How NERPO is adapting to a changing livestock sector
Changes in the livestock business environment have motivated the National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (NERPO) to review its strategy and improve services to its members. NERPO managing director Aggrey...
Building a mega business through egg production
Toyota South Africa/Agri SA’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2019, Johan van der Schyff, whose agricultural concern has operations across the Southern and Eastern Cape, has utilised the advantages...
Fresh produce theft: farmers lose billions every year
The theft of agricultural produce costs South African farmers billions of rand a year, not only through the loss of produce, but in additional expenses, such as fencing, to improve...
Equipping young leaders in agriculture to lead
The Syngenta Leadership Academy is aimed at empowering a new generation of leaders in agriculture. Siyanda Sishuba spoke to three alumni of the programme about their experience and the lessons...
Investing in financial markets
In general, South African investors have seen meagre returns on their savings and retirement portfolios over the past few years. Indeed, some wonder whether it would not be better to...
Stats SA says thank you to the commercial farming community
The 2017 Census of Commercial Agriculture by Statistics South Africa showed that the total number of farming units involved in commercial agriculture in that year 2017 was 40 122, and...
Getting down to business with geese farming
Anton and Sharon Kock’s Ember Down goose down and feather business has been built on ethical farming practices, attention to detail and meticulous management.
Drape Net ensures better yield and top-quality produce
Sunburn and related disorders, such as sunscald, can cause substantial losses of marketable produce and revenue. Drape Net, imported and distributed by Nulandis, offers farmers a durable, easy-to-install, cost-effective solution...
Two young cattle farmers bring auctions to communal areas
Agriculture offers many opportunities for wealth creation, and young South Africans who are passionate about the sector should use their skills to establish new businesses, say Soyama Mthongana and Athenkosi...
Lessons learnt from land reform
The Karsten and Dutoit groups are amongst the largest farming companies in South Africa and have holdings across the country. Both were involved in land reform long before the current...
A high-yield indoor farming system ideal for the city
As prolonged droughts occur more frequently in South Africa, some entrepreneurs are investing in and developing new technology and farming methods, such as indoor growing systems, that ensure consistent, high-quality...
Cultivar-pure pecan trees for your orchards
Why produce pecan nuts when you wait many years to break even, and even longer to make a decent profit?
Polish poultry sector: biggest in Europe and growing
The Polish National Agricultural Support Centre recently hosted Farmer’s Weekly news editor Julinda Schroeder on a four-day study tour to Poland, where she had the opportunity to have a closer...
In the fight against Covid-19, help is now even closer at hand
The free 911 Response24 app will now enable you to get the help and information you need with regards to COVID-19.
Transformation project stands as an example
Despite ongoing delays and red tape, Merino stud breeder Eddie Prinsloo and eight of his employees have begun farming in partnership in a business known as the Donkerhoek Farming Project....
Inside a family-run abattoir that slaughters 800 cattle a day
The Beefmaster Group’s abattoir in Kimberley can process up to 800 cattle a day. Roelie van Reenen, the group’s supply-chain executive, spoke to Sabrina Dean about how the group operates...
Microgreens: a tiny crop with big returns
What started out as a hobby has turned into an exciting farming venture for Melanie and Jan-Hendrik du Plessis of Sabie, Mpumalanga. Lindi Botha visited the couple’s microgreen farm, Bumblebee...
Elegant country living for all ages
St John’s Village, set on 160ha of lush countryside in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), is renowned for its active outdoor lifestyle with secure homes and retirement opportunities.
Inside SA’s biggest orchid business
What started out with a couple of plants bought at an orchid show in the 1960s, has turned into one of South Africa’s biggest orchid companies, Duckitt Nurseries. Wilferd Duckitt,...
Value-adding boosts hydroponics venture
Basil Williams, the managing director of Herbal View Hydroponics, cultivates 3t of various herbs per month on just 1ha of land. Recently, he also tapped into the enormous potential of...
