2023

A word from… Du Toit van der Westhuizen July 2023 Farming is a calling and not a job, as farmers never know what the next season has in store for them. Therefore farmers have to adapt to situations beyond their control.  This year has been smooth sailing in some of the regions where everything on the

Good bookkeeping is vital for farmers July 2023 JENNY MATHEWS, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST AND EDUCATOR   Business accounting is an essential aspect of any small- and medium-sized business. Some farmers manage their own finances, while others hire a bookkeeper and outsource the accounting duties. It is always the farmer’s responsibility to keep a finger

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. 

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

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

Steps to destroy the FMD virus July 2023 Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease among livestock that has a significant economic impact. The disease affects cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.  The FMD is estimated to circulate in 77% of the global livestock population in Africa, the Middle

Corner Post July 2023 Thokozani Hlatswayo (41) farms with his 86-year-old father, Robert, on their 800-hectare farm, Broederstroom, in the Amersfoort district. Although he is not planting on a big scale yet, he has achieved an average yield of more than 6 t/ha of maize for the past couple of years. This season, ThokoZani planted

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