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.
SA seeks stronger agri cooperation with Botswana amid trade tensions
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for closer agricultural collaboration between South Africa and Botswana, while raising concerns over import restrictions affecting South African fruit and vegetable exports to the neighbouring country.
Pig mortalities in Gqeberha raise wider biosecurity concerns
The discovery of dozens of dead pigs in and around Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape has renewed concerns over the biosecurity risks posed by free-roaming livestock in peri-urban communities, with veterinary authorities warning that uncontrolled animal movement can accelerate the spread of disease.
Fuel price surge pushes inflation to 4% in April
South Africa’s annual consumer inflation rate accelerated sharply to 4% in April, up from 3,1% in March, driven primarily by a steep increase in fuel prices that filtered through the transport sector and broader economy.
Nampo 2026 welcomed 81 822 visitors over four days
South African agriculture’s resilience was on display at the 58th Nampo Harvest Day, which attracted 81 822 visitors and more than 910 exhibitors to Nampo Park outside Bothaville in the Free State from 12 to 15 May despite difficult conditions.
Government scraps KZN FMD management area after years of pressure
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) livestock farmers have welcomed government’s decision to officially lift the province’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) management area, describing it as a long-overdue breakthrough after years of costly restrictions that have weighed heavily on the province’s agricultural economy.
Farmers carry cost of SA’s rural infrastructure collapse, Nampo panel hears
South Africa’s failing municipal infrastructure is increasingly forcing farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities to take over functions traditionally performed by government, delegates heard during a panel discussion on infrastructure, municipal partnerships, and rural development at the Nampo Harvest Day 2026.
Dirty diesel’ threatening SA farms
South Africa’s illicit fuel trade is increasingly spilling into agriculture, exposing farmers to potentially catastrophic machinery failures, mounting repair bills and production losses during critical planting and harvesting periods.
Cold chain and logistics lessons from Nampo 2026
The journey from field to shelf is crucial for fresh produce farmers as it determines whether a crop yields a profit or a loss.
Traffic flow improves at Nampo, despite rain damage
Traffic heading into Nampo Park for Nampo 2026 moved much more smoothly on Thursday morning, despite congestion still being slightly heavier than in previous years.
FMD crisis forces rethink of SA biosecurity system in Nampo discussion
South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak has exposed weaknesses in the country’s biosecurity systems, strained trust between government and the livestock industry, and highlighted the urgent need for stronger public-private cooperation.
Nampo 2026 opens with focus on profitability amid lower day-one attendance
Nampo Harvest Day 2026 opened with strong discussions around profitability, competitiveness and resilience in agriculture, even as visitor numbers were lower than the first day of last year’s show.
Traffic chaos and reckless driving frustrate Nampo visitors
Visitors to Nampo Harvest Day 2026 faced heavy traffic congestion on Wednesday morning, with some reporting delays of up to three hours before reaching the showgrounds.
Nampo panel warns effects of biosecurity failures extend beyond farm gate
South Africa’s agriculture sector must make biosecurity part of daily farming operations and long-term planning, not just a crisis response, industry leaders warned during a media briefing at Nampo Harvest Day 2026, saying recurring disease outbreaks threaten exports, food security, and farm profitability.
FMD hits vaccinated KZN dairy herds as rollout comes under fire
The confirmation that two vaccinated dairy herds in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have contracted foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has intensified criticism of South Africa’s vaccination strategy and underscored the vulnerability of the dairy industry.
Revised diesel hike offers limited relief for farmers
South African farmers received slight relief after the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) corrected an error in its May 2026 diesel price calculation, reducing the official wholesale diesel increase by nearly R1/ℓ.
Final FMD vaccination scheme tightens compliance for livestock owners
The Department of Agriculture (DoA) has published the final Routine Vaccination Scheme for Foot and Mouth Disease (RV-FMD), introducing a more detailed compliance framework for livestock owners than the earlier draft proposal.
‘We are on track’ – Steenhuisen backs SA’s FMD recovery plan
Government has gazetted a new national vaccination framework and voluntary fast-track scheme aimed at accelerating South Africa’s response to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
Another fuel price shock puts more pressure on farmers
South African farmers are facing a sharp rise in input costs after the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources confirmed steep fuel price increases for May, with diesel breaching R30/ℓ for the first time.
Foot-and-mouth outbreak in Oudtshoorn triggers strict containment measures
Two new cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have been confirmed on a cattle farm in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, prompting intensified steps across the region as authorities move to prevent further spread.
Officials clamp down on FMD compliance at Bronkhorstspruit auction
Efforts to strengthen compliance with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) livestock movement controls were evident on 28 April when Department of Agriculture provincial veterinary services officials, together with the Cullinan South African Police Service (SAPS) stock theft unit, attended the Karoo-Ochse weekly livestock auction in Bronkhorstspruit.
