Sorghum
Introduction A versatile crop, sorghum can be grown as a grain, forage or sweet crop. On this page we look at grain sorghum. Sorghum is mainly cultivated on low potential, shallow soils with a high percentage clay content, not suitable for maize cultivation. Sorghum, like other grains, has two basic markets that it serves, namely […]
“Junk” status for South Africa – what happens to agriculture?
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-04-12 In Blog To our overseas readers who may not know, the South African president fired several ministers including the respected finance minister and his deputy, and as a consequence, the country’s credit status has been lowered by both Standard & Poor’s and Fitch to the level derogatively called “Junk”. Today, […]
Maize (corn)
Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important grain crop in South Africa and is produced throughout the country under diverse environments. See fuller discussion under “Local business environment” heading. Successful maize production depends on the correct application of production inputs that will sustain the environment as well as agricultural production. These inputs are, inter alia, […]
Groundnuts (peanuts)
Introduction Groundnuts (peanuts) are a high value crop that can be marketed with little processing but are extremely versatile and can be used in a wide range of products. The oil made from them can be used for cooking and they can be used to make peanut butter. Oil extracted from the groundnut can also […]
#BlackMonday for the Karoo
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-04-07 In Blog There is quite a hullabaloo in the country following a sizable cull of government ministers and deputy ministers. Today is #BlackMonday, and demonstrations are planned for Friday and beyond. Even Angus Buchan, a farmer-evangelist known and respected in agricultural circles, is uncharacteristically responding to the socio-political toxicity of […]
Fodder crops
Introduction “Fodder” refers to food given to animals rather than that which they forage for themselves. This includes hay, straw, silage, compressed and pelleted feeds, oils and mixed rations, grains and legumes. “Forage” traditionally meant plant material eaten by grazing livestock – pasture, crop residue, immature cereal crops – but is used more loosely these […]
Dry beans
Introduction Dry beans are a pulse crop. Pulse crops are legumes that grow for one year and are harvested for the dry grain or seed inside the pod. Other major pulse crops include millet, dry peas, lentils, Chickpeas, Pigeon peas, and Bambara groundnut. Pulses are popular crops in the developing world. Dry beans are available […]
Canola (rapeseed)
Introduction Canola, Brassica Napus, (also known as rapeseed) is an oilseed crop. It is an excellent rotation crop, and should be used to increase profits of crops such as maize and wheat. Advantages include the lowering of root knot nematodes and Phytophtera. The growing of canola needs good management. Special care should be taken with harvesting of […]
Barley
Introduction Malting barley is a particular type of barley used in making beer, flavourings, and extracts. Only a portion of the malting barley planted each year has the specific qualities needed to be selected for malt. To produce malt, barley kernels are soaked, germinated, and dried. Although the kernels look the same on the outside, this […]
Mutton and lamb (sheep)
Introduction The domestic sheep (Ovis aries) is produced for its wool, meat and milk. Other sheep byproducts are: Clothes, footwear, rugs, and other products are made from sheepskin. Sheep tallow can be used in candle and soap making Sheep bone and cartilage has been used to furnish carved items such as dice and buttons as well as […]