Business
Farmer's Weekly
The foot-and-mouth disease threat is growing
Foot-and-mouth disease poses a growing threat to the livestock industry, especially communal farmers, with devastating economic consequences unless awareness and compliance improve, writes Shane Brody.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Shipping conditions to ease in 2026, but risk remains high
Early signs suggest a more favourable export season for South African producers, as easing global shipping congestion and improved performance by Transnet point to higher throughput at local ports. Lindi Botha reports.
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
A path of accelerating land reform in South Africa
Delivering the ANC's January 8th Statement a few weeks ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted, amongst other things, that: “Land reform remains one of the most urgent tasks of the National Democratic Revolution. While progress has been made, much more is required to give effect to the constitutional requirement for redress and equitable access to land.”
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Reflections on 2025 and the policy space for 2026
The year 2025 was a year characterised initially by a wave of misinformation, particularly relating to legislation and tariff issues. This year some big moves are expected in the trade space.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
From planning to peak lay: building a profitable egg business
Mpumalanga poultry farmer Lebogang Mashego spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel, and shared practical insights on planning, building systems that work, breed choice, feed management, and markets to build a profitable and sustainable egg business.
5 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Impofu Wind Farm becomes a canvas for community connection through Enel's Blowing Art Initiative
Enel Green Power South Africa has introduced the Blowing Art Initiative at the Impofu Wind Farm in the Eastern Cape, a creative community project that turns renewable energy infrastructure into a living gallery.
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Geely is intent on hanging around
Having fallen off the radar around a decade ago following a short local stint, Chinese manufacturer Geely has announced its proposed return to South Africa towards the end of 2026. The Citizen's Jaco van der Merwe reports.
4 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Great reads to enjoy during ‘me-time'
Patricia McCracken has plucked an assortment of fascinating titles covering different areas of interest, from coastal exploration and dining in the wild, to African traditions surrounding love and marriage.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Thokoman Peanut Butter marks 25-year milestone with R500 000 commitment to food security
Thokoman Peanut Butter, one of South Africa's biggest producers of peanut butter, celebrates 25 years of consistent quality and community support, marking the occasion with a significant R500 000 partnership with Hot 102.7's Hot Cares initiative for 2026.
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa's famous wandering hippo
From 1928 to 1931, a hippopotamus trekked 1 600km from what was then northern Natal to the Eastern Cape's Keiskamma River near Peddie, where it was shot dead by a posse of farmers. As Mike Burgess writes, this journey would immortalise the hippo in South African history.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The heroics of fighter Gideon Scheepers
The execution by the British of a young Boer commandant is seen by many as a miscarriage of justice. He was captured after he fell seriously ill and was unable to flee. Graham Jooste reported.
6 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
How coral reefs can help combat hunger
With the global population reaching 8,3 billion, scientists are increasingly looking to the oceans to solve burgeoning food security crises.
1 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Zimbabwe's dairy industry on the rebound
According to government officials, Zimbabwe's dairy industry is well on its way to revitalisation and modernisation.
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
What a West African palm oil project reveals about SA's readiness for EU rules
As EU sustainability rules tighten, compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation is fast becoming a commercial requirement for South African agricultural exporters. A recently digitised palm oil supply chain in Sierra Leone now offers practical lessons on moving from policy to practice, writes Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
FMD detected on Free State pig farm
South Africa's pig industry is on high alert with the news that animals at a commercial piggery has tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease. Hanlie du Plessis reports.
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The importance of netting in horticulture
Once viewed mainly as a shield against hail, wind and sun, netting has evolved into a core business strategy in modern horticulture. According to various sources, as margins tighten and climate risks intensify, undercover farming is increasingly non-negotiable for premium horticultural production. Petri de Beer reports.
6 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Five-ingredient chocolate pots
These five-ingredient chocolate pots are proof that a decadent dessert doesn't need to be complicated. Made with rich dark chocolate, cream, and egg yolks, they deliver a silky-smooth custard with deep chocolate flavour and just the right level of sweetness.
1 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Do you know your medicines for dosing?
Dosing sheep is an exact science, according to a White Dorper breeder.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Botswana's cattle industry and the road to premium export markets
Botswana's beef industry has gained global recognition and premium market access through quality, compliance, and strategic branding. Maintaining its position as one of Southern Africa's top beef exporters will depend on sustained long-term planning and a commitment to sustainable growth. Petri de Beer reports.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Balsamic roasted veggies with penne and avocado
A vibrant, feel-good meal that brings together sweetly caramelised veggies, creamy avocado and perfectly cooked pasta. A splash of balsamic vinegar and brown sugar adds depth and balance, while crunchy lemon-infused breadcrumbs deliver a satisfying finish.
1 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
2026: a year for women to prosper in agriculture
The UN's declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer highlights women's vital role in agriculture and the need to close the sector's gender gaps writes Dr Sifiso Ntombela.
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Zimbabwean farmers' undercover success stories
Clemence Manyukwe takes a look at the successful operations of three 'undercover' farmers in Zimbabwe, including flower grower Roelof Nugteren, hydroponics farmer Keith Chipudhla, and aquaponics farmer Joe Mugwagwa.
10 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The Karoo's rare dwarf succulents: a lesson in survival
What may look like patches of year-round snow on the simmering Karoo plains are actually ancient quartz islands. However, they have the same effect as snow, with a carpet of bright, white pebbles cooling the surface just enough to allow a range of unique miniature succulents to grow in the harsh, salty soil where nothing else would survive, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa is losing the fight against parasites in livestock
South Africa is losing the war against internal and external parasites, according to Dr Dave Midgley, CEO of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa. He told Annelie Coleman that this is because the focus in the country is on killing the parasites and not on addressing the root cause of the problem.
4 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
How pineapple leaves help clean water and solve crimes
Bienvenu Gael Fouda Mbanga, a research fellow in environmental analytical chemistry at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, explains how discarded pineapple leaves can successfully separate toxic copper from industrial wastewater and even assist forensic units.
4 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
How lighting boosts greenhouse productivity
Supplemental lighting in hydroponic greenhouse systems can contribute significantly to the quality of produce grown in such systems, but it has to be utilised optimally as it adds significantly to the capital outlay and running expense of such a facility.
4 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Lettuce grower finds recipe for success in outdoor hydroponics
Delicate, high-value crops such as lettuce and herbs can provide high returns, but are susceptible to disease and sensitive to extreme weather. In the Western Cape, one retail supplier is getting around these challenges by marrying outdoor shade netting tunnels and hydroponics. Jeanne van der Merwe reports.
5 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Artificial intelligence shows promise in hydroponics farming
The precision farming technology sector is hard at work developing artificial intelligence-based solutions for growers, but such systems cannot simply be plugged into existing systems, says Jeanne van der Merwe.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Young farmer proves broiler margins are made in the management
Attention to detail and work ethic have earned Gerrit Maritz the title of AgriCulture Gauteng's Young Farmer of the Year 2025. He runs a poultry operation producing 4,5 million broilers per year in Magaliesberg, Gauteng. He shared his lessons on keeping margins favourable with Lindi Botha.
7 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Resigning in the agriculture sector
In the same way as an employer has a obligation to adhere to the labour law when terminating the employment of a farmworker, so too the employee has to follow procedures when resigning, says James Pretorius.
2 min |