This week on African Farming

This week we visit bio-scientists, Andile Gcaza and Phetole Raseropo from Evergrow Seedlings, based in the urban jungle of Soweto to learn about their unique business model.

We also talk to AFGRI about crop insurance.

Tune in on Tuesday, 31 October at 5pm on DStv channel 173.

 

African Farming | AFGRI Animal Feeds’ Juan Pretorius shares advice on helping to prevent Avian Flu

Avian influenza outbreaks have been a problem for poultry farmers in SA. Good biosecurity measures are important in order to mitigate risk and secure the birds’ health overall. Juan Pretorius, a technical advisor at AFGRI Animal Feed shares more.

WATCH: AFGRI Animal Feeds: Biosecurity, AI and feeding for immunity – African Farming

Die week op Landbouweekliks | Kuier saam met Caz Griffen van Dargle Valley Meats

Dargle Valley Meats van Caz Griffin en haar man Will, het in ‘n plaaskombuis begin, en is vandag bekend in KZN en dele van Gauteng. Kyk Landbouweekliks, Dinsdag om 17:30 op VIA TV.

Click here for more: Caz Griffin is die week op Landbouweekliks te sien | Landbou

 

Three changes announced for Vodacom Bulls ahead of round two

The Vodacom Bulls have made two changes to the Match Day 23 ensemble that will do duty in round two of the 2023/24 Vodacom United Rugby Championship. The Tshwane outfit travel to Belfast to take on Ulster on Sunday 29 October, kick off is at 21h00.

Utility back Cornal Hendricks, speedster Stravino Jacobs and flyhalf Chris Smith come into the matchday 23 for Harold Vorster and Jaco van der Walt. Hendricks slots into the starting xv at inside centre whilst Chris Smith will get a run from the impact squad. The former lines up alongside David Kriel at outside centre with Jacobs and Sebastian de Klerk on the wings. Devon Williams will once again start at fullback.

The backline will be conducted by the halfback combination of Embrose Papier and Johan Goosen whilst the forward pack remains unchanged from the match against Scarlets.

Gerhard Steenekamp, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw line up in the front row with Ruan Vermaak and Ruan Nortje in the second, supported Marcell Coetzee, Elrigh Louw and last week’s player of the match, Cameron Hanekom in the third row.

Director of rugby, Jake White has opted for a 5-3 split which will see Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima, Mornay Smith, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Chris Smith, and Stedman Gans will set a feature from the impact squad.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, White said: “It is early days but it is nice to have guys like (Cameron) Hanekom make their debut and really put in the kind of performances that he did, winning the man of the match. It is quite nice as a coach to know that there is still a couple of combinations that we can try. I thought Nizaam (Carr) was wonderful and he went into the open-side and did very well,”

“It is a 4G pitch, it will most likely rain and that presents a lot of challenges for us but we must learn from last year. Their set pieces are strong and they have great players in certain positions and we must make sure we match them in those positions.”

On the opposition, he said: “It is going to be a tough game, playing Ulster early up. They have a lot of passion and they are playing in their new field and I am sure they will want to impress on their first home game and they will be inspired because we had the same feel last week on our new turf,”

“From the start we had last week, we have to play well and build on.”

VODACOM BULLS vs ULSTER STARTING XV:

1. Gerhard Steenekamp, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Ruan Vermaak, 5. Ruan Nortje (c), 6. Marcell Coetzee (c), 7. Elrigh Louw, 8. Cameron Hanekom, 9. Embrose Papier, 10. Johan Goosen, 11. Stravino Jacobs, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 13. David Kriel, 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 15. Devon Williams

VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD:

16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Reinhardt Ludwig, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Chris Smith, 23. Stedman Gans

MANAGEMENT:

Jake White – Director of Rugby, Chris Rossouw – Assistant Coach, Gary Gold – Assistant Coach, Andries Bekker – Assistant Coach, John-William Meyer – Technical Analyst, Dr. Herman Rossouw – Team Doctor, Lance Lemmetjies – Senior Physiotherapist, Darryn Berry – Physiotherapist, Andre Volsteedt – Strength & Conditioning, Yusuf Vahed – Sport Scientist, Elias Bennett – Team Manager, Simon Dyidi – Logistics Manager

Ons is aan die groen kant dié naweek!  En met die 7-1 split wat na ‘n ware boereplan klink, is ons gereed vir ‘n glorieryke oorwinning! Sterkte Bokke, bring hom huis toe!

