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.
‘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.
‘Grietjie’, at 445kg, is SA’s heaviest pumpkin for 2025
Cornelis Bester from Heidelberg took the laurels in this year’s Goliat van Gat Pumpkin Festival, hosted by the Cullinan Farmers’ Union, with a whopper of a 445kg pumpkin. Bester named the gigantic pumpkin Grietjie after his mother, Magriet Bester.
Germany to continue funding environment project in Namibia
Germany has extended funding for an environment protection project in Namibia for five years.
Grain SA to establish Nampo training facility
Delegates to the 2025 Grain SA congress gave their unanimous endorsement for the establishment of an agricultural technical training facility at the organisation’s Nampo facility near Bothaville in the Free State.
Weather SA predicts unusual conditions in autumn and winter
Above-normal rainfall conditions in the north-eastern parts of the country, particularly KwaZulu-Natal, between March and July 2025 are likely to increase water levels during this period, according to Cobus Olivier, a prediction research scientist at the South African Weather Service.
Free State roads in “abominable” state, despite reported investment
In her recent State of the Province Address, Free State Premier Maqueen Joyce Letsoha-Mathae said that the provincial government had invested R1,9 billion in road infrastructure projects over the past financial year.
Rooibos exports keeping the industry going
Despite slightly lower rooibos tea crop expectations in 2025, the rooibos export market remains on an upward trend.
Zimbabwe targeting a 340% increase in crop production in 2025
The government of Zimbabwe is targeting a 340% increase in major crop production for the 2024/25 summer season, which was a positive step towards national self-sufficiency, according to Positive Eye News.
Buffalo bull with 56-inch horns sells for R22 million
Magic, a buffalo bull with 56-inch horns, was recently sold for R22 million at the Piet du Toit Wildlife Auction in North West. The bull was sold to four buyers.
Agri sector needs to focus on how budget allocation is spent – RPO
Over the past few years, the broader South African agriculture sector has been disappointed by the National Budget, according to Dr Frikkie Maré, CEO of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation.
Small farmers need title deeds for sector to grow, says Steenhuisen
The imbalances in the South African economy must be addressed as a matter of urgency, and particularly so in the agriculture sector, according to John Steenhuisen, minister of the Department of Agriculture.
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry’s humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country’s avocado production.
Fly outbreaks in South Africa due to “unhygienic conditions”
The current fly outbreak in Gauteng is not an isolated incident, and outbreaks have been reported across all parts of South Africa, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager at CropLife South Africa.
Zimbabwe to conduct first agri sector census since independence
Zimbabwe is to conduct its first National Agricultural and Livestock Census (NALC) since the country’s independence in 1980, with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Rhino horn trafficker receives 18-year prison sentence for money laundering
High-ranking rhino horn trafficker, Francis Kipampa of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, recently received an 18-year prison sentence for money laundering offences related to rhino poaching.
Healthy soil means healthy cattle
Healthy soil plays an important role in cattle health and production. Dr Jan Myburgh from the Department of Paraclinical Sciences in the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science spoke to Annelie Coleman about the numerous benefits of healthy soil in improving farm profitability.
Food scarcity takes its toll on hungry Zimbabweans
At the beginning of January 2025, Zimbabweans faced worsening food shortages due to delayed rains and the ongoing effects of drought.
Drought, through the eyes of farmers
Namibia is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years. Annelie Coleman spoke to several farmers in the Mariental district, who shared their experience of the impact of several rainless years.
