Business
Farmer's Weekly
Infrastructure, policy, and finance will be the African continent's growth drivers
Africa's agricultural potential is vast, but inefficiencies in infrastructure, trade policy, and finance limit growth. Investments in transport, cold storage, irrigation, and digital trade systems, among others, are key to unlocking faster, cheaper, and more efficient agricultural trade.
3 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
SAPPO Academy showcases skills development and small business success
The South African Pork Producers' Organisation (SAPPO) Academy, a training organisation that promotes animal, environmental, and public health in the pig industry through knowledge transfer, recently hosted a mini development symposium in Pretoria. The event included an afternoon of meaningful dialogue, strategic learning, and leadership exchange, effectively bridging academic insight with real-world industry innovation.
3 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Backing for SA Canegrowers as sugar imports soar
Coenie Snyman, winemaker and founder of Rock of Eye Wines, was named the 2025 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year for his Rock of Eye Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, while Marnich Aucamp, assistant winemaker at Stellenbosch Vineyards, won the Young Winemaker of the Year award for his Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc 2024 at a gala dinner near Kleinmond in the Western Cape.
1 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
New or used? A practical guide to second-hand farm equipment
Second-hand farm machinery can deliver excellent value, if you know what to look for. Western Cape equipment broker Debbie Smit gave Lindi Botha practical advice to help farmers decide when to buy new, when pre-owned is the smarter choice, and how to avoid the costly pitfalls that often catch buyers off-guard.
4 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The story of the Drakensberger beef cattle breed's evolution in Africa
The Drakensberger cattle breed has been part of the South African landscape for ages. So-called black indigenous cattle existed in South Africa as early as the 15th and 16th centuries and formed the foundation of the current Drakensberger beef cattle breed.
4 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Man vs machine - which works best in SA's farming sector?
South African farmers have embraced both mechanisation and staffing solutions to improve farm level efficiency. Sabrina Dean investigated the pros and cons of both and filed this report.
9 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
SA's poultry industry must be more inclusive and sustainable
In spite of great progress made over the past 30 years in South Africa's poultry value chain, setbacks such as avian influenza and trade restrictions are calling for official intervention
2 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
An introduction to forward contracts and commodity futures for South African farmers
The agriculture sector is notoriously volatile, but producers can find stability using financial derivative tools. This article clearly defines and differentiates between two key instruments: forward contracts and futures contracts.
3 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Less tillage, more life: the machines and techniques behind soil recovery
Soil health is the foundation of global food security, environmental quality, and agricultural sustainability. According to expert Dr Hendrik Smith, reversing the cycle of soil degradation requires the continuous application of regenerative conservation agriculture principles, with no-tillage cultivation being nonnegotiable.
4 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Five Joburg hotels that make business a pleasure
Even with its well-documented problems, Johannesburg remains the centre of business in South Africa. And unlike some cities with their mountains and oceans, you'll get value and quality for a fraction of the price at these hotels. There are also great views in the mix. By .
6 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The myths and folklore about the origins of rice
In Asia, agricultural folklore and legends are profoundly important, particularly in East and Southeast Asia, because they serve as the cultural, religious, and social foundation of societies built upon the wet-rice economy. Many of the heroes of these myths and legends are still celebrated today.
10+ min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
From fire investigation to Wagyu excellence
When Zelda Greyling first set foot on Frans Stapelberg's farm outside Marble Hall in Limpopo in 2019, Wagyu cattle were the last thing on her mind.
7 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Packhouse technology turns fruit into Forex
With South African fruit exports surging (citrus up over 71% since 2015), the pressure is on packhouses to deliver quality and efficiency. No longer just a mechanical step, the packhouse is now the strategic bottleneck where real value is added - or lost.
6 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Artificial intelligence and technology in 2026
For 2026, Farmer's Weekly will be focusing on the overarching theme of artificial intelligence and technology, and the importance of this in sustainable and long-term farming.
2 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Riding out the dry years with ostriches in the Klein Karoo
After nearly two decades in state-run agriculture, farmer Jolian du Preez walked away from job security to build an ostrich enterprise in one of South Africa's toughest farming regions.
8 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The invasion of De Hoek
The farm De Hoek in the Barkly East district of the Eastern Cape is home to several exotic fauna and flora species, but as landowner Mike Burgess writes, interaction between two of these species has resulted in a particularly serious management challenge.
2 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The basics of irrigation during hot weather
Hot, dry conditions test even the best irrigation strategies.
5 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
A contract ensures that there are no grey areas
The rights and obligations of employers and employees should be very distinctly set out in an employment contract between the two parties
2 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Rasberries - the undercover story
Think twice about growing raspberries, said Trevor McKenzie of Eurafruit in Stellenbosch.
3 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
MG's local stock to further rise with the introduction of ZS Pro
While the MG ZS Pro is the global replacement for the ageing ZS offering, with more space, tech and power, the Chinese-owned British marque will sell the two compact crossovers alongside each other locally.
2 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Are 'greener' tractors on the cards for South Africa?
In this article, Magda du Toit delves into the growing need for cleaner energy solutions in agriculture with particular focus on mechanisation that promises to address environmental concerns.
9 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
What's in store for agricultural commodity prices in 2026?
Commodity markets are expected to enter the new year against a markedly different backdrop compared to the volatility of recent years, according to Nkhensani Mashimbvi.
3 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Why implement choice has become an important decision in modern farming
In South Africa's volatile farming landscape, where climate extremes and escalating costs squeeze profit margins, the key to success lies not just in high-tech seeds or fertiliser, but in the correct selection and matching of farm implements.
6 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Controlling cutworm
Cutworms have become a major problem for vegetable farmers worldwide and their activities can result in serious economic losses.
2 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Smart farming: leveraging agritech to boost productivity for small producers
Agriculture remains the backbone of food security and rural development, and small-scale farmers play a vital role in sustaining local economies.
2 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Muden Citrus growth hinges on infrastructure investment – economist
Agricultural economist Lesedi Mokoena spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about Muden Citrus's rapid growth being held back by the lack of a local packhouse. Investment in this infrastructure could unlock jobs, competitiveness, and long-term rural economic gains.
2 min |
January 2-9, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Christmas books to charm and delight
During the holiday season, one usually takes a well-earned break from the daily rutt, and there is no better time to catch up on some reading. Patricia McCracken has selected a wide spectrum of titles to tuck into.
4 min |
December 19-26, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
From chance to choice: a women's rise to farming success
Many raisin producers assume that retiring without a son to take over the farm means the end of the family business. Alcois Blaauw, this year's winner of the Raisins SA Female Producer Award, proves that assumption to be wrong. Glenneis Kriel reports.
4 min |
December 19-26, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Grandparents below, and kids upstairs!
Dear Jonno,My wife and I want to escape to the countryside.
1 min |
December 19-26, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The Unseen Protector
The belief in the Unseen Protector or Unseen Shepherd endured for around 600 years, from the 13th century up until the 19th century. The farmer or his wife would provide a bowl of fresh cream and gruel to appease a spirit, whose blessing was imperative for a good summer harvest and animal health and fertility.
2 min |