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.
Land claimant communities receive title deeds
The minister of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) Gugile Nkwinti handed over title deeds to eight successful land claimant communities from the North West, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
Animal health crisis in the Northern Cape
Sexually transmitted animal diseases and a lack of vaccines are the foremost challenges facing Northern Cape livestock producers. Annelie Coleman asked Dr Koos Louw, chairperson of the provincial Red Meat Producers’ Organisation’s (RPO NC) Animal Health Forum, to explain.
The dangers of uranium mining
Uranium mining in the Karoo poses serious threats to the environment and farming community, according to Dr Stefan Cramer, advisor to the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute. Dangers include radioactive pollution and high water consumption, he told Annelie Coleman.
The adaptable Afrisim: ideal for feedlot and veld
Afrisim cattle consultant Lynton Vermaak explains to Annelie Coleman that no breeder can afford animals that need unnecessary attention in the economic reality of sustainable and profitable red meat production in South Africa.
Grain SA: the road travelled
Derek Mathews is the longest-serving founding member of the Grain SA executive. He spoke to Annelie Coleman about the transition from a controlled grain production system to a free market system.
Free State Young Farmer positive about farming in SA
DJ van der Linde, the 2016 Free State Young Farmer of the Year, maintains that an optimistic attitude can make the difference between success and failure in farming. The young grain producer from Vierfontein spoke to Annelie Coleman.
Poor yields reported across SA’s summer crop production region
The majority of lands planted to sunflower in the summer grain production areas have been harvested, according to Grain SA economist Petru Fourie.
The importance of risk management
Daan Hugo, managing director of CertiSure, says that while avoiding risk in the South African agricultural sector is out of the question, various risk management tools are available to help in the assessment and prioritisation of risks. Annelie Coleman reports.
Bonsmara-infused Afrikaners: enhancing performance
Bothaville Stud breeder, Herbert Bruinette, has succeeded in breeding Afrikaner cattle with excellent breeding values and muscling through the introduction of Bonsmara genetics into his herd. He started in 2008 in consultation with animal scientist Danie Bosman. Annelie Coleman spoke to them to find out more about the project.
Financial advice for farmers
Many farmers are not only struggling with the environmental effects of the drought, but experiencing monetary difficulties. Marius Volschenk, Nedbank’s area manager of agriculture in Bloemfontein, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the importance of long-term financial planning.
Calling on our commercial and mega farmers
Developing South Africa’s emerging farmers will only be successful if the country’s commercial and mega farming sectors become involved, says Nick Serfontein, chairperson of the Sernick Group.
The first Malawi Brangus stud makes its mark
Brangus cattle are making an indelible impression on the Malawian beef industry. The breed is well-adapted to farming conditions in Malawi, says Peter Tselingas, Brangus breeder and owner of the Pananyama Brangus stud in that country.
Value-adding ensures long-term sustainability and profitability
Through a number of value-adding enterprises, Free State agribusiness VKB has created a viable downstream market for the commodities in its production area. Annelie Coleman asked Sas Kasselman, VKB Managing director of industries, to explain the thinking and the systems behind his company’s value-adding drive.
Why is it important to brand?
Now is an excellent time for South African products to enter global markets, according to
Prof Melville Saayman, director of Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society at
North-West University. He explains why the branding of our agricultural products is so important.
Photo gallery: A roadtrip to Gariep dam
The area along the border between the southern Free State and the Eastern Cape is steeped in history. Annelie Coleman compiled this photo collage during a road trip to the Gariep Dam.
Agricultural financing and its challenges
The drastic increase in the cost of agricultural inputs, among others, has resulted in an increased demand for alternative production finance, according to Prof Sanlie Middelberg, associate professor at North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus’s School of Accounting Sciences. Annelie Coleman asked her about the provision of production finance in the sector.
Learn about SA’s indigenous trees
Southern Africa has about 1 700 different native trees. Annelie Coleman investigated a few of the most common trees found in the Free State and North West and compiled notes on some of them.
Agribusinesses compete to support school
Eben Dönges primary school in Bothaville in the Free State has enlisted the support of the private agriculture sector in an innovative way, says Annelie Coleman.
Keeping track of livestock production profitability
The Namibian Agricultural Union’s Production-Cost Index is a valuable tool for determining and monitoring price trends in the country’s livestock production industries, according to Jaco Hanekom, the union’s assistant manager of commodities.
The index has lately shown an alarming negative price trend in cattle production.
The importance of the agri water footprint
The agriculture industry’s water footprint is expected to play an increasingly important role in the future. A responsible footprint will add markedly to water conservation in a dry country such as South Africa, Dr Henry Jordaan, senior lecturer at the University of the Free State’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, told Annelie Coleman.
