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.
Outcry over continued donkey skin exports
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife South Africa’s stewardship manager, expressed serious concern about the exporting of donkey skins from South Africa to China.
The rise of the Bonsmara in South Africa
The Bonsmara, which was developed in South Africa from the 1930s, was bred specifically for African conditions, and is the most dominant beef cattle breed in the country today. It has also spread to many other countries around the world. Louis Steyl, CEO of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the development of the breed, and its future.
Concern about impact of ongoing civil unrest on farmers
Protest action that result in disruptions to major transport routes could have a dire impact on the economy over time, according to stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
Disrepair of Potch agri college raises alarm
The dilapidated conditions at the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture were cause for serious concern, the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) said in a recent statement.
SA biltong hunters cautioned to heed Namibian regulations
South African hunters planning to undertake hunting trips to Namibia would be well advised to familiarise themselves with that country’s official regulations pertaining to the transportation of meat back to South Africa.
More rate increase shocks on the cards for South Africans
South Africans are expected to face hefty fuel price and interest rate hikes in July, which according to Marlene Louw, senior economist at Absa AgriBusiness, will further worsen cost pressures on farmers, and leave consumers with less money to spend on food.
‘Food security and the safety of rural communities go hand in hand’
South Africa’s food security is dependent on the safety of farming communities, according to Uys van der Westhuijzen, chairperson of Agri SA’s Centre of Excellence on Rural Safety.
Promising prospects for citrus exports from Zimbabwe
The outlook for citrus exports from Zimbabwe is very favourable, especially in light of the considerable increase in that country’s export volumes to the EU.
Plans afoot to return Angola coffee production to former glory
Angola had set its sights on the global coffee market, and two companies have so far invested in the expansion of coffee production in the historical coffee-producing areas of that country.
Postharvest food losses posed a serious threat to food security
The post-harvest loss (PHL) of food was a serious cause for concern worldwide, particularly in Africa. Globally, approximately 1,3 billion tons of food produced for human consumption were lost every year after harvesting.
The benefits of polled Merinos for SA’s sheep industry
Earlier this year, a number of Merino stud breeders from Middelburg in the Eastern Cape formed the Nu Poll Merino Group, whose aim it is to breed polled sheep exclusively. Group member Tinus du Plessis explained to Annelie Coleman why breeding and farming these animals made business sense.
Armed conflict and Cyclone Gombe erode food security in Mozambique
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently announced its intention to provide vegetable seed to 23 000 families displaced by the armed conflict in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province.
Group auctions: a great team brings great results
Group auctions are becoming increasingly common in South Africa’s beef cattle industry, where they are a benefit to both stud and commercial breeders. Members of the Valsrivier Bonsmara Breeders Group spoke to Annelie Coleman about the advantages of these events, and the need for smooth teamwork and shared values.
‘Agri job figures positive, despite quarter-on-quarter decrease’
The employment figures for the first quarter of 2022 announced by Statistics South Africa in its Quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS) on Monday (30 May) highlighted the importance of the agriculture sector as an employer in South Africa.
Climate-smart agriculture benefits Zambian farmers
Some 5 000 farmers in Mufumbwe District in Zambia’s North-Western Province have profited from climate-smart agriculture as part of a project by the Save Environment and People Agency (SEPA) project, since its inception in 2004.
Government inaction blamed for spread of FMD in North West
The sluggish reaction of government to the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in North West has been a serious impediment in the race to contain and prevent the disease from spreading further afield.
High visitor numbers for Nampo 2022 after two-year absence
About 73 000 visitors attended Nampo Harvest Day 2022, held from 16 to 20 May, despite negative publicity about strict COVID-19 regulations, high fuel prices, and poor road conditions. This was according to Toit Wessels, Grain SA’s assistant manager for marketing and Nampo.
Nampo 2022 kicks-off on a high note after two-year hiatus
The large number of visitors received on the first day of the 2022 Nampo Harvest Day is a clear indication of the resilience of the South African agricultural value chain, according to Pieter Taljaard, Grain SA CEO.
How to manage a lambing pen system effectively
Lambing pens offer a multitude of benefits for farmers. Regina Harmse, who breeds Ile de France sheep in Mpumalanga, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the ways in which these pens can add value to any type of sheep production concern.
Nampo Harvest Day: The rise of a global agricultural megastar
After a two-year absence from the agricultural calendar, Grain SA’s Nampo Harvest Day, the biggest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere, is ready to make a spectacular comeback, says Toit Wessels, Grain SA’s assistant manager for marketing and Nampo.
