Fires destroy farms, homes and grazing in the Bathurst area
Just after lunch on Sunday, 18 January 2026, the messages started popping on forums that fires were raging between Bathurst and Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape.
FMD an ‘out-of-control crisis’ due to lack of effective state action
Following Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen’s foot-and-mouth disease briefing on 14 January, agricultural organisation leaders are questioning government’s ability to follow through on the urgent vaccine rollout, arguing that greater private-sector involvement is needed to distribute and oversee supply.
Efforts underway to assist flood victims in Limpopo and Mpumalanga
Farmers and residents in Mpumalanga and Limpopo continue to be affected by disruptive rains that cause flooding, mudslides and damage to infrastructure and properties.
Pressure mounts to declare FMD a national state of disaster
Renewed calls to declare foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) a national disaster are gaining momentum, with farmers and industry leaders warning that, without stronger state intervention, the outbreak could inflict lasting damage on livestock producers, rural livelihoods, and export markets.
Steenhuisen sets out stringent 10-year strategy to contain FMD
At a media briefing in Cape Town on Wednesday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen outlined a 10-year strategy to contain and recover from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). He said the objetcive was to restore South Africa’s FMD-free status, which the country lost in 2019.
AGOA extension offers relief, but SA’s eligibility hangs in balance
The US House of Representatives has approved a three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, temporarily easing trade disruption fears for sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa’s agriculture sector has welcomed the move, but the country’s beneficiary status remains uncertain.
Western Cape faces disaster as drought, wildfires batter agriculture
Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell will approach the provincial cabinet to motivate for a disaster classification as ongoing drought and wildfires continue to cause damage across the southern parts of the province.
Agri matrics celebrate high pass rates
Interest in agricultural careers among high school learners continues to grow. Several school principals spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the matric results at their schools, indicating that pupils are increasingly looking to the agriculture sector for their future.
‘Tiger heart’ calf deaths surge in FMD-positive herds
South African livestock producers are reporting a concerning increase in sudden calf deaths linked to a condition known as ‘tiger heart’. This post-mortem finding is increasingly associated with active foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks.
FMD: Pig industry on high alert as biosecurity pressure intensifies
South Africa’s pork industry has been placed on heightened alert following the confirmation of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case in a commercial piggery in the north-western Free State, with additional highly suspicious cases under investigation in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Eastern Cape steps up FMD containment campaign
The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture (the department) has intensified its efforts to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), with Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe launching a province-wide awareness and compliance campaign targeting farmers in rural communities.
Tighter border controls on agri goods as travellers return to SA
As thousands of travellers return to South Africa this week after the festive season, the Border Management Authority has issued a strong warning about bringing agricultural products back into the country.
Flood risk looms as Mpumalanga braces for up to 800mm of rain
Catastrophic floods are predicted for the Mpumalanga Lowveld next week, with rainfall of between 500mm and 800mm forecast for the period from 9 to 14 January.
Zimbabwe dairy industry regains momentum
Zimbabwe's dairy sector is on a rebound, with the country hoping to build on increasing milk production to surpass its national annual requirements.
New climate commission to steer SA’s just energy transition to 2030
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a new group of commissioners to the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), marking the start of a new five-year term that will run from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.
Resilience and gradual recovery expected in 2026
Prospects for a positive 2026 are improving as lower input costs are expected for the agriculture sector and bumper grain crops seem likely. Loffie Brandt, head of sales enablement at Absa AgriBusiness, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about how farmers can take advantage of opportunities in the new year.
SA farmers await fair compensation for land losses in Zimbabwe
South African farmers are struggling to claim compensation or reclaim their farms that were seized during Zimbabwe's land reform exercise launched in 2000 by then-President Robert Mugabe.
Sunflower industry cautious but optimistic for 2026
As about 90% of South Africa's summer grain crops, including sunflower, are predominantly rainfed, climate changes and rainfall patterns have a major impact on production. When looking at the 2025/26 season, the production outlook is cautiously optimistic for grain farmers.
2025/26 soya bean season outlook shows structural sector improvements
Around the world, soya beans are in high demand for livestock feed and as a plant-based source of protein for human consumption, offering high protein content without cholesterol or saturated fats.
Cautious outlook for dry beans
Dry beans are important for crop rotation and make a significant contribution to the country’s economy, as domestically grown beans are also in demand internationally.