WATCH | Lemang’s Training & Development Manager Sylvester Lubambo on the importance of training

Regular training is essential to make sure farmers and their workers are always up to date with the latest technology and farming practices. As your partner in agribusiness, AFGRI offers a variety of skills training courses through its division, Lemang Agricultural Services. On last week’s episode of African Farming, Lemang’s Training and Development Manager, Sylvester Lubambo, told us about the value of continual skills development. Watch the interview here: https://www.facebook.com/afgri.co.za/videos/660843786096938

This week on African Farming | Meet veggie farmer Lesedi Masebe

Lesedi Masebe shares how she started her career as a chef but rerouted to focus on producing semi-organic veggies. We also hear about alternative energy solutions & attend the Grain SA Day of Celebration. Watch the promo here: Here’s what you can expect in African Farming – African Farming

Tune in on Tuesday 24 October at 5pm on Honey, DStv channel 173 and repeat on Wednesday, 25 October at 1am.

Die week op Lanbouweekliks | Ontmoet vir Juan Louw en Dmitrius Sas

Juan Louw en Dmitrius Sas kom uit verskillende wêrelde. Hulle boerdery-droom maak hul verhouding uniek en hul skape gedy in die venootskap. Leer meer oor dié boerdery in vandeesweek se episode van Landbouweekliks. Kyk Dinsdag om 17:30 op VIA TV.

 

Blue Bulls news | Coetzee, Nortje appointed as co-captains

Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, has confirmed Marcell Coetzee and Ruan Nortje as co-captains who will lead the herd for the 2023/24 season.

Speaking about his appointments, White said: “Marcell (Coetzee) and Ruan (Nortje) are experienced campaigners who understand the demands of playing in three competitions and they have done well in leading us over the last few seasons. Ruan stepped up last season when Marcell took his sabbatical and when he returned, the two of them continued to collaborate until the end of the season,”

“Fortunately for me, this was an easy decision to make because Marcell and Ruan truly embody what it means to be a Vodacom Bulls player. They have tirelessly continued to serve our franchise with humility and hard work, upholding the values and virtues of our community,”

“I know they will do well because they are also surrounded by a strong leadership group which they have been leaning on as well.”

White elaborates that the appointment of two leaders is an opportunity to manage player load as well as reinforce a thriving leadership environment within the team.

“We are fortunate to also have a healthy base of players with quality traits and are emerging as leaders too, which is great for our future prospects,”

“Shared captaincy is an opportunity for us to balance the weight of responsibility on matchdays and extend how we are able to create depth in range for the whole group because they naturally bring unique dynamics through their leadership qualities,”

“They have been co-leading this side already, sharing their ideas and views and I really think that the both of them will be a strong captaincy duo for us. Congratulations to the two of them and I know they will do us proud.”

The pair’s first assignment will be the round 1 Vodacom United Rugby Championship tie against Scarlets on Sunday 22 October 2023. Kick-off is set for 15h00 and tickets start from R25.00.

Lemang’s Praveen Dwarika on the importance of new-era farmer development

New-era farmer development is important for sustainable transformation in the agricultural sector, which AFGRI is 100% committed to. Read more from Lemang Agricultural Services* MD, Praveen Dwarika, about our approach to ensuring farmer development in South Africa: tinyurl.com/4w6na2mk

* Lemang is AFGRI’s new-era farmer training and development division.