Machinery and implements for conventional farming systems
September 2018
JOHAN VAN BILJON and DR TINGMIN YU, ARC-Agricultural Engineering
The optimal use of the correct equipment and implements is necessary to optimise farming production and to maximise operational profit. All mechanisation actions need to...
Growing groundnuts aflatoxin-free
The groundnut or peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important food and fodder crop in the farming systems of developing countries. The seed is high in oil (close to 50% for many varieties) and...
Management of sorghum diseases
February 2019
PROF NEAL MCLAREN and LISA ROTHMANN, Department of Plant Sciences: Plant Pathology Division, University of the Free State
Grain sorghum may be affected by a wide range of diseases. The incidence and severity of...
Benchmarking – a powerful tool
The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) is not new to benchmarking and the effective use thereof to measure farm-level competitiveness. BFAP is part of the international agri benchmark network, where various crop-producing...
Quality hybrids yield high oil content
Oilseed crops are the second-largest source of food after cereals, with a large expansion worldwide due to high demand for vegetable edible oil. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the four most important...
PROFIT MAXIMISING feeding period for cattle
June 2018
PHILLIP OOSTHUIZEN, head: Economics and Research, Sernick Group
The cattle feedlot sector plays a significant role in the red meat industry. Approximately 70% to 80% of cattle that reach the consumer went through a...
Planning is key
With a competition record of 5,12 t/ha, Clinton Frey from Winterton was crowned the winner in the category for soybeans in KwaZulu-Natal in the 2020 Grain SA Grow for Gold National Yield Competition with...
Ear rots of maize: A continuous threat to food safety and security
April 2015
BRADLEY FLETT and EDSON NCUBE, ARC-Grain Crops Institute
Diplodia ear rot caused by Stenocarpella maydis, Fusarium ear rot caused by Fusarium verticillioides and Gibberella ear rot caused by the Fusarium graminearum species complex are the major ear rot diseases...
Beskikbaarheid en prys van grondboonsaad vir nuwe seisoen
Volgens die jongste skatting van die Nasionale Oesskattingskomitee is slegs 20 050 ha grondbone in die 2018/2019-produksieseisoen aangeplant en word ’n oes van 20 580 ton verwag. Produsente was van voorneme om ten minste...
Sclerotinia head rot of sunflower: A continuing threat
March 2018
PROF BRADLEY FLETT, ARC-Grain Crops, Potchefstroom
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a fungal pathogen, which infects sunflowers, causing Sclerotinia head or stem rot diseases. This fungus attacks a wide range of field crops including soybeans, beans, canola...
