Hanlie du Plessis
Hanlie du Plessis, a freelance journalist and content strategist, has over twenty years of experience in agricultural media. Her passion is bringing editorial projects from concept to final print, digital, or broadcast format. This stems from her strong sectoral roots, which centre around farmers, their stories, and their animals.
Latest articles
Land Bank funding squeeze puts agri transformation under scrutiny
Land Bank's Blended Finance Scheme is under renewed parliamentary scrutiny as demand outstrips available funding and farmers face delays that can have serious consequences for seasonal production.
Private sector to help scale up ARC FMD vaccine production
The Agricultural Research Council has begun the preparatory work needed to license its foot-and-mouth disease vaccine technology to private manufacturers, but says procurement, regulatory and biosafety requirements must be completed before an implementation timeline can be set.
Free State reports new FMD case despite 1,6 million cattle vaccinated
The Free State has reported one new clinically confirmed foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case in the Fauresmith state veterinary area, bringing its stated provincial total to 799 cases. Of these, 155 remain active and under quarantine, while 644 have been classified as resolved.
Red Rock builds a modern Santa from family foundations
Third-generation breeder Abri Lock established Red Rock Santa Gertrudis to build a stud under his own name. Working alongside the Locklore and JADUP herds, he selects moderate-framed, fertile cattle that must produce saleable kilograms from the veld. He spoke to Hanlie du Plessis.
Before you buy a hive, learn to read the bees
Starting a beekeeping enterprise is less about buying the right equipment than learning to understand the colony. South African beekeeping development specialist Sidwell Banne says beginners should spend their first year learning to read bees, understand their environment, and know when to intervene, or when to leave the colony alone.
Pig industry turns crisis into a test of stewardship
The local pork industry used the South African Pork Producers’ Organisation’s 2026 annual general meeting and expo to take stock of an unprecedented year in animal health and outline a response built on risk-based disease control, digital traceability, producer support, and measurable welfare commitments.
China opens door to SA cherries, but quality will decide gains
South African cherry growers have secured first-time access to the world's largest import market. A three-week early-season window offers an opening, but high airfreight costs and China's strict quality demands mean the opportunity will take time to build.
Getting pollination right by putting the bees where they can work
Honeybees are indispensable to commercial crop pollination, but simply putting hives in an orchard does not guarantee results. Honeybee researcher Mike Allsopp explains why colony strength, timing, placement, competing forage, and communication between grower and beekeeper all matter.
Facts and collaboration crucial as farm risks converge
Reliable information, accountable leadership, and closer public–private cooperation will be essential as South African farmers navigate animal disease, volatile markets, uncertain weather, and geopolitical disruption, speakers said during a Farmer’s Weekly panel discussion at Die Krip Agricultural Festival.
RPO welcomes progress made in accessing Egypt’s red meat market
South Africa and Egypt have concluded negotiations on the veterinary health certificate required for exporting red meat from South Africa to Egypt, and shipments can begin once the agreement has been formally signed.
OBP acting CEO suspended as vaccine pricing allegations probed
Willie Aucamp, minister of the Department of Agriculture, has suspended Dr Jacob Modumo, acting CEO of Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), amidst an investigation into vaccine prices.
SA extends registration deadline for livestock suppliers to UAE
South African livestock producers have been given more time to meet the requirements for exporting red meat to the UAE, with the registration deadline extended to the end of 2026.
Agriculture must challenge its ‘holy cows’ to keep building
Farmers and agricultural leaders must test comfortable assumptions against producer viability, fair competition, and measurable delivery, Grain SA CEO Dr Tobias Doyer told the Agri Limpopo Congress.
Grain SA warns of major financial losses in soya bean pricing dispute
Grain SA has escalated its dispute with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) over soya bean location differentials, arguing that a return to a single reference point could impose substantially higher theoretical transport deductions on producers.
Agriculture’s road to 2050 depends on exports, resilience, partnerships
South African agriculture continues to outperform the wider economy, but the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy’s Baseline 2026 Agricultural Outlook says export-led growth, stronger infrastructure, technological advancement, improved animal health, and effective transformation are needed to strengthen food security and economic value.
‘We need to change where we are falling behind’ – Aucamp
Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp has identified foot-and-mouth disease, administrative delays, outdated systems, rural safety, and market access as some of the major challenges facing South African agriculture. In a recent discussion with Farmer’s Weekly, he outlined his proposed changes and acknowledged shortcomings within government itself.
Silage quality checklist for dairy farmers
Silage is a critical factor in achieving quality milk production and sustaining the well-being of animals. This what every famer must know about silage quality.
Land Bank challenged over debt recovery and liquidations
The DA has presented a report to Land Bank's board, alleging serious irregularities in its handling of farm liquidations. These include claims that the bank pursued legal action without proving it had the legal standing to do so, ignored procurement rules when appointing legal service providers, and sold some farming assets below market value.
Aucamp expands FMD advisory structures to include more industry representatives
Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp has announced an expansion of his foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) advisory structures to include an additional farmer representative, a veterinarian and vaccine manufacturers, saying he wants all sectors of the livestock industry to have a voice in shaping South Africa's response to the disease.
Science, collaboration and market access reviewed at essential oils conference
Essential oil produced in South Africa creates jobs, strengthens local manufacturing, and generates greater value for the economy.
