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.
Load-shedding and uncertainty threaten fruit processing industry
The fruit processing industry is experiencing tremendous challenges because of the power crisis and uncertainty over the future of Langeberg & Ashton Foods, according to Jacques Jordaan, CEO of the Canning Fruit Producers’ Association (CFPA).
Poor economy and logistical problems take their toll on wine exports
Wine export volumes have declined by 5%, from 388.1 million in 2021 to 368,8 million litres in 2022, while export value dropped by 2,4%, from R10,2 billion to R9,9 billion, according to the recently released Wines of South Africa Export Report 2022.
Illicit trade deals SA tobacco industry another blow
South Africa’s largest tobacco manufacturer, British American Tobacco (BAT), has entered into a process of restructuring, because of an “explosion in illicit tobacco sales” following the ban on cigarette sales during the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in 2020.
Challenges and opportunities for potato farmers
Even as South Africa’s potato industry feels the weight of adverse production conditions, high input costs and rolling blackouts, producers have reason for optimism.
Why nutrition is crucial for dairy cow fertility
While genetic improvement can go a long way towards improving dairy profitability, cows and calves will not reach their full potential if they suffer from nutritional deficiencies.
Farm sales in South Africa looking bullish
A total of 3 864 farms were sold in South Africa between January and October 2022, a significant increase from the 3 133 over the same period in 2021, according to Johann Bornman, chairperson of Agri Development Solutions.
Maximise dairy profits with beef semen
Improved breeding technologies and practices have resulted in many dairies ending up with more replacement heifers than they need. To add value to surplus animals, farmers can use beef semen on some of their cows. Glenneis Kriel explains what this process entails, and how it should be approached and implemented.
Table grape volumes expected to decline
The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) expects volumes of table grapes for exporting to decrease by almost 8% in the 2022/23 season, down from the previous season’s 77,7 million 4,5kg-equivalent cartons to about 71,7 million.
Agri department issues rabies alert for the Festive Season
A warning has been issued for members of the public to be on high alert for incidences of rabies in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and the area on the border between the Free State and Lesotho.
SA’s ostrich industry gets serious about animal welfare
South Africa’s ostrich industry unveiled its Ostrich Production Standard in 2021, and 85% of farms are currently participating in the programme. Dr Adriaan Olivier, industry veterinarian at the South African Ostrich Business Chamber, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the origins of the standard and what is required of producers.
High meat inflation makes for expensive festive season
As South Africans entered the festive season, meat inflation reached its highest level in 14 months at 10,5% year-on-year, making this a “very expensive braai season”, according to Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB Agri-Business.
Tough season strains SA’s citrus export growth
Members of the citrus industry have expressed concern about the 2023 export season, after producers failed to meet export targets for 2022.
French fry import tariffs remain a ‘hot potato’ – stakeholders
Potatoes South Africa (Potatoes SA) has rejected recent claims that the implementation of import tariffs on French fries was driving up food prices and threatening food security in South Africa.
Brothers turn apple farm into top producer
The Lingenfelder brothers have made significant changes to production methods and orchard management since joining their family’s apple and pear farming operation in the Western Cape’s Overberg region. They spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their techniques, precision-farming technologies, and yield increases.
Deadly disease threatens rabbit, hare populations
Outbreaks of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) in the Northern and Western Cape have been confirmed by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (agriculture department).
Further flooding expected in Orange River region
“Earlier than usual flooding” stretching from the Prieska to Kakamas areas in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, have left farmers concerned about the climatic outlook for the rest of the season.
Passion drives subsistence dairy to commercial success
Community-owned Springfontein Dairy has grown from a small concern with 150 cows to a commercial enterprise with more than four times as many animals and a higher milk yield than the regional average. On a media trip hosted by Nestlé, Glenneis Kriel spoke to the people who have played a role in the farm’s success.
In-calf Brahman cow sells for record price of R1,2 million
The in-calf Brahman cow SER 19 32 recently set a new South African record when she was sold for R1,2 million at the Prima Genetika Brahman Auction held at Castle de Wildt near Modimolle on 19 November.
COP27: Climate-proofing agriculture to enhance food security
Agricultural systems will have to change to adapt to climate change and improve food security. This was the message that emerged from delegates at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly referred to as COP27, held at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.
Land Bank interventions showing positive results
For the first time in two years, the Land Bank has achieved a “clean audit”, after also posting a profit of R1,31 billion for the 2021/2022 financial year.
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