Business
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 |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Vicar technology: sure bet for faster and smarter spraying
European mist blower spraying technology is now available in South Africa, which allows users to work faster and with greater efficiency
5 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Opel Grandland puts on a brand-new suit
Available initially as a single model in GS Line guise, the second modern Opel SUV after the Mokka additionally incorporates the latest version of Rüsselsheim’s Bold and Pure styling language, though with a subtle difference from its smaller sibling.
2 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
How the ECRDA is driving the development of rural agriculture
Simpiwe Somdyala, CEO of the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency, speaks about the agency's ambitious plans to significantly increase agricultural production in the province. Janine Ryan reports.
3 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Disease comes knocking when the chain breaks
Biosecurity in feed management is a crucial aspect of disease prevention. Bonita Cilliers, technical and regulatory adviser of the Animal Feed Manufacturers' Association, spoke to Nichelle Steyn.
5 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Nuanced fresh produce trends present opportunities for sharp marketers
Werner van Rooyen, chief operating officer of the Fresh Produce Exporters Forum, unpacks the fresh produce trends that will drive growth over the short to medium terms. Lindi Botha reports.
2 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Capsicum pubescens: the very different chilli pepper
This species is grossly underrated, most probably due to climatic restrictions as to where it can be grown
2 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Tricky dragon fruit: don't give up; fine-tune!
Dragon fruit farming in South Africa has been fraught with challenges, resulting in many undertakings being abandoned. But perseverance pays off, and through constant fine-tuning, Freddie Steyn has triumphed. He shared his recipe for success with Lindi Botha.
9 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Biological control not a quick fix, warns researcher
Biological pest control holds significant potential for agriculture, but growers need to understand both its advantages and limitations before adopting it, warned Dr Francois Gulu Bekker, researcher at Stellenbosch University.
2 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Nampo Cape 2025: going from strength to strength
Nampo Cape 2025 promises something for everyone, with livestock shows, equipment on display and an international tentpegging contest.
2 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Producing your own cabbage seedlings
Farmers living in communal farming regions may feel that they are unable to grow cabbages because they don't have access to places selling seedlings. Shane Brody has a solution for them.
3 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Harnessing traditional farming wisdom in SA's cannabis boom
The methods, skills and tricks of local communities are practical and 'green', and tie us to our roots. We've got to listen to the people who've kept this knowledge alive
3 min |
August 29 - September 05, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Zimbabwe's agriculture sector on the way to recovery
According to Forbes Africa, Zimbabwe's agriculture sector is well on its way to recovery after decades of economic strain and crippling drought, partly thanks to a US$10,12 million (about R177 million) grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
1 min |