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.
An app for every farming task
Mobile applications make life more convenient for farmers while enabling them to be more productive. Glenneis Kriel reports on a number of apps that are changing the way farms are run.
The future of pig genetics
Pork producers can look forward to even greater production efficiency, thanks to improved genetics. Jurgens Reynders of DanBred Africa spoke to Glenneis Kriel about these gains.
Coping strategies to deal with uncertainty
South African agriculture is a uniquely risky environment, yet its farmers are well-known for meeting challenges with courage and resilience. Glenneis Kriel spoke to four prominent farmers to discover how they deal with uncertainty.
From seasonal worker to award-winning farmer
The Agricultural Writers SA New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture winner in 2019, Dirk Louw, is showing that it still is possible to start farming from scratch. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about what contributed to his success, his perseverance against all odds and his plans for the future.
Table grape industry looks towards Asia for market growth
Despite efforts made by the South African table grape industry to attain a more diversified export market portfolio there has, since 2013, only been a 5% change in the market composition of table grape exports.
Government failures are holding agriculture back – Karaan
Despite a host of challenges that ranged from government ineptitude to South Africa’s poor economic outlook and global threats such as climate change, the country’s farming sector was expected to perform well this year.
Want to work in the agri sector? Take note of these in-demand skills
A lack of experience prevents many qualified young people from finding their first jobs in agriculture. Recruitment specialist Marianne van der Laarse explained the situation to Glenneis Kriel and called for internships and more practical exposure for students.
Meet one of SA’s top Merino wool producers
Kleiheuwel Trust, based in Bredasdorp, recently achieved one of the top 10 best prices in the history of South African wool sales, and the highest price during the previous season’s BKB wool auctions. Pam and André Christie-Smith spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their production approach.
Onderstepoort vaccines target emerging and global markets
The CEO of Onderstepoort Biological Products, Dr Baptiste Dungu, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the repositioning of the state-owned veterinary company as an international player.
Building a mega business through egg production
Toyota South Africa/Agri SA’s Young Farmer of the Year for 2019, Johan van der Schyff, whose agricultural concern has operations across the Southern and Eastern Cape, has utilised the advantages of economies of scale and technology to build up his substantial concern. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his layer business and other enterprises.
The importance of timing to strawberry production
Professional Horticultural Consulting, a nursery-turned-strawberry producer, has become one of South Africa’s leading strawberry exporters, thanks in part to its expertise at analysing plant and soil nutritional requirements. Dr Gavin Linsley-Noakes spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the business.
Cashing in on the expanding plant extracts market
Planting alternative crops for the extracts or essential oil market can be profitable, but it’s no easy road to riches. Pietersarel de Bruyn of Herbs Aplenty spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the opportunities and difficulties of this rapidly growing agricultural niche.
Lessons learnt from land reform
The Karsten and Dutoit groups are amongst the largest farming companies in South Africa and have holdings across the country. Both were involved in land reform long before the current urgency to do so. Piet Karsten and Pieter du Toit spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their projects and the lessons they have learnt in setting them up and running them.
Free-range pigs: Working the soil and bringing home the bacon
Western Cape farmer Angus McIntosh is showing that pigs can earn their keep through the eco-services they contribute, as well as the bacon they provide. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his outdoor pigs, whose movement is carefully controlled to make the most of their foraging habits.
Land Bank clients ‘too high risk for commercial banks’
It has been a rough first few months of the year for the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank).
‘Farmers must brace for machinery, input cost rollercoaster’
It is still uncertain how the lockdown for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and depreciation of the rand will impact farm input prices.
Coronavirus lockdown hampers SA’s farming activities
South Africa’s national lockdown aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic is already taking its toll on farmers.
Wine industry faces billions in losses due to coronavirus
While the wine industry has received permission to complete the wine grape harvest, South Africa’s lockdown on local and international sales will have far-reaching repercussions for the financial viability of businesses in the supply chain.
‘Farmers to make water available during coronavirus crisis’
Farmers with water rights and irrigation boards might have to make water available to government, following steps introduced by the Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic.
Inside SA’s biggest orchid business
What started out with a couple of plants bought at an orchid show in the 1960s, has turned into one of South Africa’s biggest orchid companies, Duckitt Nurseries. Wilferd Duckitt, the co-owner of the company, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the business.
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