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.
‘Lower fuel prices welcomed, but could increase again shortly’
The drop in South Africa’s fuel prices, which came into effect on Wednesday (4 January), is a positive development that will lower agricultural production costs.
New hopes and challenges for SA wool value chain
This year has been the South African wool industry’s most challenging time in two-and-a-half decades, according to Leon de Beer, general manager of the National Wool Growers’ Association (NWGA).
Expectations for game ranching industry in 2023
The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on South Africa’s game ranching industry will be considerably lower in 2023 than during the past two years.
Sharp increase in area planted to crops in Zimbabwe
In a positive development for that country, farmers in Zimbabwe have reported that they have planted double the number of hectares to maize to date in 2022, compared with the same time the previous year.
Hardy, dual-purpose Dexters make sound business sense
Twenty years ago, Gauteng livestock producer Kobus van der Linde bought a handful of Dexter cattle as a hobby for his children. Today, Van der Linde’s 100-head Lundi Dexter stud is a profitable operation, and his sole business. Annelie Coleman visited him to find out why he concentrated on this remarkable breed.
First global study on the effects of livestock grazing
The first-ever global assessment of the impact of livestock grazing, in which the University of Pretoria participated, has revealed the important role gazing plays in the ecology of dryland regions.
Meticulous management drives success for mushroom grower
Marietjie Kruger of Heidelberg grows and sells fresh mushrooms and processed food in Gauteng. She spoke to Annelie Coleman about the complex growing process that is required before harvesting.
Agri confidence declines, despite positive GDP contribution
South Africa’s agriculture sector has bounced back to again be among the largest contributors to quarter-on-quarter (q/q) GDP growth in the third quarter of 2022.
Plans for more Nile tilapia farming in Zimbabwe
A strategy that will see a nearly threefold increase in farmed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Zimbabwe has been announced by the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
Celebrating the vital role of healthy soils in food security
This year, World Soil Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems by addressing the growing challenges faced in soil management.
Diesel price to drop in December but petrol price hike looms
Good and bad news awaits South African motorists in December with petrol prices expected to rise, offsetting an expected sharp drop in diesel prices.
Zimbabwe wheat crop volumes hit record
Wheat producers in Zimbabwe had delivered a record volume of wheat of almost 327 000t to that country’s Grain Marketing Board by 25 November.
More money needed to curb invasive species in SA
Despite the fact that the South African government had spent more than R7 billion between 1998 and 2020 to try to contain the spread of invasive alien species, the struggle to control these plants was continuing, according to a report by Stellenbosch University.
Nambian agri union committed to uplifting farmworkers
The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) is committed to maintaining the human dignity of farmworkers and to ensure that they could enjoy a dignified retirement.
Mynah population surges in Kruger National Park
The rapid increase in the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Indian mynah (Acridotheres tristis) population is disturbing, according to Dr Llewellyn Foxcroft, a scientist with the South African National Parks based in the park.
Another bumper grain harvest forecast for 2022/23
Data on farmers’ summer crop planting intentions for the 2022/23 season point to yet another large harvest, according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz.
New initiative to increase milk production in Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean government has announced a strategic initiative to help fill the gap between milk supply and demand in that country.
‘Adverse consequences of lion cub petting’
The petting of captive bred lion cubs has become an enormous problem in South Africa. This was according to Reinet Meyer, a chief inspector at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the society’s branch manager in Bloemfontein.
Rampant crime in Lesotho-border region takes its toll on farmers
Those farming alongside South Africa’s border with Lesotho have been forsaken by the South African government, according to Dr Jane Buys, Free State Agriculture’s (FSA) safety risk analyst.
Letelle sheep: profitable and resilient
The Letelle is a proudly South African dual-purpose sheep, but despite its exceptional qualities, it remains one of the most underestimated sheep breeds in the country. Theo Oosthuizen, who breeds Letelle on his Free State farm, spoke to Annelie Coleman about these remarkable animals.
- ADVERTISEMENT -
- ADVERTISEMENT -
MUST READS
- ADVERTISEMENT -
