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.
Latest articles
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.
Premier pledges grower compensation as Tulbagh talks continue
Premier Group CEO Kobus Gertenbach has told canning fruit growers that the company will compensate them in cash for fruit it can no longer process during the coming season.
‘Highly unusual’ South African citrus season tests industry resilience
Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, says the current season has been “highly unusual”, with conflict in the Middle East, inclement weather, softer demand, logistics challenges, and new US tariffs creating a challenging export environment for South Africa’s citrus industry.
Rooibos seeds to make historic journey to International Space Station
A small batch of rooibos seeds from the Cederberg is set to embark on an extraordinary journey later this year, travelling thousands of kilometres from South Africa, via the United States, to the International Space Station (ISS) and back to local soil.
How a young auctioneer is finding his rhythm
Fiso Hadebe is an upcoming auctioneer. He represented South Africa and Africa at the International Livestock Auctioneer Championship held in Calgary, Canada, last July, where he placed between 22nd and 25th out of 40 international participants.
New HPAI vaccination policy requires stricter surveillance
While the Department of Agriculture is preparing to roll out its new vaccination strategy against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), industry experts say its success will depend on rigorous surveillance to detect and monitor the virus.
Spaza shops present huge untapped market for agriculture
The spaza shops in South Africa and its township economy present the agriculture industry with a huge untapped market worth hundreds of billions of rands each year.
Cape Town port shows operational improvements despite poor global ranking
Transnet and the Western Cape Government have said that targeted operational interventions and stronger collaboration are beginning to yield results at the Port of Cape Town, even though it was placed last in the latest global port rankings.
Young farmers push for real reform at Stellenbosch round-table discussion
At a Department of Agriculture Youth Day round-table held at the Agricultural Research Council’s Nietvoorbij campus in Stellenbosch on 17 June, young farmers called for urgent, practical reforms to improve access to finance, land, and markets, warning that inaction is eroding confidence in the sector.
Western Cape braces for extended recovery after severe weather
The Western Cape faces a long road to recovery following multiple storm systems and flooding that hit the province during May, says Premier Alan Winde.
SA–Italy agri pact targets Africa expansion and EU market access
South Africa and Italy have used this week’s inaugural South Africa-Italy Agribusiness Forum in Cape Town to reposition their relationship from a largely trade-based one to a more strategic partnership centred on value addition, technology, and joint expansion into new markets.
