In this issue

Be super-organised’ says Eastern Cape baker who sells 60 tons of rusks a year. Herbs and plants
the indigenous knowledge driving the traditional medicine industry. How a focus on genetics can triple macadamia yield. Why this Durbanville dairy keeps on winning awards.

Was the BRICS summit a success for South African agriculture?

As readers will know, South Africa hosted the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August.

3 mins

Primestars celebrates nine years of youth entrepreneurship

This year the national entrepreneurship programme is geared towards harnessing the green economy to upskill young people and help them become business owners and job creators

4 mins

SA producers boosted by high olive oil prices

Skyrocketing global olive oil prices have been a boon for the local industry, creating optimism for the future.

2 mins

USDA calls for equitable distribution of education grants

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Education have found that more than US$12 billion (about R227 billion) had been unfairly distributed between land-grant historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and nonHBCUs over 30 years.

1 min

Insurance is not a nice to have, but a necessity

Silo operators may be feeling the pinch of increases in insurance premiums, but it is vital to be covered

4 mins

Estcourt Farmers' Day unlocks opportunities

“When the quality is right and safe, the product will sell itself.” This was the message of the day during an inaugural Farmers’ Day hosted by Boxer Superstores in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs at Emtshezi in Estcourt on September 15.

2 mins

KZN Kwanalu Young Farmer announced

KwaZulu-Natal farmer Heiko Gevers’s organised, systematic and detail-oriented approach to farming has bagged him the 2023 KZN Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year title.

1 min

Plan for these trends over the coming months

High interest rates, load-shedding, the impact of El Niño on rainfall and export challenges are some of the biggest agricultural risks flagged in the 2023 Absa AgriTrends Spring Edition.

2 mins

Death is unpredictable, so we need to prepare our successors

We don’t like thinking or even talking about death, but it’s essential that we prepare our family and business successors for the event. Have you done so?

3 mins

Retrenchments - what employers need to know

The retrenchment process is clearly set out in the Labour Relations Act and must be followed to ensure that it is substantively and procedurally fair

2 mins

Farm-baked rusks are hot off the shelves

Almost two decades ago, Heather van Zyl began baking rusks in her kitchen for neighbours and friends. Today she sells 60t across five provinces. Mike Burgess visited her recently on the farm Van Zylsrust near Lady Grey in the Eastern Cape to better understand her secret to success.

4 mins

Focus on longevity gives dairy the edge

Fair Cape Dairies won the ARC National Master Dairyman of the Year Award for the fourth time in 2022. Johannes Loubser spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the drivers of the dairy's success.

6 mins

Opportunities and propagation tips for traditional plants

Traditional medicine is used in the treatment, prevention and cure of various ailments and injuries. There are many opportunities in the traditional medical sector for the propagation of these plants

10+ mins

The critical element that determines cabbage yield

Farmers know that nitrogen is necessary for growing cabbages and other crops, but many do not fully understand its importance for maximising yields

2 mins

Dealing with botulism

Botulism, also called lamsiekte, is a disease of cattle, goats and sheep. It paralyses the muscles of animals so that it is difficult for them to get up or walk. Proper management can help prevent the disease.

2 mins

Hitting the road in a luxury Lexus SUV

Kyle Kock of CAR magazine gives his driving impressions of the Lexus RX 500h F Sport, with its impressive price tag that starts at R1,6 million.

2 mins

Read all stories from Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly Magazine Description:

Farmer’s Weekly is an agricultural magazine based in South Africa, targeting the whole of Southern Africa. The magazine is committed to advancing the interests of the region’s farmers and its agricultural industry by serving as a mouthpiece for the industry and by keeping its readers informed of the latest developments in the agricultural sector.