Annelie Coleman
Annelie Coleman represents Farmer’s Weekly in the Free State, North West and Northern Cape.
Agriculture is in her blood. She grew up on a maize farm in the Wesselsbron district where her brother is still continuing with the family business.
Annelie is passionate about the area she works in and calls it ‘God’s own country’. She’s particularly interested in beef cattle farming, especially with the indigenous African breeds.
Latest articles
World Rabies Day raising awareness around dog vaccinations
Recent South African surveillance data has shown that most human rabies infections are linked to infected dogs, according to Fiona Miles, director of FOUR PAWS South Africa. She emphasised the importance of routine pet vaccinations and community awareness, and added that children were among the most vulnerable groups affected by the disease.
No livestock allowed at Namibian agricultural shows due to FMD outbreak
The confirmation of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Namibia has resulted in the cancellation of the livestock category of the Windhoek Agricultural and Livestock Show. The show is due to take place from 29 September to 3 October 2026.
Small Benro stud sets its sights on genetic excellence
A small, highly selected herd and an uncompromising focus on genetics underpin Benro Santa Gertrudis beef cattle stud near Biesiesvlei in North West. Henro Pieterse and his father, Hennie, are breeding functional, adaptable cattle that perform under challenging conditions.
Livestock and lifestyle meet at Nampo Alfa
Nampo Alfa has established itself as an important platform for the livestock industry, bringing together a wide range of breeds, breeders, and other role players in the livestock value chain. What started primarily as a livestock-focused expo has grown into a broader agricultural, hunting, and outdoor lifestyle event. Nampo managing director Dr Dirk Strydom spoke to Annelie Coleman.
Harrobi Brahman stud champions beef production in Namibia
The award-winning Harrobi Brahman Stud has left a noticeable impact on beef cattle production in Namibia since 1954. The stud was founded on some of the first white Brahmans to be imported from the US in that year, Annelie Coleman reports.
Loriza Brahmans, cornerstone Brahman stud of SA
The Loriza Brahmans are specifically bred for fertility, growth, milk and equally importantly, a calm disposition. Louis Meyer, owner of the stud, told Annelie Coleman that it is a pleasure to work with animals with an even temperament, and it also adds markedly to effective management and, obviously, increased production.
How the Meatmaster developed in SA
The breeding objectives for the Meatmaster sheep breed were simple and straightforward from the onset, according to one of the pioneers of Meatmaster breeding in South Africa, Clynton Collett from Venterstad. He told Annelie Coleman that the Meatmaster selection criteria were based totally on profitable traits.
South African project to explore the hidden value of fungi
Fungi are the engines of soil health, says University of Pretoria mycologist Prof Cobus Visagie. He spoke to Farmer's Weekly about how a better understanding of fungi will give farmers and agronomists a much stronger foundation for conservation agriculture.
Adaptable Nooitverwag Beefmasters thriving on the Highveld
The medium-framed South African Beefmaster represents an unmatched combination of Bos indicus and B. taurus genetics. It is a highly competitive breed that offers South African farmers the best option for profitable beef production, Gerrie Janse van Rensburg, co-owner of the Nooitverwag Beefmaster Stud near Ermelo, told Annelie Coleman. He runs the stud with his father Kerneels.
Beefmaster traits ensure NGB Stud is highly efficient and profitable
The decision on choosing the Beefmaster beef cattle breed was based on simple mathematics, according to Wynand Potgieter, who runs the NGB Beefmaster Stud near Thabazimbi in Limpopo with his sons Phillip and Willie. He told Annelie Coleman the breed was the obvious choice for optimum production per hectare and, obviously, optimum income.
Boran set to take red meat production in SA to the next level
The fertile, hardy and even-tempered Boran beef cattle breed truly is a gift to the commercial red meat producers of South Africa, according to Johna Boshoff, owner of the Bosiu Borane stud in Fouriesburg in the eastern Free State. He told Annelie Coleman how the breed’s inherent qualities makes it a supreme choice in crossbreeding concerns.
Why the South African Charolais is called the ‘weaner calf king’
With more than 80% of South Africa’s beef cattle calves destined for feedlots, farmers need fast-growing animals that perform well. The Charolais produces top weaners with strong growth and feed conversion, says Dami Stemmett, president of the Charolais Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa.
Ankole’s huge potential in SA beef production
The future is bright for the Ankole cattle breed in South Africa as it is bound to become a contender of note in the beef production arena in future, Anton de Swardt, president of the South African Ankole Breeders’ Society, told Annelie Coleman.
Demand for Nguni cattle grows due to its resilience to FMD
The Nguni cattle breed has shown remarkable resilience to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) during the current outbreak in South Africa, which Dr Oswald Jannasch, president of the Nguni Cattle Breeders’ Society, attributes to thousands of years of selection for disease and pest resistance in Africa.
The Boerboel: defined by temperament, loyalty, and strict breeding standards
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.
How agriculture benefits from bats
Bats remain under threat despite their vital role as keystone species. On International Bat Appreciation Day on 17 April, Dr Mark Ofua, wildlife veterinarian and Wild Africa representative, emphasised that bats support biodiversity and help control pest populations.
Agri NC calls for disaster declaration over rain-damaged roads
Excessive rainfall in the Northern Cape over recent weeks has caused extensive damage to the road network, severely impacting agriculture and prompting Agri Northern Cape (Agri NC) to urgently petition local government to declare a state of disaster.
The story of the Drakensberger beef cattle breed’s evolution in Africa
The Drakensberger cattle breed has been part of the South African landscape for ages. So-called black indigenous cattle existed in South Africa as early as the 15th and 16th centuries and formed the foundation of the current Drakensberger beef cattle breed.
Romagnola beef cattle vastly increased weaner weights on a Free State farm
The Romagnola cattle breed has the inherent quality to increase beef production in South Africa markedly, according to Marnus Lessing, owner of the JML Romagnola stud near Lindley in the Free State, who succeeded in pushing up weaner weights considerably through crossbreeding Romagnolas with Brahmans.
Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys popular as pets in South Africa
Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys are growing in popularity as pets in South Africa due to their sweet, affectionate nature, says Free State breeder Angelique du Preez, who runs her donkey herd as part of the family-run Collett Farming business.
