Tabla de contenidos para 26 September + 3 October 2025 en Farmer's Weekly

Dear Editor, Herewith an obituary for the late Ron Turcotte who died on Friday, 22 August 2025. I just thought I should let you know after the well-written Spotlight on Horses in the Farmer’s Weekly of 23 May. Yours sincerely, Emile Moelich Ron Turcotte (22 July 1941 to 22 August 2025) was the jockey who partnered Secretariat, the fastest Thoroughbred racehorse in history. Turcotte was a well-known Canadian jockey, best known for riding Secretariat to win the United States Triple Crown in 1973. He won all three Triple Crown races, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont in record time. Secretariat was the first of three horses in the history of the Kentucky Derby who ran the famous race in less than two minutes. The other two horses were…

The Hampshire or Hampshire Down originated around 1829 in the rich agricultural county of Hampshire, in southern England. A Hampshire farmer, John Twynam, crossed his then Hampshire flock with the Berkshire Knot and the Wiltshire Horn, which produced the first recognised Hampshire Downs in the UK. Hennie Jonker’s Zorro Hampshire Down stud is farmed intensively on 6,6ha near Kroonstad in the Free State. The farm accommodates 700 sheep. Four hundred sheep form part of the Zorro feedlot while the stud concern consists of 300 animals, including 220 SP ewes and 25 rams. The land is divided into 22 camps of planted pasture, each with its own watering point, and the pastures are irrigated from the Bloemhoek outflow from the Vals River. FIRST HAMPSHIRES The first Hampshires were imported to South…

Nothing beats the smell and taste of braaivleis, and most people will agree that one of the perfect dishes to be served at a braai is pap with a flavourful sheba or relish. Miami Canners caters to these, as well as many other preferences and tastes of South Africans. After more than four decades in business, Miami Canners has established itself as a trusted household brand and can be found on the shelves of most of the large retailers throughout South Africa as well as in neighbouring countries. HISTORY The farm Miami received its name when foreign officials were commissioned to survey an area adjacent to the Letaba River in the 1900s. Some of these officials were from the US, and when naming farms and areas, chose names that were…

This SUV is always seen on display at high-end celeb activations, with the most recent being the prestigious Durban July. PHEV stands for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and this means that the 1,5ℓ turbo petrol engine gets a proper shot of electricity. Making only 105kW and 215Nm, the petrol engine would not even be a threat to the VW Golf 8.5 1.4 TSI. But add a 34,5kWh battery into the mix that drives four electric motors, one at each wheel, and you have a 440kW/915Nm Golf GTI killer. The battery adds 335kW of power and 700Nm of torque. The extra urge is driven down to all four wheels via a three-speed DHT auto box. Stomping on the accelerator of the Omoda C9 PHEV produced a tested 0 to 100km/h time…

ACROSS 1. US-developed breed of hair sheep reared for meat (8) 5. Arachnid with a segmented abdomen and a tail with a venomous sting (8) 11. One of many solid, naturally occurring inorganic substances (7) 12. Showing of a film or exhibition before opening to the public (7) 13. Limbless scaly reptile of the Ophidia order (5) 14. Bumpy; irregular (6) 15. Fruit of the Chinese date tree, eaten fresh or dried (6) 16. Internal organs of an animal prepared as food (5) 19. Animals of dwarf breeds; poodles, for instance (4) 23. Woody plant smaller than a tree (4) 24. Alternative name for peacock (7) 25. Adjustable loop of rope at the end of a lasso (5) 26. Apparatus used for making butter (5) 28. Prevailing weather conditions (7)…

I am a 47-year-old ambitious black lady, looking for a similarly ambitious and adventurous white partner. This would be for both business and personal development for both our interests. I love public speaking and networking with people across all walks of life. If you’re interested to take the world by storm, contact me. FRUITFUL PARTNERSHIP I’m just a 68-year-old, no-drama widow who lives in Howick. Looking to meet my special person to share carefree days and chilled evenings. Love all animals. RISEN CLOUD I am a 60-year-old white woman who loves camping, animals, the outdoors and watching sport. I am a Christian and don’t smoke. I am looking for a white man of 60 years old or above who also wants a long-term relationship and is a Christian and likes…

The secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is endemic to Africa and was uplisted from near-threatened to vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2011, the very year Birdlife South Africa (SA) committed to the launch of their Secretary bird Conservation Project (SCP). This project, through research, public awareness campaigns as well as the implementation of habitat management guidelines, aimed to protect this iconic species. In 2020, on the back of dramatic population crashes of secretary birds across Africa (upwards of 75% in some counties like Botswana), their status was uplisted to endangered, underscoring the relevance of the SCP under management of Cassie Carstens since 2023. NESTS AND TRACKING A central strategy of Birdlife SA’s SCP has always been to engage farmers who have played a central role…

‘We are encouraged by government announcements of plans to significantly reduce regulatory requirements and costs […]’ – Linda Nielsen, CEO of the Horticultural Development Council in Zimbabwe, on the country taking steps to reach its full potential in terms of blueberry production (pg 16). ‘Farmers can make the most of pollination by protecting those afternoon peaks. That means avoiding disruptive farm operations such as spraying, mowing, or moving hives during those hours’ – Jaimee Harris, head of research at Bee-Tech Group, on trials conducted by the group indicating that bee activity was consistently higher in the afternoon in avocado orchards (pg 17). ‘It gives farmers feedback on the research being done, and listens carefully to the realities they face, ensuring that research remains aligned, relevant, and impactful’ – Dr Godfrey Kgatle, research coordinator…

Avocado farmers could soon benefit from new pollination strategies that significantly increase honeybee activity in orchards. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Jaimee Harris, head of research at Bee-Tech Group, revealed findings from 2024 trials that tested pollen removal and the Apis Bloom pheromone to overcome the crop’s biggest challenge: low-quality nectar that makes avocado flowers less appealing to bees. FORAGING SURGE One of the interventions tested was pollen removal from hives, which resulted in a 38% increase in bee activity. “When pollen is removed from the hive, the colony experiences a shortfall in its protein reserves. INCREASED BEE VISITATION WILL DEFINITELY TRANSLATE INTO BETTER RESULTS “Brood development depends heavily on protein, and pollen is the bees’ primary protein source. To compensate, more foragers are mobilised to collect pollen and restore reserves…

FAST FACTS The Ochre Meatmaster stud was established in 2017, but owner Boemie Saaiman has been farming Meatmasters since the late 1990s. The stud currently consists of 500 ewes. Saaiman selects for animals with genotypic and phenotypic traits that complement each other and work hand-in-hand to produce functionally efficient animals. Ochre Meatmasters, a prominent Meatmaster stud, is nestled near Murraysburg in the Western Cape. Owned by the husband-and-wife team of Boemie and Jacolet Saaiman, the stud is a testament to Boemie’s lifelong passion for farming and the Meatmaster breed. Boemie, who has been farming Meatmasters since 1999, established Ochre Meatmasters in 2017. The name ‘Ochre’ was inspired by the colour of the clay used by the Himba people of Kaokoland, a nod to the region that is the ancestral home…

FAST FACTS The breed was named for Senator JC van Rooy, who farmed near Bethulie. He was instrumental in the development of the breed by crossbreeding, among others, Rambouillets, Ronderib Afrikaners and Persian sheep. The breed is a highly economical option for any sheep producer, according to Pieter Wiese, owner of the Kasteel stud. Van Rooy crossbred carcasses are of extraordinary quality, and in terms of crossbreeding for weight on the hook, these crosses reign supreme. Pieter Wiese, chairperson of the Van Rooy Sheep Breeders’ Association of South Africa, describes the breed as hardy and adaptable. “The Van Rooy represents all the genetic traits needed to excel in even the most challenging conditions in South Africa. The breed is also known for outstanding meat quality, high fertility and extreme resilience…

FAST FACTS Regenerative agriculture focuses on reducing farming’s dependence on external inputs by following more natural processes. Orizon plays an active role in helping farmers transition from conventional systems to regenerative systems. Farmers in all nine provinces have successfully implemented regenerative farming systems. Local company, Orizon, recently made headlines with the registration of their CarbonCrop Programme, positioning them as leaders in the carbon space for agriculture. The proudly South African company made its mark with the largest carbon project registered globally under Verra’s flagship sustainable agriculture methodology to date. This milestone not only marks a breakthrough for local farmers, but also underscores the value of regenerative agriculture, which lies at the heart of Orizon’s mission. Regenerative agriculture (RA) is gaining traction among farmers across South Africa as a farming philosophy…

