Try GOLD - Free

Farmer's Weekly Magazine - July 3-10, 2026

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Read Farmer's Weekly along with 10,000+ other magazines & newspapers with just one subscription

View Catalog

1 Month

$14.99

1 Year $149.99

$149.99

$12/month

(OR)

Subscribe only to Farmer's Weekly

Gift Farmer's Weekly

Cancel Anytime.

(No Commitments) ⓘ

If you are not happy with the subscription, you can email us at help@magzter.com within 7 days of subscription start date for a full refund. No questions asked - Promise! (Note: Not applicable for single issue purchases)

Digital Subscription

Instant Access ⓘ

Subscribe now to instantly start reading on the Magzter website, iOS, Android, and Amazon apps.

Verified Secure

payment ⓘ

Magzter is a verified Stripe merchant.

In this issue

Focus on pigs: Better management, maximum profits. East London Poultry Show. Focus on Animal Health: healthier animals mean greater returns. Spotlight on soil health: Practical advice to improve crop performance. Travel staying on a sheep farm with a Zen twist.

Artificial intelligence could deepen farming inequality

Artificial intelligence could revolutionise global agriculture, but a digital divide risks leaving developing nations behind. Without fair access, infrastructure, and proper regulation, it may worsen existing inequalities.

4 mins

Consider sweet potatoes

They aren’t as popular as ordinary potatoes and are often seen as a ‘Cinderella’ crop, but sweet potatoes have great potential.

3 mins

Efficient logistics crucial for agricultural growth

In an export-oriented sector, efficient logistics — ports, rails and roads — are everything. In an export-oriented sector, efficient logistics - ports, rails and roads are everything.

3 mins

A groundswell on 4 November or more of the same?

Recent developments in the UK, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer is fighting for his survival as leader of the Labour Party, were caused by a groundswell change in voter support during local elections.

3 mins

Third tough season looms for guava producers

Western Cape guava production faces a third consecutive below-average harvest due to adverse weather. To cope with low prices and climate challenges, resilient producers are downscaling orchard management.

3 mins

Ageing orchards and soaring costs pose challenge for guava growers

Guava orchard establishment costs have reached over R199 000/ha. This surge puts pressure on growers, as over half of South Africa’s orchards surpass 40 years in age.

2 mins

Agbiz raises concerns over growing regulatory burden on agriculture

South Africa’s agricultural leaders at the Agbiz Congress warned that regulatory overreach and rigid compliance burdens stall innovation, delay critical crop genetics, and cause severe job losses across vital farming sectors. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports.

3 mins

Shows drive market access for emerging farmers

The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding market opportunities for smallholder farmers through a series of agricultural shows across the province, following strong public support for the recent Agricultural Show and Mnquma Market Day held in Butterworth.

1 mins

Carbon credits become more accessible to farmers

While presenting opportunities to not only earn additional income but fund the very practices that will make farms more resilient, the carbon credits market has been slow in delivering promised returns.

1 mins

SA poultry industry to save billions with new HPAI vaccination policy

South Africa’s poultry industry will save billions under a new policy allowing highly pathogenic avian influenza vaccinations and shifting away from mass cullings. Clayton Swart reports.

2 mins

Building a balance sheet banks can trust

A balance sheet consists of three main components, namely assets, liabilities, and equity, effectively reflecting what is left over for you as the owner

4 mins

Winter shifts volatile veggie prices

Driven by shifting seasonal volumes, South African fresh produce markets see varied price movements. Reduced supplies have firmly supported cabbage, carrot, and onion prices, though winter harvests may soon ease constraints, according to Zama Sangweni.

2 mins

Pig nutrition: the right diet for every stage of production

Understanding the nutritional needs of pigs at different stages of production is essential for maintaining animal health, improving growth rates and ensuring profitable production

2 mins

Unlocking inclusive agricultural growth

Partnerships between financial institutions, commodity associations, agricultural trusts, and government could help unlock opportunities for emerging farmers, says Dr Sifiso Ntombela.

2 mins

New agri careers in science and technology

Agriculture's future lies in interdisciplinary STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers. Petri de Beer explores the growing range of science- and technology-driven opportunities across the sector.

3 mins

John Deere adds its next generation 4R series boom sprayers

John Deere launched its new 430R and 440R self-propelled boom sprayers for the South African market at Nampo recently, combining higher productivity, smarter automation and advanced See & Spray technology designed to reduce chemical use and improve operational efficiency.

