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.
Boran crosses produce fine weaners for the feedlot industry
Quentin and Marisa de Bruyn from Ladybrand in the Free State have ‘fallen head-over-heels in love’ with Boran cattle, and see the breed as a top contender in South Africa’s red meat production industry, especially when used in a crossbreeding system.
Trophy hunting more lucrative than previously thought
Research has shown that trophy hunting is more lucrative to the South African economy than previously expected, according to a recent study headed by Prof Peet van der Merwe and conducted by North-West University’s research unit, Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society, in collaboration with the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa.
Agri sector relatively robust, despite challenges, Purchase
At present, the South African agricultural sector is relatively robust and healthy, including the red meat industry.
SA improves ranking on Dupont Food Security Index
South Africa has managed to improve its position on the Dupont Food Security Index (GFSI) by three places, despite weathering the worst drought in two decades.
Namibia’s top Santa Gertrudis stud
Ingo Rix’s Black Nossob Santa Gertrudis stud near Witvlei in Namibia, is the only stud in Southern Africa with a Breedplan 5-Star Completeness of Performance accreditation. He told Annelie Coleman how this hardy, adaptable breed has proven itself to be the ultimate breed for extensive farming conditions.
Grain producers urged to report red-billed quelea outbreaks
South African grain producers were called upon to report all red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea) breeding and roosting places as a matter of urgency to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Drought in the Northern Cape spreads
The drought in the Northern Cape was spreading, said Henk van Wyk, Agri Northern Cape President.
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.
