Try GOLD - Free

Meet the ‘Barbarians'

Farmer's Weekly

|

Farmer's Weekly 24 September 2021

A display of part of farmer Herman Dewing‘s huge collection of barbed wire. FW ARCHIVE

Meet the ‘Barbarians'

Humans the world over collect a variety of things, some strange and unusual. In the US, many people collect different types of barbed wire, as this article revealed.

In America there is a group of people who believe that the American West was not won with the gun, but with barbed wire.

These people are enthusiastic and dedicated collectors of examples of early pieces of barbed wire and proudly call themselves ‘Barbarians’.

There are over 100 000 barbed-wire collectors in the US today. They have about 70 associations in more than 18 states, which are affiliated to a national association and an international one.

Collectors regularly compete for prizes in each state and nationally at shows and conventions that are enjoyable social occasions for collectors and their families. Many pieces of wire are sold or traded there.

At these shows you will hear strange talk about [types of barbed wire called]

MORE STORIES FROM Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

South Africa's unique coral trees

Every year in late winter, South Africa's eastern coastal belt is set ablaze with the scarlet and orange flowers of certain coral tree species from the genus Erythrina. Mike Burgess investigates the diversity of this special category of highly adaptive deciduous trees that includes the peculiar ploughbreaker.

time to read

2 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Jaecoo J5 is ready to make waves

Chinese carmakers have been growing their local market share at the rate of knots over the last few years. The introduction of the Jaecoo J5 will further ensure the upward curve

time to read

2 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Farm watches take charge of rural safety

With rural crime on the rise and police resources stretched thin, farm watches across South Africa are stepping up to protect farming communities. These volunteer-led safety networks are preventing millions in losses, deterring criminal activity and helping police solve major crimes, proving that when farmers unite, the benefits ripple far beyond the farm gate.

time to read

8 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

How to start a farm watch in your area

Rural safety initiatives like farm watch systems are guided by the framework laid out in the national Rural Safety Strategy. Dr Jane Buys, safety risk analyst for Free State Agriculture, talks Sabrina Dean through the concept of a farm watch and how to establish one

time to read

9 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

'Farm attacks are a national crisis'

The rural safety crisis in South Africa remains dire, with farm attacks and murders continuing at alarming rates. This calls for rural crimes to be declared priority crimes as a matter of urgency, according to

time to read

3 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Advancing real-time data collection in South African agriculture

Dr Mahlane Godfrey Kgatle, Research Coordination Manager at Grain South Africa, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how the Information Hub at Innovation Africa, University of Pretoria, is transforming agricultural research through real-time data integration and collaboration across disciplines.

time to read

3 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

Stellenbosch in November: a seasonal gem and the perfect time to visit

Brian Berkman suggests you clear your diary to spend more time in November in the beautiful Eikestad.

time to read

3 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Adapting to the Climate Change Act: how agro-processing SMEs can build resilience

Wynand Deyzel, commercial sales manager at Solenco, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how the Act is shaping the operational durability of small to medium-sized agricultural enterprises and the role of indoor air management in adapting to climate impacts.

time to read

3 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly

KWV shines at Veritas Awards with top accolades

KWV made history at the 35th Veritas Awards when it clinched the prestigious Duimpie Bayly Vertex Trophy – the award for the best wine in the show, excluding Museum Class Wine – for the second year in a row and third time overall.

time to read

2 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Farmer's Weekly

Co-operation needed to build a resilient food system

From governments and international organisations to farmers, researchers, businesses, and consumers, including the youth, everyone has a role to play in shaping the transformation of agrifood systems of the world

time to read

2 mins

November 7-14, 2025

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size