Latest Agriculture News| Farmer's Weekly

Opinion

Thaba Chweu Municipal property rates court case explained

Len Dekker, senior director at law firm Len Dekker Attorneys, breaks down the recent Supreme Court of Appeal judgment that may be of interest to farmers.

Farmer’s Weekly celebrates 113 years on the land

As Farmer's Weekly celebrates its 113th anniversary, we reflect on our enduring commitment to providing accurate and reliable agricultural news. Our dedication to serving the farming community with excellence and...

Is organic farming the solution to fight food insecurity?

Consumers and legislators in the EU are pushing for food production methods that neutralise carbon emissions. What impact will this have on food availability, costs, exports and imports? Lindi Botha...

World

Russian grain crop not at risk despite flooding – agri minister

Russia expects to record its second largest grain harvest on record in 2024, following the record 147 million metric tons harvested in 2023, easing fears that the heavy flooding in...

‘Milking process’ suspected of spreading bird flu to cattle

Newly released research has found that the milking process could be a factor in the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza to dairy cows in the US.

Chocolate prices expected to continue rising as cocoa crisis deepens

A perfect storm of widespread illegal gold mining, climate change, mismanagement of the industry, and rapidly spreading disease are contributing to a potentially disastrous cocoa bean harvest in West Africa...

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News

Agri minister responds to Farmer’s Weekly readers’ questions

During an interview with Farmer’s Weekly, agriculture minister Senzeni Zokwana responded to questions posted by our readers on the publication’s Facebook page.

Cost of diesel expected to continue rising throughout 2021

After starting the year with fuel price increases of more than 40c/ℓ for petrol and 55c/ℓ for diesel, the Automobile Association (AA) indicated that it expected the petrol price for...

‘Minimum wage should create opportunities for the unemployed’

Agri SA has called on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) Commission to move its focus on the national minimum wage to the unemployed and the creation of job opportunities.

Big diesel price drop brings input cost relief for farmers

As things stand, South Africa’s summer crop farmers who hope to benefit from the significant drop in the diesel price from midnight on Tuesday, 6 October, are unlikely to have...

‘Uncertified venison could hurt the industry’

The future growth of the game meat industry is being hindered by meat sales that do not meet legal specifications and health regulations.

Court rules Zimbabwean permit termination unlawful

Zimbabwean exemption permit holders can breathe a little easier for the next 12 months, thanks to the Gauteng High Court finding the minister of Home Affairs’ decision to terminate these...

Business

Organic winemaking: where nature sets the pace

Reyneke Wines was among the first organic wineries in South Africa to receive a five-star rating in Platter’s Wine Guide. Owner Johan Reyneke spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his long...

Green tea revival

A once-destitute Seenteko tea farm has received an overhaul that will see a failed sector productive once more. Plandaí Biotechnology will produce green tea extract on the farm. Lindi van...

How to fight the effects of rolling blackouts and rising energy costs

Dr Idan Chiyanzu, Primrose Magama, Siyabonga Gasa and Erence Manyako, researchers at the Agricultural Research Council’s Natural Resources and Engineering Division, offer some advice to farmers on how they can...

GM & the new labelling laws

South Africa’s food label laws have been modified several times in recent years. Now, further far-reaching changes to food labelling legislation could be implemented by the end of the year...

How aquaponics is benefitting children at a Gauteng school

Lesedi la Kreste Anglican Primary School in Gauteng has incorporated aquaponics into its curriculum and feeding scheme for over a decade. Susan Marais visited the school to find out more...

How banana flour is helping Ugandan farmers

A presidential pilot project in Uganda is using value-adding to exploit a massive banana surplus, producing banana flour with biofuel as a byproduct. Robyn Joubert reports.

Lifestyle

The famous flattie

Why did the chicken cross the road? It wanted to be a flattie. A feeble joke, I grant you, but here is one heck of a fine way to cook...

Magnificent pork casserole

Is this not just totally, excessively marvellous in every way? There is literally nothing else your guest will be able to say, except … may I have some more?

Sweet and spicy

This enticing combination of tastes and textures comes from North Africa. The mix of honey, saffron and nuts is common in cooking from Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, and will ensure...

A stylish A-frame ‘thatch’

Jonno designed an A-frame home, with stonework outer walls for Cassie.

Farmer’s raspberry jam

There are few things in life as satisfying as whipping up a jar of home-made jam. This batch is easy to prepare, and is made entirely from natural ingredients, says...

Chicken in white wine with cream and mushrooms

This classic one-pot family meal owes much of its ongoing popularity to an amiable relationship with mushrooms. These fabulous fungi contribute to the feast with their delicious flavour as well...

Animals

Endurance riding through the Taurus Mountains

A long-distance ride in southern Turkey provides an interesting challenge to endurance riders, says Dr Mac.

Broiler production questions and answers

When Farmer’s Weekly recently offered on its Facebook page to assist readers with their broiler production questions, the response was overwhelming. We went knocking on the door of the KwaZulu-Natal...

The Bradburys’ racing methods

Last week I wrote about the champion stock of Bradbury Lofts, and this week's article focuses on their racing methods.

Small community fish farms – then and now

Certain non-negotiable measures are needed to make small, community-run fish farms successful.

How to deal with mites on poultry

Chickens are often targeted by mites, external parasites that can harm the birds and cause a farmer substantial financial loss. The problem occurs in summer, and is made worse when...

James Moore says goodbye to a lifetime of racing

James Moore is an ambassador for the sport of pigeon racing – and his pigeons have consistently done well in competitions, writes Thomas Smit.

Crops

Is your customer king?

It’s said that businesses most likely to survive a recession are those that genuinely believe the ‘customer is king’.

New top cultivars at Nampo

Seed breeders and suppliers provided colourful and informative exhibition stands yet again at Nampo Harvest Day 2007. In this week, we introduce you to some new champions in the field...

Pest management in peppers

Sweet peppers need adequate levels of potassium and nitrogen. Before planting, you should therefore have a soil analysis done and apply potassium accordingly.

Leading fruit farmer’s orchard renewal

Rossouw Cillié, Agri Writers’ SA Farmer of the Year, has a diversified enterprise with several production branches and a value-adding component. He told Denene Erasmus about his latest project –...

A growing market for SA’s world-class olive industry

The production and consumption of olives and olive oil are on the rise in South Africa. Magda du Toit spoke to farmers and other experts about the country’s burgeoning olive...

Who will best serve our markets?

Prior to previous elections, I’ve taken the opportunity to offer what I thought was wise counsel concerning the upgrading of SA’s fresh produce markets.