News

Cattle pens were empty at this year’s Bulawayo Agricultural Show in Zimbabwe due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Southern Africa, but small-stock and young agripreneurs focused on value addition kept the event going.

Farmer’s Weekly and FarmTalk brought the agricultural community together in a show of solidarity and support at their FMD (foot-and-mouth disease) Relief Fund Golf Day, held on 21 April in Johannesburg, raising R186 000 to assist farmers affected by the disease.

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and Deputy Minister Rosemary Nokuzola Capa tabled the R7,8 billion Agriculture Budget Vote 29 for 2026/27 in Parliament in Cape Town on 15 May, with biosecurity spending prioritising foot-and-mouth disease control and vaccine rollout.

South African farmers are increasingly constrained by rising costs and falling commodity prices, with industry leaders warning that producers can only do so much to survive the current cost-price squeeze before broader structural support becomes essential.

The South African wine industry is increasingly focusing on premiumisation, sustainability, and long-term value growth as it navigates pricing pressures and ongoing global oversupply in certain segments.

Nampo Harvest Day once again proved why it remains the highlight of the agricultural calendar. The four days flew by in a blur of innovation, conversation and discovery. This year, the Farmer’s Weekly team spread out across Nampo Park in Bothaville in search of everything new, different, interesting and useful to report on.

The last Nation in Conversation panellist discussion held during Nampo 2026 on Friday morning looked at the realities, challenges, and opportunities for farmers against the background of the global trade and economic environment, and how these dynamics are reshaping South Africa’s export opportunities.

Fairfield Dairy, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Woodlands Dairy Group, has confirmed the completion of its acquisition of 100% of Ladismith Cheese Company and its subsidiaries, following approval by the Competition Tribunal of South Africa.

Water is one of agriculture’s most vital resources, and in a water-scarce country like South Africa, the sector finds itself competing with urban demand, industry, and environmental priorities.

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) livestock farmers have welcomed government’s decision to officially lift the province’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) management area, describing it as a long-overdue breakthrough after years of costly restrictions that have weighed heavily on the province’s agricultural economy.

Precision agriculture technologies can significantly improve profitability, but farmers who expect savings through lower input use may be missing the bigger picture. Research presented by Karen Truter at Nampo 2026 shows that the real gains often come from higher yields, better management of soil potential, and more informed decision-making.

South Africa’s failing municipal infrastructure is increasingly forcing farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities to take over functions traditionally performed by government, delegates heard during a panel discussion on infrastructure, municipal partnerships, and rural development at the Nampo Harvest Day 2026.

The modern Boerboel has been developed over decades as South Africa’s only landrace dog breed. Only animals registered with the South African Boerboel Breeders’ Society may be officially recognised as Boerboels.

Over the past few years, agriculture has been able to amplify its voice. But in a landscape shaped by competing and fragmented narratives, political pressure, and public scrutiny, the real challenge is whether the sector is converting its influence into meaningful outcomes.

From machinery displays and livestock exhibitions to crowds filling the showgrounds, these are some of the scenes from this year’s Nampo Harvest Day in Bothaville.

South Africa’s illicit fuel trade is increasingly spilling into agriculture, exposing farmers to potentially catastrophic machinery failures, mounting repair bills and production losses during critical planting and harvesting periods.

At a time when oil prices are high and grain prices are low, South African farmers are looking for alternatives. With the cost of living also rising, biofuels are emerging as a practical option that could help address some of these issues.

The journey from field to shelf is crucial for fresh produce farmers as it determines whether a crop yields a profit or a loss.

Traffic heading into Nampo Park for Nampo 2026 moved much more smoothly on Thursday morning, despite congestion still being slightly heavier than in previous years.

South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak has exposed weaknesses in the country’s biosecurity systems, strained trust between government and the livestock industry, and highlighted the urgent need for stronger public-private cooperation.