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
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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
Investing in the farmers of the future October 2023 According to the World Bank (31 March 2023), no economy can afford to underestimate the role of agriculture and in particular agricultural development. Healthy, sustainable and inclusive food systems are essential to achieve the world’s development goals. Agricultural development is one of the most powerful tools to
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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
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Prevent unplanned financial surprises July 2023 PIETMAN BOTHA, INDEPENDENT AGRI- CULTURAL CONSULTANT It is important to understand the different costs of a business – regardless of whether it is a one-man business or a company. In any business, including a farming business, there are two major types of expenditures – variable and overhead costs.
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Grading ensures your product is on par July 2023 NEELS WEGNER, HARMONISATION PRODUCT SPECIALIST, PPECB When trading of commodities takes place, it is vital that the products’ quality is graded to determine if it complies to the set standards and requirements. The quality of products (canola, sunflower seed, soybeans and groundnuts) are indicated in
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Communication is key for success July 2023 South African farmers either own or have access to land through various tenure arrangements. The aim of the Grain SA/Phama Grain Phakama (PGP) farmer development programme is to equip individuals. All activities undertaken within this programme are tailored with the specific intention of transferring knowledge and skills. Every
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Keep a close eye on winter weeds June 2023 PIETMAN BOTHA, INDEPENDENT AGRI- CULTURAL CONSULTANT The control of winter weeds is not a luxury but a necessity. In spring, fields must be clean and winter weeds must not be a problem. These weeds are adapted to winter conditions and have the ability to survive
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Combat harvest time losses May 2023 JENNY MATHEWS, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST AND EDUCATOR There is a proverb which states: ‘well begun is half done.’ in the case of grain farmers, this couldn’t be truer. It is not enough to grow a good crop if one does not have a plan for the final
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Tactics to disrupt Sclerotinia May 2023 There is no magic solution for managing Sclerotinia stem and head rot of soybean and sunflower. During a Sclerotinia research day on 13 October 2022, several role-players discussed some integrated pest management (IPM) approaches which producers could implement to manage epidemics. Integral to developing an IPM system is to
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