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.
Court rules Zimbabwean permit termination unlawful
Zimbabwean exemption permit holders can breathe a little easier for the next 12 months, thanks to the Gauteng High Court finding the minister of Home Affairs’ decision to terminate these permits unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid.
SA’s food inflation rate cools down
The recent sharp decline in food inflation is obviously good news for cash-strapped consumers, but bad news for the agriculture sector.
Heavy rains continue in Western Cape
While the extent of damage is still unclear, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture is estimating losses caused by flooding in the province at between R750 million and R1 billion.
Severe flooding causes extensive damage in the Western Cape
Heavy rains since Wednesday have been causing huge damages to roads and infrastructure in the Western Cape.
Zimbabwean exemption permits extended again
-Holders of Zimbabwean exemption permits have been urged to get their visas in order if they want to stay in South Africa after December.
Draft water licence regulations under fire
The Department of Water and Sanitation recently published a draft in which it proposed that certain enterprises would need up to 75% black shareholding to apply for water licences. The shareholding requirement would depend on the volume of water applied for or the area covered, in the case of commercial forestry.
Grape farming: stick to the basics to succeed!
While production on most grape farms in the Orange River region has taken a knock this season due to adverse weather conditions, GPA Boerdery has managed to achieve a decent harvest. Lourens Maass and his son Kobus, who run GPA, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their recipe for success.
Unlocking the soil’s potential with biochar
Biochar, the residue created by burning biomass, has been increasingly recognised for its remarkable ability to improve soil fertility and store carbon. Kobus Stoop, director of Cape Town-based Senfore Soil Conditioning, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the substance and its potential for agriculture.
SA’s high unemployment trend continues
South Africa’s unemployment rate increased by 0,2% to 32,9% from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023, according to Statistics South Africa’s recently released Quarterly Labour Force Survey.
Outbreak of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Namibia
Namibia has declared an outbreak of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Gobabis, after someone died of the disease in a hospital in Windhoek.
Above-normal rainfall for most of SA in early winter
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) expects above-normal rainfall for most parts of the country in early winter. For the southern coastal areas and the south-west, the mid- to late winter forecast is above-normal and below-normal rainfall respectively.
‘Duties will protect potato industry against unfair trade’
Government recently approved anti-dumping duties, ranging between 8,8% to 239%, on frozen potato chips imported from the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.
Slugs and snails: why numbers are soaring, and how to fight the scourge
Arnold du Preez, owner of Snail and Slug Solutions, warns that the surge in slug and snail populations will prove a major threat to agriculture unless farmers tackle the problem proactively.
Living off the land, thanks to diversification
Producing a variety of crops and livestock has enabled Tabby Robertshaw and her partner to realise their dream of homesteading. She spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the hard work they have put into the venture.
Boosting dairy profitability: it’s not all in the genes!
Looking for ways to enhance your dairy’s profits? Better cow health and improved liveability might be the solution, according to Rebekah Mast, a US-based dairy genetics expert.
Production tips from a top pome fruit farm
Attention to detail has helped Welgemeen Boerdery achieve top honours for its Golden Delicious and Kanzi apples, and Abate Fetel pears. Hannes and Sakkie Hanekom explained their approach to Glenneis Kriel.
Agri budget met with mixed reactions
The development of traditional agricultural areas, previously known as reserves, will be a key priority during the coming financial year, according to Minister Thoko Didiza of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. Didiza made the announcement during her budget speech, which was delivered on 9 May.
Favourable outlook for summer and winter field crops
Farmers intend to plant 542 600ha of wheat in the 2023 production season, 4% less than last season’s 566 800ha, according to the latest report by the Crop Estimates Committee.
Fruit sector research: power-generating trees, solar nets, and more!
Soaring energy and labour costs have sparked research into new production practices in the fruit industry. Calla du Toit, procurement manager at Tru-Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about these developments.
Intensive livestock production under threat as Eskom tariff hike bites
The Eskom tariff increase of 18,5%, which kicked in at the start of April, is driving up the cost of intensive layer, broiler and pork production, and making it increasingly difficult for these farmers to remain commercially viable.
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