Business
Farmer's Weekly
Cotton farming: what's not to love?
The co-owner of Wilkot Boerdery in the Northern Cape, Johan Maree, shares his cotton farming journey with Nichelle Steyn and explains why there is so much more to the crop than meets the eye.
4 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Strategic partnership turns a rubbish heap into a vegetable harvest
Mathabang Lekhula-Legula has transformed a smelly dumping site in Welkom, Free State, into a thriving vegetable farm. Her success is proof that when a producer is supported by the right partners, waste can be turned into wealth, and despair into growth.
4 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Farmers urged to step up veld fire mitigation efforts
As fire season gets underway, farmers are being urged to strengthen their fire management plans. Dawie Maree of FNB Agriculture warned of rising risks to food security and meat production.
3 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Heritage, wool and excellence: a gathering of Merino breeders at Nampo Cape 2025
The 2025 Merino showcase at Nampo Cape offers breeders, exhibitors and wool enthusiasts a unique opportunity to celebrate progress rooted in tradition.
1 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Cape Wine Masters welcomes four new graduates
The Institute of Cape Wine Masters' four new graduates takes the total number of achievers of this elite qualification to 120
2 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Value chain upgrade is vital to handle bigger pigs
The slaughter weight of pigs has increased as genetics have improved, bringing greater financial viability for farmers.
2 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Ingenuity at the forefront of Boereplanne competition
Grain SA invites all inventors, farmers, students and technology enthusiasts to come enjoy the popular Boereplanne (Farmer Plans) competition, which will take place during Nampo Cape at Bredasdorp Park.
1 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Exciting equestrian events to enjoy
Visitors to Nampo Cape 2025, which takes place from 10 to 13 September at Bredasdorp Park, are in for a thrilling experience as the Western Cape Lubricants Arena transforms into a stage for world-class equestrianism.
2 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Expropriation Act: what it really means for property rights
In general, the law is consistent with the provisions of the Constitution, including the right to equality, secured property rights and lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair administrative action.
3 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
California heatwave hits broccoli, lettuce and strawberry crops
According to the Fresh Fruit Portal, heatwaves in California in the US are having a negative impact on lettuce, broccoli and strawberry crops, among others.
1 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Working dogs in the spotlight
From the intelligence of sheepdogs and the power of Boerboels to the precision of the SA Air Force's Canine Unit, visitors can look forward to a series of live demonstrations highlighting the unique role dogs play in agriculture and security.
1 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
World-leading yields prove success of seed levies
South Africa's investment in seed technology has brought substantial yield gains, ranking the country first in terms of yield growth in soya beans.
1 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Choosing the 90, 110 or 130? There is a Defender for everyone!
Introducing a successor to the popular Land Rover Defender (L315/L316) that was in production from 1983 to 2016 was always going to be a tough ask.
4 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
SA rooibos industry pushes back against 30% US tariffs
South Africa's rooibos industry is pushing for the removal of a new 30% US tariff, arguing the speciality tea poses no competition to American agriculture and supports US jobs
3 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Trade risks and logistic woes limit SA fruit industry growth
South Africa's fruit exports are booming, but trade barriers, rising costs and logistical inefficiencies are holding back the sector's potential.
2 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Greenhouse cannabis: navigating power costs and grid reliability
Your lighting strategy has become a critical business decision that connects plant biology with power management, especially as South Africa's electricity landscape continues to evolve
2 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Japan invests in Ghana's agri sector
Degas Limited, a Japanese agri-fintech, recently announced a US$100 million (almost R1,8 billion) investment into Ghana over the next four years to help establish the country as the continent's first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered agricultural hub, Developing Telecoms reported.
1 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
US companies shine during AgTech Breakthrough Awards
The AgTech Breakthrough Awards, now in its sixth year, awards entrepreneurs and innovators in the agriculture and food value chain.
3 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Your farming business must grow at 3% per year
Growth of 3% per year is a realistic goal for farmers. Businesses must grow to keep up with increasing costs, utilise economies of scale and to afford modern technology, among others
2 min |
September 12-19, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The Vulture Lady of the Eastern Cape
For decades, Kate Webster has been involved in not only rehabilitating Cape vultures, but also fighting for their protection in an ever-increasing hostile environment. Mike Burgess spoke to her about her life's work.
3 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Rural communities prefer other income streams above trophy hunting
A new study based on surveys conducted with over 1 500 households living around the Kruger National Park suggests that communities would rather seek alternative income streams, as opposed to trophy hunting.
2 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
ABC of animals buyers beware! Look out for disease
Dr Jenny Turton gave advice on animal health at a farmers' day held at the Onderstepoort Institution for Veterinarians.
3 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
High-density grazing on semi-arid grassland scrutinised
A study by University of the Free State researchers who compared high-density grazing to conventional rotational systems has underscored the complex interplay between grazing management, climate, and soil properties in determining soil carbon and vegetation dynamics
6 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Poland set to introduce bill defending farmers against 'odours'
Polish Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski will reportedly introduce a bill to defend farmers against lawsuits regarding bad smells and noise coming from their farms, TVP World recently reported. This followed in response to a fine levied on pig farmer Szymon Kluka for the smells coming from his farm, TVP World said.
1 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Disease management and control starts at the farm gate
The ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak is not only affecting the beef industry but also dairy farmers, small stock producers, and potentially pig farmers. Dr Peter Evans, who is leading the Red Meat Industry Services' response effort, spoke to Sabrina Dean about FMD management and control.
7 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Why onion and potato prices spiked and then normalised
Absa AgriBusiness highlights some of the factors impacting onion and potato market dynamics over the past five years.
2 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
RMIS latest report flags beef market risks
In the latest RMIS report, CEO Dewald Olivier discussed disease threats and a looming beef surplus. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports on market risks and strategies to protect South Africa's red meat sector.
2 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Dormer sheep: muscle museums that boost meat production
High fertility and robust growth make the Dormer sheep breed ideal for meat production. Lanie Coetzer, owner of the Labarie Dormer stud, explained to Lindi Botha how genetic selection ensures optimal success.
8 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Dormers: when quality meat really does count
The Kinko Dormers stud near Swellendam in the Western Cape is proving that precision breeding, backed by performance data, can deliver measurable financial advantages. Johan Swart, the owner of the stud, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his breeding philosophy and the performance-driven approach behind his success.
6 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Dormer sheep: proven performer in SA's meat market
Dormer sheep continue to dominate commercial meat systems with their fast growth, high weaning weights and impressive carcass yields. Agricultural economics lecturer and Dormer breeder Dr Mariëtte Geyser spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the breed's production edge.
5 min |