mountain in Svalbard, Norway, in 2008. It is often referred to as the ‘Doomsday Vault’ and is seen as humanity’s last hope after a world crisis. Asked by Live Science (livescience.com) why the vault was built in Norway, Fowler said: “We had to situate the vault in a country that was respected and trusted globally, particularly in relation to the issue of biodiversity, which can have politically contentious aspects. Norway fits the bill in this regard.” The country was also willing to provide all the funding needed to construct the vault, which at US$9 million (about R130 million) “wasn’t terribly expensive in the scheme of things,” says Fowler. Svalbard…