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.
SA groundnut production estimate for 2020 down 16%
The production estimates for groundnuts in South Africa for the 2020 season has been revised downward by more than 16% due to the drought experienced during the past year in certain parts of the summer grain production regions, according to Luan van der Walt, Grain SA economist.
Fresh produce theft: farmers lose billions every year
The theft of agricultural produce costs South African farmers billions of rand a year, not only through the loss of produce, but in additional expenses, such as fencing, to improve security. Annelie Coleman spoke to industry leaders Dr Jane Buys, Derek Donkin and Tommie Esterhuyse, as well as a Limpopo-based citrus producer who preferred to remain anonymous.
Agricultural Research Council plans to cut 1 000 jobs
The Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) liabilities exceeded its assets by R138 million during the past financial year.
Nampo Harvest Day to ‘go virtual’ in 2020
Grain SA has taken a very courageous decision to not continue with the Nampo Harvest Day event in 2020, according to Dr Kobus Laubscher, an independent agricultural economist in Bloemfontein.
Bull growth testing suffers impact of COVID-19, FMD outbreak
The number of bulls subjected to growth tests at the Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) bull growth test centres have slowly started increasing again following a sharp decrease earlier this year due to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, as well as the restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
SA’s new maize export season off to a good start
South Africa’s maize exports proceeded swiftly during April and May despite disruptions to trade caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, according to Johan Straus, agricultural economist at the University of the Free State.
Relief funds dry up as Namibian drought continues unabated
Large parts of Namibia remain in the grips of a brutal drought, with the last significant rainfall reported in the far southern region a decade ago.
Sharp recovery in low maize stocks expected soon
The low supply of maize currently being experienced in South Africa, has resulted in a short-term squeeze and volatility in the market.
Beefmaster breeder’s quest for optimal returns on investment
The success of a livestock breeding concern depends on choosing a breed that makes economic sense and optimises return on investment. For a part-time farmer, an additional requirement is that the breed is hardy enough to thrive without pampering. Part-time stud breeder Dirco Swart of Frankfort told Annelie Coleman that the Beefmaster ticked all these boxes.
Getting down to business with geese farming
Anton and Sharon Kock’s Ember Down goose down and feather business has been built on ethical farming practices, attention to detail and meticulous management.
Donations provide lifeline for drought weary sheep farmers
Despite generous donations of animal feed to the drought-stricken farmers in the Northern Cape, sheep numbers in the province continue to decline dramatically.
Sussex breed society centenary celebrations postponed
The Sussex Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa celebrated its centenary on Wednesday, 6 May.
Livestock auctions industry embraces digital solutions
While digital auctions are not new to the industry, the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and subsequent ban on ‘open-cry’ auctions, forced role players to search for alternative solutions to preserve the transparent price-making nature of auctions.
Subsidies can support food production during COVID-19 crisis
Africa is coming up with its own solutions to the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a statement by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Oil price crash, COVID-19 weaken grains and oilseed markets
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a serious impact on international grains and oilseed markets.
Kalahari Red goats: Hardy and profitable
The proven economics of the Kalahari Red breed motivated Cobus Meyer to branch out into goat production on the family farm near Leeudoringstad. He told Annelie Coleman that establishing his Greenstone Kalahari Red Goat stud had been the best business decision he had ever made.
North American agri suffers as beef processing plants close
The increasing closure of meat processing plants in the US and Canada amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, will have a marked impact on the agricultural economies in those countries.
Shearing and wool exports now allowed during lockdown
Unlike highly perishable and other food crops, wool is considered a non-essential agricultural product.
‘Commercial agri sector not appreciated in COVID-19 crisis’
The South African agriculture sector forms the backbone of South Africa’s economy, but this fact has been largely ignored by government.
Private and government support helps new farmer flourish
Zachariah Matli’s journey to running a viable beef cattle operation has had its frustrations, but he is on his way to becoming a commercial producer. Sustaining him has been his own tenacity, and steady support from commercial farmers and government.
