Straight from the field

Late winter may feel like a quieter period on the farm, but for summer crop producers in the Free State, August and September are important preparation months. The next maize and soybean planting season is...

Winter is the ideal time to prepare your fields for the next maize season. Discover practical steps for soil health, residue management, equipment maintenance and early planning that can contribute to a more productive harvest.

Discover how winter frost changes maize residue, impacts cattle grazing, and why careful residue management is essential for protecting soil health before the next planting season.

Discover how maize production supports food security in South Africa by providing affordable food, livestock feed, jobs, income, and economic growth.

Cold mornings, dry grazing conditions, frost, and nutritional pressure can place significant stress on cattle, sheep, and other farm animals during the colder months. Learn about winter livestock health and how to prevent decline.

Winter feed costs can destroy farm profit margins without proper planning. Learn a practical feed budgeting framework for cattle and livestock this winter.

Maize is more than just a crop in South Africa—it’s a cornerstone of daily life, food security, and the agricultural economy. From the food on our tables to the feed that supports livestock, maize plays...

Crop rotation is one of the most effective tools available to farmers working in dryland conditions. In South Africa, where rainfall is unpredictable and input costs continue to rise, soya beans in rotation with maize...

Winter is where many dryland cattle systems quietly lose money. Not because of one big mistake — but because of small, compounding ones: underestimating feed requirements over-relying on poor-quality grazing reacting too late when conditions...