Soybeans

Hard-working farmers celebrate their success December 2023 Valerie Cilliers, SA Graan/Grain editor   One of the most colourful days on the Grain SA calendar, took place on 20 September at NAMPO Park. The Day of Celebration embodies not only the rich diversity of South Africa, but also the unifying passion for agriculture that exists within

Hedging: A tool to ensure profit November 2023 CHRISTIAAN VERCUIEL, AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST, GRAIN SA   With input costs at record high levels and a lot of uncertainty in the market, farmers find themselves in an impossible situation. There is always the possibility that commodity prices may fall back to lower levels.  With the current international

Effective nitrogen management in soybeans is crucial October 2023 In South Africa the soybean production area has grown considerably, with new areas being planted throughout the country. The growing conditions are very different from the east to the west of the country. Farmers have to consider each situation that could influence the treatments of the nitrogen-fixing

Control weeds to optimise sunflower yield October 2023 PIETMAN BOTHA, INDEPENDENT AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT AND DR MARYKE CRAVEN, SENIOR RESEARCHER, ARC-SMALL GRAIN Weed control in sunflower must be done effectively and with precise timing because young sunflowers are very sensitive to weed competition. To keep sunflower fields clean, an integrated weed control programme needs to be

Overseas trends influence crop prices October 2023 CHRISTIAAN VERCUIEL, AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST, GRAIN SA   Each year when the United States of America (USA) begins its planting season, the international market moves into a weather market. This means that what happens to the USA crop has a big impact on the movement in the market. In

Corner Post October 2023 The fact that Johannes Setshego (50) has completed nearly all the Grain SA training courses, shows that he is truly committed to developing into a bigger and better farmer. He grew up on a farm in the Winburg area, where his father was a farm worker for a commercial producer. Johannes

Calculate the cost before you plant August 2023 CHRISTIAAN VERCUIEL, AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST, GRAIN SA AND PIETMAN BOTHA, INDEPENDENT AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT   A farm must be seen as a business and run accordingly. Farming is not only about the physical work being done to produce the crop, but must also make a profit. Strict management rules

Corner Post August 2023 The American motivational speaker and writer, Denis Waitley, said: ‘commitment is that turning point in your life when you seize the moment to alter your destiny.’ this is exactly how Siyabonga Nomlala (42) from franklin in Kwazulu-Natal changed his dream into a reality. Although he had no background in farming, Siyabonga

Guidelines for first-time soybean growers July 2023 WESSEL VAN WYK, SOYBEAN SPECIALIST AND CONTRACTOR, PROTEIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION   As there are a number of factors that must be considered and addressed before production begins, the decision to plant soybeans should be made at least two years before the first production season (actual planting). The most

Advantages of soybean production July 2023 HELEEN VILJOEN,  AGRICULTURAL  ECONOMIST GRAIN SA   Soybeans, as a crop, have many advantages. This includes being an alternative crop for maize production, being a great source of protein for animal feed and being an oilseed that can be used for vegetable oil production. It is no secret that