Clayton Swart
Clayton Swart is a journalist, editor and communications manager with experience across South Africa and Europe, travelling extensively to major international trade shows. He has written for leading news publishers and global agriculture media, specialising in storytelling that connects people worldwide.
Nic de Beer named young auctioneer of the year
A young auctioneer from Tzaneen in Limpopo has been named the Plaas Media Toyota SA National Young Auctioneer of the Year after claiming first place at Nampo Cape 2026.
Namibia’s agricultural future lies beyond beef
Dr Salomo Mbai, director of the Agricultural Trade Policy Institute at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, spoke to Clayton Swart about the opportunities he believes could shape Namibia’s next agricultural frontier.
Rooibos growers upbeat as rain revives planting hopes
More than 250 km from Cape Town, in the heart of South Africa's unique rooibos producing region near Clanwilliam, growers gathered at Rondeberg Resort for the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Rooibos Tea Producers Association (RTPA) held on 17 September 2026.
Building a profitable indigenous goat enterprise
Starting with only 20 breeding females and one male in April 2024, Leon Lourens and his partners have grown their indigenous veld goat enterprise LGL Farming Co outside Pretoria to about 148 animals. Their experience shows that understanding customers and building relationships can be just as important as increasing production.
Calls for urgent reform as Western Cape agriculture faces mounting risks
The Western Cape must accelerate climate adaptation, repair damaged rural infrastructure, and improve the Port of Cape Town if its agriculture sector is to remain globally competitive, says provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer.
Canola industry growth brings opportunity, but with risk
The growth potential of South Africa’s canola industry was placed in the spotlight at Nampo Cape 2026 during a Grain SA panel discussion titled ‘Canola: A Golden Future’.
Western Cape premier urges farmers to prepare for extreme summer
Europe’s extremely hot recent summer could be an early warning of severe conditions heading the Western Cape’s way, and the province and its agriculture sector therefore need to be ready, Premier Alan Winde told farmers at Nampo Cape 2026 on Friday.
Lack of rain weighs on Swartland growers, says Grain SA
Grain SA CEO Tobias Doyer says poor rainfall, weak grain prices and high input costs are highlighting the pressure facing many Swartland grain producers. In contrast, the Overberg area is expecting a better grain harvest, noted Doyer.
SA dairy sector must learn to live with FMD
At the Milk Producers’ Organisation Western Cape’s annual general meeting, experts urged South Africa’s dairy sector to make foot-and-mouth disease management a routine practice, ensuring biosecurity and herd immunity to safely meet rising milk demand.
Adaptability remains the Nguni’s greatest strength
As livestock producers contend with rising input costs, climate uncertainty, and increasing disease pressure, adaptability is becoming one of the most sought-after traits in beef production, says Limpopo veterinarian and Nguni breeder Dr Pierre Bester.
Technology and resilience in focus on first day at Nampo Cape 2026
Farmers have gathered at Nampo Cape 2026 in Bredasdorp to explore cutting-edge technologies, new crop genetics, and joint industry strategies targeting biosecurity, traceability, and foot-and-mouth disease.
The Nguni keeps outperforming expectations
Lochner Eksteen spoke to Clayton Swart on why he believes the Nguni breed's diversity, adaptability and efficiency continue to set it apart.
Farmers at Swartland Show hear data and local research key to profitable farming
Local trials, data-intensive farming and a deeper understanding of soil conditions can help producers make more informed management decisions that can improve profitability.
The doctor who chose Nguni cattle
A demanding medical career led Dr Oswald Jannasch to seek cattle that could thrive with minimal intervention. The owner of the Matla Nguni Stud, and established cattle breeding farm near Polokwane in Limpopo, believes the indigenous breed is ideally suited to extensive beef production.
Why Nguni cattle stood out during FMD
When foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affected cattle at ZZ2 farms, its Nguni animals appeared to fare better than several other breeds. Clayton Swart hears how the experience reinforced ZZ2's confidence in the breed's genetics and sparked a research collaboration aimed at understanding why.
How Nguni cattle help a fourth-generation farm adapt
As water resources dwindle on his family farm near Mooketsi in Limpopo, Dr Doug Reed has shifted away from crops and towards adaptable, low-input Nguni cattle. Clayton Swart visited the Modjadji Nguni Stud to learn why fertility, longevity, and adaptability underpin Reed’s breeding philosophy.
Black-owned grape farm seeks title deed to unlock growth
Black-owned Siyazama Klipland Boerdery in the Hex River Valley, Western Cape, has more than doubled its grape production over the past five years and is now looking to its next growth phase. Farm manager and shareholder Alec Abrahams says securing a title deed remains a major hurdle.
Biosecurity measures tightened for Swartland Show
Enhanced biosecurity measures will be implemented for the 92nd Swartland Show’s cattle section this year as organisers aim to safeguard animal health and support the long-term sustainability of livestock exhibitions.
Integrated grain farming solutions in the spotlight at Langgewens
Researchers at Langgewens Research Farm in the Swartland, Western Cape, used the second day of the 13th Jack Human Conservation Agriculture Week to showcase practical strategies aimed at improving profitability and resilience in grain production systems.
Grain farming: improving sustainability through conservation agriculture
Building resilience in grain farming systems was a central theme of the 13th Jack Human Conservation Agriculture Week, with researchers from South Africa and Australia highlighting the importance of the connections between soil health, crop management, pest pressure, and environmental conditions in achieving sustainable production.
