In this issue

Diversification drive success of leading SA Agri Group. Why ties with brics and the
west are important for SA. Raisin farming: how to go organic and stay profitable. Sourveld and rocks no obstacles to this Simbra producer. Part1: Have you considered these farming risks.

South Africa walks a tightrope of international alliances

Thapelo Tselapedi, a lecturer in politics at Rhodes University, writes about the Catch-22 situation that South Africa finds itself in as it juggles its allegiances to Russia, China and the West

4 mins

Lucerne plus veld for quality sheep

Lucerne pastures boost fertility and production, said this leading commercial Merino farmer, who also took great care of his veld camps

3 mins

'State should step in as Brazil bird flu outbreak jeopardises chicken imports'

Government urgently needs to implement proactive measures to avoid a looming crisis in the chicken industry, following the announcement from Brazil, South Africa’s top source of imported chicken, that it has detected two cases of avian influenza in wild birds

3 mins

SA citrus industry needs a collaborative approach for long-term sustainability

Paul Makube, economist at FNB, looks at the challenges facing the citrus industry in the near future

3 mins

Ghana cocoa farmers 16% worse off than before COVID-19 pandemic

A new report by Oxfam shows that cocoa farmers in Ghana are 16% worse off than at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, according to Confectionery Production

1 min

European Commission under fire for 'restricting' Ukrainian grain

According to Politico, agriculture ministers from 12 EU countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Luxembourg, Estonia, Denmark and Slovenia, have raised concern over a recent compromise reached by Brussels and five Eastern members of the bloc to restrict imports of Ukrainian agricultural products

1 min

Moving to net zero: easier said than done

According to delegates at the International Juice Conference held in the Western Cape, there is growing concern over the sustainability of food production

3 mins

Demand for dairy set to decline as consumers remain under pressure

A recent report by the South African Milk Producers' Organisation paints a bleak picture for future demand for dairy and dairy products in South Africa over the short term

3 mins

Oilseed output set to grow 7% due to boost in soya bean production in South America

The US Department of Agriculture recently released its latest Global Oilseed Report, which predicts an increase in the production of soya bean, sunflower seed and canola

4 mins

How to manage a company and how not to

The governance and management crisis in our state-owned enterprises will eventually lead to their collapse, says Peter Hughes. But people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. How is your organisation doing?

2 mins

How to boost food security in your community

Food prices in South Africa have soared in recent months, making it harder than ever to buy nutritious food for a family. Now is the time for communities to grow as much food as they can for themselves

3 mins

Baboon bonds: how friendships make up for a bad start in life

Dr Elizabeth Lange, an assistant professor in biological science at the State University of New York Oswego, says that strong adult bonds may be a way to overcome childhood adversity, as seen in a recent study on wild baboons done in Kenya

4 mins

A huge agribusiness with solid family values

Despite having diversified into mining, construction, civil contracting, and heavy equipment hire, the ALS Group remains at heart a family farming business characterised by attention to detail, professionalism and integrity. Magda du Toit recently visited some of the agricultural and other business ventures in which the award-winning ALS Group is involved, and filed this report

7 mins

An introduction to risk mitigation in farming: Part 1

Farmers face the most serious risks experienced in the total value chain of food production. In this first part of a new series, PJ Mommsen, a freelance strategist, looks at the less common of these risks

6 mins

Succeeding with a big Simbra herd in the unforgiving Klipveld

Rocco Botha runs a commercial herd of Simbra cattle on North West's Klipveld, an aptly named area noted for its rocks and sourveld. Annelie Coleman spoke to him about his veld and animal management

6 mins

Advice from a successful organic raisin producer

Gawie Steyn, an organic raisin producer of the Orange River Valley, has proved that organic production can be commercially viable. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his production practices

8 mins

Raising gilts and sows: Part 1

The sow should farrow large, healthy litters, and have the genetic potential to improve the production characteristics of her progeny

2 mins

Growing lablab

This legume cover crop can handle high temperatures, and can be used to improve soil conditions and provide good grazing for ruminants

3 mins

How spacing affects cabbage head size and yield

Intra-row spacing in conjunction with variety will influence the health of the cabbage, its head size, and the overall yield

2 mins

The Mitsubishi Triton prototype breaks cover

The Mitsubishi Triton Halo AT35 prototype has been extensively modified with an Arctic Trucks AT35 kit

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.