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.
‘Adhere to the law to ensure ethical biltong hunting’
Biltong hunting has formed an important part of the South African way of life for hundreds of years.
Royal Show cancelled amidst coronavirus outbreak
One of the highlights on the South African agricultural calendar, the annual Royal Agricultural Show in Pietermaritzburg, has been cancelled.
Namibian hunting quotas cut 80% due to drought
The past several years’ drought in Namibia has had a devastating impact on the country’s hunting industry, and in some areas hunting quotas had been cut between 70% and 80%. This was according to Tanya Dahl, CEO of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA).
Farmers urged to scout for Diplodia maize rot
Maize farmers have been urged to scout for Diplodia maize rot amongst their crops.
Investing in lucerne pays off for western Free State farmer
Lucerne under irrigation provides Free State farmer Boeboe Louw with an ideal alternative to grain. Annelie Coleman visited him on his farm in the Wesselsbron district to find out how he manages production to gain the most from this valuable export crop.
Coronavirus fallout for South Africa’s agriculture sector
The negative impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China on the global agriculture sector, including that of South Africa, is multifaceted, according to Joseph Kau, agricultural economist at the Agricultural Research Council.
How to sustainably manage livestock after a drought
The protracted drought in the western regions of South Africa will not continue forever. Once the drought has been broken, livestock farmers will be faced with many challenges such as sustainably managing grazing, livestock numbers and finances.
Coronavirus outbreak could benefit pangolin conservation
The pangolin is the world’s most trafficked mammal, being sought after for its scales for the manufacture of traditional medicine, particularly in China.
Free State breeders use strict selection to produce top bulls
Dr Enslin Coetzee and Issie Liebenberg, the owners of the ZEC Angus stud, breed for efficiency and functionality. They produced the bull Match, which took top honours at the Interbreed Bull Growth Test Class 2019 at the Bloem Show.
Rift Valley fever, African armyworm alert for farmers
Livestock producers have been advised to take all possible steps to prevent Rift Valley fever outbreaks in the areas were high rainfall was recorded late last year and early this year.
Afrikaner cattle thrive in Namibia’s arid regions
The Afrikaner, once the most popular breed in Southern African, is ideally suited to today’s uncertain climatic conditions, says Namibia-based breeder Jan Blaauw, co-owner of the Salztal Afrikaner stud.
Fall armyworm outbreaks in Mpumalanga and KZN
Serious damage to grain fields due to fall armyworm (FAW) infestations has to date been reported in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and northern KwaZulu-Natal in the 2019/2020 production season, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife SA’s operations and stewardship manager.
FAO declares 2020 International Year of Plant Health
The cultivation of healthy plants depends on healthy soils, according to Dr Hendrik Smith, a conservation agriculture (CA) facilitator at Grain SA and the Maize Trust.
NWK invests in the future of South Africa’s young people
Agriculture business NWK recently handed over laptops worth about R244 000 to the top-performing Grade 12 learners for 2019 at 20 schools in the Ditsobotla district in North West.
Award-winning goat’s cheese from Clarens
After teaching herself cheesemaking, Estee van Aswegen entered her Baris cheeses at the South African Dairy Championships and won top of class.
Farmers urged to scout for gerbils to prevent crop damage
Widespread outbreaks of gerbil infestations have been reported in the summer grain production regions, with damage being reported in the Free State, North West and KwaZulu- Natal. This was according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, CropLife SA’s operations and stewardship manager.
The importance of veld management after drought
Veld damaged by drought needs to be assiduously managed after the arrival of rain in order to conserve grazing potential and to avoid serious damage to plant species.
Severe drought in Namibia continues unabated
Despite reports of good rainfall in the north-eastern parts of Namibia, the drought in that country is still continuing.
‘Livestock producers must adapt to climate change’
The bulk of animal production in South Africa takes place on natural veld and mainly in the savanna, grassland and Karoo biomes.
24-hour support line for Northern Cape drought victims
The Dutch Reformed Church in the Northern Cape, in conjunction with the Caritas Therapy Centre in Kimberley, has launched a 24-hour telephone support service aimed at helping victims of the relentless drought in the province.
