Glenneis Kriel
Glenneis Kriel is a senior agricultural journalist for Farmer's Weekly. Her ventures into agricultural journalism started out by chance, more than 20 years ago, when someone suggested she freelance for the magazine, which turned out to be her dream job. Her passion is to write stories that inspire greatness and make people evaluate the way they are doing things.
Latest articles
Keeping calves cool for a lifetime of gains
Although calves are less susceptible to the effects of heat than lactating cows, heat stress during their first two months can affect their health, growth, and future performance. Simple changes, such as providing shade and improving airflow, can make a lasting difference.
Vaccination protocols that actually work
Vaccines are only as effective as the protocols behind them. Dr Noluvuyo Magadla, director of animal health at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, explained to Glenneis Kriel why proper planning, handling and record-keeping are critical to successful livestock vaccination programmes.
Understand what consumers value to keep lamb and wool relevant
Keeping lamb and wool relevant requires more than increasing production. The sheep industry must understand what consumers value, deliver products that meet those expectations and ensure that the farmers producing them share in the rewards.
Beyond the spray: Rethinking weed control
Herbicides have become central to weed control in conservation farming, but resistance is forcing producers to rethink how much of the burden chemistry should carry.
Confronting the risks reshaping the business of farming
South African farmers already know what it takes to operate amid insecurity and failing infrastructure. Prof Abel Esterhuyse of Stellenbosch University’s Department of Strategic Studies warned that producers elsewhere could face similar pressures as five major forces reshape global agriculture.
Getting calves off to the best start
A calf needs enough good-quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth to help protect it against disease. To help producers get this vital first feed right, veterinary consultant Dr Ryan Davies explains what to check, when to step in and how to assess whether colostrum management is working.
The hidden cost of poor health management
The most damaging livestock losses are often the ones farmers do not immediately see. Veterinarian Dr Dave Midgley explained to Glenneis Kriel how good health management protects productivity, fertility, and long-term farm performance. Prevention, planning and veterinary partnerships go a long way towards safeguarding production and profit.
KWV takes top Veritas award for third consecutive year
KWV secured the Duimpie Bayly Vertex Trophy for a record third consecutive year at the 36th Veritas Awards, with its Laborie Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs 2020 crowned overall champion wine. The win marked the producer’s fourth Vertex Trophy overall.
Global Wagyu growth hinges on cooperation, traceability, and scale
The global Wagyu industry has considerable room for growth, but protecting the integrity of the premium beef brand, improving market access, and achieving consistent commercial supply will be critical to unlocking its potential.
SA wine punches above its weight
South Africa’s wine industry researchers achieve a great deal with substantially less funding and capacity than their international counterparts. Broader funding sources, coordinated research programmes and producer involvement could help the industry build on this foundation.
Leaders urged to address red meat industry challenges
South Africa’s red meat industry needs sufficient funding, changes in state animal health management, and stronger farmer participation if it is to achieve its growth ambitions. This was according to speakers at the Road to Recovery event at Nampo Alfa on 2 October.
Red meat industry needs to turn strategy into delivery
South Africa’s red meat industry has no shortage of plans, structures or committed people, yet weak coordination, inadequate funding and poor implementation continue to hamper efforts to turn strategy into results.
Livestock recovery gains ground, but price trends diverge
Lower feed costs and improved grazing are bringing relief to South Africa’s livestock farmers, but better production conditions are not translating into the same price trends across the industry.
Stormsvlei: history, hospitality and a home from home
After a long day covering Nampo Cape, a clean room, good food, a hot shower and comfortable bed are hard to beat. But on Farmer’s Weekly’s second stay at Stormsvlei, it was the genuine warmth of the welcome that made returning there feel like coming home.
Potato prices slide as onion market holds firm
Higher supply delivered sharply different outcomes in South Africa’s potato and onion markets during the first half of 2026, with average potato prices falling by 19% while onion prices rose by 8%, according to Absa AgriBusiness’s latest AgriTrends report.
Langgewens marks 100 years of research that has shaped farming
A century of research at Langgewens, near Malmesbury in the Swartland, Western Cape, has helped transform farming far beyond the boundaries of the research farm, contributing to advances in crop production, soil management, conservation agriculture, and livestock systems.
Olive oil producers urged to focus on quality as global prices tumble
South African olive oil producers will increasingly have to compete on quality, freshness, and provenance as recovering global supplies drive international prices down and see the return of cheaper imported oils to local shelves.
Meyer gives farmers an election checklist ahead of municipal elections
With local government elections fast approaching, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer has urged farmers to scrutinise municipal candidates on issues that directly affect agriculture before voting.
‘We are far from a free market’ – wheat farmers
Western Cape grain farmers warn that high input costs, weak producer prices, and a distorted wheat market are threatening the future of local production, with potentially serious consequences for rural economies and food security.
R15 billion in water losses threaten agricultural production
The amount of water wasted in Gauteng each year is equivalent to the Western Cape’s entire annual water use, illustrating the enormous scale of South Africa’s municipal water losses at a time when a developing El Niño could place even greater pressure on supplies.
