Our strange planet and having all the time in the world
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2018-08-02 In Blog As someone who works from home, I occasionally help a friend’s teenagers with school assignments. Yesterday’s was a list of questions which included: (a) What impedes South Africa’s economic progress? and, (ii) What strategies would you recommend government adopt to encourage economic development? I sat up, of course. To […]
When decisions are placed in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2018-06-22 In Blog John Hume, “The Man Who Bred 1000 Rhino”. Photo used courtesy of Quintus Strauss Practical solutions for the rhino crisis In the past 26 years, South African John Hume, aged 76, has bred 1,279 white rhinos on his private property, and is currently protecting 1,626 rhinos of which […]
Juicy maggots
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2018-06-05 In Blog There are places in the world where people eat insects, yes … But why not feed insects to the usual livestock – fish, chickens and so on? AgriProtein, a South African company, and others in the USA, France and Canada are going into the farming of flies full […]
Nampo – making its acquaintance
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2018-05-16 In Blog Today the Nampo show grounds outside Bothaville will be buzzing with activity as the hundreds of exhibitors prepare for the largest agricultural show in the southern hemisphere this week. Nampo Park from the air, looking towards the northern gate. From Tuesday to Friday the open field to the […]
Diesel Refund Reforms Promise Welcome Relief to SA Farmers
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2018-04-24 In Blog Press release South Africa – The promised reforms to the current Diesel Tax Refund system promise welcome relief to struggling SA farmers. Whilst nothing has been confirmed by Treasury as yet, the diesel tax refund system and its administration are set for an overhaul which will see a reduction […]
Owl-inspired wisdom solves mystery
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-12-15 In Blog A conservation superhero has turned crime fighter, as the special owls he saves have led the way to a nest of stolen vehicles. Early on Tuesday morning, 5 December, the manager of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) Birds of Prey Programme, Dr Gareth Tate saw that, as usual, his Ford […]
‘Expropriation without compensation’: Impact on food availability and affordability
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-11-03 In Blog Written by Theo Boshoff, Agbiz Head: Legal intelligence We must ensure that land reform happens, but in a sustainable way so that agricultural production and food supply remain vibrant over the coming years in order to prevent basic nutrition from becoming unaffordable. As it currently stands, Stats SA estimates that […]
The importance of feeding on rotting meat
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-09-16 In Blog It is with great sadness that we read about 45 vultures being poisoned this week, ironically the week after International Vulture Awareness Day. That it happened in neighbouring Mozambique is immaterial. The sun shines, rivers run and vultures fly as they have for centuries: nature does not recognise the compromise […]
A letter from Judy Stuart
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog We received the following letter from Judy Stuart who started and runs the Future Farmers Foundation. Naturally we receive feedback on the Agri Handbook gratefully, but it is the hope and positive perception on youth and on agriculture that shines from Ms Stuart that we would like to share with […]
On saints and personas: Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday
By Craig Macaskill Posted 2017-06-05 In Blog When people turn another person into a saint they let themselves off the hook — and create a situation which psychically calls for redress and balance. You will find evidence of this in any country or community (especially religious) which holds up a mental idea of the ideal citizen or ideal […]