Business
Farmer's Weekly
Sweet itch in horses: what is it and how can it be controlled?
The affliction is mainly seen in pastured horses, especially those that sleep out at night and are exposed to midges, writes Dr Mac.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Rising living costs hitting South Africans hard
Mounting living costs are hitting South Africans hard especially in light of increasing electricity prices, as well hikes in rates and taxes in major metros. According to a report by Daily Investor, many South African households were under severe financial pressure as living costs outstripped incomes.
1 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Global trade slows down amid policy uncertainty
Growth in global trade is expected to slow markedly this year off the back of rapidly shifting policies and persistent tariff uncertainty.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Making a mark on agriculture through education
As we celebrate Women's Month, Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to Dr Hlamalani Ngwenya about her remarkable journey from a home economics teacher to a globally recognised leader in agricultural extension, and the broader agri-food systems. Through resilience, purpose, and a deep belief in people, Ngwenya continues to open doors for women in agriculture.
6 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Thinking of farming Afrikaners? Here's what you should know
Free State cattle farmer Jannie Visagie spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the resilience, adaptability, and economic benefits of the Afrikaner cattle breed. He shares valuable insights and practical advice for farmers considering this hardy breed for South African conditions.
6 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Investment opportunities in sustainable agriculture
A recently released report in partnership with the Western Cape government focuses extensively on the benefits of alternative energy systems to farmers.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Strategies to prevent water contamination of food
Decades of South African research reveal key blueprints to reduce water contamination in fruit and vegetables. Loandi Richter-Mouton and Lise Korsten of the University of Pretoria share some of their counter-measures.
3 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Responsible ways to keep CLA at bay - rather safe than sorry
This chronic bacterial disease predominantly affects goats and sheep, but as Shane Brody writes, the risks can be minimised with responsible preventative and treatment measures by farmers.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Women making a mark in agriculture
Every year in August, coinciding with National Women's Day on 9 August, we dedicate the early August issue to women in agriculture. While we feature women in Farmer's Weekly throughout the year, and not only in the month of August, we like to draw specific attention to women in the sector during this month. This issue is no different, and we bring you two articles that focus on spectacular women in the sector.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Maximising tyre performance
Farmers often underestimate the value of using premium-quality tyres in good condition. Willouw Goosen, Bridgestone's development manager of Agri, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about common mistakes farmers make that negatively impact tyre performance.
6 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Oil price – what the projections are for the next few months
Armed conflict in the Middle East, where a significant part of the world's oil is produced, highlights the uncertainty around political and military dynamics within this region, according to Absa AgriBusiness.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Growing demand for meat as global incomes rise
Growing meat consumption and greater market opportunities in the East are two key trends expected to influence farmers in the coming decade.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Why our locally bred goats are gaining global popularity
There are over 650 registered members with the South African Boer Goat Breeders' Association focusing on three distinct breeds: the Boer goat, the Savanna and the Kalahari Red. Association secretary Chantelle Smit spoke to Sabrina Dean about these breeds.
5 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
THE HITCHING POST
I am a 55-year-old single Caucasian lady who is 1,63m tall and slim.
1 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Raising the bar in Border Collie breeding
Ronald and Venessa Juckes of Venron Border Collies in Heidelberg, Gauteng, have dedicated 37 years to the breed. Known for producing exceptional dogs and raising breed standards in South Africa, Ronald is also an esteemed judge on both local and international stages. They spoke to Linda Piegl.
8 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Boer goat farming: a simple recipe for prosperity
Nestled in the heart of the Vredefort Dome, surrounded by the Dome Bergland mountain range, you will find Marius Smit and Heinrich Hamman, co-owners of the Aegagrus Boer Goat Stud,
4 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Diesel power gives the Tank 300 the edge it so richly deserves
GWM would have expected much better sales of its Tank brand's first local model, the 300, in its first year in South Africa. But the Chinese car-maker has seemingly solved the puzzle with the introduction of a diesel powertrain, writes The Citizen's Charl Bosch.
5 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Keeping animal stress at a minimum during transport
Animals can experience great stress during transportation, which not only impacts productivity and meat quality, but is also a welfare concern. Stress cannot be eliminated, but can be mitigated.
5 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Cultural campaigns boost avocado consumption
South Africa is making headway in growing the market for avocados in India by tapping into culturally relevant marketing campaigns through the World Avocado Organisation (WAO).
2 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Dion George on first year as environment minister
South Africa was making meaningful progress in the fight against poaching and illegal wildlife trade, according to Dion George, minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
1 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Eastern Cape women farmers get shearing shed
In a major boost for women-led agriculture, MEC for the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, officially handed over a fully equipped shearing shed to the Upper Thuthukani Wool Growers' Association, a women-majority cooperative in Ngcobo.
2 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Farm income up in Northern Ireland
According to new figures from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, farm incomes in Northern Ireland have reportedly increased by almost two-thirds over the past year, the BBC reported.
1 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Indigenous veld goats: honed over the ages for functionality
Southern Africa's indigenous veld goats have developed naturally over millennia into outstanding, efficient animals based on natural functional ability.
5 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Cannabis cultivation can benefit livestock farming
Thomas Walker outlines the opportunities that cannabis production presents for livestock farmers, along with the regulatory path and practical steps that producers can follow while the legislation is being finalised.
3 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Good genetics drive record-breaking stud prices
The cost-price squeeze is driving prices for stud animals higher, as producers seek to boost production through improved genetics.
2 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Unlocking the business of oysters
Glenneis Kriel caught up with Kevin Ruck and Gabriel Lee to learn more about the production of these succulent bivalves.
5 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Slug and snail explosion in SA's winter grain region
The South African winter grain production industry has seen an explosion in slug and snail outbreaks over the past decade, and this year is no exception.
1 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Fruit industry prepares for application of stricter EU packaging laws
Opportunities and ongoing efforts to prepare South Africa's pome and stone fruit industry for the EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation came under the spotlight in a recent webinar, as ways are sought to reduce plastic reliance
2 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Chocolate loaf with mango filling
Studded with fresh mango and topped with dry mangoes, this chocolate loaf cake offers a perfect blend of rich chocolate and tropical sweetness.
1 min |
July 18-25, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The birth of an exceptional Savanna stud
The award-winning, top-performing Maize Valley Savanna Goat Stud, run by Andrew Roberts and Ju-mari Pretorius, came about by accident due to broken communications and poor Internet connectivity
5 min |