Business
Farmer's Weekly
Tough decisions needed to sustain agricultural growth
In the face of severe budget contraints in the public sector and more pressing priorities on National Treasury's plate, policy practitioners may need some innovative financial models
2 min |
July 4 - 11, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Agri-Expo shows go from strength to strength
While a few shows have disappeared since the 1990s, those that have remained have seen a major revival, Breyton Milford, general manager of Agri-Expo, told Farmer’s Weekly after the annual Agri-Expo Members’ Show meeting held near Grabouw in the Western Cape.
1 min |
July 4 - 11, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Madikwe elephant neglect damned in Parliament
In a presentation to Parliament in June, Douglas Wolhuter, Wildlife Protection Unit manager at the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), condemned the North West Parks and Tourism Board and provincial authorities for years of neglect and mismanagement in the province's Madikwe Game Reserve.
1 min |
July 4 - 11, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
ARC urges zero-waste veg crops in marginal areas
The majority of South Africa’s land surface is not considered arable, with only about 16% of the 1,22 million km² of the country’s surface suitable for cultivation.
1 min |
July 4 - 11, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Illegal sand mining is crippling sugar cane farmers
Armed illegal sand miners along the Komati River in Mpumalanga have become a law unto themselves, with farmers and authorities powerless to prevent rampant theft.
2 min |
July 4 - 11, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
FMD biosecurity: a fundamental shift from reactive containment to proactive prevention
The red meat industry in South Africa faces considerable challenges, primarily due to recurrent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which critically threaten both domestic productivity and international trade relationships.
2 min |
July 4 - 11, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Hard work pays off for small-scale farmer
The small-scale farmer featured in this article went through the mill before he turned things around.
2 min |
July 4 - 11, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Fight fire with flow: step-by-step strategy
Unwanted wildfires across South and Southern Africa have surged in number and intensity over recent years, according to the International Association of Wildland Fire.
2 min |
July 4 - 11, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Pullman Cape Town City Centre adapts to modern travel demands
Brian Berkman visited the Accor Hotel Group’s first Pullman-branded hotel in South Africa, formerly a Radisson Blu, and found that subtle changes enhanced the guest experience.
3 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Food quality and safety beyond what we see
Food and product testing are essential for safety, quality, and compliance in agriculture and food. Magda du Toit visited SciCorp Laboratories to learn more about its role in supporting the food value chain.
2 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
DIY: biochar on a budget
Despite its potential benefits, biochar is generally too expensive for most farmers to buy. For this reason, Wihan Bekker, civil engineer at Ikhala Impact, explained to Glenneis Kriel how farmers can make their own.
6 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Essential oils venture empowers Keiskammahoek farmers
Qobo Qobo Essential Oils Incubator, a rural enterprise in Keiskammahoek, Eastern Cape, is creating jobs through the cultivation and export of essential oils.
1 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
How to create a closed terrarium
It’s rewarding to watch a self-sustaining ecosystem flourish in a sealed glass container; even more so if you created it yourself, says Linda Piegl.
2 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Stories with strong social messages
In her selection this week, Patricia McCracken reviews both fiction and non-fiction titles, placing the spotlight on crime, online red flags for teenagers, and some delightful dog-walking tales, too.
2 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Road Freight Association marks 50th anniversary
In a celebration that brought together industry leaders, policy experts and long-time members, the Road Freight Association (RFA) marked its 50th anniversary at its annual convention held at the Champagne Sports Resort ina KwaZulu-Natal’s Central Drakensberg.
1 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Onion prices higher at the start of winter as demand strengthens
This week, Absa AgriBusiness provides an overview of the current market trends, expected price movements, and the factors influencing key vegetable markets during winter.
2 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
June means it's time to vaccinate against African horse sickness
Dr Mac suggests some practical ways for horse owners to pool their resources and make annual vaccination time a trouble-free experience.
2 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Foton Tunland: not perfect, but offers bang for your buck
Unlike many other Chinese bakkies making their way to South Africa for the first time, the Foton Tunland is a more familiar face. The Citizen's Charl Bosch put two of the returning manufacturer's bakkies to the test.
5 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
'The functionally efficient and profitable Beefmaster'
Guy Rensburg, owner of Rensgrow Beefmasters near Komga in the Eastern Cape, spoke to Janine Ryan about why he chooses to farm easy-to-care-for Beefmasters.
5 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Cutting-edge tech and equipment can improve profitability in apple and pear orchards
To truly grow more with less, farmers need to explore new technologies and keep these in mind when planning and planting new orchards. Magda du Toit spoke to industry experts about the latest and best equipment and technology available, all designed with one goal in mind: to improve production and cost-effectiveness.
8 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Calf rearing: the secret to dairy success
Calves play the most important role in the production chain, according to this Caledon farmer.
3 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Revised White Paper could see a shake-up of local government
While everybody was focused on the recent Trump-Ramaphosa White House discussions, and other geopolitical conflicts, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa made a very important announcement regarding local government in South Africa. He announced the beginning of a review of the White Paper on Local Government.
3 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Avo waffles with savoury mince
Want to make Belgian waffles green with envy? Try these avocado waffles loaded with savoury mince and topped with slices of fresh avocado. Recipe and photo: South African Avocado Growers' Association.
1 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The importance of standardised testing in accurate livestock genetic evaluations
Freek Botes and Melville Ferreira, senior research technicians, and Dr Ben Greyling, research team manager, all of the Agricultural Research Council's Beef Cattle Improvement Scheme, explain why consistency is crucial when calculating estimated breeding values in livestock production. They also review the importance of standardised performance testing procedures.
4 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Innovation in apple and pear production
Advancement in the pome fruit industry includes cultivar development, enhanced production methods, and upgraded logistics to overcome barriers in export channels. Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, and Henk Griessel, Tru-Cape's quality assurance manager, spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee about the industry's view on innovation in apple and pear production and exports.
5 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Unpacking the EU’s plastic and packaging waste requirements for SA exporters
South African exporters are being urged to comply with the EU's packaging rules or risk market loss and missed sustainability opportunities. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports.
3 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Can farmers cash in on retail trends?
Farmers are largely supplying their produce to the wholesale trade, but with a distinct global shift to online shopping, more producers should be engaging these consumers, writes Dr Koos Coetzee.
3 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Beware the burn of the Capsicum chinense!
The habanero chilli pepper is native to South America. With its distinct fragrance and flavour, it is enjoyed by many people as a condiment, and its varieties include some of the world’s hottest chillies, writes Bill Kerr.
2 min |
June 27, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
'Make yourself indispensable to ensure your future in farming'
Not only is Johan Odendal farming to leave a legacy for his three children, but he is also looking out for the interests of his fellow farmers through his role as chairperson of the Young Farmer Committee at Free State Agriculture. He spoke to Sabrina Dean about his approach to farming and his thoughts on the sector.
8 min |
June 20, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Karan Beef managing impact of FMD outbreak
Karan Beef has suspended cattle intake at its Heidelberg feedlot following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which was confirmed in early June.
2 min |