When is it too late to plant?
In major maize production regions of South Africa, the optimal planting date for maize is considered to be around late October to mid-December for Mpumalanga (22%), the Free State (43%) and North West (17%),...
FERTILISER INDUSTRY IN SA: This is what it looks like
Fertilisers are crucial for improving soil fertility and maintaining agricultural productivity, especially in nutrient-limited soils commonly found in key grain-production regions of South Africa. The South African fertiliser industry is largely influenced by global...
Planting time and hybrid choice: keys to successful sunflower production
Sunflower is one of South Africa’s top oilseed crops, valued for both its yield and oil quality. However, climate change associated with hotter summers, more frequent droughts, and unpredictable rainfall poses new challenges. Recent...
The ins and outs of beef feedlot economics
A decision faced by producers every year is whether to add value to their grain and livestock: Are they going to sell their grain and weaner calves or add value to both by feeding...
The ins and outs of biofuels
Global markets, not only commodity markets, increasingly must be adaptable to increased volatility and high energy costs, yet still produce products as affordably as possible. A major component in the success of any economy...
The big five maize leaf diseases: identification and management
Maize is one of South Africa’s most important staple crops, forming the backbone of food security and livestock feed. However, its profitability and productivity are constantly threatened by leaf diseases that reduce yield and...
Fertilisation and planting date impact yields
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an annual oilseed crop globally cultivated on a production area of approximately 26 million ha that results in ± 47,4 million metric tons of seed annually – an 8%...
CLEARING NATURAL VEGETATION: a legal and practical guide for SA producers
When assessing a piece of land that has never been ploughed, a producer will often focus on the potential: more crops, expanded grazing, or new infrastructure. In South Africa, the decision to clear natural...
SA’s poultry industry: from crisis to growth
For a decade leading up to 2019, South Africa’s poultry industry was in distress. Year after year, production declined while imports continued to grow, placing immense pressure on local producers and threatening one of...
Maize: understanding local grading and global standards
Maize grading is a classification system used to assess the quality of maize. In South Africa, this process is governed by the Agricultural Product Standards Act (Act No 119 of 1990) and regulated by...
