Business
Farmer's Weekly
Rabbit farming on the rise in South Africa
Rabbit farming is gaining traction in South Africa. Farmer Daisy Moleko spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the breeds, biosecurity, and market access opportunities driving growth in this niche livestock sector.
6 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Help us find a forever home on a farm for rescue dog Mac
Dear Farmer's Weekly, I am writing to you with an urgent and heartfelt plea to help us find the perfect forever home for a very special rescue dog named Mac.
2 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
AI could negate the need for extension officers
Artificial intelligence (AI) could help narrow the gap in production between commercial and emerging farmers.
2 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Potato app to help production, marketing decisions
At the Sandveld Potato Growers' Organisation's annual general meeting, recently held in Lambert's Bay in the Western Cape, farmers were encouraged to sign up to the Potatoes South Africa (Potatoes SA) app.
2 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Nelson Mandela Bay hosts youth agri indaba
Over 250 young people from across the Eastern Cape gathered at the historic Feather Market Hall in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) for the inaugural Youth in Agriculture Indaba, hosted by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture.
1 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Mashed potato crumpets
These crispy, cheesy breakfast delights are the ultimate comfort food — golden, savoury bites with hints of chilli and chives. Recipe and photo: South African Poultry Association.
1 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
SA agri exports up 6% in first quarter of 2025
South Africa's agricultural exports grew by 6% in the first quarter of 2025 to reach US$3,4 billion (around R60 billion), up from US$3,2 billion (around R57 billion) in the previous quarter, according to the latest data from the International Trade Centre.
1 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
UP veterinarian on why hoof care is essential for equine health and performance
Dr Yolandi Smit, equine surgery lecturer at the University of Pretoria, explores hoof health, the risks of neglect, and best practices to ensure horses remain comfortable, mobile, and able to perform at their peak.
2 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Two-decade milestone for local business is no small feat
Wuhlf Equipment, a South African manufacturer and importer of affordable and reliable heavy-duty equipment, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Founded in 2005 as QualiProd by brothers Johan and Carl Grobler, the company rebranded in 2015, and the Groblers now run the business with CEO Coert Steenberg. They spoke to Magda du Toit about the company's successes over the years and how they're weathering the ongoing challenges facing the agriculture sector.
6 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The mighty capsicums
An important part of the diets of millions of people worldwide, capsicums also boast stunning colours that brighten up gardens
2 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The story of rooibos, South Africa's indigenous tea
Over the past decade, rooibos production has fluctuated, with annual yields ranging between 10 000t and 18 000t. Combined international and local demand for this iconic South African product is currently stable. Marthane Swart, secretariat for the South African Rooibos Council, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the local rooibos industry.
6 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Beware the fury of the white-tailed gnu
White-tailed gnu, better known as black wildebeest, are used by some farmers to address security challenges. But these odd-looking antelope can be very dangerous under certain circumstances
2 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Barriers to insuring cannabis crops in South Africa
Local insurance companies remain reluctant to cover farmers who produce cannabis for recreational and commercial purposes, largely due to the industry's uncertain legal status
2 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Highlights from the 2025 Good Life Show
The Good Life Show, held recently at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, hosted close to 200 exhibits, thought-provoking talks, and hands-on experiences to promote healthy living. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various exhibitors about the value the event holds for them.
3 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Mohair trust holds knitting workshop for women
The Mohair Empowerment Trust (MET), in partnership with The Shearing Shed, recently hosted a three-day knitting workshop for 21 women from Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville and Aberdeen in the Eastern Cape, including MET farmers, farmworkers and their families.
1 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Blending indigenous farming with innovative business techniques
Seniren Naidoo, who farms in Upper Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal, has merged ancestral wisdom with modern business acumen to build a thriving agricultural enterprise. He spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about his operation, which is rooted in indigenous crops, sustainability, and innovation.
5 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Morphing proteins hold promise for farming
Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in the US have created artificial proteins that can change shape to adjust to their environment, just like some natural proteins in our bodies do. This breakthrough holds significant promise for the agriculture sector.
1 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Local dragon fruit market sees good season returns
The dragon fruit industry has continued its slow and steady growth, wrapping up a positive season in June.
2 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Suzuki 'half-loaf' will put in a full shift
The Nissan NP200 has been replaced by all sorts of alternatives including one-tonner single cabs, converted SUVs, and cargo hatchbacks. However, the most interesting of the lot is a unique little van called the Suzuki Eeco
2 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Stories of struggle from different angles
With South Africans celebrating Youth Day this month, the books that Patricia McCracken has selected this week have the past, present, and future of young people in mind.
2 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Profiting from tailor-made salad packs
In this article, we looked at how pillow pack marketing of vegetable greens and salads came as close as possible to the ultimate in farming for some.
3 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Melatonin extends shelf life of fresh produce
Researchers from MIT in the US and the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology have found a new way to extend the shelf life of fresh produce after harvest.
1 min |
June 13, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The saga of the Maid of Fort Beaufort
Graham Jooste tells a moving and poignant love story set against the backdrop of the war-torn Eastern Cape during the height of the Frontier Wars in the mid-1800s.
6 min |
June 13, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Ask Our Vet Feline panleukopaenia
Several farm cats live close to our dairy.
2 min |
June 13, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Tsitsikamma farmer support to boost food security
Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture Nonceba Kontsiwe recently visited the Tsitsikamma community to hand over critical farming supplies as part of the department's ongoing drive to improve food security and support emerging farmers.
1 min |
June 13, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
A walk back in time to the whaling days of The Bluff
A tour to the abandoned Old Whaling Station, now a world heritage site, brought up memories of a regrettable bygone industry, writes Yvonne Fontyn.
4 min |
June 13, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Global politics and economics threaten wine sales
South African wine producers face significant market risks, according to speakers at the South Africa Wine Summit held recently in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
2 min |
June 13, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Shifting weather, harvest cycles, and consumer demand
This week, Absa AgriBusiness analyses the trends that have influenced vegetable supply and demand dynamics at the major fresh produce markets over the past month.
2 min |
June 13, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Converting the Ford Ranger into a proper workhorse
The Citizen's Mark Jones looks at the tailor-made conversion solutions Ford offers for its range.
2 min |
June 13, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a down-to-earth, 57-year-old woman and former farmer, seeking a single, white gentleman farmer in his 50s or 60s in the Emalahleni area.
1 min |