Blog
Blog
Read the latest Starke Ayres Seed News magazine
Watermelon | 23 May 2022
First-time success in the Bosveld
Not many first-time vegetable growers can claim an outstanding success from their initial efforts, but 33-year-old Alpheus Rapholo has entered this exclusive club. Alpheus recently started his operation on the farm Jakkalsfontein in the Swartwater district of Limpopo. Read More on this
Onions | 16 May 2022
Proprietary onions for the South African market - Northern Cape and Free State
The proprietary onion range has also been widely tested in the central production regions recently. Read More on this
Onions | 10 May 2022
Proprietary onions for the South African market - Brits
In the Brits area of the North West province, Kitara and Tusker have been extensively trialled. Read More on this
Onions | 4 May 2022
Proprietary onions for the South African market: Western Bosveld
Over recent seasons, growers in the Western Bosveld region of Limpopo have been introduced to some of the new proprietary onion varieties from the Starke Ayres onion breeding programme, with great success. Read More on this
Onions | 25 April 2022
Starke Ayres Onions: Power in Proprietaries
The launch of the Starke Ayres proprietary onion range in South Africa has been long-awaited and justifiably so. Read More on this
Zucchini | 20 April 2022
Pollination of zucchini squash
When producing Zucchini squash, ending up with deformed, unmarketable fruit is a common challenge, especially during cool, rainy conditions. Read More on this
13 April 2022
It's in our DNA Part 2 - PCR and markers generate information for fingerprinting and QC
In our previous issue, we took a look at the function and structure of DNA and how it is able to code for the 22 000 different proteins in the human body using just four basic building blocks: adenine, cytosine, thymine and guanine. Read More on this
Carrots | 6 April 2022
The King still produces
For the past 18 years, Manny Salgado has been planting STAR 3006 and this year was no exception. Read More on this
Carrots | 28 March 2022
Carrot Allyance* in the Western Cape
The new carrot variety Allyance is an early maturing Nantes type carrot with outstanding disease resistance, excellent uniformity, refined appearance, and very high yield. Read More on this
Carrots | 22 March 2022
Allyance*: The all new carrot variety
Starke Ayres always strives to search for new genetics in order to offer producers the best quality and top-producing varieties to compete at a world-class standard. Read More on this
Cauliflower | 16 March 2022
New winter cauliflower, Spacedream* (CF 981)
Spacedream is the new winter cauliflower variety in the Starke Ayres range. Read More on this
Brassica | 10 March 2022
Veloz* (BR 854) New broccoli for the winter
The perfect pre-pack broccoli for winter is here to stay. Veloz is an early-maturing broccoli that was trialled in different areas around South Africa with great success over the past two years. Read More on this
Zimbabwe | 22 December 2021
Planning your all-year-round onion production for Zimbabwe with Starke Ayres varieties
Charter Seeds have been working towards all-year-round onion production in Zimbabwe for several years. Read More on this
Zambia | 22 December 2021
Starke Ayres hybrids penetrate small-scale markets in Zambia's Southern Province
A key strategic growth pillar for STARKE AYRES Zambia has been to educate small-scale farmers on the benefits of transitioning from growing open-pollinated vegetable seed varieties to improved hybrid seed. Read More on this
Kenya | 20 December 2021
Kenya explores prospective export market post-Brexit
Kenya is currently engaged in talks for a critical new bilateral trade deal with the United Kingdom post-Brexit in an attempt to bolster its economy after the East African Community partner states failed to conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) deal with the European Union (EU). Read More on this
Kenya | 15 December 2021
Builders Warehouse retail store in Kenya
Builders Warehouse launched its first East African store in the up-market suburb of Karen, in Nairobi, Kenya, in August 2020. Read More on this
Tomato | 8 December 2021
Climatic requirements for effective tomato growing
Temperature and available light are two of the most important factors when determining planting times. The following information is intended to help growers make correct decisions when planning. Read More on this
International | 6 December 2021
Our international focus: How we're making a difference in Africa and beyond
When Charles Ayres established his nursery, florist and seed shop in Cape Town back in 1877, little did he know his business would become the foundation for a company that more than 140 years later would have a global impact in terms of food security. Read More on this
Research | 1 December 2021
It's in our DNA - Part 1
As a supplier of quality seed, we know that many factors contribute to the successful growth and production of a crop. Read More on this
Cauliflower | 18 November 2021
KAMINO: The new summer cauliflower with superior quality
KAMINO (CF 955) is a new cauliflower variety with exceptional quality and high yielding potential for production through the summer months. Read More on this
Watermelon | 17 November 2021
New seedless watermelons have arrived
Over the past few years STARKE AYRES has evaluated several potential new triploid watermelon varieties for their performance in South Africa. Read More on this
Cucumber | 10 November 2021
Exciting new English cucumber variety: BELLO
STARKE AYRES is very excited to add a new variety called BELLO* to our English cucumber range. Read More on this
Sweet Corn | 3 November 2021
ODYSSEY becoming a market leader in the Western Cape
STARKE AYRES is known for excellent sweetcorn varieties and it was no surprise that ODYSSEY performed so well over the past two seasons in the Western Cape. Read More on this
Beans | 27 October 2021