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.
Healthy soils lead to healthy plants and animals
Dr Louis du Pisani shed light on why biodiversity is important, and its impact on soil, plant and animal health at the World Veterinary Association Congress held in Cape Town.
Overcoming fresh produce challenges: Key takeaways from IFPA
Miriam Wolk, chief membership officer of the International Fresh Produce Association, shared ways to weather fresh produce market challenges at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Southern Africa conference, recently held in Cape Town.
Rapid response team launched to combat foot-and-mouth disease
The livestock industry has welcomed the establishment of a rapid response team to deal with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks.
Dexter cattle find their niche in regenerative farming systems
The Dexter cattle breed is proving its mettle as a regenerative farming tool in the Western Cape’s intensive farming systems.
Land ownership no obstacle for this olive oil and wine producer
Mac Mabidilala is proof that you don’t need to own land to start in agriculture. He shares how he turned his dreams into reality by producing premium wines and olive oil.
Farmers detail production increases from regenerative agriculture
During a panel discussion at the 9th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture, farmers shared their success with regenerative agriculture practices.
Regenerative farming: from ‘lifeless dust’ to productive farm
The use of regenerative farming practices has enabled Barry Meijer to restore the ‘lifeless dust’ on his farm and turn it into productive pastures for his cattle. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the transformation.
Agri department ready to grow despite budgetary constraints – Steenhuisen
The new agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, intends to accelerate the implementation of the Agricultural and Agro-Processing Master Plan, get more smallholder farmers to access foreign markets, modernise legislation and strengthen biosecurity.
SA loses R24bn in revenue to illicit tobacco sales
British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) has called on the new government to crack down on illicit tobacco to “plug a R24 billion” revenue leak.
Rain and intense cold weather conditions continue in Western Cape
The South African Weather Service has issued a level 8 warning for disruptive rain in the Western Cape as another intense cold front is heading towards the province.
Alternative methods to combat herbicide resistance
The development of herbicide resistance is forcing farmers to incorporate non-chemical management practices in their weed control programmes. Dr Michael Walsh spoke about how it’s done in Australia at a farmers’ day in the Western Cape.
Top European apple being trialled in SA
Treequattro is looking for South African producers to augment production of its non-oxidating Maribelle apple variety, which is boosting farm income in Europe.
Guava association expects smaller 2024 harvest
The Guava Producers’ Association (GPA) has adjusted its guava production estimate down from 25 200t to 22 500t, making the harvest 16% smaller than the 26 641t harvested last season and the smallest harvest in the past three years.
Government urged to step up rural safety interventions
Farm attacks and murders spiked in June and have continued with a bloody start in July. A 65-year-old farm manager was stabbed to death in the early morning hours of Monday on a farm near Porterville in the Western Cape.
Rankings place SA ports among world’s worst
In the recently released World Bank and S&P Container Port Performance Index 2023, the Port of Cape Town fell from 347th place in the 2022 rankings, when only 348 ports were ranked, to the bottom of the list at number 405.
Agribusiness Confidence falls to a 15-year low
The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) has fallen by 2 points to 38 in the second quarter of 2024, indicating that agribusinesses remain downbeat about business conditions in South Africa.
Water Affairs’ Senzo Mchunu appointed acting agriculture minister
Former agriculture minister Thoko Didiza was elected National Assembly Speaker at the first sitting of the National Assembly on Friday. In her place, Senzo Mchunu, the minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation, was appointed acting minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
Pushback against EU’s ‘discrimination against wool’
Proposed methodology to measure the environmental footprint of apparel and footwear are threatening the feature sustainability of natural fibres.
Olives: Get the basics right to improve yields!
Bennie Diedericks, head of consultants at Resalt, said at the SA Olive field day that farmers would succeed if they focused on the things under their control.
Extreme weather blamed on climate change and El Niño
Heavy rains and gale-force winds caused destruction in some parts of the country, but brought welcome relief in other parts.
