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.
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.
Inside Namibia’s stud-breeding industry
The Namibian stud livestock breeding industry currently consists of 79 000 head of registered livestock. Annelie Coleman spoke to Jacque Els, CEO of the Namibian Stud Breeders’ Association in Windhoek, about the distinguishing features of the industry in his country.
North West looks like a desert
The drought has left large parts of North West so dry that the landscape now resembles a desert.
Buying agricultural land – know your market
Buying a farm in South Africa calls for careful consideration and in-depth investigation. The purchase of high-potential agricultural land is a costly affair which should be approached with sound knowledge of the market.
Smallholders double yields with drought tolerant maize
The locally developed Wema conventional drought tolerant maize hybrids have proven to be a resounding success.
Managing for drought conditions
The drought during the past summer grain production season could result in cash flow restraints for grain producers. At the same time, livestock management has become increasingly important for mitigating the effects of the drought, Annelie Coleman reports.
Fire has no mercy
Ouboet – I find it exceedingly difficult to wrap my head around the fact that veld fires have destroyed more than 400 000ha in the Free State so far this year.
Conference shenanigans
Thank goodness we’ve eventually come to the end of the 2014 congress season.
Agriculture is responsible for its own destiny
Boet, you know how much I dread the annual congress season! But so far this year I’ve been very impressed by the standard of the agricultural congresses.
Grim legacy
My heart aches for every person in South Africa who has lost a child, a spouse or a loved one to farm violence.
Farmers are tough enough
A farmer is a farmer is a farmer, irrespective of where you farm and what you farm with.
Welcome to winter
O glorious day! Winter has finally come. This is my favourite time of the year. I adore a cold winter.
Zokwana and Cele – the mind boggles!
You don’t need the Rosetta Stone to decode the message behind President Zuma’s appointment of NUM stalwart Senzeni Zokwana as the new minister of agriculture.
Veld test: Santa Gertrudis proves its worth
The North West Veld Santa Breeders’ Study Group has demonstrated the breed’s efficiency and ability under extensive conditions, confirming its value as a beef breed.
Top genetics boost communal goat project
Goat farming is central to the economy of the Bakgatla Ba Kgafela Traditional Authority (BBKTA) in North West. A project to improve the local goat herds through world-class genetics is now underway. Annelie Coleman spoke to BBKTA leader Kgosi Nyalala Pilane.
Creating false hopes
Can you imagine burning your grain lands and killing your livestock and then buying your food at vastly inflated prices from your neighbour?
SA’s bright young farmers
Boeta, how I wish you could have attended this year’s Free State Young Farmer conference with me.
SA beef cattle ranchers up there with the world’s best
Jong, Ouboet, I’m telling you South Africa’s commercial cattle farmers really are world-class.
