2021

Maize stover is a valuable commodity July 2021 JENNY MATHEWS, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST AND EDUCATOR   By optimising the stover, a farmer is essentially increasing the benefits and profitability of his maize production cycle. With profit margins under pressure, every maize farmer needs to decide on how best to capitalise on the stover left

Let’s look at local sunflower market trends July 2021 IKAGENG MALULEKE, AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST AT GRAIN SA   Over the years sunflower has gained the reputation of an ideal crop to grow under low-input and marginal cropping conditions, with consistent yields under adverse conditions. In certain production regions, sunflowers are, however, left as a last resort,

Improve your leadership skills July 2021 MARIUS GREYLING, INDEPENDENT AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT   The media has bombarded us with reports of poor performance of a number of different institutions in our country the past few months. A lack of leadership has been quoted as a reason for the poor performance. But what is leadership and

Good advice for choosing fertiliser July 2021 PIETMAN BOTHA, INDEPENDENT AGRI- CULTURAL CONSULTANT   The performance and yield of a maize crop is directly related to the climate soil and fertilisation. Soil test results are needed in order to determine the nutrient requirements and the correct application thereof. WHAT MAIZE NEEDS FOR EFFECTIVE GROWTH For

Ensure that Sclerotinia does not ruin the crop July 2021 ARTICLE COMPILED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN SCLEROTINIA RESEARCH NETWORK Sclerotinia stem rot causes a lot of damage to crops, particularly soybean and sunflower, and can result in significant yield losses. The Sclerotinia sclerotiorum fungus cause the disease. In South Africa, the most important crops affected

Protect your machinery by chopping sunflower residue July 2021 JENNY MATHEWS, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST AND EDUCATOR   Plant residues protect the surface of the soil against the sun, wind and heavy downpours of rain that would normally wash precious topsoils away. Many farmers utilise the residue in some way or other, either as feedstock

Get the most out of the soil July 2021 PIETMAN BOTHA, INDEPENDENT AGRI- CULTURAL CONSULTANT   Soil sampling is the basis of all optimal fertiliser and lime recommendations. The main objective of the liming or fertiliser programme is to correct the soil chemical restriction in the most economically viable manner to produce maximum output. With

Inspiration leads to discovery July 2021 LOUISE KUNZ, PULA IMVULA CONTRIBUTOR;   Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the United States of America (USA), said: ‘the greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. It is the one who gets the people to do the greatest things.’ part of the success of

A programme that is changing lives July 2021 Telling our own story first-hand The 2020/2021 summer cropping season has been somewhat more rewarding than usual. The season has for most regions, been a good one. So many farmers are able to rejoice at the rewards for their labours unlike the drought years we have become