News

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen met with student leaders and principals from 11 of the agricultural training institutes to address challenges in funding, infrastructure, and training. The meeting was held at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch during Youth Month.

Retailers have welcomed Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen’s decision to revoke Leaf Services’ costly grain inspection contract, calling it a vital step toward keeping staple food prices affordable.

Rising E. coli levels in rivers in the Mpumalanga lowveld could cost farmers their markets. Dilapidated waste treatment infrastructure and a rapid increase in informal settlements along rivers from which irrigation water is drawn, has resulted in increasingly polluted water systems.

Woodlands Dairy, one of South Africa’s foremost dairy processors and the name behind the First Choice brand, has marked its 30th anniversary with a renewed commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social upliftment.

The National Council of the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has filed criminal charges against the board of directors of Daybreak Farms following what it describes as “a catastrophic welfare crisis” in which more than one million chickens suffered or died due to extreme neglect and mismanagement.

In an attempt to stabilise the current price volatility in the pork market, Chinese authorities are clamping down on the speculative practice of ‘refattening’ pigs in that country.

Ostrich feed production was up by more than 700t compared to the same time last year, representing a year-on-year (y/y) increase of 128,5%. This was according to the latest Animal Feed Manufacturers’ Association (Afma) monthly report, which provided y/y analysis for February 2025, as well as detailing month-on-month (m/m) movements.

Researcher Dr Siphe Zantsi spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about a new land reform model aimed at improving redistribution outcomes. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports on the study’s key findings.

New regulations around plant breeders’ rights (PBR) are expected to boost seed technology availability in South Africa, while providing greater scope for subsistence farmers to replant and trade seed obtained from the previous season’s crop.

Veterinarians and farmers in Namibia are grappling with a troubling surge in giraffe deaths that have occurred over a large part of the country north of Windhoek. The cause remains undetermined, but experts suspect an insect-borne viral disease.

The recent US military strike on Iran has sparked concerns over a potential surge in oil prices, with far-reaching implications for South Africa’s economy and agriculture sector.

Dr Lindie von Maltitz, lecturer at the University of the Free State and cattle farmer in Ficksburg, told delegates at the Winds of Change information day, held in collaboration with Boran SA, that it was imperative for all role players to work together to overcome the challenges facing the livestock industry in the country.

South Africa’s wine industry is set for a significant transformation boost following the official launch of the €15 million (around R300 million) Wine and Spirits Fund aimed at accelerating inclusive growth.

The recent agreement between the Nguni Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa and the Beefmaster Group’s feedlots was good for the industry as other feedlots penalised Nguni weaner producers by as much as R8/kg, according to Nico Harris, president of the society.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Vuyiswa Ramokgopa visited the Karan Beef feedlot in Heidelberg, Gauteng, on Monday as part of a national effort to combat the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.

Grain SA has welcomed the announcement by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen that the designation of Leaf Services as an assignee under the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 119 of 1990, has been officially revoked.

Land Bank has invested R100 million in the newly launched Inclusive Justice Institute, a transformative initiative aimed at the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Even if foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) disappeared today, South African farmers would still struggle to export red meat because they are producing meat that is too expensive. This was according to Issie Liebenberg, a beef consultant at consulting services company Intelact.

Three of South Africa’s largest commercial cattle feedlots, operated by Karan Beef, have tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), placing approximately 160 000 head of cattle under immediate control measures.

At the ‘Winds of Change’ Information Day in collaboration with Boran SA, Gerrit van Zyl of Hanzyl Bonsmaras spoke about how regenerative agricultural practices can help farmers produce more affordable meat.