Business

Farmer's Weekly
Ectoparasite control: more tips for livestock farmers
To reduce the mayhem that uncontrolled ectoparasites can create for communal farmers, it’s best to adopt a holistic approach in conjunction with veterinary remedies,
3 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Fly outbreak a concern for livestock producers in Gauteng
Jaco Taute, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers‘ Organisation in Gauteng, said that urgent action needed to be taken for farmers to protect the red meat industry in the province.
1 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Maltabella discontinuation highlights impact of VAT on SA's sorghum industry
With the discontinuation of Maltabella, Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports on how value-added tax has hindered sorghum’'s affordability and competitiveness.
2 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
The Toyota Corolla Cross raises the bar
The Corolla Cross is the best-selling SUV in South Africa, but it faces growing competition from the influx of SUVs from China. To make sure it stays ahead of the pack, Toyota has introduced a range of updates to the facelifted model,
2 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
'Dexters carry us through the drought'
The Helmeringhausen Farmers’ Association’s Dexter cattle project was honoured by the Namibia Agricultural Union as the 2024 NAU-Feedmaster Community Project of the Year. Association chairperson Jörg Gaugler spoke to Annelie Coleman about this unique project and the difference it makes in the farming community.
5 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
The future of farming: innovative agritech
As agriculture continues to evolve in the face of climate change, economic pressures, and global food security challenges, South African farmers are turning to innovative technology to enhance productivity and sustainability. Cobus du Plessis reports on the latest technological advancements.
4 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Czech Republic leads charge to ban EU poultry cage farming
In a meeting in December 2024 in Brussels, Belgium, the Czech Republic urged other EU nations to ban chicken cage farming, saying all member states should follow the same rules.
1 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Good pickings with pigs
In this article, a farmer had doubts about pig farming, until he reaped the dividends.
3 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Artificial intelligence isn't a gimmick; it's a potent productivity booster
Those who master artificial intelligence will have a huge advantage in the years to come. Start experimenting with it and experience the potential it has to bring knowledge to your fingertips,
3 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
R7 million boost for hemp farmers in Coega
The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) took a step forward in supporting the Eastern Cape’s burgeoning cannabis industry with the distribution of R7 million worth of hemp seeds to 26 local farmers at the Coega Medigrow facility in the Coega Special Economic Zone in Gqeberha.
1 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Equipping young South Africans to transform food waste into resources
At the start of each new year, attention naturally shifts to education.
2 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Cape mountain zebra conservation efforts praised
While the overall zebra population in Africa is decreasing, recent conservation efforts have sparked hope for the future of the Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) in South Africa.
1 min |
February 21, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
'Always look for new opportunities to learn and grow'
When Dr Miekie Human began her undergraduate studies in 2011, she couldn't have known that she'd one day become the science and policy manager at the South African National Seed Organisation, where she now advocates for a sustainable seed industry. She spoke to Magda du Toit about her career path and passion for research.
5 min |
February 14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Passionate about nurturing personal and professional growth in the agriculture sector
Dr Nicole Hart, CEO of Afrikelp, a leading manufacturer of liquid seaweed biostimulants, stands as an inspiring figure in the agricultural landscape. She spoke to Magda du Toit about her thoughts on success and leadership, as well as the role of women in agriculture and science.
4 min |
February 14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Essential accounting concepts every farmer should know
Cobus du Plessis explores fundamental financial principles that every farmer should understand, including the differences between assets and liabilities, income and expenses, and fixed and variable costs. He also looks at cash flow management, tax basics, risk management, budgeting, and managing unforeseen costs.
5 min |
February 14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Managing farm debt: strategies for financial stability
While adverse conditions like droughts and market volatility cannot be controlled, debt can be managed. Cobus du Plessis advises farmers on how to approach debt during difficult financial times.
5 min |
February 14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
The benefits of getting your show horse used to the water
It's a good idea to get show horses used to water in the summer rainfall areas. Dr Mac explains why you should do this, and how.
2 min |
February 14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
The intricacies of growing onions
Bill Kerr writes about the complexities of growing onions and the many factors one needs to consider in order to achieve success with this crop.
2 min |
February 14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Essential accounting concepts every farmer should know
Cobus du Plessis explores fundamental financial principles that every farmer should understand, including the differences between assets and liabilities, income and expenses, and fixed and variable costs. He also looks at cash flow management, tax basics, risk management, budgeting, and managing unforeseen costs.
5 min |
February 14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Women are 'saviours' or 'victims' in the climate change debate: why this is a problem
By avoiding the portrayal of women as either 'victims' or 'saviours' in climate and development literature, we can ensure that building sustainable economies does not reproduce gender injustices, write Prof Naila Kabeer, researcher Chung-Ah Baek, and Prof Deepta Chopra.
4 min |
February 14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Smart strategies for conserving water on Cape fruit farms
South Africa is facing increasing levels of water stress, marked by erratic rainfall patterns and longer periods of drought. Lindi Botha looks at five case studies of fruit farms in the Western Cape, where the producers are implementing smarter water-management strategies to make every drop count.
8 min |
February 14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
How to manage heat stress in cattle
With rising global temperatures due to climate change, heat stress in livestock is a growing concern. Ranier van Heerden, Evonik’s business manager for ruminant solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, shared insights with Octavia Avesca Spandiel on early signs of heat stress in cattle, its physiological effects, and practical management strategies, offering valuable advice to help farmers mitigate this issue.
5 min |
February 14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Winemaking on an old Cape Town farm
FEATURE De Grendel Wine Estate RO/1 2013 DEGRENDEL WINES Winemaking on an old Cape Town farm From politics to premium wines, the Graaff family continues to make its mark. Sir De Villiers Graaff, Fourth Baronet of the family and De Grendel Wine Estate, spoke to Brian Berkman about continuing the tradition.
8 min |
February 14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Learners prompted to consider agri careers
In late January, Eastern Cape MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Nonceba Kontsiwe launched a back-to-school campaign in the town of eMaxesibeni, part of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality.
1 min |
February 07, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Conservation collaboration transforms lives and catalyses meaningful change
The collaboration between the African Conservation Trust (ACT) and the Social Employment Fund (SEF) is not only transforming lives and landscapes, but is a catalyst for meaningful change.
2 min |
February 07, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Revised Network Statement shows clear intent to move agricultural products back to rail
POLICY PERSPECTIVE by Theo Boshoff
3 min |
February 07, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Protecting the world's forests
This excerpt of a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations provides projections on fuelwood and roundwood production, and offers some pragmatic solutions that are needed to protect the world’s forests, which are essential for the livelihoods of many people.
7 min |
February 07, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Cederberg frog discovery of 'extreme importance'
The identification of a new frog species, the Cederberg dainty frog (Cacosternum cederbergense), in South Africa in late 2024 is of the utmost importance for the preservation of biodiversity. This was according to herpetologist Tyrone Ping.
1 min |
February 07, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Farmers warned to look out for fraudsters and deals that seem too good to be true
Fraud happens everywhere, even in the agriculture sector, where many negotiations rely on relationships and goodwill. Glenneis Kriel reports on the situation and how to safeguard yourself against such crimes.
3 min |
February 07, 2025

Farmer's Weekly
Addressing water scarcity and other agri issues through innovative irrigation
Smart irrigation helps address the challenges of water scarcity and unpredictable weather, and promotes operational efficiency, writes Eran Ossmy, president of Rivulis’ Micro Irrigation Division.
3 min |