From the PGP desk April 2025 THROUGH THE FARMER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, THE PHAHAMA GRAIN PHAKAMA (PGP) TEAM TRIES TO SERVICE FARMERS AT ALL DIFFERENT LEVELS – FROM THE SMALL 1 HA FARMERS UP TO THE LARGE COMMERCIAL FARMERS. THE STARTING PLACE FOR CONTACT WITH FARMERS IS THROUGH STUDY GROUPS. Unfortunately, the study group service stopped
Mitigate the impact of Goss’s wilt April 2025 DR GODFREY KGATLE, GRAIN SA RESEARCH COORDINATOR GOSS’S WILT IS AN EMERGING CHALLENGE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN MAIZE FARMERS, CAUSED BY THE BACTERIUM CLAVIBACTER MICHIGANENSIS SUBSP. NEBRASKENSIS. IT PRIMARILY AFFECTS MAIZE AND CERTAIN GRASSES, INCLUDING SORGHUM, FOXTAIL SPECIES AND RELATED CROPS. IT IS NOT KNOWN TO INFECT
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On-farm biosecurity: Key guidelines every farmer should know April 2025 DR LAVINIA KISTEN, RESEARCH COORDINATOR AT GRAIN SA ON-FARM BIOSECURITY IS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE AGAINST PESTS, DISEASES AND WEEDS THAT CAN HARM YOUR CROPS AND LIVELIHOOD. BY TAKING PROACTIVE STEPS, YOU CAN PREVENT COSTLY OUTBREAKS, PROTECT YOUR FARM’S PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFEGUARD THE
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3 reasons to visit NAMPO April 2025 Every year during May, Grain SA hosts NAMPO, the biggest agricultural trade exhibition in Africa. Although there are huge tractors and very expensive equipment on display, the suppliers also cater for smaller farmers, so don’t miss this annual event. Here are three good reasons to visit NAMPO Park
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All farmers must pay the minimum wage April 2025 DIRK COETZEE, LABOUR RELATIONS SPECIALIST THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE WAS IMPLEMENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2019. DURING THIS PERIOD, A MASSIVE INCREASE WAS IMPLEMENTED ON TOP OF THE SECTORAL DETERMINATION FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR. The question is often raised whether South African farms can
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Equipment: When to let it go April 2025 With good maintenance, a farmer can increase the lifespan of his/her tractors and other farming equipment. However, if you have not done regular maintenance and you have some broken and worn equipment lying around, it may be time to let it go. Here are some key considerations
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Keep paperwork up to date April 2025 YOLANDI MARAIS, AGRICULTURAL ADVISOR AT DUNAMUS MOST FARMERS ENJOY THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF FARMING – TO BE IN THE FIELDS, TO WORK WITH THEIR HANDS, TO HERD CATTLE AND TO SEE HOW NATURAL PROCESSES ARE TURNED INTO MARKETABLE PRODUCTS. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS THE HEART
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Maximise your sunflower yield April 2025 RICHARD MCPHERSON, PULA CONTRIBUTOR ONE OF THE WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR YIELD AND INCOME IS TO HARVEST YOUR SUNFLOWERS AT THE RIGHT TIME AND HANDLE THEM AS BEST AS POSSIBLE. ALSO PREVENT ANY MOISTURE DAMAGE AND SEED DEGRADING TAKING PLACE BEFORE AND AFTER COMBINING. The 2024 sunflower production
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The importance of maize for poultry April 2025 KARINA MULLER, PULA CONTRIBUTOR BROILER FARMING IS A PROFITABLE VENTURE FOR MANY UPCOMING FARMERS, BUT UNDERSTANDING FEED CONSUMPTION IS CRUCIAL FOR COST MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY. MAIZE (CORN) IS A PRIMARY INGREDIENT IN BROILER FEED, PROVIDING ESSENTIAL ENERGY FOR GROWTH. In South Africa, an estimated 43% of
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Following in his father’s footsteps April 2025 Imagine winning a great cash prize just because you want to pay tribute to your farming hero. This is what happened to Musa Sibiya. Musa read about the Grain SA and John Deere competition, ‘My Hero’, and decided to enter his hardworking son, Mzwakhe Sibiya (23), who is
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