Crop production: How to decide on a tillage system

Soil tillage has a huge influence on crop production, and is one of the most expensive input costs. Decisions about proper methods cannot, therefore, be hit or miss. A crop farmer’s decision about the correct tillage method to use should be based on information that leads to objectives – not…

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Farm management: Mechanisation and summer crops

Mechanisation costs money, which means it is part of a farmer’s production and overhead outlay, and that makes managing it very important. Mechanical resources include all the trucks, bakkies, tractors and equipment a farmer uses in his farming operations (they do not include vehicles or equipment for private use). And just…

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Mechanisation: Buy the right harvester for your farm

Farming machinery is a significant financial investment. These guidelines will help you buy the best harvester for your operation. If you are in the business of harvesting grain, you will know that a harvester is an expensive piece of equipment. When you consider that a farmer’s livelihood depends on the…

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Mechanisation: How to calibrate a boom sprayer

Farmers who protect their crops against weeds and pests by using a tractor-driven boom sprayer should ensure that it is set to spray the exact volume of chemical needed per hectare. Each season the availability and correct application of agricultural chemicals make the difference between crop failure and a profitable…

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Mechanisation: How to effectively use knapsack sprayers

The effective use of pesticides and herbicides is important for good yields in any crop, and could save you money and/or increase yields. To understand the methodology of chemical spraying one has to look at the principles of the spraying technique. HOW DROPLETS ARE FORMED Droplets are formed when a…

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Mechanisation: Pointers for buying a tractor

Before buying a tractor, you should first decide what it is going to be used for and whether you should rather consider purchasing a second-hand tractor. Thorough planning is the first step when buying expensive equipment and implements. Most commercial farmers need a tractor, but for many a newcomer, a…

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AFGRI Ghana establishes 10 model farms to boost mechanisation

Ghanaian mechanised agricultural equipment supplier AFGRI Ghana Limited says it has established 10 model farms to teach local farmers the correct ways of using mechanised equipment to maximise on crop yields per hectare. The company, which is a leading supplier of John Deere farm equipment in Ghana, also plans to…

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Budget to “boost crop, livestock, fisheries productivity” – Mutati

The 2018 budget will especially benefit Zambian crop, livestock and fish farmers, said Zambian Finance Minister Felix Mutati. Mutati delivered his K71.6 billion budget on Friday, highlighting the improvement of agriculture market information systems and the development of functional markets. The focus will be on sustaining high production and enhancing…

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New Future Farm project in Zambia to provide sustainable solutions to smallholder farmers, agro-dealers

A new project at the AGCO Future Farm in Zambia is going to assess the needs of smallholder farmers and agro-dealers to provide them profitable solutions. AGCO, a global provider of agricultural solutions to farmers, is leading an 18 month-long initiative for the Alliance for Green Revolution for Africa (AGRA),…

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Mechanisation: Keep every machine in good working order!

Proactive machine maintenance works better than dealing with breakdowns. Farm machinery and equipment is expensive so it’s worth looking around for decent second hand implements. Many second-hand tractors and pickup vehicles (bakkies) have given their owners years of reliable service. If you have a weakness for new machines and tools,…

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Agriserve Agro signs mechanisation deal with Czech Republic

The Zambian livestock business Agriserve Agro will now also provide mechanisation services to farmers, thanks to a deal signed with the Czech Republic during the recent Agritech Expo. According to Renier van Vuuren, managing director of Agriserve Agro, his company and several Czech machinery manufacturers sealed a deal for the…

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Agritech Expo interview: ‘Agriculture needs predictable policies from government’

Musika – a non-profit company that works to stimulate private sector investment in the smallholder market – has been a key partner of the Agritech Expo Zambia, since it started in 2014. We asked its Director of Strategy – Mr. Rob Munro – a few questions. How has Agritech Expo…

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Mechanisation: Correct tyre pressure saves money!

Tyres have become some of the most expensive and sophisticated pieces of equipment on a farm. Yet people are still quite uninformed about how tyre pressure has an effect on the bottom line of the business. You know how it goes: that ripper should have been running yesterday. When you…

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