Business
Farmer's Weekly
Afrikaner - a hardy breed making its mark in feedlots
The Afrikaner cattle breed is prized for its indigenous hardiness, natural resistance, high fertility and ease of calving. Sabrina Dean found out more about the breed from Julian Balt, who was recently elected president of the Afrikaner Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa.
4 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
We need in-depth research on land and agriculture policy
With the regulatory environment remaining constant for the past three decades and showing limited changes, Dr Sifiso Ntombela believes there are burning issues that policy researchers should address.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Why the FMD crisis will not have a lasting effect on beef prices
Consumers already suffering from higher prices for items like communication, electricity, rates and taxes cannot afford to pay more for beef
3 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The modern Afrikaner breed is a formidable contender in SA
The present-day Afrikaner is a beef cattle breed that makes financial sense for producers. The realities of beef production in South Africa call for highly effective, fertile, and economical cattle breeds like the Afrikaner, writes Annelie Coleman.
4 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Mexican tomatoes face 17% tariff
The US recently announced that it would be withdrawing a 2019 trade agreement that provided tariff-free access to tomatoes from Mexico to the US, EL PAÍS reported.
1 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
SA citrus industry remains resilient amid EU import decline
While recent reports highlight a year-on-year decline in EU imports of oranges and grapefruits, South Africa's citrus industry is demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and even growth in key areas, offering a more optimistic outlook from the southern tip of Africa.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Worker bonuses: what employers should know
Contrary to belief by some workers, employers are actually not legally obliged to pay year-end bonuses to their staff. To avoid any misconceptions between the parties, Meyer Louw suggests an upfront approach.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Reliable, quality output: Afrikaner breeding success
Afrikaner cattle are known as a low-maintenance, high-output breed. Their adaptability and positive crossbreeding results give farmers assurance that they are making a safe investment decision. Pierre-André Cronjé, owner of the Grootkuil stud, told Henning Naudé why Afrikaners are his breed of choice.
5 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Petrol-burning Porsche Cayenne GTS lives large in a changing world
The Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupé shatters SUV stereotypes, delivering thrilling performance and an intoxicating V8 soundtrack. This powerhouse proves that a practical family vehicle can indeed be a dynamic, purist-pleasing driver's car
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Desert cattle operation reaps rewards of regenerative agriculture
Kalahari farmer Willie Storm has used regenerative agriculture practices to improve his cattle stocking capacity from the area norm of around 21ha per large stock unit (LSU) to 5ha/LSU. He spoke to Sabrina Dean.
10+ min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Employment equity targets a missed opportunity
Ofall the policy areas that we work with, transformation remains the most controversial and delicate.
3 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Spanish court sets precedent in ruling on 'industrial livestock harm'
In a first-of-its-kind judgment, the High Court of Justice of Galicia in Spain has ruled that government and its authorities have an obligation to protect citizens from industrial livestock harm, ClientEarth.org recently reported.
1 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Evaluating the efficacy of plant-enhancing products in seed production
The Bee-Tech Group is trialling 11 plant-enhancing products to assess their impact on pollen quality, an overlooked yet vital indicator of seed production and crop resilience under climate stress.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Spinach by another name
Spinach lovers might be surprised to know that the vegetable they enjoy for its succulent leaves is not spinach, but Swiss chard. The term spinach is loosely used in South Africa.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Research confirms Karoo lamb as better option
Two recent studies from Stellenbosch University (SU) offer strong scientific support for what many Karoo farmers have long believed: authentic Karoo lamb, raised on natural veld, not only delivers superior flavour, but also offers nutritional advantages over feedlot-finished meat.
1 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Grains value chain round table Q3 update
The Grains Value Chain Round Table is driving inclusive growth in South Africa's grain sector through progress in trade, infrastructure, transformation, research and policy, supporting farmers and advancing the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan.
3 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Lessons from SA's first regenerative verified wine farm
Earlier this year, Hartenberg Wine Estate, owned by the Mackenzie family, became the first wine farm in South Africa, and the second in the world, to achieve regenerative verification under the Ecological Outcome Verification framework. Viticulturist Wilhelm Joubert shared the lessons they have learnt on this transformative journey.
7 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The importance of pivot sprinkler systems for irrigation efficiency
Irrigation efficiency and uniformity are largely determined by correct sprinkler selection for your farm and your crop.
3 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Sweet itch in horses: what is it and how can it be controlled?
The affliction is mainly seen in pastured horses, especially those that sleep out at night and are exposed to midges, writes Dr Mac.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Rising living costs hitting South Africans hard
Mounting living costs are hitting South Africans hard especially in light of increasing electricity prices, as well hikes in rates and taxes in major metros. According to a report by Daily Investor, many South African households were under severe financial pressure as living costs outstripped incomes.
1 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Global trade slows down amid policy uncertainty
Growth in global trade is expected to slow markedly this year off the back of rapidly shifting policies and persistent tariff uncertainty.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Making a mark on agriculture through education
As we celebrate Women's Month, Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to Dr Hlamalani Ngwenya about her remarkable journey from a home economics teacher to a globally recognised leader in agricultural extension, and the broader agri-food systems. Through resilience, purpose, and a deep belief in people, Ngwenya continues to open doors for women in agriculture.
6 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Thinking of farming Afrikaners? Here's what you should know
Free State cattle farmer Jannie Visagie spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the resilience, adaptability, and economic benefits of the Afrikaner cattle breed. He shares valuable insights and practical advice for farmers considering this hardy breed for South African conditions.
6 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Investment opportunities in sustainable agriculture
A recently released report in partnership with the Western Cape government focuses extensively on the benefits of alternative energy systems to farmers.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Strategies to prevent water contamination of food
Decades of South African research reveal key blueprints to reduce water contamination in fruit and vegetables. Loandi Richter-Mouton and Lise Korsten of the University of Pretoria share some of their counter-measures.
3 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Responsible ways to keep CLA at bay - rather safe than sorry
This chronic bacterial disease predominantly affects goats and sheep, but as Shane Brody writes, the risks can be minimised with responsible preventative and treatment measures by farmers.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Women making a mark in agriculture
Every year in August, coinciding with National Women's Day on 9 August, we dedicate the early August issue to women in agriculture. While we feature women in Farmer's Weekly throughout the year, and not only in the month of August, we like to draw specific attention to women in the sector during this month. This issue is no different, and we bring you two articles that focus on spectacular women in the sector.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Maximising tyre performance
Farmers often underestimate the value of using premium-quality tyres in good condition. Willouw Goosen, Bridgestone's development manager of Agri, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about common mistakes farmers make that negatively impact tyre performance.
6 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Oil price – what the projections are for the next few months
Armed conflict in the Middle East, where a significant part of the world's oil is produced, highlights the uncertainty around political and military dynamics within this region, according to Absa AgriBusiness.
2 min |
August 01-08, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Growing demand for meat as global incomes rise
Growing meat consumption and greater market opportunities in the East are two key trends expected to influence farmers in the coming decade.
2 min |