2024

Planting date and fertilisation can ensure an optimal sunflower yield April 2024 DR SAFIAH MA’ALI, SENIOR RESEARCHER: ARC-GRAIN CROPS, POTCHEFSTROOM. FIRST PUBLISHED IN SA GRAAN/GRAIN, SEPTEMBER 2023.   Sunflower oil is one of the major vegetable oils used in the food industry. Moreover, with its high quality, edibility and high protein content, it is often

Minimise losses when harvesting sunflower and soybeans April 2024 PIETMAN BOTHA,  INDEPENDENT AGRI- CULTURAL CONSULTANT   Although there will always be harvest losses, one should try to minimise it. To achieve zero losses, the combine harvester would have to move at such a slow pace that you will never finish harvesting in time. The key

Gerbils can destroy a grain harvest April 2024 DR GERHARD VERDOORN, OPERATIONS AND STEWARDSHIP MANAGER, CROPLIFE SA   Gerbils are one of the agricultural pests that drive grain farmers into a frenzy. Unfortunately ignorance about gerbils still seems to be a problem, simply because farmers are often completely unfamiliar with their appearance and behaviour. SIGNS

Tips to fight veld fires on the farm April 2024 LOUISE KUNZ, ASSISTANT EDITOR   Wildfires are a common phenomenon in South Africa, especially during the drier seasons. These fires can occur due to natural causes such as lightning striking, but it is often caused by human activities such as unattended campfires, discarded cigarette butts,

Working towards optimal grain marketing April 2024 JOHAN TEESSEN, AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST INTERN, GRAIN SA   In the article that was published in the March issue (use hedging to control price risks), the focus was on the options market, explaining various options, their mechanisms and providing practical examples. This article will explore the physical market in