Farmer's Weekly 23 September 2022

One of the latest trends driving alleged climate-change mitigation is investment in electric vehicles (EVs). This has become particularly important in Western countries, with the US, for example, saying that all petrol- and diesel-fuelled cars will be banned on roads in that country by 2030. Aside from the fact that this is entirely unreasonable, considering the cost involved in purchasing an EV, as well as the fact that even US roads aren’t yet prepared in terms of charging stations, for instance, to support such a shift, it is yet another attempt to ‘mitigate’ climate change while actually not taking any action to do anything about climate change. At Farmer’s Weekly, we often speak about the importance of climate-change mitigation. Farmers rely on predictable weather in order to make planting and harvesting…

“Trees, forests and sustainable forestry can help the world recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and combat looming environmental crises such as climate change and biodiversity loss. But this requires societies to better recognise the considerable value of forests and their crucial roles in building inclusive, resilient and sustainable economies. There are three pathways along which societies, communities and individual landowners, users and managers can derive more tangible value from forests and trees while addressing environmental degradation, preventing future pandemics, increasing resilience and transforming economies. These are: • Halting deforestation and maintaining forests. This could avoid emitting between two gigatons (Gt) and 3,6Gt of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) per year between 2020 and 2050, including about 14% of what is needed up to 2030 to keep planetary warming below 1,5°C, while safeguarding more…

20 to 30 October, Stellenbosch Garden Town Stellenbosch is one of the country’s most prominent garden lifestyle festivals and returns this year after its inauguration in 2021, promising a fresh milestone for South Africa’s village of oaks. Activities this year include horticultural tours; flower art; hiking; guest garden specialists; DIY vegetable gardening; wine tasting; painting; guided bird walks; wreath crafting; moss educationals; drawing with thread; and honey sampling, among others. Visit Stellenbosch.org, or phone 021 886 4310. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 17 TO 18 NOVEMBER Agribusiness Conference 2022, Protea Hotel, Sandton. Email Buhle Ndokweni at buhle@mathema.co.za, or phone 011 862 4001. 17 TO 18 NOVEMBER Sustainable Innovative Producers and Emerging Farmers Conference, Protea Hotel Balalaika, Sandton. Email Karabo Ramabu at karabo@mathema.co.za. 24 TO 25 NOVEMBER Drones and Unmanned Aviation Conference 2022, Emperors Palace. Email info@bussynet.co.za. COURSES AND TRAINING 21 SEPTEMBER Holistic Predation Management,…

With the high cost of living and continuously rising food prices in South Africa, many people are struggling to put food on their tables. In light of this situation, and because spring has officially sprung, now is the perfect time to try your hand at growing your own food. “What better way to enjoy the warmer and longer spring days than by planting your very own vegetable garden? You’ll have lots of fresh vegetables to add to your meals, giving you the nutrients you need for a healthy diet, making this both affordable and worthwhile for South African families,” says Sibongile Mooko, marketing executive at Premier FMCG, a local food-manufacturing company. “Not only will you be saving money, but there is also something really rewarding about eating fresh food that you’ve grown yourself,”…

Dear Mr Kerr, I have two questions about tomato cultivation and would appreciate your advice. Firstly, is my soil lacking something if my tomatoes are a bit sour? Secondly, can/should I remove the yellow leaves from my tomato plants? –Gloria Tilston Dear Gloria, There is no single nutrient that will improve the taste of your tomatoes, but rather a combination of nutrients. However, the variety plays the biggest role in the flavour. Try Mayford’s Hotstuff tomato variety, as the fruit is described as having “a deep red colour and excellent taste”. Regarding dead or yellowing leaves, you can certainly remove them from the lower part of the plant. – Bill Kerr…

MOST POPULAR ON FARMERSWEEKLY.CO.ZA MIXED RESULTS EXPECTED FOR SA’S AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS IN 2022 South Africa’s agricultural exports saw a 12% (around R51 billion) quarter-on-quarter increase in the second quarter of the year, according to the latest trade data released by Statistics South Africa. Read the full article at bit.ly/3Bno20P, or scan here: Posted: 7 September 2022. Follow us at @FarmersWeeklySA FROM FACEBOOK @FarmersWeeklySA FW posted a link to an article titled ‘Grave concern about sheep scab outbreak in the Northern Cape’, and some followers shared their thoughts on this serious issue. Posted: 6 September 2022. READERS’ COMMENTS Onabo Mazibuko: “I have the same problem in KwaZulu-Natal.” Alida Esterhuizen: “Try hemp [feed]; its medicinal value to animals is stunning.” PHOTO OF THE WEEK MaSibisi @Samke5 “Just picked some of my Bright Lights chard. I’m a happy gardener right now. #growingmyownfood.” Via Twitter. Posted: 6 September…