Apple rootstock G.969 is a yield efficient, semi-dwarfing rootstock that according to the Cornell Geneva apple rootstock breeding programme is resistant to fire blight, crown rot, and woolly apple aphid. It is classified as having similar to slightly less vigour…
TerraClim is a climate and terrain tool for the Western Cape that offers powerful decision-making support to pome-fruit growers. By Anna Mouton. We are all aware that environmental variables such as temperature are decisive for pome-fruit production and quality. This…
Sivuyile Panya from Kromfontein in the Koue Bokkeveld received the merit award for General Agricultural Worker of the Year for his exceptional work ethic and orchard skills. The 31-year old Panya, originally from the Eastern Cape, started as a general…
For their small size, Achtertuin is making a big difference when it comes to mentorship. Text and pictures: Gerrit Rautenbach Steven Versfeld, the custodian of Achtertuin, a small farm and packhouse in the Witzenberg district, along with production manager Anieta…
By Carlie Solomon The Port of Cape Town has long suffered from operational inefficiencies that significantly delay fruit shipments. These inefficiencies have far-reaching economic consequences, with substantial portions of fruit lost due to spoilage and quality degradation. The resulting increase…
Adriaan Theron was een van Hortgro Science se beurshouers, wat nou ‘n leidende rol in die na-oes kant van die bedryf speel. Hortgro het vir Adriaan gevra om meer oor homself, asook die werk van die Store-It Group, te vertel…
After an incredibly memorable career as a national and international cricket idol, Adrian swapped the red ball for a red apple. And golden ones. Some pink ladies … Gerrit Rautenbach visited him in Elgin. This is his story. Ever since…
In this new regular column New Roots asks established commercial farmers and producers all along the value chain for some pearls of wisdom on how to get going and go all the way in agriculture. For starters we asked Johnny…
Fruit fly infestations remain one of the biggest threats to South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry. While ground-based baiting has long been a practice, a new cost analysis report highlights why aerial baiting – whether by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft, or…
By Jacques du Preez “Africa is not for sissies” is a term often used that undoubtedly describes Africa’s unique challenges – from the varying climates, logistics to doing business navigating the unfortunate “political challenges” prevalent in many countries. And of…
With approximately half of all apples marketed by Tru-Cape sold in Africa, the fruit exporter continues to stay ahead of shifting consumer preferences and developments in the continent’s fresh fruit industry. “Twenty years ago, Granny Smith, Top Red, and…
By Elise-Marie Steenkamp In May, CropLife South Africa and CropLife Africa and the Middle East hosted several workshops where they called on South African agriculture to work together with their counterparts in other African countries to create an “African voice”…