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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.

Save the sheep project assists drought-stricken farmers

The women of Sutherland in the Karoo have come up with an innovative way to raise funds to alleviate the plight of the drought-stricken farmers in the district.

No transport differential for soya beans

Grain SA has welcomed a decision against the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) not to implement a transport differential for soy beans in SA.

Bankrupt bush encroachment on the increase

South Africa’s grasslands are threatened by the encroachment of bankrupt bush (Seriphium plumosum), according to Dan’sile Cindi, deputy director: Ecological Infrastructure at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

Maize harvest progressing slowly due to late plantings

Maize harvesting in the western part of South Africa’s summer grain production region was progressing slowly, according to Grain SA economist Petru Fourie.

Growing veggies on a small plot of land

Albertina Nontwazana Stungu, a domestic worker in Port Elizabeth, is testament to the fact that a farming operation does not necessarily require vast tracts of land.

Groundwater conservation: a long-term investment

Groundwater resource conservation should be the most important aspect of any irrigation farming concern in South Africa, say geohydrology consultant JL van Vuuren and drilling contractor Marnus Nel. A lack of proper management of these resources poses a serious threat to the future of the irrigation industry.

A new beginning for crisis-hit Coligny

Agribusiness NWK is funding a project launched by the South Africa Day Project in order to contribute to the regeneration of the Coligny town and community in North West province.

Grain SA celebrates Mandela’s 100th birthday

Grain SA’s Nampo personnel, in Bothaville, Free State, undertook the mammoth task of overhauling the premises of the local Nala Ratabile Children’s Home to commemorate the 100th anniversary of late president Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

Entries open for 2018 Tru-Cape Packhouse Challenge

Thousands of entries are expected for the 2018 Tru-Cape Packhouse Challenge to be held on 25 August.

Protect livestock against pneumonia in winter

Livestock producers need to carefully manage their cattle herds and sheep flocks during the current cold spell because Pasteurella pneumonia is a real danger without sufficient cover and nutrition, according to Danie Odendaal, director of the SA Veterinarian Network.

Agri link in North West irregular expenditure

The ministerial task team appointed to assess the state of governance in North West has reported to Parliament that R413 million in irregular expenditure in the province could be attributed to contracts with the farming consulting company AgriDelight.

R50 million damage to Eastern Cape citrus industry

Initial indications are that the citrus industry in the Eastern Cape lost at least R50 million to labour unrest and consequent damage to packing facilities and infrastructure, according to Hannes de Waal, chairman of the Citrus Producers’ Forum in the Sunday's River Valley.

Why SA leads the world in effective lucerne hay grading

Lucerne is one of the most important hay crops in South Africa, but differences in quality can have a marked effect on livestock performance and profitability, especially in the dairy industry.

Macadamia harvest set for 20% boost this year

The Southern African Macadamia Growers’ Association’s (SAMAC) 2018 yield forecast is 20% higher than last year, which totalled 44 610t, This is according to Barry Christie, SAMAC’s operations manager.

Powerful lowveld hailstorm causes long-lasting damage

The effects of a violent hailstorm in the Lowveld on 27 May will be felt by fruit and macadamia farmers for a long time to come, according to Barend van Rensburg, Agri Mpumalanga representative in the Nelspruit area.

Extensive hail damage in Mpumalanga

Farmers in Mpumalanga’s Onderberg region are still assessing the damage after the devastating hail storm that hit Malelane, Komatipoort and the southern part of the Kruger National Park on Sunday night (27 May).

Successful new farmer development projects around Upington

Wiaan van Rensburg, Orange River Agricultural Union’s (ORLU) president, praised the organisation’s members for their support and active involvement in 13 new farmer development projects that had been established on 2 261ha in the union’s irrigation area.

The danger of policy uncertainty

Policy certainty formed the root of successful land reform. This was according to Simba Makoni, who had been the minister of finance and economic development in former President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe’s cabinet from 2000 to 2002.

The indigenous Kolbroek pig – a South African success story

South Africa’s indigenous Kolbroek breed is ideal for contributing to food security in rural areas, according to Wessel Pistorius, a Kolbroek breeder near Magaliesburg. The modern animal, bred from a wide variety of breeds, offers many advantages: it requires little space, is an indiscriminate eater, has excellent maternal traits, and is generally healthy.

Annelie Coleman