Business

The current carcass classification system used in South Africa does not determine the quality of an animal’s meat, and can be misleading to consumers. As such, there have been calls for a grading system to be implemented.

From politics to premium wines, the Graaff family continues to make its mark. Sir De Villiers Graaff, Fourth Baronet of the family and De Grendel Wine Estate, spoke to Brian Berkman about continuing the tradition.

As a farmer, there are numerous strategies you can implement independently to boost productivity in the short term. This includes using quality inputs like fertilisers and improved seeds and adopting innovative techniques to optimise your resources. However, if your goal is to truly succeed, you’ll need great partners for the journey.

When Rentia Boerdery in the Free State, needed to install a system to irrigate fields from a storage dam on a piece of their land with drier soil, they turned to Agrico.

WeGrow Piggery started with a 600-sow unit, and has since increased its herd to 1 300 sows. With a feed mill in the pipeline, WeGrow looks set to continue on its growth trajectory.

Pride Milling, a leader in South Africa’s maize industry, continues to grow through innovation, strategic expansion, and strong leadership under the guidance of CEO Jorrie Jordaan.

Hendrik Eksteen, CEO of Grow Fresh Produce Agents, says maintaining farmer relationships is key to the company’s success.

HarvestFresh Farms and Thebe Investment Corporation are committed not only to growing this already-thriving business but uplifting the community in the process.

Strategic collaborations have enabled some Eastern Cape partnerships to develop and commercialise products aimed at health-conscious South Africans.

Preserve Botanica is pioneering research into upcycling hops waste. CEO Wanda du Plessis spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the company’s groundbreaking findings and their potential impact on the industry.

Bakhusele Mathupha is the founder of Phawu Likum AgriPak, a rural agroecology co-operative based in the small town of kuGatyane in the Eastern Cape. Through this initiative, he has introduced a food forest to help combat food insecurity in the local community. Mathupha spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how collaboration, education, and a shared commitment to the land are empowering community members to create a self-sustaining food system while restoring the local environment.

At York Farm, just a stone’s throw from Ellisras in Limpopo, Johan van der Linde takes great pride in running his farm with the help of Agrico’s high-quality products and consistent service. “What Agrico does, they do well,” says Van der Linde.

Wind energy is now recognised as an essential part of South Africa’s energy mix. This is good news for farmers and other landowners, who may generate additional income by leasing a small portion of their land for development.

Janus de Klerk of the Bekker Group explains how Farmable has improved farm management across citrus, wheat, and canola operations. The app simplifies compliance, task management, and data analysis.

In this article, Brian Berkman visits the picturesque Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate in Hermanus, where the team consistently looks for a perfect product in smaller quantities rather than an average one in bulk.

Brian Berkman visited Klein Botrivier Farm, on Karwyderskraal Road in the Overberg’s Bot River, to learn about Melissa Genevieve Nelsen’s Méthode Cap Classique winemaking.

South Africa’s almond industry stands on the brink of a new era filled with growth and opportunity, thanks to the country’s favorable climate and soil conditions. More farmers are entering the market, seeing almonds as a profitable crop.

Dean Barnard, the Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of Year for 2024, grows hops and plums near Waboomskraal in the Western Cape. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the ongoing refinement of his production techniques, and how he overcame his struggles with anxiety to achieve remarkable success.

Lindie-Alet van Staden from L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek was named the 2024 Prestige Agri Worker of the Year. She spoke to Glenneis Kriel at her vegetable garden in Somerset West.

The Majeje Citrus Farm can be seen as a landmark project that boosts the agriculture sector’s transformation efforts in Limpopo, benefits the local community, and accelerates inclusivity.