Sunflower

Soybean harvesting: Time is money January 2022 PIETMAN BOTHA,  INDEPENDENT AGRI- CULTURAL CONSULTANT   To increase profit and reduce risk, consider harvesting soybeans earlier. The cultivation of soybeans is known for its risks. One of the biggest risks is during the time and process of harvesting. Shatter losses due to brittle pods increase as moisture

Crop rotation can reduce risks January 2022 RICHARD MCPHERSON,  AGRIBUSINESS AND PROJECT  MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT   A planned crop rotation programme on your total medium to high potential arable area should include the correct mix of crops that can be successfully cultivated on your farm. The higher potential, being mainly the deeper and fertile soils, can

THE CORNER POST January 2022 LOUISE KUNZ, PULA IMVULA CONTRIBUTOR   At the tenth anniversary of the World Agriculture Organisation (WAO), Theo de Jager, president of the WAO, said: ‘we believe there’s only one way to eradicate poverty, and that’s through the creation of wealth, and no one is better positioned to do that, than

Gearing up for the new season December 2021 Food is so much more than just what we consume – food systems need to not only resolve issues of hunger but they also need to contribute to improved well-being, balanced eating plans, reduced diet-related disease and the health and sustainability of the planet. In May, Thoko

Top-dressing fertiliser: timing is key November 2021 PIETMAN BOTHA,  INDEPENDENT AGRI- CULTURAL CONSULTANT   The year is speeding to an end and producers must make sure that everything is done to maximise their crop yield. It is important to manage the crop according to the first production plan – especially the fertilisation and chemical programmes.

Protect your crop from plagues and pests October 2021 JENNY MATHEWS, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST AND EDUCATOR   Between 26% and 40% of the world’s potential crop production is lost annually because of weeds, pests and diseases. Many farmers use chemicals to keep weeds and pests from destroying their crops – this is called crop

Budget; plan ahead and ensure success October 2021 RICHARD MCPHERSON,  AGRIBUSINESS AND PROJECT  MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT   Another season is upon us and finalisation of the planning for the planting of the coming crops and budgets for the 2021/2022 sunflower and soybean production season should be completed this month. The recently harvested crops would have been

Control weeds early to maximise sunflower yields October 2021 With the increase in sunflower yields, the sunflower price increase and the need to apply crop rotation in especially maize monoculture, sunflower cultivation has become more appealing. It is also a good method to improve soil health. A problem with the cultivation of the sunflower crop

THE CORNER POST October 2021 LOUISE KUNZ, PULA IMVULA CONTRIBUTOR   Like so many South Africans, Fanelwa Bangani Siphoko (43) from Johannesburg found the initial three-week lockdown period in 2020 overwhelming, but it was during this time that her passion for agriculture was ignited. LOCKDOWN FRUSTRATION PRODUCES A FARMER Fanelwa, who is an accountant at