Blog
Blog
Read the latest Starke Ayres Seed News magazine
Carrots | 11 September 2023
Let the music play on
The new carrot variety Orchestro will definitely sound like music to all carrot growers. Starke Ayres has once again identified a new carrot variety with the potential to produce top-quality carrots in a very competitive market. Orchestro is bred and supplied by Vilmorin Mikado, a company with a worldwide reputation as a top vegetable breeder and trusted supplier. Read More on this
Zambia | 5 September 2023
Shiba F1 Butternut: A profitable and healthy crop for Central Province, Zambia
Any grower looking for a profitable and nutritious crop for the upcoming season needs to look no further than Shiba F1 hybrid butternut squash. This crop is relatively easy to manage with a high yield potential. With little need for extensive pest and disease control measures, farmers can produce this vegetable at a reasonable cost while also providing a healthy food option for consumers. Read More on this
Namibia | 30 August 2023
Starke Ayres Namibia hosts Farmers’ Information Day
The north of Namibia is a vast, dry region, but it is also home to a group of dedicated vegetable producers. Starke Ayres has a strong interest in the area and hosted an information day for this group in September 2022. Read More on this
Blog | 25 August 2023
A Fascinating Journey through the Life Cycle of Vegetables with Starke Ayres
There is a lot that goes on to bring vegetables from farm to table. From planting to harvesting, learn about the journey of growing vegetables. Read More on this
Melon | 24 August 2023
Honey Sweet Melon Range
Starke Ayres’ proven and popular Honeydew melon range caters for production during all seasons. Read More on this
Onions | 8 August 2023
Reflecting on two contrasting onion seasons
What a difference a year makes. Rarely, if ever, have two consecutive onion seasons in the northern regions of South Africa contrasted more than those of 2021 and 2022. Read More on this
Kenya | 8 August 2023
Welcome to the Naivas Experience
Starke Ayres Kenya has partnered with the country’s largest supermarket chain, Naivas. The chain currently has 87 stores spread across the country and employs more than 8,000 staff. Read More on this
19 July 2023
New varieties revealed at Central Region Onion Farmer's’ Day
Current commercial varieties as well as exciting new ones to be launched soon were showcased at an onion farmers’ day in November 2022, in the small town of Koffiefontein in South Africa’s Free State province. Read More on this
19 July 2023
Vegetable breeding in South Africa – The Starke Ayres success story
Anybody who has successfully grown their own vegetables understands the effort inherent in cultivating a successful crop – it is hands-on and requires focus and attention. Read More on this
13 July 2023
Seed Treatment and Protection: Ensuring Healthy Seedlings
Seed quality is crucial when it comes to a vegetable garden that thrives. This blog will tell you more about seed treatment and why it matters for your garden. Read More on this
Sweet Corn | 12 July 2023
Our new sweetcorn stars
Starke Ayres sweetcorn hybrids are successfully sold internationally. The material generated by our inhouse breeding programme is rigorously tested in different parts of the world to ensure that it is widely adapted and suited to demanding market trends. Read More on this
Tomato | 4 July 2023
All-year tomato variety Zulani thrives in the border region
Over the past few years, Zulani* has proven to be successful as an all-year tomato variety for growing under protection in the greater East London area. It has shown good adaptability to warm and cool climatic conditions, producing well-balanced plants with a strong disease package and high yield of quality fruit, thus quickly becoming a favourite of many growers. Read More on this
Blog | 3 July 2023
A Beginner's Guide to Starting a Vegetable Garden from Seeds
Starke Ayres, the experts in all things vegetable gardens, are sharing five simple steps on how to start your own vegetable garden at home. Read More on this
Sweet Corn | 26 June 2023
The importance of planting your sweetcorn at the correct depth
Planting your sweetcorn at the correct depth is critical for max-imising yield potential. The correct planting depth is essential for proper root development, growth and uniform crop matu-rity. The question that many farmers are faced with, however, is what exactly is the correct seeding depth? Read More on this
Pumpkins | 19 June 2023
Delilah joins the stars
Warrior was launched in 2013 and since then it has formed the grey pumpkin range with the STARS 7022, 7026 and 7028. Read More on this
Blog | 15 June 2023
How Starke Ayres are Empowering South African Farmers for a Sustainable Future
Starke Ayres strive to produce seeds that will help farmers across South Africa produce quality crops that will ensure a sustainable future. Read More on this
Onions | 12 June 2023
Aldina onion achieves impressive yields in Koue Bokkeveld, Sandveld
Aldina* is a new medium-early, intermediate F1 hybrid onion variety from Starke Ayres, which again set high expectations last season. Read More on this
Zambia | 1 June 2023
A tale of Starke Ayres excellence at the 28th Jinja National Agricultural Show
After two years of Covid-19 around the world and several months of restricted movements and lockdowns in Uganda, farming communities were elated to attend the National Agricultural Show in August 2022. Read More on this
Broccoli | 1 June 2023
Gongga: tougher than the rest
Gongga* is a new broccoli variety recently introduced to the South African market. Withstanding the temperature fluctuations and weekly rain of KwaZulu-Natal’s past summer season and yielding exceptional crops under the circumstances, as it did, is something special. Read More on this
Pepper | 17 May 2023
Komatipoort pepper field day is sweet
Starke Ayres hosted a pepper field day at JF Steyn Boerdery in Komatipoort in August 2022, at which the Starke Ayres sweet pepper range was showcased to farmers and industry roleplayers. Read More on this
Cabbage | 10 May 2023
Kilimo F1 hybrid cabbage embraced in Mount Kenya Region
Teresa Wambugu, the regional agronomist of Starke Ayres, shared samples of Kilimo, an F1 hybrid cabbage, with farmers in the Kagochi, Mbiriri and Mutaga areas in the Mount Kenya Region in Kenya. Read More on this
Beans | 2 May 2023
STAR 2001 still a champion in KwaZulu-Natal
Growers in KwaZulu-Natal experienced an amazing season with the tried and trusted green bean, STAR 2001. Read More on this
Onions | 18 April 2023