Ask the Experts

THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE USING YOUR OWN ANIMALS TO BREED WITH The perceived advantage of using on-farm stock is that the farmer does not need to

It is not always easy to remember exactly where underground cablesand pipes were laid, but an old hack by electricians can save farmers a lot

This week on African Farming we talk to Praveen Dwarika, Managing Director of Lemang Agri Services, about a group of young people who have access to land but don’t have the know-how to develop it into a viable agri-business. Lemang introduced them to Solomon Masango, today an accomplished commercial farmer who came through the Lemang Programme.

This week African Farming talks to Patrick Sekwatlakwatla, Head of Transformation at Sernick. We discuss pests that livestock farmers have to look out for, especially after the good rains over large parts of southern Africa. We’ll also talk about vaccination programmes and supplements during the dryer winter months ahead.

Maize yields have skyrocketed. Back in the 1980s and 1990s 10 tons per hectare was exceptional, with the average on dryland typically being between 3 and 6 t/ha. Today 10 t/ha and even more, even without irrigation, are pretty standard, with the record maize yield (irrigated) being in the vicinity of 23 t/ha! These increases are due to improved hybrids and on-farm management practices.

To spot a disease among your animals early on can really save you a lot of money.