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.
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.
‘Captive lion industry a conduit for illegal wildlife trade’
A newly released report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has uncovered new evidence that the bones and body parts of captive lions bred in South Africa are being traded to Asia in large numbers.
Concern about SA’s locust control preparedness this season
The South African government’s readiness to control large-scale locust outbreaks is a cause for serious concern.
Free State loses millions of rands in grain seed theft
The theft of grain seed in the Free State is escalating alarmingly, with millions of rands worth of seed being stolen in the province since August, according to Dr Jane Buys, Free State Agriculture’s (FSA) safety and risk analyst.
Eastern Cape indigenous veld goat project gets off the ground
A newly established indigenous veld goat project promises to unlock the raw potential of Eastern Cape communities plagued by poverty.
South Africa to commence beef exports to Saudi Arabia in 2023
The South African Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) has welcomed the recent landmark agreement signed with Saudi Arabia to export between 500t and 1 000t of red meat per annum to that country from next year.
Northern Cape farmers suffer devastating losses in wildfires
Many farmers in the Northern Cape have been left in dire straits following wildfires that have devastated more than 300 000ha since August.
100 000ha already destroyed in wildfire underway in Namibia
Nearly 100 000ha of grazing have already been destroyed in a wildfire that has been raging in the Great Karas Mountains in southern Namibia for the past four days.
Rise in soya bean production expected to continue
The expected 1,33% increase in soya bean production announced in the Crop Estimates Committee’s (CEC) September crop forecast is testament to the growing awareness of soya bean’s value as a viable alternative for summer crop production.
Agri stakeholders speak out about grave impact of Transnet strike
The current strike action by the United National Transport Union and the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union is the last thing the South African economy needs at the moment.
Serious concern about the future of Namibia’s meat export entity
The latest financial woes of the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) have raised concerns about the financial future of this state-owned entity. This was according Thinus Pretorius, chairperson of Namibia’s Livestock Producers’ Organisation (LPO).
Agri stakeholders express concern about passing of Expropriation Bill
The National Assembly passed the Expropriation Bill as referred to it by the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure without addressing the “serious flaws” in the bill, according to Christo van der Rheede, executive director of Agri SA.
Botswanan citrus farmers join Citrus Growers’ Association
The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has welcomed a decision by Botswanan growers to join the association. According to Justin Chadwick, CEO of the CGA, the organisation looked forward to sharing its knowledge and expertise with these growers.
Indigenous veld goats: the ideal option for extreme conditions
Changing weather conditions and Africa’s severe poverty demand tough, easy-to-care-for livestock. The answer, says breeder Deon Vlok, is indigenous veld goats.
