Suspected case of FMD in Western Cape, farm under quarantine
Veterinary authorities have placed a farm in Gouda, Western Cape, under quarantine amid an investigation into a suspected foot-and-mouth disease case, believed to be linked to the recent movement of...
La Niña expected to bring above-normal early-summer rain
Above-normal early-summer rainfall is expected to ease from mid- to late summer, possibly signalling the start of a longer dry cycle.
Thirteen arrested after Free State farm attack
Thirteen suspects have been arrested for the murder of a farmworker and the rape and stabbing of his wife during a farm attack in Free State in the early hours...
Dairy industry eyes rollout of DIVA-type FMD vaccine in 2026
South Africa’s dairy industry is preparing for the introduction of an oil-based DIVA-type foot-and-mouth disease vaccine from Turkish company Dollvet, expected in early 2026. Final approval and procurement are under...
Zim blueberry farmers gear up for Chinese market
Farmers in Zimbabwe are lobbying the government to rethink policy as they aim to make the country the largest blueberry exporter in Africa.
Eleven KZN farmers to get commercial farms via government initiative
Eleven commercial farms across KwaZulu-Natal are set to be transferred to local farmers as part of a major provincial drive to boost food security, job creation, and rural economic growth.
Farmer of the Year Awards honours excellence in grain farming
Speaking at the Grain SA Farmer of the Year Awards in Johannesburg on 31 October, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen commended farmers for their determination and innovation, saying excellence is...
Why the EU’s pesticide rules don’t fit South Africa
Calls to ban pesticides in South Africa simply because they’re banned in the EU disregard crucial differences between the regions, as well as farming in the EU, which is heading...
Top livestock shine at 2025 Royal Fat Stock Show and Carcass Competition
The Royal Agricultural Society of Natal recently hosted the 2025 Royal Fat Stock Show and Carcass Competition, showcasing some of KwaZulu-Natal’s finest beef and lamb entries on-the-hoof and on-the-hook.
FMD outbreak may push red meat prices higher this festive season
As the festive season approaches, experts are warning South African consumers of possible red meat price hikes due to ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.
Emerging farmer opportunities in the spotlight at Agri 5 Expo KZN
The Agri 5 Expo in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, showcased opportunities for small-scale and emerging farmers through access to technology, information, and financial services.
Windaba helping to shape South Africa’s wind energy future
The 14th Windaba conference and exhibition was held at Cape Town International Convention Centre from 21 to 23 October, bringing together investors, government departments, service providers, and social activists, with...
Rainy season alert: vaccinate livestock against bluetongue in time
As the rainy season approaches, Dr Hanri Bester-Cloete, state veterinarian in Bloemfontein, urges livestock farmers, especially sheep farmers, to vaccinate their animals against bluetongue, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes,...
Delayed municipal payments disrupt operations at Matlosana market
The Matlosana Fresh Produce Market, a key trading hub for North West farmers, is on the brink of collapse as the local municipality continues to ignore a court order that...
Farmers must prepare for GlobalGAP water-use scrutiny
International auditing systems such as GlobalGAP may soon introduce maximum water-use limits for fresh produce farmers.
Crackdown on sale of ethylene-ripened mangoes at fresh produce markets
The South African Mango Growers’ Association (SAMGA) and the Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC) have joined forces to stop the sale of immature ‘achar’ mangoes falsely marketed as ripe fruit.
Zim lifts ban on SA maize imports but imposes restrictions
Zimbabwe has lifted its temporary ban on maize imports from South Africa as it begins to feel the effects of market shortages, a development experts say raises doubts over the...
ECRDA partnership to transform Eastern Cape crop and food output
The Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency recently signed a memorandum of understanding with African Seeds Group and HelloChoice to boost crop and food production by improving input access, market connectivity,...
Nampo Alfa 2025: celebrating cattle, tech, and outdoor adventure
The air at Nampo Park near Bothaville in the Free State was filled with the sounds of livestock and the buzz of activity as competitions and demonstrations took centre stage...
Research projects aimed at improving grain farmer profitability
At a meeting of the Conservation Agriculture Research Forum on 9 October held in Pretoria, delegates discussed key results from Maize Trust-funded research projects and other conservation agriculture studies managed...
