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.
International post for Namibian hunters’ association president
Danene van der Westhuyzen, president of the Namibia Professional Hunters’ Association (NAPHA), was recently elected to serve on the international organisation Dallas Safari Club’s (DSC) newly formed Conservation Advisory Board (CAB).
Working together yields profits for Keimoes farmers
The gravel road between Keimoes and Upington unfolds onto the lush, green oasis of Eksteenskuil in the Northern Cape. Here, a group of small-scale farmers have created a vibrant agricultural community through hard work and planning.
Namibian red meat producers face ‘perfect storm’
Red meat producers in Namibia are finding themselves in the midst of a perfect storm, due to relentless drought in that country and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease in South Africa.
‘Parts of the Free state must be declared a disaster area’
The Free State consists of many economic sectors, but agriculture is the most important in terms of food security for everybody, including politicians and government officials.
FSA shocked by three deaths on a Koffiefontein farm
Free State Agriculture (FSA) expressed its shock about a shooting incident in the province in which three lives were lost.
Above-average rainfall expected in late summer
The summer rainfall region can expect continued above-average rainfall during late summer, while below-average rainfall is expected during early autumn.
‘Disregard for bee safety a serious concern’
Despite all pesticides in South Africa being legally regulated, honeybees have increasingly fallen prey to the illegal use of these products.
Call for grain and oilseed indaba in SA
The time has come to create a comprehensive soya value chain plan to create additional value for South African end-consumers, according to De Wet Boshoff, executive director of the Animal Feed Manufacturers Association of South Africa (AFMA).
Afrigus: Breeding the ideal beef cattle for a drier future
Free State stud breeder Martiens le Roux believes the Afrigus breed is a promising new contestant in the South African beef cattle arena. Annelie Coleman called on him on his
farm in the Bethulie district to find out more about this young and relatively unknown breed.
‘SA tourism could lose billions due to illicit wildlife trade’
All indications are that the illicit wildlife trade in South Africa is flourishing. This was according to the Coalition Against the Breeding and Keeping of Lions and other Big Cats for Commercial Purposes, in a letter to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Michael Masutha.
Subdued interim results for Senwes
The land debate and political uncertainty have negatively affected business confidence in the agricultural industry and this was reflected in the decline in producers’ investment and spending in the industry, according to Corné Kruger, chief financial officer of the Senwes Group.
NWK donates R250 000 to Zeerust home for the aged
Agribusiness NWK recently donated R250 000 to the South African Women’s Federation’s home for the aged in Zeerust.
Stock theft is on the rise, farmers warned
The estimated R1 billion in losses currently suffered by South African livestock industry as a result of stock theft, is expected to escalate as the incidences of stock theft increase in all provinces.
Learning from apple growers in Poland
Poland is the largest producer of apples in the European Union. On a recent visit to the country, Annelie Coleman met Bartłomiej Brodzik from the Apple Factory, one of Poland’s major apple growers and exporters.
Counting the cost of the Trompsburg fires
Sheep producer, FC Alexander, lost about 400 animals in the wildfire that raged near Trompsburg between 15 and 17 November, along with about 4 000ha of veld, constituting about 80% of his land.
Damara sheep: No environment too tough
Since importing his first Damaras from Namibia in the late 1980s, stud breeder Frank Blumenthal has firmly believed in the integrity of the breed. The Free State farmer says that the modern indigenous Damara has over the years evolved into a well-muscled animal with outstanding disease resistance and fertility under the hottest, driest conditions.
New screening method for charcoal rot-resistant maize
Researchers at the Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) Grain Crops Institute in Potchefstroom have developed a screening method to identify maize cultivars in South Africa that are resistant to the charcoal rot fungus Macrophomina phaseolina.
Watch out for gerbils during summer grain production season
With the advent of the 2018/2019 summer grain production season, South African producers need to be aware of the potential losses caused by gerbils to newly planted crops.
World champion Savanna goat breeder’s winning formula
World champion Savanna goat breeder Koenie Kotzé believes in strict selection, the best possible genetics, and top conformation and type. Annelie Coleman visited him on his farm Niekerkshoop in the Northern Cape to learn more about his exceptional stud.
Concern about declining Cape buffalo trophy quality
The Cape buffalo occupies a top spot on hunters’ wish lists, but studies show a decrease in the quality of buffalo trophies, according to Dr Johan Rabie, buffalo breeder and owner of Chimoyo Wildlife. Annelie Coleman asked him about the reasons behind this worrying trend.
