Fighting succulent poachers with sniffer dogs

A boost in the global demand for collectable ornamental’ plants has seen the illegal trade in South African succulents rocket in recent years. Mike Burgess explores a new Endangered Wildlife Trust tactic.

Getting the best out of pear orchards

GA Erasmus en Seuns Boerdery in the Western Cape Overberg won the award for the best income per hectare for pears in this year's Two-a-Day Awards Ceremony. George Erasmus and Nico Ferreira spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the farm's pear production strategy.

From a DJ to a farmer

Lubabalo Ngcwembe, Eastern Cape finalist for the 2023 Agricultural Research Council's National Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo Award that aims to honour the county's best emerging beef farmers, is from the Qonce area. Mike Burgess recently visited him to better understand his unique experiences.

How Kalahari puff adders react to climate change may be key to their survival strategies

Wits University PhD candidate Azraa Ebrahim tells Farmer's Weekly of her research on puff adder thermal biology and space use, and dispels some of the fears that people have of these fascinating creatures.

Why are so many of us bad at listening?

Outstanding managers are always good communicators, and good communicators are always good listeners, says Peter Hughes.

Witzenberg worker scoops Prestige Agri Awards title

Vivian Jakobs from Crispy Farming, Du Toit Group in Witzenberg, was recently crowned the 2023 Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards winner.

Female farmworkers march

About 100 women marched to Parliament to urge government to improve conditions in the agriculture sector, writes Jyothi Laldas.

Pupils shine as EduPlant finals winners are announced

Pressing global challenges of climate change, food sovereignty, and ecological conservation are addressed through the EduPlant competition, writes Jyothi Laldas.

South African farmers actively participate in conservation efforts

WWF sustainable food systems manager says cost of living is the most severe global risk over next two years, writes Glenneis Kriel.

New Grain SA CEO described as 'ideal choice'

Grain SA chairperson Derek Mathews has welcomed the appointment of officer of the organisation, describing him as the ideal choice.

KZN 2023/25 agri internship programme begins

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently welcomed 97 new graduate interns.

Citrus yields get a boost

These brothers installed computerised irrigation and fertigation systems to improve their citrus yields.

Unpacking the value of AGOA two decades on

The African Growth and Opportunity Act deal expires in 2025. In this article, Prof David Luke at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, London School of Economics and Political Science, looks at what it’s achieved in 23 years.

Africa needs to take advantage of these technologies

In this article, we look at irrigation technologies that can help improve African farmers' crop yields and profits. prikkel extended

The impressive GWM P-Series LTD

It is remarkable how the motoring industry, much like the agriculture sector, goes up and down. The technological advancements recently introduced in multiple vehicles across various price brackets demonstrate how affordable technology has become.

A 'flop' that turned into a winning wine

If you are looking for a dessert wine or something different to pair with a cheese board or oysters, try Delheim Estate’s Noble Late Harvest, Edelspatz Riesling.

Global warming and heat stress in horses

The maximum daily temperatures are climbing globally, and stable management approaches may have to be changed

Getting your soil ready for carrot planting

Carrots have a deep root system and this needs to be taken into account when preparing the soil for this crop

Counting the cost of the highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak on country

Zimbini Mdlulwa, director of Agricultural Economic Services at the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, looks at the socio-economic impact of the bird flu outbreak sweeping the poultry industry across the country.

Keep the pest police on call

Bats and owls have a significant contribution to make to controlling pests on farms. Provide them with adequate housing, and these insect and rodent eaters will offer a cost-effective, consistent pest-control service. Lindi Botha looks at best practices for building and erecting owl and bat boxes.

Ensuring the survival of landrace cannabis genetics

In the bustling landscape of the cannabis industry, a silent movement is underway, one that seeks to protect the past amid the relentless wave of innovation, says.

Do we need generic advertising?

In South Africa, the major generic adverting programmes are run with very low budgets and the benefits probably exceed the cost of these campaigns, says.

Support for African women in agriculture

African women in agriculture have can take their agribusiness to the next level with investment opportunities from the LadyAgri Impact Investment Hub.

AfriForum presents memorandum to president

Civil rights group AfriForum handed a memorandum to President Cyril Ramaphosa recently as part of their efforts to address and arrest the spate of farm murders in the country.

Cape beekeepers excel in UK honey competition

A 23-year-old beekeeper from St Helena Bay on the West Coast, Dawid Rooifontein, is taking the honey industry by storm after winning one of the international categories in the UK’s National Honey Show.

Farmers showcased at market day

Rising farmers from 40 community food gardens across South Africa were given the opportunity to sell their fresh, organically grown produce to the public through the Shoprite and Checkers’ Market Day recently.

Salmon farming could halt in Tasmania to protect rare fish species

The salmon farming industry could be completely halted in Tasmania due to the decline of the Maugean skate, said the Australian federal environment ministry.

SA Canegrowers says sugar tax will kill jobs and put livelihoods at risk

SA Canegrowers says the tax increase was decided on without any consultation with the sugar industry and other affected stakeholders

The huge cost of weeds

Losses due to weeds in lands and weed seeds in commercial grains in South Africa in 1985 were estimated at R1 billion a year [R11,5 billion today], according to Dr WP Grobbelaar, [then] chief director of agronomy of the [then] Department of Agriculture and Water Supply.

Huge vulture relocation project gets the green light

The largest relocation of vultures ever undertaken reached a critical milestone when approval was granted to move a first tranche of 155 birds to a new home in the Eastern Cape.