2023

A WORD FROM… the Grain Producer finalists April 2023 The three finalists for the 2022 Grain SA/Syngenta Grain Producer of the Year award: André Brink, JP Meintjes and Gideon Koegelenberg. If there is one thing the finalists of the 2022 Grain SA/Syngenta Grain Producer of the year agree on, is that it takes hard work

White bean project empowers developing farmers April 2023 JENNY MATHEWS, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST AND EDUCATOR   White beans are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with fibre and protein. They are a good source of micronutrients such as copper, iron, folate, magnesium and vitamin B6. These beans are high in antioxidants and have many health benefits. Consumers

SA soybean prices show an upward trend April 2023 CHRISTIAAN VERCUIEL, JUNIOR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST, GRAIN SA   In the previous season, we saw less than positive soybean production all around the world. South America had one of its severest droughts in a very long time, with the United States of America (USA) following close behind

Soybean farming: To measure is to know April 2023 RICHARD MCPHERSON,  AGRIBUSINESS AND PROJECT  MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT   South Africa’s soybean production for last season was estimated at 2,2 million tons. This can be valued at over R20 billion at a price of R9 200/t at farm level. Last season’s national average yield was 2,37 t/ha

Crop scouting leads to a better yield April 2023 JENNY MATHEWS, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST AND EDUCATOR   Scouting is the process of monitoring crop development in each of your fields. This is done to evaluate crop concerns and economic risks – from germination and emergence issues to identifying potential pests and disease threats. It

How to minimise aflatoxin production April 2023 DR BRADLEY FLETT, ARC-GRAIN CROPS, POTCHEFSTROOM   Groundnuts, like all legumes, are important in fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, a critical and often limiting nutrient for other non-leguminous crops in degraded or nutrient-poor soils. This makes it an excellent rotation or intercrop with maize in nutrient-poor sandy

Manage employees to limit risks April 2023 MARIUS GREYLING,  INDEPENDENT AGRICULTURAL  MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT   In South Africa employee management is regulated by a number of labour laws. It is applicable regardless the number of employees and whether they are permanently or temporary employed.  Employee management is extremely important in maintaining the profitability and sustainability of

Corner Post April 2023 Moniwa Badge Skosana was born in 1953 in Carolina, Mpumalanga. His parents were blessed with six sons and two daughters. Due to a lack of funding he was not able to attend school and had to stay at home and work with his father, a livestock farmer. His father used oxen

Use trial plots to measure success April 2023 Trials are a wonderful way of showing farmers what is the right thing to do. The regional development managers in the various regions contact input supply companies and involve them in the trials.  Every effort is made to plant and manage the trials in a way that