4 mins

Digital tools widen livestock auction participation

Digital tools and online bidding are widening South Africa's livestock auction rings, complementing physical sales by expanding geographic reach, driving multi-million rand turnovers, and providing buyers with data-driven confidence

6 mins

The hidden cost of poor health management

The most damaging livestock losses are often the ones farmers do not immediately see. Veterinarian Dr Dave Midgley explained to Glenneis Kriel how good health management protects productivity, fertility, and long-term farm performance. Prevention, planning and veterinary partnerships go a long way towards safeguarding production and profit.

6 mins

Vaccination protocols that actually work

Vaccines are only as effective as the protocols behind them. Dr Noluvuyo Magadla, director of animal health at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, explained to Glenneis Kriel why proper planning, handling and record-keeping are critical to successful livestock vaccination programmes.

6 mins

When livestock medicine becomes a poverty trap

Communal livestock farmers in South Africa spend an average of 70% of their farming income on animal remedies, yet many still struggle with poor animal health and productivity. Agricultural economist Dr Siphe Zantsi explained to Glenneis Kriel why these costs are keeping farmers trapped in a poverty cycle and why the problem really matters to the wider livestock industry.

4 mins

Nutrition strategies for faster finishing pigs

Consulting swine nutritionist JD Mostert spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about finishing pigs faster, feed efficiency, gut health, protein quality and nutritional strategies to improve profitability in pig production.

8 mins

The performance thief: gut health determines pig productivity

Many of the factors that limit pig growth and feed efficiency begin in the gut long before visible disease appears. Understanding how gut health affects nutrient utilisation can help producers unlock better performance and avoid costly hidden losses. Lindi Botha reports.

5 mins

More than space: designing pig housing systems for the future

As South Africa's pig industry prepares for the transition away from gestation crates, producers will need to rethink far more than floor space. Research shows that the success of group housing depends on how housing design, feeding systems, ventilation, stocking density and day-to-day management work together to support both welfare and productivity.

7 mins

Maximising feed efficiency in pig production

Feed conversion efficiency remains one of the most important drivers of profitability in pig production, yet it is influenced by far more than diet alone. Monogastric development specialist Cara Nel from Vitam International explained to Lindi Botha how farmers can identify inefficiencies early and apply practical strategies to improve feed conversion.

8 mins

Integrated pest management reduces risk without lowering productivity

Controlling insects is becoming a science on its own, and with mounting pressure from environmentalists and consumers, farmers need to look at softer and more environmentally friendly methods to combat insect pests. Magda du Toit investigates.

4 mins

Managing herbicide resistance

Herbicide-resistant weeds are becoming a serious challenge for farmers and the agriculture sector globally. Magda du Toit asked industry experts how farmers can manage this problem.

5 mins

Soil probes pull back the covers

Soil probes are providing an almond farm in Stellenbosch with an intimate look beneath the surface, revealing how smart irrigation and cover crops can optimise orchard performance.

3 mins

Rootstock selection for orchards and vineyards

Rootstocks have evolved from a defensive response to pests and diseases into a powerful management tool that can shape plant health, adaptability, vigour, fruit quality and the long-term profitability of orchards and vineyards. Petri de Beer reports.

4 mins

Finding Zen in the heart of the Karoo

Farms stays come in many forms, appealing to all sectors of the travelling public. On a sheep farm near Colesberg in the Northern Cape, Antony and Margie Osler have created a retreat where Zen Buddhism, Karoo farming and wide-open spaces come together in an unlikely but compelling combination

7 mins

Change your default mode to ‘safe’

Training helps riders replace instinctive panic reactions with safe, controlled responses, enabling them to tackle challenging terrain with confidence and reduce the risk of accidents.

5 mins

Facelift Isuzu D-Max finally arrives with a surprise

The facelifted Isuzu D-Max has finally been introduced to South Africa and while the upgrades are subtle, there is a surprise under the bonnet, The Citizen's Charl Bosch reports.

2 mins

The Great American bison slaughter

From 1850 to 1890, the population of bison roaming North America were reduced from an estimated 30 million to 60 million to fewer than a thousand. Mike Burgess uncovers the reasons why and how a species was hunted to the brink of extinction.

3 mins

A collection of comforting winter warmers

Whether your house is bursting with children on holiday, you're taking a break yourself, or you just need to reward yourself with a good book, Patricia McCracken has selected these titles to warm your winter days.

3 mins

Baked coconut pudding with passion fruit sauce

A custardy twist on traditional lemon delicious, this pudding can even be made on the braai.

1 mins

Read all Stories from Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly Magazine Description:

Publisher: CTP-Limited-t/a-Farmer’s-Weekly

Category: Business

Language: English

Frequency: Fortnightly

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.