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.
Potato farmers push back against proposed groundwater rules
Sandveld potato producers have warned that proposed groundwater regulations could increase costs and red tape and ultimately threaten production in one of the country’s most water-dependent regions.
Potatoes SA targets levy shake-up to fund next phase of expansion
After lifting consumption and driving on-farm efficiencies, Potatoes SA is looking to restructure its levy system to secure more stable funding for future industry expansion.
Court confirms market value as baseline for land compensation talks
The Supreme Court of Appeal has reaffirmed that market value must be the starting point when determining compensation for expropriated property.
NSPCA raises alarm over animal welfare failures at prison farms
The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has called on the minister of correctional services and the department’s national commissioner to urgently address animal welfare concerns at agricultural correctional facilities across South Africa.
Nearly half of SA’s wastewater systems in critical state
The proportion of the country’s 848 wastewater systems in a critical state rose from 39% (334) in 2021 to 47% (396) in 2024, according to the recently released 2025 Green Drop Report.
Farmers urged to act now on water risks
Water security is fast becoming one of the biggest threats to South Africa’s fruit industry, with climate change, drought, and flooding already disrupting production. This was the stark warning during a recent Sustainable Water Use Footprint webinar hosted by Hortgro.
Precision and discipline drive success on Northern Cape raisin farm
Albertus van der Merwe, Raisins South Africa’s Most Improved Grower of the Year in 2025, balances multiple farming ventures while maintaining precision, performance, and a people-focused approach.
From chance to choice: a women’s rise to farming success
Many raisin producers assume that retiring without a son to take over the farm means the end of the family business. Alcois Blaauw, this year’s winner of the Raisins SA Female Producer Award, proves that assumption to be wrong. Glenneis Kriel reports.
The basics of irrigation during hot weather
Hot, dry conditions test even the best irrigation strategies. Christo van der Westhuizen, agronomist at Netafim Southern and East Africa, explained to Glenneis Kriel how farmers can manage water efficiently to protect crops during hot days.
From kitchen experiments to a thriving meat empire
What started as an after-hours kitchen project in the Truter household has grown into the fully fledged meat empire Deli-Co. Brothers Pieter and Hendri Truter told Glenneis Kriel how they turned a local favourite into a multigenerational family business.
SANRAL draft policy raises red flags for agriculture
The South African National Roads Agency’s (SANRAL) draft policy on Rest and Service Facilities (RSFs) could erode rural competitiveness and increase transport costs for the agriculture sector if adopted in its current form.
Practical guide to veld restoration for farmers
For many farmers, the idea of restoring and rehabilitating veld can feel overwhelming because it is often seen as expensive, complex, and difficult to know where to begin. However, this perception is often the biggest barrier to getting started.
Phytosanitary inefficiencies are slowing seed trade across Africa
Stronger collaboration, clearer regulations, and the rapid rollout of digital phytosanitary certification systems are emerging as key solutions to improve the speed, cost, and reliability of seed movement across Africa.
Western Cape ramps up FMD response with swift vaccination rollout and coordinated action
The Western Cape’s response to the ongoing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is gaining momentum, with provincial authorities and industry stakeholders pointing to strong coordination, early planning, and rapid vaccine deployment as key to containing the disease.
Jet Ski journey shines spotlight on farmers’ mental health struggles
Four friends from Pretoria are jet skiing along South Africa’s coastline to shine a spotlight on the pressures farmers face and the toll on their mental health, through the Coast 2 Coast 4 Farmers initiative.
Rainbow’s earnings surge on strong chicken demand and cheaper feed
The ongoing implementation of Rainbow Chicken Limited’s growth strategy, combined with strong demand for chicken, lower input costs, and a strengthening rand against the US dollar, boosted the company’s financial performance for the second half of 2025.
Agriculture helps drive SA’s economic growth in 2025
South Africa’s agricultural sector was one of the strongest contributors to the country’s economic growth in 2025, according to Statistics South Africa.
War on Iran threatens SA’s fuel and food prices
Escalating hostilities involving the US and Israel against Iran have unsettled global oil markets, fuelling fears that South Africans could face higher transport and food costs in the months ahead.
Canola producers urged not to plant farm-saved seed
Canola producers under financial pressure this season might be tempted to cut costs by planting farm-saved seed, but this could ultimately increase their losses.
Healing the soil to survive the droughts
On Nooitgedacht farm near Kenhardt in the Northern Cape, drought isn’t a crisis – it’s a way of life. But by improving soil health, Charl Saunderson has managed to make his land more resilient and productive in one of South Africa’s toughest farming regions.
