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
Three Croatian families building their farming futures
From buckwheat flour and pumpkin seed oil to a protected cabbage variety, three family farms in northern Croatia are finding new markets for traditional crops. During an International Federation of Agricultural Journalists' tour in September 2026, Farmer's Weekly visited the enterprises to learn how processing, investment and family involvement have contributed to their growth.
How robotic milking is changing dairy farming at Goedgeleë
Hanlie du Plessis looks at how one Western Cape family built South Africa’s second robotic dairy around cow comfort, precision management and long-term sustainability.
Grain SA seeks hearing after soya bean interdict application struck from roll
Grain SA’s urgent application to halt implementation of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s (JSE) disputed soya bean pricing decision was struck from the urgent roll on 6 November after the court found that the relief sought was not urgent. The court did not consider the merits of the application, and the separate review of the JSE’s decision continues.
AGOA termination puts SA agri exporters’ competitiveness under pressure
The US has announced its intention to terminate South Africa’s eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from 1 January 2027, putting agricultural exporters at risk of losing preferential access to the US market.
SAPA backs continued poultry imports from Brazil after NCD outbreak
The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) is supporting the Department of Agriculture’s decision against imposing a countrywide restriction on poultry imports from Brazil following a Newcastle disease (NCD) outbreak in the state of Santa Catarina.
Using a firearm during a farm attack: what the law allows
Distance from police assistance does not create a separate right to shoot and has no bearing on whether force is justified. South African law asks whether an unlawful attack was under way or imminent and whether the response was necessary and reasonable.
Kwanalu calls on farmer organisations to better represent members
KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) President Nick Reitz has called for clearer mandates and better communication from organised agriculture, following AgriSA’s commitment to a more results-driven approach.
AGDA pitch competition win boosts vegetable farmer’s expansion plans
Vegetable farmer Sophy Litshani Musabeni has won the Agricultural Development Agency’s (AGDA) 2026 Agricultural Business Pitch Competition, receiving R100 000 in cash and website development support valued at R35 000 as she prepares to expand production and pursue European export markets.
FMD concerns deepen at Addo Elephant National Park
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed in kudu at Addo Elephant National Park, where red hartebeest and eland are also showing clinical signs of the disease. The park is under quarantine as veterinary authorities assess the risk of further transmission.
Royal Show lamb carcass sets South African price record
The 2026 Royal Show’s carcass competition produced a record sale of R110 580, with Vredesig Dormers & Suffolk, Hatari Farming, and 2 Broers Dormers among the leading exhibitors.
Land Bank keeps new BFS applications on hold despite R500m pledge
Land Bank will keep new applications for its Blended Finance Scheme (BFS) suspended despite the additional R500 million pledged by the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, saying the money is insufficient to meet overall demand for grants.
Agricultural growth cannot depend on resilience alone
South African farmers have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite infrastructure failures and inadequate government services. However, agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo and journalist Lourensa Eckard warned that continued growth would depend on stronger cooperation, clearer responsibilities and greater accountability.
AgriSA shifts focus from policy commitments to measurable results
AgriSA has adopted five policy mandates aimed at addressing the structural challenges facing South African agriculture. The proposals span land reform, natural resources, labour, rural safety, and trade, with stronger cooperation between government and industry identified as essential to achieving progress.
FMD may no longer be headline news, but 1 501 outbreaks remain unresolved
Although foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has largely disappeared from national news headlines, 1 501 outbreaks remain officially open, according to the latest government report.
ARC: funding shortfall is holding up R1,6bn FMD vaccine facility
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) has defended expenditure of more than R81 million on its proposed foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine manufacturing facility, saying the money was spent on vaccine development, technical planning, and regulatory requirements over a period of more than 15 years. However, construction has yet to begin.
Grain SA’s JSE soya bean location differential hearing postponed
Grain SA’s legal challenge against the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) over soya bean location differentials has been postponed, with its interdict application now set to be heard on 6 November 2026.
Additional R150m transferred to Land Bank for blended finance
The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed that an additional R150 million, announced by Minister Willie Aucamp, has been transferred to Land Bank.
Royal Show Technology Hub connects research with practical farming solutions
The Technology & Education Hub at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show brought researchers, farmers and technology specialists together to explore practical agricultural solutions. One presentation highlighted how assisted reproductive technologies could help communal livestock farmers improve herd genetics, productivity and access to formal markets.
Namibia steps up FMD controls as cases rise to 127
Namibia has intensified measures to contain its foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak near the South African border after the confirmed number of cases increased to 127 across 15 farms, while trade restrictions are placing mounting pressure on the country’s livestock and meat industries.
South Africa’s table grape supply outpaces global demand
South Africa remains one of the world’s leading table grape exporters despite a shrinking production footprint, but increasing global supply, changing trade conditions, and intensifying competition are putting greater emphasis on productivity, quality, and market diversification.
