Do penguins eat white maize or yellow maize?
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Hats off to Dr Herman van Schalkwyk, CEO of the AMT, for including a contribution by Philip Lymbery, author of Farmageddonand CEO of Compassion in Worldwide Farming, at the AMT Conference in the week just passed. The book and the presentation pose serious questions to future scenarios of agriculture. Included […]
Matatiele farmer reaps reward of a dream come true
In David Mongoato’s office is a picture of himself as a small child, standing in a field of tall, ripe maize plants. He knew than that he wanted to be a farmer. But the path to your destiny is seldom a straight one. David and his wife Selloane worked as teachers for many years before […]
Growing meat and houses in science labs
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Human evolution has gone hand-in-hand with the eating of meat. Over the centuries, the days and nights around the fires of feasts where meat was cooked must be countless. And the barbeques (braais in South Africa) of today go on. If you are unfamiliar with the production of meat […]
The serious business of eating in the city
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog You are probably aware of how dependent people in the city are on supermarkets (and other shops) and the supply chains for their food. And as we head towards a scenario of 75% of the earth’s population being city dwellers, urban agriculture certainly assumes high priority. Urban agriculture […]
Toys for pigs
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Were you bored at school? From your own experience you may recall certain teachers — the way they dressed, spoke, smiled (or did not smile). You may remember the smell of the classroom, the view through the windows … worse, the whole experience might just be a blank! […]
Exchange rates and agriculture
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog The South African currency, the rand (ZAR) is significantly worth less than it was a year ago. What are the implications for agriculture? It is good news for exporters because they are paid in the currencies which are stronger than the local one. It is good news for grain producers as grain […]
What’s for dinner, luv?
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Four blocks from where I live is an intersection on Louis Botha Avenue where unemployed men wait during the day, hoping that someone will offer them a job. That’s not permanent employment, just something to keep hunger at bay. South Africa is food secure as a country — […]
Mandela day and going beyond ourselves
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog The 18 July is Nelson Mandela day and is observed internationally. People are encouraged to make a change somewhere by volunteering 67 minutes of their time and expertise. A rather cynical piece popped up in the day’s wake, Mandela Day: a post-colonial exercise in the commodification of the good […]
What value do you place on agricultural land?
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog What do you like about farm life? Most people would mention the sense of space and sky that stand in contrast to the urban living conditions. The Afrikaans agricultural weekly magazine Landbouweekblad reported last week that the world’s largest cattle farm is on the market. Situated in Southern Australia, Anna Creek […]
Rhodes and skelms in Africa
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog Note for our international readers: “skelm” is a South African word meaning “scoundrel” or “worthless fellow”. Were you aware that the month of May is “Africa Month”? Government has been encouraging South Africans to participate in the celebration, which will culminate in Africa Day on 24 May at […]