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.
Garden project aims to boost food security
The COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown measures have exposed huge deficiencies in the food supply networks of the poor and vulnerable. Meyer Conradie of Mosaic Community Developments spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how his organisation is addressing this challenge in various communities.
‘Mandatory EU alcohol labelling unlikely to impact SA wine exports’
Although the adoption of recommendations to make health warnings mandatory on all alcoholic drinks in Europe could initially result in additional costs, it is not expected to have a major impact on South African wine producers.
A better hive for easier beekeeping
Beekeeper Ryno Barnes recently replaced his wooden hives with hives made of polyvinyl chloride foam board, a unique lightweight, eco-friendly material. So impressed was he with the results that he launched a separate company to manufacture these hives for other beekeepers.
‘Ramaphosa’s SONA pronouncements need to be turned into action’
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA 2022), on Thursday, 10 February, has been met with mixed reactions from stakeholders in the local agriculture sector.
SONA 2022: ‘Economically sound actions needed to drive agri growth’
Outlining their expectations for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), scheduled for Thursday, 10 February, agricultural associations agreed that more action and less talk about economic recovery was needed.
Using chickens, pigs and sheep to save your soil
JP de Villiers has not used any herbicides on his farm for the past three seasons. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his use of sheep, pigs and chickens to overcome soil health problems in his orchards and vineyards.
‘Turn-around strategy needed for SA’s malting barley industry’
South Africa’s malting barley production fell 95 000t short of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (AB InBev) 360 000t-mandate during the past season, due to farmers rather planting crops with lower risk, such as canola and wheat.
Fungal diseases drive up wine grape production costs
The 2021/22 wine grape season will go down as a good, but expensive, season, according to Conrad Schutte, Vinpro’s consultation service manager.
Vrede dairy project finally handed over to beneficiaries
Despite being “really happy” with the fact that the transfer of the Vrede dairy farm project in the Free State has finally been completed, there is still some frustration among the beneficiaries.
Alleged abuse leads to suspension of government support vouchers
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is in the process of reviewing, reengineering and redesigning the implementation of its Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) vouchers, to address challenges identified by various stakeholders.
Robot boosts blueberry picking efficiencies
Agritech company ARCi Technologies is in the process of developing South Africa’s first semi-autonomous agricultural robot. Three of the company’s founders spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their machine.
Profiting from apples: why quality trumps yield
The Zulch family of Wakkerstroom farm won the prize for the highest average income per hectare of apples in the 2020 Ceres Fruit Grower Awards. Fourie Zulch spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this accomplishment.
Thousands of hectares destroyed in Kleinmond wildfire
A wildfire that started in Highlands, at an old pine plantation managed by the national Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs near Kleinmond in the Western Cape, have destroyed more than 4 700ha of fynbos and plantations since it started on Saturday, 8 January.
‘No immediate relief for farmers despite lower fuel prices’
The downward adjustment of fuel prices for January is not expected to bring much respite for farmers and consumers, according to Dawie Roodt, chief economist at Efficient Group.
Guava cultivar programme aims to reinvigorate industry
The Agricultural Research Council is undertaking various trials aimed at making guava production more profitable. Glenneis Kriel spoke to Salomie Willemse and Chris Smith, experts involved in the programme.
How to keep your farm secure while you’re away on holiday
Are you going away over the festive season? Three leaders in agriculture and security explain how common sense, technology, and good relationships with neighbours can help protect your possessions.
Embryo flushing: ‘Fast-tracking herd genetics is worth every cent’
To stay ahead of their competitors in the breeding game, livestock farmers have to continually improve the genetics of their animals. Nollie and Pieter Stofberg, owners of Platdrif Sussex Stud in the Western Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how they make use of embryo flushing to achieve this goal.
Stable outlook for SA’s potato farmers in 2022
Various factors will influence potato production in 2022, according to Willie Jacobs, CEO of Potatoes South Africa.
Beware! The locusts are swarming this summer
South Africa looks to be heading for another large-scale brown locust outbreak this season, according to Dr Gerhard Vedoorn of CropLife South Africa and Dr Roger Price of the Agricultural Research Council. They spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the most effective means of combating these swarms.
Good outlook for wine grapes after ‘excellent winter’
The 2022 wine grape harvest is expected to amount 1,42 million tons, which is 80 000t above the industry’s five-year average of 1,34 million tons, and 2,2% smaller than the 2020 harvest, which came in at 1,45 million tons. This is according to the first crop estimate.
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