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.
The Dexter: Dynamite in a small package
Don't be fooled by the Dexter's size - this dual-purpose breed carries a higher proportion of its body weight as saleable meat than most beef breeds, and offers sterling weight gain and feed conversion. Annelie Coleman spoke to Piet van der Merwe, SA Dexter Breeders' Society president, and discovered demand for this breed far exceeds supply.
Soil organisms for sustainable farming
Ben Krog, MD of fertiliser company Profert, understands there’s more to soil health than piling on chemicals. He told Annelie Coleman about the vital role played by soil microorganisms, especially when it comes to sequestering carbon and countering the effects of climate change.
Steroids & smallstock
The smallstock stud industry in South Africa is plagued by the illegal use of steroids to artificially boost animal growth. But these drugs damage the growth and fertility of the animals and their offspring, and buyers wind up paying for genetic merit that isn't really there. Annelie Coleman discussed the issue with head of the department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences at the University of the Free State, Prof Johan Greyling.
Issue date ; 10 July 2009
Issue date ; 10 July 2009
Hippo, and now buffalo set Karoo tourism on fire
When Merino farmer PC Ferreira from Hanover reintroduced hippo into the Karoo after an absence of 250 years, he could never have guessed the economic impact it would have on the local tourism industry. He now plans to reintroduce buffalo and eventually rhino along a 150km stretch of the Seekoei River. Annelie Coleman reports.
Issue date : 10 July 2009
Issue date : 10 July 2009
Hippo, & now buffalo, set Karoo toursim on fire
When Merino farmer PC Ferreira from Hanover reintroduced hippo into the Karoo after an absence of 250 years, he could never have guessed the economic impact it would have on the local tourism industry. He now plans to reintroduce buffalo and eventually rhino along a 150km stretch of the Seekoei River. Annelie Coleman reports
Issue date : 10 July 2009
Issue date : 10 July 2009
Phosphorus beats cartilage problems
Arthrosis is on the rise among cattle, but farmers can fight it with correct phosphorus supplementation. Annelie Coleman reports.
Issue date: 26 June 2009.
Issue date: 26 June 2009.
“Farming outlook is positive” – Absa man
Louis von Zeuner, Absa group executive director, speaks to Annelie Coleman about the bank's involvement in agriculture, and why the outlook for farmers is positive.
Issue date : 03 July 2009
Issue date : 03 July 2009
Invasive alien trees make for good business
The eucalyptus plantations dotting the Free State landscape might soon be a thing of the past, after many were declared invasive aliens. But this legislation has opened up a business opportunity for Graeme Morrison and his partner Martin Jooste in Bothaville. Annelie Coleman recently visited their sawmill and furniture manufacturing business in town.
Issue date : 12 June 2009
Issue date : 12 June 2009
Konsortium-Merino: A farmer-owned brand
In 1998, four Merino breeders decided to pool expertise to fast-track breeding genetically superior and functionally efficient Merinos. Today, the farmer-owned business Konsortium-Merino not only sells the most rams at official Merino sales, it also aims to increase ewe numbers and its brand to 1,5 million in the next 10 years. Annelie Coleman spoke with directors Gawie van Heerden and John Luscombe, and managing director Braam Coetzee.
Issue date : 05 June 2009
Issue date : 05 June 2009
Sound predator control
Attracting predators for removal has never been easier with the new Foxpro Fury sound-generating equipment, writes Annelie Coleman.
Issue date : 08 May 2009
Issue date : 08 May 2009
How to breed cattle that thrive on veld
Breeding cattle to thrive on veld means a total turnaround from breeding for the feedlot, and farmers can finish cattle for slaughter directly from the veld, contends Zimbabwean cattleman and animal scientist Johan Zietsman. It all depends on genetically programmed body condition, well-balanced hormone levels and the right type of bull. Annelie Coleman reports.
Issue date : 08 May 2009
Issue date : 08 May 2009
‘Wild’ cattle – tough beef
Farmers have never considered cattle temperament a commercial problem, but new evidence shows stress-prone cattle gain less weight, have darker beef and are more likely to have unusable carcasses. Australia has even added temperament to the Breedplan EBVs to help farmers breed for docility, says Dr Heather Burrows, CEO of Australia's Cooperative Research Centre for Cattle and Beef Quality. Annelie Coleman reports.
Issue date: 01 May 2009
Issue date: 01 May 2009
Mixed reactions as Lourie Bosman joins DA
The DA's announcement that previous Agri SA president Lourie Bosman has been earmarked to take over from agriculture spokesperson Dr Kraai van Niekerk has been met with mixed reaction.
| Read more |  |
Tigercat and Thule trailers
We take a look at a new forestry machine and Swedish trailer technology in SA
Issue date 9 January 2009
Issue date 9 January 2009
Red meat to remain under pressure
Gerhard Schutte, CEO of the Red Meat Producers' Organisation (RPO), said the pressure on red meat production profitability is expected to continue in 2009.
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009
Tough year ahead for grain farmers
Grain SA's CEO Dr Kobus Laubscher warned that grain producers are in for a tough time in 2009.
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009
Politicking will get worse before it gets better
With a split in the ANC and an alarming decline in agricultural production, ANC president Jacob Zuma and Mosiuoa Lekota, leader of the newly formed Congress of the People (COPE), wasted no time traversing the platteland wooing commercial farmers.
Issue date : 2 -9 January 2009
Issue date : 2 -9 January 2009
Economy should lift its head – Ernst Janovsky
Head of Absa's agribusiness division Ernst Janovsky is cautiously optimistic about the local agricultural economic outlook for 2009 and expects a slight increase in the demand for agricultural products in the new year.
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009
Issue date : 2-9 January 2009
How profitable will 2009 be?
An overview of what the various farming sectors can expect in 2009
The importance of feed & livestock feed efficiency
Over the past 30 years the poultry and pork industries have made great strides towards improving feed utilisation, and thus efficiency of production, but the beef cattle industry has only made a few feeble attempts in that direction.
- ADVERTISEMENT -
MUST READS
- ADVERTISEMENT -
- ADVERTISEMENT -
