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.
Agri SA to potentially change to Pty Ltd
Agri SA's intention to change from a civic to a Pty (Ltd) organisation was so that it could continue to offer sustainable service delivery to the South African agriculture sector.
Learn marketing mechanisms to maximise grain profits
According to Dr Dirk Strydom, Grain SA’s manager for grain economy and marketing, South Africa’s producers are technologically advanced, but lack marketing prowess. However, marketing opportunities abound, particularly in the volatile free market system.
Spring rain expected for north-eastern parts of SA
An increased chance for above-normal rainfall between spring and late spring over the north-eastern parts of the country is expected, said Cobus Olivier, prediction scientist at SAWS.
North West’s Naledi aims to shine in 2017 solar challenge
The Faculty of Engineering at North-West University (NWU) launched Naledi, a solar car, which will be competing in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in early October in Australia.
El Niño no longer predicted for SA
According to Cobus Olivier, prediction scientist at the South Africa Weather Service, the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon was expected to remain in a neutral phase during South Africa’s summer period.
Avian influenza outbreak at RCL Foods
RCL Foods has revealed an Avian influenza outbreak at the company’s Viva poultry farm near Muldersdift.
R189 million profit for OVK through diversification
The OVK agribusiness group declared a net profit of R189 million before tax for the financial year that ended on 28 February 2017.
NWK announces R52 million profit
Agri business NWK realised an after-tax profit of R52 million for the year ended 30 April 2017, despite a disappointing year with markedly weaker agricultural results than previous years.
New export markets needed for SA maize
Zimbabwe’s bumper 2017 maize crop would not have a significant impact on South African maize exports to Africa. This was according to Luan van der Walt, Grain SA economist.
35th Farm attack in the Free State
The number of farm attacks in the Free State has risen to 35. The latest attack took place on Friday between Theunissen and Winburg.
Hoof management guidelines
Although an animal with hoof problems may be able to function normally, malformed hooves can have an impact on production and performance. Annelie Coleman spoke to cattle farrier and hoof specialist, Johan Combrink, about problems encountered and how to deal with these.
Veld fires scorch eastern Free State farms
Thousands of hectares of eastern Free State veld were destroyed by wild fires over the past weekend, said Thinus Steenkamp, general manager for the Free State Umbrella Fire Association.
Drought depletes farmers’ cash flow in Northern Cape
Willem Symington, Agri Northern Cape’s Disaster Management committee chairman, said Namaqualand, Boesmanland and the Hantam District Municipality are being particularly hard hit by the now two-year-long drought in the area.
Commercial buffalo breeding: ‘It’s not just for the rich’
Father-and-son team Francoais Schutte Sr and Jr breed buffalo on their farm near Theunissen in the Free State. They are passionate about the species and say that commercial buffalo breeding makes sound economic sense. Annelie Coleman visited the Schuttes to learn more.
SA farmers must consider soya bean production
The growing emphasis on conservation tillage has pushed more grain farmers to practise crop rotation using soya bean and maize, said Gerhard Scholtemeijer from the Protein Research Foundation (PRF).
RPO welcomes arrest of stock thieves in the Free State
The Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) in the Free State has congratulated the South African Police Service (SAPS) and farmers in the Reitz district following the arrest of six suspected stock thieves recently.
Millions for restitution project in North West
New farmers in the province received farming equipment worth more than R6 million from Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mcebesi Skwatcha.
World record price for SA mohair
The world record price for mohair was surpassed this week by a staggering R37/kg, resulting in the record price of R896/kg.
Free State veld fire warning
Free State Agriculture (FSA) has issued an urgent warning to its members to prepare for possible veld fire outbreaks in the province.
Always manage grazing with drought in mind
The only insurance against drought is a sound, scientifically based grazing management programme, coupled with a reasonable stocking rate even in times of plenty. So says Dr Mias van der Westhuizen, Free State rangeland specialist. Annelie Coleman spoke to him about the practical implications of good grazing management.
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