FarmBiz Magazine - November 2019

In this issue

The five profit drivers in a cattle farming enterprise.
Return of the co-operative
Walnut cultivation, Dry bean production, Leather and hide industry, Invasive plant management

The 5 Profit Drivers In A Cattle Enterprise

Five important factors generally determine the profitability of a cattle herd. According to well-known cattle consultant, Barry Symons of Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal, managing these factors can either mean extra profit in the farmer’s pocket, or it can render the farming enterprise unsustainable. He recently discussed the profit drivers in a cattle herd during a farmers’ day held at Elmic Beefmasters.

6 mins

A Look At The Leather And Hide Industry

South Africa’s leather industry has come a long way from mainly supplying leather boots during the world wars in the early to mid-20th century. Since the British and Dutch colonies brought this industry to South African shores, the local leather and footwear value chain has diversified into multiple subsectors.

5 mins

Dry Bean Production: The Bottom Line

For the first time in many years the crop input costs for dry beans in South Africa has outweighed the average revenue, leading to concerns over the industry’s future.

6 mins

Diversification Drives The Mahela Group

The Mahela Group was last year recognized as the 2018 Agricultural Writers of South Africa’s Farmer of the Year in Limpopo. Earlier this year FarmBiz was invited as part of a media delegation to visit the Mahela Group’s farms in Ohrigstad and Letsitele.

3 mins

Cultivating Walnuts: The Rotondo Story

The cultivation of walnuts in South Africa got off to a rocky start. That was until the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) took the lead through a trial and error project, known today as Rotondo Walnuts. Rotondo is the only farm in South Africa to grow and export walnuts to China, the Middle East, and Europe.

4 mins

Riverbanks: An Important Aspect Of Veld Management

“Heavy summer rain is a common occurrence in the north-eastern part of the Free State where I farm. You are almost assured of a flood at least once a year. In this event there is always the possibility that those who have not stabilised their riverbanks, will have problems with erosion. The resultant soil losses are rarely quantified.”

4 mins

Young Entrepreneur Taps Into A Niche Market

People who often visit craft markets and farm stalls in the Northern and Western Cape, may already be familiar with Oom Plaas products. These include flavoured salt, jam, rusks, biscuits, dried fruit, biltong, droëwors and olive products.

4 mins

Insect Protein: Processing For Palatable Products

Research into alternative proteins has been gaining momentum over many years. While insects have been on the radar for some time, the actual development of insect products has been a slow process, mainly due to Western cultures being biased when it comes to eating insects.

3 mins

Ten Surprising Facts About Rooibos

Press release by the South African Rooibos Council

2 mins

All You Need To Know About Bottled H2o

Buying bottled water is convenient and generally quite affordable. But have you ever thought about what is in bottled water? Where does it come from? How does it differ from tap water? And where does all that plastic go?

2 mins

Read all stories from FarmBiz

FarmBiz Magazine Description:

FarmBiz is a unique monthly publication serving the agribusiness industry. This one-of-a-kind publication addresses issues that are pertinent to better production, higher profitability, policy issues, trade and much more. Its readership spans the entire agribusiness sector – from top commercial farmers and the agribusinesses who serve them, to government institutions, opinion leaders and agribusiness consultants.