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.
More than 900 developing farmers benefit from SAB support
South African Breweries (SAB) is on track to invest R1 billion into the South African economy by the end of 2021, as part of the five-year merger conditions of the AB InBev acquisition of SABMiller.
Avian influenza setback for poultry master plan
More than 2,7 million chickens have been culled so far in South Africa due to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, which is affecting commercial layer and, to a lesser extent, broiler breeder and commercial broiler flocks.
World champion Boer goat ram sold for R500 000
The world champion boer goat ram, ‘Maserati’, bred by the Lukas Burger Boer Goat stud near Griekwastad, was recently sold for a record price of R500 000 to Salmon van Huyssteen Boer Goats near Pretoria and the Joubert Horn Boer Goat Stud near Vryburg.
Animal feed: tips for cutting costs and reducing wastage
Feed accounts for 65% to 75% of a poultry or pig farmer’s total input costs. Feed expert Dr Leon Ekermans spoke to Glenneis Kriel about strategies to reduce these costs and prevent wastage.
Market access and infrastructure troubles impede agri growth
The agriculture sector is expected to expand 7,6% year-on-year in 2021, but in the long term growth is expected to decline.
Strong performance for agriculture in latest GDP figures
South Africa’s economy expanded 1,2% quarter-on-quarter, with the transport, storage and communications industries making the largest contribution at 6,9%, followed by agriculture at 6,2%, according to the latest data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
Snowfall in the Western Cape widely welcomed
Farmers in the Western Cape have expressed great joy about the snowfall on various mountains across the province during the weekend of 28 and 29 August.
The evolution of power in SA’s agri machinery market
The Internet of Things, where machinery and devices (often fitted with sensors) share data online, has enabled tractors and other agricultural machinery to become far more efficient and easier to operate. This, combined with mechanical innovations, is helping farmers produce more with less.
Anti-dumping duties renewed on poultry imports
Anti-dumping duties on bone-in chicken imports were renewed against the UK, Germany and the Netherlands for an additional five years on 23 August 2021.
Unique regional status can unlock value for rooibos industry
Geographic indicators, such as the registering of rooibos with a unique regional status, should be seen as “insurance”, according to Prof Johann Kirsten, director of the Bureau of Economic Research at Stellenbosch University.
Selecting the right pig breed for your farm
Dr Danie Visser, an agricultural adviser and strategic analyst, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the factors that a farmer should consider when choosing which pig breed to farm.
Fires destroy vast tracks of Northern Cape, North West
Farmers in the Northern Cape and North West have suffered severe losses since Friday, 6 August, due to extensive wildfires.
Lettuce: Meet the salad kings of SA
Dew Crisp started out as a hydroponic farming operation near Johannesburg in the early 1980s and has since grown to become one of South Africa's leading producers of value-added salad products. Glenneis Kriel spoke to one of the company’s co-founders, Michael Kaplan, about the business's journey to success.
Fuel price hike will erode recent gains in farming sector
The fuel price increase that comes into effect on Wednesday, 4 August as announced by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, will wipe out any gains made from earlier lower prices.
Prohibitive cannabis legislation costing SA opportunities
A lot has been happening behind the scenes to facilitate the legalisation of hemp production, with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (agriculture department) set to start issuing manufacturing and production permits by October.
Expiration of anti-dumping tariffs a risk for SA potatoes
Anti-dumping tariffs on frozen French fries imported from the Netherlands and Germany have expired, leaving the South African potato industry vulnerable to ‘dumping’.
Considering the switch to solar energy? Read this first!
With solar energy becoming increasingly affordable and reliable, more and more farmers are using it to reduce their electricity costs and dependence on Eskom power. Claude Peters of RenEnergy spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this trend.
Animal feed in short supply in KZN amid violent protests
The civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, in particular, is threatening food security across the country. De Wet Boshoff, executive director of the Animal Feed Manufacturers’ Association, said the violent protests had disrupted supply chains in various ways, making it a nightmare to venture onto any road in KwaZulu-Natal.
Supply glut sees prices for wine spot sales fall by 40%
The extension of the Level 4 COVID-19-related lockdown restrictions for another two weeks until 25 July will further exacerbate the crisis in the wine industry, with many wine businesses facing closure
Bringing transparency to crop insurance
The Fourth Industrial Revolution can aid crop insurance, although the technology still has a long way to go to reach its full potential, according to Schalk Schultz of Santam Agriculture. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel.