There are several hundred Thoroughbred breeding studs in South Africa and many are integrated into existing crop production systems. The first horse races probably featured crossbred Cape horses. Later, Lord Charles Somerset was the first to organise Thoroughbred races in 1814, after he imported a large number of English Thoroughbred stallions into the Cape Winelands area, which was free of African horse sickness. Thoroughbreds also flourished in the Cape highlands and parts of Natal because of the green pastures and warm weather. It was mentioned that there were few midges to carry the horse sickness virus along the coast. Today, we have a vaccine to protect broodmares and stallions against African horse sickness, and it appears that Thoroughbred horses bred in South Africa have developed a partial resistance. Every year,…

HERBY GARLIC BREAD INGREDIENTS 125g soft (not melted) butter (salted is easier but unsalted is also fine) 15g to 30g Italian parsley, finely chopped (you can use other herbs if you prefer) 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced (add more to taste) 1 bagette or 4 hotdog rolls salt and freshly ground black pepper Optional: 125ml grated mozzarella and 30g grated Parmesan METHOD First make the butter: mix the butter, chopped herbs and garlic together, season and set aside for 5 minutes. Slice bread(s) in half and spread butter mixture generously. If using cheese, spread that on too. Wrap the bread(s) well in tin foil. Place on the braai for around 15 minutes. GRILLED SWEET POTATO INGREDIENTS 1kg sweet potatoes 150ml olive oil 125ml coriander, finely chopped zest and…

She may no longer be considered South Africa’s greatest writer, but Olive Schreiner will always remain one of the most remarkable, complicated and talented figures to grace the country’s literary and political history. She was born to missionary parents on the Wittebergen Mission Station, some 35km north of today’s Lady Grey, Eastern Cape, on 24 March 1855. The buildings consisted of a crude shelter for the family as well as a chapel and a hall that was used for teaching by Rev Gottlob Schreiner. His wife Rebecca was active in nursing on this remote, windswept and rocky area granted to the Wesleyan Missionary Society by the Cape government. The settlement was cut off from the civilised world, the nearest post office being over 200km away at Colesberg. Olive and her…

The Beekeeping course is a two-day course presented by Honeywood Farms, and covers topics such as bee biology, including bee diseases; hive components and assembly; honey processing and control, including a practical demonstration of extracting honey; obtaining bees, including bee removals, catching swarms and introduction to queen rearing; and commercial pollination and bee forage, amongst many others. This is an ideal course for newcomers to beekeeping. Visithoneywoodfarm.co.za/about/bee-courses. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, AND EXPOS 26 SEPTEMBER CILTSA Women in Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain Empowerment Conference 2025, Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre, Johannesburg. Email cvlarkin@ciltsa.org.za or office@ciltsa.org.za. 2 TO 4 OCTOBER Organic & Natural Products Expo Africa, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. Email warrenh@blankpage.co.za, phone 082 895 2832, or visit organicandnaturalportal.com. 21 TO 23 OCTOBER Securex South Africa 2025, Cape Town International…

South Africa’s fruit growers will soon see the country’s first autonomous spraying technology in action when Orchard Agri launches the OSAM S500 PRO Autonomous Multi-Function Sprayer by LJ Tech in November. The OSAM S500 PRO is a self-driving sprayer developed for high-value crops, including apples, citrus, grapes, pears, peaches, kiwis, and berries. Using artificial intelligence, precision spraying, the global positioning system, light detection and ranging technologies, the machine drives itself through orchards and vineyards, applying chemicals only where needed. This targeted approach not only improves spray accuracy and coverage, but cuts wastage, with trials showing input savings of up to 20%, according to Christiaan van Rensburg, managing director of Orchard Agri. He added that what makes it truly multi-functional was its compatibility with various attachments, including a trailer towbar, a…

Ghana has taken a crucial first step to protect its banana crop from the threat of Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (TR4), according to an article by FreshPlaza.com. Banana is an important crop for the West African country, with Ghana exporting around 75 000t of bananas to the EU in 2023. This generated US$52,47 million (around R921 million) in revenue. Ghana’s primary markets in the EU are France, the UK and Italy, the media outlet reported. Around 9 000ha are planted to dessert banana varieties, while another 404 000ha are planted to plantains and cooking bananas. In an effort to safeguard its crop against TR4, national stakeholders, including the Banana Producers’ Association, the Association of Banana and Other Fruit Producers in Africa, and the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Department…

