South Africa

Explore South African farming insights, including crop production, livestock, agribusiness, and sustainability tips for profitable agriculture.

Heavy rain and cold pose problems to oilseed, sheep farmers

Further heavy rain and cold weather conditions are cause for concern for grain, oilseed and sheep farmers. South Africans can expect heavy rain and cold conditions for the rest of...

Piet Lotz sets new SA record for largest pumpkin at 1 120kg

This year’s Giant Pumpkin Festival winner, Piet Lotz of Riversdale in the Southern Cape, broke the South African biggest pumpkin record with his first pumpkin that weighed in at 1...

Going the extra mile for the environment on Earth Day

Many South African farmers are going beyond what is expected from Earth Day, celebrated today across on 22 April.

Apples celebrate 363 years in South Africa

On 17 April, exactly 363 years ago, the first apples were harvested at the Cape of Good Hope when Dutch Governor Jan van Riebeeck picked two apples, known as Wijnappels,...

Motorists urged to safeguard themselves during Easter weekend traffic

The number of road fatalities over Easter weekend increased 33% from 252 in 2023 to 335 in 2024, while fatal crashes increased 14% from 207 to 236, according to the...

Electronic deeds registration aims to save time and money

The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has launched the Electronic Deeds Registration System (eDRS). Although the agriculture sector has welcomed the move to modernise property registration, concerns remain...

Namibia reinstates ban on bovine semen and embryos from SA

The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) recently raised alarm over Namibia’s decision to reinstate its ban on the importation of bovine semen and embryos from South Africa as of 8...

Provinces announce agri budgets for 2025/26

The finance MECs of various provinces recently delivered their respective provincial budgets for the 2025/26 financial year, outlining allocations to the agriculture sector amid economic constraints.

Agri Western Cape warns members to look out for ‘misinformation’

Speakers at the Agri Western Cape’s regional congress recently held in Grabouw encouraged members to check facts and not become upset or misled by misinformation.

Anticipation grows as Nampo Harvest Day approaches

With the theme ‘Global agriculture, locally!’, this year’s Nampo Harvest Day (Nampo) is expected to draw more than 70 000 visitors to Nampo Park in Bothaville from 13 to 16...

‘No need to panic over green longhorn grasshopper outbreaks’

Outbreaks of green longhorn grasshoppers, also known as katydids or bush crickets, were recently reported in several areas across Mpumalanga, including Aerorand, Rondebosch, Kanonkop, Emalahleni, and Middelburg.

US tariffs a major challenge for South African agriculture

US President Donald Trump announced on 2 April that he would impose at least a 10% tariff on all exports to the United States, with some 60 nations, including key...

Tractor power doubles in 20 years as demand for efficiency grows

South Africa’s tractor park has been growing steadily in size and power over the past 20 years, reflecting the need for greater efficiency, particularly in areas with short planting windows.

Foot-and-mouth disease spreads to Bergville, KZN

A new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal, bringing the province's total to 147 active outbreaks out of the 165 reported in South Africa.

China offers SA avocado producers many growth opportunities

South Africa is looking forward to growing avocado exports to China during the coming season. This followed after the Chinese market opened up to South African avocado exports.

Promising outlook for summer crops

The yields for all summer crops have been revised upward in the recently released second production forecast of the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC).

Fresh Produce Market Inquiry comes under the spotlight at conference

The Competition Commission’s Fresh Produce Market Inquiry (FPMI) report, which was released in January, offered some valuable insights, but some recommendations were deemed unrealistic and impractical by industry experts.

Farmers urged to be on the lookout for second African armyworm strike

Famers have been warned to prepare for a second strike of African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) during this or next week (week of 31 March).

‘Look east and forget about Trump’ – JP Landman

South Africa should forget the US and instead focus its attention on growing export markets in Africa and the East. This was the sentiment expressed by speakers at the AgBusiness...

Technology helps keep SA agriculture thriving, despite dryness

South Africa’s status as a net exporter of food and a leading player in high-value horticultural export markets contradicts the fact that it has always been a water-scarce country, subject...
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