El Niño disasters: governments know what’s coming, but are unprepared – what must change
With little to no preparation for drought disasters, such as the failure of the staple maize crop, the only option after the disaster hits is delayed relief action.
Climate models indicate El Niño is near its end
There are signs of a promising shift in weather patterns that could alleviate the drought conditions gripping many regions.
Dry weather hits southern Africa’s farmers, putting key maize supplies at risk: how to blunt the impact
South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe have recently published reports indicating a potential decline in grain harvest because of intense El Niño-induced dryness.
Preparing for the Impending El Niño Drought: Strategies for South African Farmers
Farmers across the country need to be prepared to navigate the challenges that come with the El Niño climate phenomenon.
Heat stress is rising in southern Africa – climate experts show where and when it’s worst
Those working outdoors, like farm and construction workers, are especially vulnerable. How to adapt to and cope with heat stress while working outdoors during the day-time?
Four steps to weatherproofing your livestock farm
As an Eagles music fan, I knew the surname Meisner (Randy Meisner, the bass guitarist, was a favourite!) When our team met livestock scientist Dr Heinz Meissner at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)’s Irene campus years ago, it was a name I would remember.
Weather and climate
Introduction “Weather remains a primary driver of agribusiness confidence and growth in agriculture”, Wandile Sihlobo (Agbiz) South Africa is a relatively dry country. The climate varies from desert to semi-desert in the west, to relatively wet in the eastern parts adjacent to the Indian Ocean. Compared to the rest of the world, this country has […]