When we buy our children toys, let’s buy them farm play sets: Tractors; planters, windmills and farm animals. Playing is the best way to learn.   We can never make farming fashionable unless we create a culture that honours farming for children. When children are exposed to the music industry, they aspire to become musicians and dancers. When they are exposed to sport; they all wanna be Lionel Messi, Serena Williams, or ...

My grandmother taught us to “respect” food. That’s was her way to tell us to avoid food wastage. I remember how she used to sun dry morogo and other vegetables to keep them from spoiling. We always had plenty healthy foods year-round.   How I wish our generation can preserve that old art of sun drying or dehydrating foods; vegetables, fruit and meat, to avoid food waste.   We need to invest in learning ...

According to SASheepDairy.co.za, sheep milk is more acceptable to the human digestive system in comparison to cow's and goat's milk. What? Sheep milk?   Yes, sheep milk! It is interesting to learn that sheep milk contains about double and in some cases much more than double the amount of solids found in either goat's and cow's milk and is ideal for cheese production.   Sheep milk is superior and belongs to a class of ...

Many people that have adopted a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle, see soybeans as a great source of nutrition. Yes, soybeans are great; great for everyone. There is an increasing demand for protein worldwide and soybeans, high in protein, have become an important element in our diets and that of other farm animals.   Soybeans are a bigger part of our vegetable meals and recipes. In the world of vegans and those who ...

Often times, you meet people that like to discuss fashion. They talk about expensive clothing brands. What could be more fashionable than your mohair coat?   Well, mohair is a fibre produced only by Angora goats. And if that is so, why not learn more about mohair beyond your branded coat? According to Agribook.co.za: Mohair is classed as a luxury fibre and is often used to make high end clothing and furnishings. It ...

Looking relaxed, wearing khaki shorts and standing next to a tractor: When you look at farming publications profiling successful farmers; you might think farming is a hobby. Just erase that mental picture, farming is a serious business. While other people are fortunate enough to inherit land and have been raised in a farming tradition, others have to start on a small patch of land and make ends meet. Commercial farmers, who have ...

Farming is a 24 hour job, manage your time well. As an emerging farmer, time management is about expecting the best, planning for the worst, and preparing to be surprised.   Yes, surprised. Seasons change. The weather is unpredictable. The political landscape changes. The market is volatile. Operating costs can fluctuate and regulations are forever amended. What about drought or other natural disasters? A farmer must always budget time well in order to ...

My nephew, Neo, loves cars. At a tender age of six, he can tell the difference between BWM, Audi, Jeep, VW and Toyota car brands and models. He is already brand conscious and he knows which restaurant offers food specials with toys and he understands what he wants. He asks a lot of questions and learns fast. The reality is; there are many children like him who are willing to ...

Starting pigeon farming is profitable and adventurous. In 2017, South African fanciers paid about R5 million for a racing pigeon. What? A pigeon. The news came as a surprise to many, but it was all joy to those in the pigeon farming business. Pigeon farming requires less labour and low investment, in fact many raise pigeons as a leisure activity. Here are quick facts about pigeon farming: Pigeons are domestic birds, less prone ...

  If you drive around our villages you will see goats everywhere, yet South Africa is a relatively minor role player in goat farming. We are seemingly not aware of the business potential that goats have.   Considering that goats can survive almost anywhere in South Africa, we should be learning more about their meat, fibre, milk, skins and manure; and plan to take the space as commercial goat farmers. As communities, we need ...