Mohair (goats)
Introduction Mohair is one of the rare noble fibres of the world. It is especially suitable for apparel, knitwear, curtaining, upholstery material, socks, shawls and accessories. The hot, dry summers, cold winters and semi-desert vegetation of the Karoo suits Angora goats. Angora goats are shorn at least twice a year, and the year is divided […]
The future of land reform in South Africa – the next 15 years
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-02-02 In Blog Land Reform Futures Scenarios bring a fresh perspective and new hope on discussions on land reform – a press release As pressure mounts for the acceleration of the land reform programme, stakeholders in land reform held a roundtable session this week to discuss possible scenarios. The roundtable was hosted by […]
Davos and a reference point for 2017
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-01-25 In Blog With inequality lurching wider every day, the middle class thinning out, one percent of humanity as wealthy as all the rest put together etc, one cannot but give a slight frown when viewing a gathering such as the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) one held at a ski resort in […]
A Conversation with a Viking
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-01-08 In Blog Have you ever wondered what lies behind the fences, gates and closed doors you pass on the way to town or to work? We cannot see into the world of the person standing next to us, even into that of the person to whom we are married, to […]
Abe Lincoln and Trump: love and agriculture
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2016-12-21 In Blog In the aftermath of the elections in the US we found ourselves wondering, not for the first time, whether Abe Lincoln made a mistake in going to war to keep the United States of America together. For those who do not know, nearly as many American soldiers died […]
Indigenous and locally developed breeds
Introduction South Africa has a variety of genetically diverse breeds of livestock that have played a major role in the social, cultural and economic history of the country. These include breeds of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and equines that have adapted over centuries to a range of natural and socio cultural environments. Goats and […]
Poultry and Chicken Farming
Introduction The poultry and chicken farming industry consists of three separate sectors: (i) The day-old chick supply industry (ii) The broiler industry, and (iii) The egg industry. Broiler chickens are raised for meat i.e. fresh, frozen or value added (e.g. chicken fingers, saucy steaklets or polony). Egg layers or dual-purpose chickens are used for the production of eggs […]
Table grapes
Introduction Table grapes are grapes intended for consumption while they are fresh, as opposed to grapes grown for wine production, juice production, or for drying into raisins. Table varieties usually have lower sugar content than wine grapes and are more flavourful when eaten. Their flavours, however, do not survive fermentation and their low sugar content […]
Subtropical fruit
Avocados, Bananas, Guavas, Litchis, Macadamias, Mangoes, Pineapples, Other subtropical fruit
Potatoes
Introduction The potato (solanum tuberosum) is recognised as an important foodstuff worldwide and is seen as a key component in the worldwide fight against hunger and malnutrition and the creation of food security. Potatoes are packed with vitamin B3, B5, B6, C and fibre. They are ranked after rice, wheat and maize as the world’s fourth largest […]