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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.

Millennials: getting ready for the next generation of consumers

Millennials, born between the 1980s and the early 2000s, are more finicky consumers than any of their predecessors. Mary Shelman, director of the Agribusiness Programme at Harvard Business School in the US, speaks about their effect on the farming sector.

Production recording – it pays in more ways than one

With the rising demand for food, farmers have to produce more with fewer inputs. Bertus Mong, owner of the BM Hereford Stud, tells Glenneis Kriel how production recording helped him and his fellow Hereford breeders achieve this goal.

Alternative energy – do the sums first

Careful financial planning is required before moving off the grid. Prof Alan Brent from the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies shared some crucial cost calculations with Glenneis Kriel.

Productivity vs labour costs – a delicate balance

Although farm labour is still relatively cheap in South Africa compared with some other countries, worker output is much lower. As a result, many farmers struggle to absorb the impact of rising labour costs on farm margins. Fruit farmer Hannes Hanekom of Welgeneem Boerdery in the Witzenberg Valley, Western Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about addressing this challenge.

Easy, affordable ways to cut on-farm electricity costs

There are a number of simple, relatively inexpensive changes farmers can implement to decrease their electricity usage. Prof Alan Brent of the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch University talked to Glenneis Kriel about these.

Better soil with summer cover crops

Swellendam farmer Hoppies Uys has started a new farming trend in the Southern Cape by planting a summer cover crop directly after harvesting a silage crop in August. He talked to Glenneis Kriel about the principles involved and the results thus far.

How to keep farming sheep in drought

Drought is a fact of life – and death – in South Africa, and the current drought is certainly no exception. Overberg sheep farmer, Thys Delport, gives practical advice on how a sheep farmer can continue farming his/her sheep in drought, and remain lucrative.

Fruit trends: expect the unexpected

Consumer tastes in fruit are becoming increasingly sophisticated and varied across the world, and a future trend will be growing demand for new eating experiences and exotic flavours. Riaan van Wyk, one of the directors of the fruit breeding company, re:inc innovation, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his views on these trends.

Rise of the techno farmer

Digital technology and innovative machinery is enabling producers to run their operations more efficiently and quickly, while cutting costs. Christi van den Heever and Danie Viljoen, production managers at Graaff Fruit, show Glenneis Kriel how some of this technology works on their farms.

Survey: Dairy producers get the basics right

A benchmarking exercise involving SA dairy producers showed few similarities between top producers. In fact, getting the basics right was the only common factor. Dairy consultants Chris Fourie and Justin Moolman spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the findings of the exercise.

Trends in vineyard and orchard mechanisation

EIMA International, the agricultural machinery exhibition held in Bologna, Italy, in November, showcased some of the latest equipment for vineyards and orchards. Glenneis Kriel spoke to exhibitors about their machinery and whether it was suitable for SA growers.

Success lies in doing what you know best

You don’t have to own a farm to make money from agriculture. Getting involved higher up the value chain is easier and less risky. Derich Priga, owner of D&M Fresh Products, tells Glenneis Kriel how he became a packhouse owner and fruit distributor.

A new platform for fruit picking

The use of picking platforms for fruit tree management and harvesting is still relatively new in South Africa. Thomas Babl, who has been using the technology for the past two years, shares some of the lessons he has learnt with Glenneis Kriel.

Chemical cycle determines plant nutrient availability

The oxygen/ethylene cycle is tied up with soil microorganism activity. This influences the rate of decomposition of plant residues, the uptake of nutrients by plants, and the general state of soil health. Glenneis Kriel got the lowdown from Dr Paul Syltie.
Issue date : 03 July 2009

Equipment at the Cape Agri Show

The first Cape Agri Show in Paarl exhibited a huge variety of equipment aimed at fruit and wine production. Glenneis Kriel reports.
Issue date :22 May 2009

‘Avoid harsh chemicals!’

Soil management is heading in a new direction. Soil microorganisms and the role they play in enhancing soil-mineral levels, soil structure and composition is increasingly getting more attention in agriculture. Stephanus Malherbe, manager of the Soil Food Web laboratory, established by the farming company ZZ2 at the University of Limpopo, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this new thinking.
Issue date: 08 May 2009

Janovsky bullish despite predicted global recession

Farmers should not panic over the International Monetary Funds' shocking prediction the world economy would shrink for the first time in about six decades by an estimated 1,3%, said Absa Agribusiness head Ernst Janovsky. "It won't have a significant impact on agriculture as a whole," he judged. "People have to eat."

Deeper soil,superior root systems

Soilmix Africa is breaking all the limits on crops' root systems, from annual grains to perennial orchards. Their machine mixes and homogenises soil to a depth of 1,2m, compared to an ordinary plough's 20cm and also applies a cutting-edge soil correction programme. Mastermind Koos Stofberg, a winemaker and soil preparation expert, spoke to Glenneis Kriel.
Issue date : 01 May 2009

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