Business
Farmer's Weekly
veggie Award-winning farmer: don't be afraid to ask for advice!
Vegetable farmer Sophy Litshani Musabeni doesn't miss an opportunity to broaden her knowledge on agriculture. Doing her own research and speaking to those in the know, she has catapulted herself from a small-scale emerging farmer to a commercial success in just seven years.
7 min |
January 31, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Laying the foundation: important insights= for emerging farmers.
Farming requires patience, resilience, and strategic planning. Speaking to Octavia Avesca Spandiel, Duncan Serapelwane, owner of Moalosi Bonsmara, shares essential advice for emerging farmers, focusing on sustainability, budgeting, biosecurity, and leveraging nature for long-term success.
6 min |
January 31, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
The opportunities for South Africa in the G20 year
The year 2025 is going to be very different from what we experienced in 2024.
3 min |
January 31, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Upcycling sugar cane trash: the role of small-scale farmers
Involving small-scale farmers in the conversion of sugar cane trash to bioenergy has many benefits, write Prof Aluwani Maiwashe-Tagwi and postdoctoral fellow Unity Chipfupa, from the University of South Africa.
4 min |
January 31, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
Free fertiliser for all crops
This article showed that South African researchers were tracking bacteria that could help maize and other non-legumes bind nitrogen from the air.
3 min |
January 31, 2025
Farmer's Weekly
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
6 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
7 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
7 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
5 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
1 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Farmer protests in Europe
Throughout 2024, farmers have continuously staged protests against their governments in the EU. Most of these protests were in response to farmers feeling targeted by government climate-change policies and legislation.
2 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Global agriculture: news that made the headlines
Farmer protests, droughts and floods dominated international agricultural news throughout 2024. Here, Janine Ryan gives an overview of these challenges.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Something to scratch a head about
This article showed that if you interact with your pigs, your sows will be happy and their piglets will have better growth.
3 min |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Farmer's Weekly
ARC names best dairy producers of the year
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) recently announced the winners of the 2024 National Master Dairyman Awards at an event hosted by AgriExpo in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
1 min |
December 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Lion breeders to give up bone stockpiles?
The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment issued an official notice in mid-November in which it called on lion breeders to voluntarily hand over their lion bone stockpiles to the state as soon as possible.
1 min |
December 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Thousands of British farmers march on parliament against inheritance tax
Thousands of UK farmers gathered in London, England, on 19 November to demand the government repeal a proposed inheritance tax on agricultural land, which they argued threatened the future of family-run farms (see page 4), Al Jazeera reported.
1 min |
December 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Avocado frittata with sundried tomatoes, feta and olives
This wholesome, vibrant frittata is perfect for brunch or a light supper. Recipe and photo: The South African Avocado Growers' Association.
1 min |
December 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Feed, hay, and other costs are up, so it's time to get creative
Breeders and riding schools need to explore innovative ways to generate income in order to ensure their survival, says Dr Mac.
2 min |
December 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
How to make polystyrene seedling trays last longer
While thinking about how to prolong the lifespan of polystyrene seedling trays that are exposed to harsh sunlight, Bill Kerr began to wonder if a coat of paint might offer a solution.
2 min |
December 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Living the 'culture' in agriculture
Creation Wines has won numerous awards, was ranked fourth in the World’s Best Vineyards in 2023, and more recently won the V d’Or award for the Best Brand Experience. The owners, Carolyn and Jean-Claude Martin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how their winery became a top tourism destination.
10+ min |
December 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Time to take a deep breath on the slopes of the Magaliesberg
Around 100km from both Johannesburg and Pretoria in Gauteng and a tad over 40km from Rustenburg in North West, Farmer’s Weekly found a fine retreat on a working farm where couples may kindle their romance.
5 min |
December 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
African penguins could be extinct by 2035 how to save them
Protecting the critically endangered African penguin is good for the environment, other animal species, and the economy, say Lorien Pichegru and Dr Alistair McInnes of Nelson Mandela University, Katrin Ludynia of the University of Cape Town, and Peter Barham of the University of Bristol in the UK.
4 min |
December 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA
South American grass species from the genus Nassella were unwittingly introduced to South Africa over 120 years ago and continue to invade montane veld. As Mike Burgess writes, research-based action is required.
3 min |
December 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Dream Lodge: a digital detox destination
Dinner by candlelight and without digital distractions on an off-grid farm makes this North West lodge the ideal getaway for reconnecting with friends and family, writes Riaan Hattingh.
4 min |
December 06, 2024
Farmer's Weekly
Optimising nutrient availability for cattle
Nutrient circularity in cattle farming can help improve soil health and reduce farming costs. Ernest Makua, livestock technical adviser at Red Meat Industry Services, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about practical strategies for farmers to achieve sustainability and profitability in the industry.
6 min |