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.
CRE Brahmans: where structure meets performance
Since its inception in 2004, the CRE Brahmans stud’s motto has been ‘performance meats integrity’. Studmaster Ampie Rossouw told Annelie Coleman that one of the cornerstones of the operation is its commitment to Phase C testing for young bulls to evaluate growth and feed efficiency.
Maize Valley Savanna Goat Stud rises to record-breaking success
The award-winning, top-performing Maize Valley Savanna Goat Stud, run by Andrew Roberts and Ju-mari Pretorius, came about by accident due to broken communications and poor Internet connectivity, writes Annelie Coleman.
Kroonstad Hampshire Down breeder wins Lamb Champs Parys competition
Hennie Jonker, a Hampshire Down stud breeder from Kroonstad in the Free State, took the laurels in the Parys leg of the Southern African Agri Initiative’s (Saai) Lamb Champs 2025 competition.
Uncertain future for Polokwane’s rhinos
The DA has called for an independent wildlife management specialist to urgently review the future of the city of Polokwane’s relocated rhinos.
Hume, five others arrested in high-profile rhino horn trafficking case
South Africa’s Private Rhino Owners’ Association, whose members own most of the country’s white rhinos, has declined to comment on the John Hume case that has recently dominated headlines. It did, however, confirm that Hume was no longer a member.
Botswana among countries most at risk of extreme drought – report
A new global analysis by the US's National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), published in July 2025, reveals that Botswana is among the countries most vulnerable to extreme drought in the coming years.
Second case of FMD confirmed in the Free State
Another case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been reported in the Free State, this time in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality near Deneysville.
How intercropping helped a Free State maize farm grow
The main goal of intercropping is to achieve the highest possible yield on a particular piece of land by using the available resources to their full potential. And that is precisely the route that father-and-son team Francis and Mike Mandy took on their crop and cattle farm in Harrismith.
Mixed feelings as judicial commission probes SA policing authorities
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent decision to investigate widespread corruption and political interference in South Africa’s justice services has been called a step in the right direction. However, Bennie van Zyl, CEO of TLU SA, questioned whether the move came 30 years too late.
Minor economic growth in Zimbabwe as agricultural output shrinks
Zimbabwe's economy expanded by 2,9 % in 2024, according to the latest figures released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat).
Beefmaster Group welcomes Ngunis to its feedlots
The recent agreement between the Nguni Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa and the Beefmaster Group’s feedlots was good for the industry as other feedlots penalised Nguni weaner producers by as much as R8/kg, according to Nico Harris, president of the society.
Grain SA commends Steenhuisen’s revocation of Leaf Services’ appointment
Grain SA has welcomed the announcement by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen that the designation of Leaf Services as an assignee under the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 119 of 1990, has been officially revoked.
Farmers and processors urged to remain vigilant as FMD spreads in North West
Farmers and processors in North West have been urged to remain vigilant as foot-and-mouth disease continues to spread. The North West Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (NWRPO) has called on farmers and members of the red meat value chain to remain extremely vigilant to prevent the further spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the province.
‘Choose the SA Suffolk for lucrative sheep farming’
According to RC Malherbe, the SA Suffolk sheep breed has all the characteristics needed for profitable sheep farming.
Boer goat ram sells for world record price of R2,3 million
The Boer goat ram Next Level set a new world record when he was sold for R2,3 million to the VEA Stud. The Boer goat ram Next Level (762-22-1427) achieved a new world record for Boer goats when he was sold by Lukas and Abraham Burger in Griekwastad for R2,3 million.
Senepol: a genetically unique beef powerhouse
Since its arrival in South Africa in 2001, the Senepol has become a strong contender in the country’s beef cattle arena. Tiekie Muller, owner of the Nooitgedacht Senepol stud, spoke to Annelie Coleman about how the growing number of Senepol stud breeders underpins the value of the breed under exacting African conditions.
Livestock breeds undergo strict biosecurity protocols ahead of Nampo
The livestock component at Nampo Harvest Day has, over the years, become one of the highlights at the show, with 27 cattle breeds and 16 sheep, pig and goat breeds taking part in the exhibitions this year.
‘Dexters carry us through the drought’
The Helmeringhausen Farmers’ Association’s Dexter cattle project was honoured by the Namibia Agricultural Union as the 2024 NAU-Feedmaster Community Project of the Year. Association chairperson Jörg Gaugler spoke to Annelie Coleman about this unique project and the difference it makes in the farming community.
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 May.
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 to periodic droughts and erratic rainfall patterns, according to Arno Abeln, managing director at Agrimark Operations.
