Experts

maize; GMO; proactive

Crop production: Success as a farmer means being proactive

  5th August 2019

The early bird catches the worm is a saying that also applies to farming. Farmers often miss great opportunities to save costs or to seize the moment and achieve good profits. Sometimes farmers experience great losses in terms of damage to natural resources, such as soil erosion during a heavy…

planning

Farm management: Planning crucial for success

  30th July 2019

It’s all about giving your farming business direction, control and purpose. And about using all your resources to their maximum capacity. Planning is one of the most important management functions, but some farmers don’t focus on it sufficiently. No planning, or bad planning, is like jumping into your vehicle and…

relationships

Marketing tips: The value of good relationships

  17th July 2019

Business is about relationships. Each one is different and has its own specific requirements. For a farmer, the most important relationship is the one with the people who sell his produce: They play a key role in the success of his marketing plans. In simpler times, it was said that…

crush pen; cattle

Cattle production: Prevent injuries with good planning

  27th June 2019

One of the greatest constraints veterinarians find when trying to treat cattle is the lack or inadequacy of handling facilities. If it is too difficult to constrain cattle, the owner won’t be able to examine or treat sick animals in time. The handling facilities on a cattle farm are a…

people; discipline

Farm management: Human resources – discipline is key (...

  19th June 2019

For a business to run smoothly and without unnecessary conflict, it is important to maintain discipline day by day. While busy carrying out any of his tasks – planning, organising, implementing or controlling – a manager must also pay attention to certain other management activities, such as leadership, communicating, coordinating,…

swaziland; grains; maize; inputs

Crop production: How to get an a-maize-ing harvest

  18th June 2019

To choose the best planting time for their maize farmers should consider the available heat units on their farms, in other words determine how warm or cool the area is where they farm. Also keep in mind long-term rainfall patterns. The maize plant should have enough time to develop fully…

market; fresh; produce; storage; exporting; quality

Fresh produce: Success doesn’t come easy

  14th June 2019

The fresh produce market as a channel offers producers several options and opportunities. These benefits drastically decrease, however, in the absence of careful planning. This article was written by Prof. A. Leonard and Dr. J. Range. Planning around marketing options realise a higher level of success, provided it’s done in…

pigs

Pork production: Buying pigs

  7th June 2019

Question: I’ve decided to take up pig farming to supplement my pension when I retire. I want to start with two females and a male and to aim for quality rather than quantity. Where should I buy the pigs and what should I look out for to make sure they’re…