Business
Farmer's Weekly
The 2025/26 soya bean outlook reflects structural improvement in the sector
Across the globe, soya beans are in high demand not only for livestock feed, but also due to continued interest as a source for plant-based proteins.
4 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Sunflower industry remains cautious but optimistic
With the new season only just beginning, there are contradictory views about farmers' intention to plant. However, all parties can agree that the weather and soil conditions will play a major role in final yield.
4 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Protein demand gaining momentum prior to festive season
The global meat market is closing 2025 with mixed signals across major protein sources. Absa AgriBusiness looks at the supply and demand dynamics influencing prices.
2 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The farmworker's employment contract
The relationship between farmers and their staff is no longer merely a simple, flexible agreement between two parties. As Hannes Latsky explains, there are minimum statutory conditions that must be observed.
2 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Dexter cattle gaining ground in the Western Cape
The South African Dexter Society has recognised Wilhelm Joubert, viticulturist at Hartenberg Wine Estate near Stellenbosch, and Bennie Diedericks, production consultant at Resalt, for their role in expanding and promoting the Dexter breed in the Western Cape.
1 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
State needs to rid itself of the scarcity mindset to grow the economy
As Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana delivered his Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, terms such as ‘fiscal discipline’ and ‘tightening the belt’ were likely to dominate headlines. I can understand that we need to be prudent in the financial matters of the country and keep the debt-to-GDP ratio within reason. However, when these measures spill over to an inability to fill critical vacancies in the state’s machinery, the economy suffers.
2 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Promising start to stone fruit season
South African stone fruit exports are expected to rise by 13% in 2025/26, led by nectarines, while apricot volumes may fall slightly. Strong demand on key markets, including the UK, EU, Middle East and soon China, supports the outlook, but growers face challenges with compliance and logistics.
6 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
SA's essential oils step into global spotlight
Karen Swanepoel, executive director of the Southern African Essential Oil Producers' Association, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about South Africa's essential oils industry and its rise from a small niche market to a quality-driven, globally recognised, and fast-growing business.
9 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Storing potatoes
When it comes to potatoes, you can keep them for many weeks or even months if you store them properly, ensure airflow, and avoid moisture and direct sunlight
3 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa Wine releases strategic ESG roadmap
South Africa Wine (SA Wine) has released an environmental, social and governance (ESG) roadmap aimed at positioning the country's wine industry as the 'most trusted wine industry by leading in sustainability, equity and transparency' over the next 30 years.
2 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Get the basics right to protect your crop after the harvest
With Grain SA estimating input costs for dryland maize at up to R22 000/ha and up to R16 000/ha for soya beans, no one can afford losing even a fraction of their precious crop between the combine harvester and the silo. Jeanne van der Merwe spoke to knowledgeable industry experts to determine how farmers can ensure maximum returns on their investment.
6 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Local dry bean prices could improve in 2026
According to the Crop Estimates Committee’s 9th production forecast for summer crops for the 2025/26 season, the forecast for dry beans remain unchanged from the previous estimate at 90 556t.
2 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Maize looking forward to another promising season
Magda du Toit spoke to industry experts about what 2026 has in store for maize production.
2 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
An Arctic adventure where the hunt continues, but on the ice rather than in the bush
Brian Berkman says a luxury icebreaker expedition offers South Africans an extraordinary alternative to their traditional June holidays.
5 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
New Toyota Land Cruiser FJ likely to head for South Africa
Toyota South Africa Motors confirmed that the new FJ Cruiser is under consideration for South Africa and likely to be introduced locally in 2026. The Citizen's Jaco van der Merwe had a sneak peek at the vehicle at the recent Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo.
2 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The best of the best among SA's cows
The Agricultural Research Council recently presented its 47th annual National Performers Awards, which recognise outstanding achievements across various categories of performance and production. Farmer's Weekly is the proud sponsor of the National Best Elite Cow category, and the winners are presented below.
1 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Getting started on a cut-flower project
Setting up a cut-flower project takes some calculated risks to achieve success. Johannes Maree looks at some key factors to consider when starting up such a project.
3 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The growing power of aloe: South Africa's green gold
South Africa is home to more than 500 species of aloe, of which Aloe ferox, commonly known as bitter aloe or Cape aloe, has long been prized for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. Unlike A. vera, which dominates global markets and is cultivated extensively in tropical and subtropical regions, A. ferox is indigenous to South Africa and grows naturally across the semiarid regions of the Western and Eastern Cape.
6 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Study finds MKP spray may reduce strawberry pollen viability
Jaimee Harris from the Bee-Tech Group spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the use of monopotassium phosphate and concerns about the impact on strawberry fruit quality.
3 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Government of National Unity - Version 2.0
The leaders of the 10 political parties that constitute the Government of National Unity (GNU) met for an indaba during the first weekend of November 2025.
3 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Technology in hemp production
Carel van Niekerk Jr of Piket Implements spoke to Petri de Beer about the recent hemp trials in which the company participated, and the potential for the crop in South Africa.
3 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Building the ecological pyramid of grain resilience
South Africa's grain sector is undergoing rapid change as climate pressure, shifting crop profitability, and widening technology gaps reshape production patterns across several provinces.
2 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Groundnuts remain a ‘good choice' for farmers
According to the Crop Estimates Committee’s 9th production forecast for summer crops in the 2025/26 season, groundnut production is expected to see a 12,2% decline in plantings to reach 42 240ha (down from 48 125ha in the previous season).
2 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Company collaboration over two decades keeps growing agri equipment success
A collaboration that began over 20 years ago between Bolt and Engineering Distributors (BED) Klerksdorp and BPI Manufacturing, continues to drive agricultural equipment reliability and innovation across South Africa's agriculture sector.
2 min |
December 5-12, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Farmers 'unilateral victims' of climate
Gyeongbuk Provincial Council member Choi Taerim has demanded immediate and substantial support for apple farmers in the South Korean province, urging immediate measures for apple farmers affected by heat damage be implemented, The Asia Business Daily recently reported.
1 min |
November 21-28, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Top agri workers celebrated in the Western Cape
Shannon Robertson, assistant livestock manager at Boschendal near Franschhoek, was crowned the overall winner of the 2025 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards, held in Durbanville.
1 min |
November 21-28, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Smart dairying: running Jerseys on pasture
The dairy farming sector has seen innovation in milk parlour and cow comfort technology that have allowed farmers to not only yield higher volumes, but extend the productive lifespan of their cows. Albrecht de Jager told Henning Naudé about his approach to maintaining a pasture-raised Jersey herd while utilising precise data measuring technology to ensure quality milk output and optimal cow comfort.
6 min |
November 21-28, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
High-performance dairy farming in the Eastern Cape: the Rufus Dreyer approach
Dairy farming is often described as one of the most technically demanding and strategically complex branches of agriculture.
6 min |
November 21-28, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Africa's specialty coffee scene: from everyday brew to artisan craft
Roland Urwin, café owner and coffee researcher, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how South Africa's evolving specialty coffee culture mirrors global trends, prioritising craftsmanship, origin, and quality-driven consumer experiences.
6 min |
November 21-28, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Design your stables and camps to assist in AHS control
Keep horses away from areas where disease-carrying midges multiply, like natural pools, lakes, streams and dams, advises Dr Mac.
2 min |