According to FreshPlaza.com, the citrus industry in Valencia, Spain, has experienced a significant decline in production over the past few decades. “Twenty-five years ago, production was at 3,6 million tons. Ten years ago, it had decreased to 3,2 million tons, and last season it fell to 2,7 million tons. This indicates that production has decreased by more than 23% over the past 25 years,” the news agency reported. It added that during the same period, the area planted to citrus trees had decreased from 191 551ha in 2000 to 153 623ha in 2024. “This means the Valencian community’s citrus area has shrunk by 19,8% over 25 years.” Recent years have also seen a decline in citrus seedling sales. This trend is particularly evident in traditional growing regions. Moreover, 70% of…

Grain SA hosted its 2025 Western Cape Research Roadshow at Moorreesburg and Rietpoel, bringing together farmers, researchers, and stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in the grain sector. Supported by John Deere Financial and Absa, the event aimed to share the latest research findings while giving farmers a platform to voice their challenges. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Dr Godfrey Kgatle, research coordinator at Grain SA, said the roadshow was about two things: “It gives farmers feedback on the research being done, and listens carefully to the realities they face, ensuring that research remains aligned, relevant, and impactful.” The programme covered plant breeding, pests and diseases, weed management, agronomic data, climate challenges, and the economics of winter grains. DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING Karen Truter of Stellenbosch University presented the Data Intensive Farm Management Project, a…

Walkerville itself is a patchwork of small-scale farms, where residents tend livestock and crops on 2ha to 5ha smallholdings. According to Midvaal Mayor Peter Teixeira, the show is very much a reflection of this close-knit farming community. Sadly, the livestock section was noticeably quieter this year due to the lingering foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, which meant no cattle were on display. But poultry more than made up for it. The Pretoria Poultry Club’s pens were crowded with visitors, proving that chicken breeding is alive and well in the area. The star of the show, a cinnamon-tinted Malay cock crowned Champion Bird, was proudly shown off by its owner. Attendance was up from last year; organisers estimate some 3 800 visitors came through the gates. Dogs seemed to outnumber people at times,…

Julius Beukes operates a mixed farming operation on the lower slopes of the Drakensberg near Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. His main goal is breeding fertile sheep with lambs that grow fast and deliver a quality fleece. Beukes is first and foremost a livestock farmer focusing on his Bessiesfontein Dohne Merino stud as well as a commercial cattle herd. The fields that he cultivates are mainly for use in his livestock operation, and he predominantly uses contractors for planting and harvesting. While livestock farming can be profitable and plays an essential role in eco-sustainability, it will only deliver benefits to farmers who are well equipped to handle it, he says. Beukes started his farming operation from scratch. He founded his farm with 16 ewes and built the stone kraal near the homestead in…

FAST FACTS From the dry Karoo to irrigated pastures, Merinos thrive in almost every South African climate and farming system. Considered some of the cleanest and most consistent in the world, South African Merino wool is prized by international fashion houses. Merino wool is soft, elastic, breathable and odour resistant, making it a top choice for luxury suits, outdoor wear and baby clothes. Merino sheep remain at the heart of South Africa’s wool and mutton industries, with their adaptability, dual-purpose traits and genetic progress driving their continued dominance in the country’s livestock sector. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Grant Naudé, president of Merino South Africa (Merino SA), says the breed’s versatility gives farmers a unique level of stability in a volatile agricultural market. “The Merino is not just another sheep. It…

If capsicum seedlings are well looked after in a season of little climatic stress, hardening in the nursery may not be necessary, and there will be no check in growth rate. However, when transplanting in hot and/or windy conditions, the plants should be hardened in the nursery first to reduce transplant shock. Hardening should not happen in the land, which will result in an uneven stand and slow initial growth. Regardless of whether the seedlings are hardened or not, they should get a handful of LAN in a watering can to promote good early growth. This also stimulates root development and uniformity of the stand, as there is uniformity in the nutrition they receive. Plants should be transplanted fully irrigated, helping preserve the root hairs when planted, especially if the…

Dear Jonno, I am constantly amazed at the different designs you come up with, often with limited information or direction from clients, and now I would like to get your help. On my property in Mpumalanga I have an old traditional corrugated iron ‘cottage’ that has gone to rack and ruin. It covers an area of approximately 6m by 8m. I want to try use any of the framework (some rusted away) and the foundation, which is still there. The new cottage must have a living area and kitchen at ground level, with two attic bedrooms and a shower/toilet. This cottage will be kept for visitors and family or friends who stay with us on weekends. Kind regards, Greg Dear Greg, What a lovely traditional country home idea, with memories…