Animals-and-Pets
Farmer's Weekly
Phone in your pocket: the digital literacy that farmers need
The mobile phone has become one of the most important tools an emerging farmer owns, but access alone does not guarantee better decisions or higher returns. Cobus du Plessis explores why digital literacy, rather than technology itself, is the critical missing link in digital agriculture.
8 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Irrigation automation in action
Two producers spoke to Netafim Southern & East Africa's Marike Brits about their experiences with non-automated and automated irrigation, highlighting the benefits of switching to the latter.
5 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Performance testing made Bonsmara SA's most trusted beef breed
Decades of compulsory performance testing has shaped the Bonsmara into a reliable, data-driven beef breed. By prioritising measurable function over appearance, Bonsmara breeders have built a transparent genetic system that delivers proven performance, adaptability, and commercial relevance.
5 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa's magnificent gum trees
Since the 1830s, over 85 gum tree species have been successfully introduced to South Africa. Mike Burgess writes about the gum's destructive, invasive tendencies, but also its many gifts to South Africans.
2 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Annual harvest celebration honours wine industry leaders for setting benchmarks
At the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event, held recently at Groot Constantia Wine Farm in Cape Town, top wine professionals were honoured for setting standards their peers can aspire to.
1 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Bonsmara proves its worth in the tough times
Bonsmara producer Justin Stirk farms in an area in the Eastern Cape where seasons don't follow normal patterns and no part of the farm is the same as another. Sabrina Dean found out more about his production practices in such a variable scenario.
10+ min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Notable increase in subtropical crops puts pressure on prices
Market conditions will dominate the list of concerns in the subtropical crops sector this year, as tariff volatility is expected to continue. The citrus, avocado, and macadamia industries are all expecting an increase in yields this year, increasing the pressure to balance supply and demand.
6 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The high cost of cheap stitches
There is a particular brand of anxiety found in unrequited loyalty.
1 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Zambia's silent crisis: why heat stress is the new frontier for public health
As temperatures in Zambia near 40°C, farmers face a hidden health emergency. Research led by medical scientist Anayawa Nyambe, a researcher at the University of Zambia, shows heat stress is driving widespread illness and cognitive decline in rural workers, yet the national health system remains largely blind to the risk.
5 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Early emergence starts at planting with the Case IH Early Riser planter
By helping crops emerge sooner and more evenly, the Early Riser planter supports stronger establishment - laying the foundation for the season ahead.
2 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa's 2025/26 winter crop production estimate slashed once more
South Africa's 2025/26 winter crop harvest process is virtually over, having been planted in May 2025.
3 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Wheat cultivars based on growth period
Any producer can mitigate environmental instability by planting a package of cultivars that will extend the production season.
2 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Profit pressure puts barley on same path as wheat
Malting barley production is coming under increasing pressure, echoing the challenges facing the wheat industry, as weakening profitability forces producers to reconsider their planting decisions.
2 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Fresh vegetable market trends in the new year
This article by Zama Sangweni explores how cabbages, carrots, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes performed on the markets towards the end of 2025 and into the start of the new year.
3 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
UCT student constructs three-bedroom home using soil and recycled waste
\"University of Cape Town (UCT) student Matimba Mabonda and his team have completed the construction of a three-bedroom house built using soil and waste materials, offering a practical and scalable response to South Africa's housing and waste challenges.
3 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Keeping a close eye out for heatstroke in pigs
With hot months ahead, pig farmers should be on the lookout for heatstroke in their pigs.
3 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Is Venezuela the first domino?
At the end of 2025 the general global expectations were that the Trump administration would use the 250th anniversary of US independence on 4 July to continue the global turmoil created by tariffs last year.
3 min |
February 27 - March 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The foot-and-mouth disease threat is growing
Foot-and-mouth disease poses a growing threat to the livestock industry, especially communal farmers, with devastating economic consequences unless awareness and compliance improve, writes Shane Brody.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Shipping conditions to ease in 2026, but risk remains high
Early signs suggest a more favourable export season for South African producers, as easing global shipping congestion and improved performance by Transnet point to higher throughput at local ports. Lindi Botha reports.
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
A path of accelerating land reform in South Africa
Delivering the ANC's January 8th Statement a few weeks ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted, amongst other things, that: “Land reform remains one of the most urgent tasks of the National Democratic Revolution. While progress has been made, much more is required to give effect to the constitutional requirement for redress and equitable access to land.”
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Reflections on 2025 and the policy space for 2026
The year 2025 was a year characterised initially by a wave of misinformation, particularly relating to legislation and tariff issues. This year some big moves are expected in the trade space.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
From planning to peak lay: building a profitable egg business
Mpumalanga poultry farmer Lebogang Mashego spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel, and shared practical insights on planning, building systems that work, breed choice, feed management, and markets to build a profitable and sustainable egg business.
5 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Impofu Wind Farm becomes a canvas for community connection through Enel's Blowing Art Initiative
Enel Green Power South Africa has introduced the Blowing Art Initiative at the Impofu Wind Farm in the Eastern Cape, a creative community project that turns renewable energy infrastructure into a living gallery.
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Geely is intent on hanging around
Having fallen off the radar around a decade ago following a short local stint, Chinese manufacturer Geely has announced its proposed return to South Africa towards the end of 2026. The Citizen's Jaco van der Merwe reports.
4 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Great reads to enjoy during ‘me-time'
Patricia McCracken has plucked an assortment of fascinating titles covering different areas of interest, from coastal exploration and dining in the wild, to African traditions surrounding love and marriage.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Thokoman Peanut Butter marks 25-year milestone with R500 000 commitment to food security
Thokoman Peanut Butter, one of South Africa's biggest producers of peanut butter, celebrates 25 years of consistent quality and community support, marking the occasion with a significant R500 000 partnership with Hot 102.7's Hot Cares initiative for 2026.
2 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
South Africa's famous wandering hippo
From 1928 to 1931, a hippopotamus trekked 1 600km from what was then northern Natal to the Eastern Cape's Keiskamma River near Peddie, where it was shot dead by a posse of farmers. As Mike Burgess writes, this journey would immortalise the hippo in South African history.
3 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
The heroics of fighter Gideon Scheepers
The execution by the British of a young Boer commandant is seen by many as a miscarriage of justice. He was captured after he fell seriously ill and was unable to flee. Graham Jooste reported.
6 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
How coral reefs can help combat hunger
With the global population reaching 8,3 billion, scientists are increasingly looking to the oceans to solve burgeoning food security crises.
1 min |
January 30 - February 06, 2026
Farmer's Weekly
Zimbabwe's dairy industry on the rebound
According to government officials, Zimbabwe's dairy industry is well on its way to revitalisation and modernisation.
2 min |