Jeandré van der Walt
Jeandré Du Preez is the newest addition to the Farmer’s Weekly team. Originating from a Riversdal farming family, she has farming in her blood. After school she furthered her studies at Stellenbosch and has been working as an agricultural journalist for the past two years.
She says she feels privileged to write about an industry paramount to the survival of all South Africans and is inspired by the innovative solutions with which the farming community bridges the many challenges they face. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments.
She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments.
If she is not writing or visiting farms, you’ll find her relaxing with a good mystery novel or exploring her other passions: travelling and cooking.
Langkloof hailstorm damages apple, pear crop
A hailstorm that recently struck parts of the Langkloof caused substantial damage in the area with apples and pears among the main crops affected.
Rain brings relief, but delays Northern Cape grape harvest
Farmers in the Northern Cape and Klein Karoo have described the recent heavy rainfall received in these regions as a blessing after years of crippling drought.
Breeding top-performing Dohne Merino on 95ha
The Patience family started farming on 95ha of rented land in Saron in the Western Cape in the 1960s, beginning with just 10 sheep and a handful of cattle. Today, Therecia Patience and her son, Gary, are on the same land, and are systematically improving the genetics of their Dohne Merino sheep. They spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about their successful operation.
Wine harvest looks promising but wine glut bothersome
The South African wine industry expects a promising 2021 wine grape harvest, according to the industry’s first crop estimate.
Free State’s first black, female raisin farmer (and she makes wine)
Picture the Free State, and you are likely to recall lands of maize and golden sunflowers stretching to the horizon. Near Jacobsdal, however, Tebogo Ditsebe is bucking the trend: she grows wine grapes and produces wine under her own label.
Good wheat year ahead, but climate uncertainty prevails
Not only is a record crop predicted for this season’s wheat harvest, but wheat prices have also achieved record highs.
Table grapes yet to experience full impact of COVID-19
Limited marketing opportunities for secondary fruit can be a big challenge for table grape producers this season, according to Francois Rossouw, managing director of Mooigezicht Estates near De Doorns.
Confusion over wine tasting and sales on wine farms resolved
The wine industry has expressed relief that the ban on wine sales by wine cellars on Sundays has been lifted, reversing regulations published in the Government Gazette on 15 December, prohibiting wine tastings and sales on Sundays.
Concern about high post-lockdown milk and meat prices
The Competition Commission’s (CompCom) third essential food pricing monitoring report has found that retail food prices have not returned to normal, following increases during the initial ‘hard’ lockdown in South Africa to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Positive market sentiment boosts agri machinery sales
Tractor sales increased significantly in November compared with the same period last year. The latest report released by the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA) indicated that 593 tractors were sold in November, up 39% on the 427 units sold during the same month last year.
Farmers urged to report locust sightings
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has urged farmers in the Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape to report any sightings of locust swarms so that these can be prevented from spreading throughout the country.
How to grow healthy food vertically in a small space
An innovative vertical growing system makes it possible to grow fresh, healthy produce without owning a plot. James Dick, the inventor of the HiGro Tower Garden System, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about his vertical-growing method.
High food prices could take the cheer out of festive season
South Africa’s annual consumer price inflation rose to a seven-month high in October, largely driven by rising food and non-alcoholic beverage prices, according to the latest Consumer Price index (CPI) report that was recently released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
Seized berry shipment released as parties reach agreement
Dutch authorities releasing two shipments of blueberries exported by Rossouw Boerdery Group’s subsidiary Ross Berries to the Netherlands, marks a victory for local farmers, according to a statement by the group.
Normalised liquor sales will help wine industry recovery
Stakeholders in South Africa’s wine industry have welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that restrictions on liquor trading would be eased, saying that it will assist in the recovery of the wine industry.
New Harvest winner gets the basics right and comes out tops
As the son of a farmworker, Sewis van der Horst managed to work his way up to become a farmer in his own right and an exporter of quality fruit. Last year, he was crowned the Toyota New Harvest winner. Jeandré van der Walt visited his operation close to Villiersdorp.
Concern about quality of malting barley crop in the Southern Cape
South Africa is expecting a record malting barley crop of just over 526 700t, which is up nearly 53% from the previous season.
Wildfire season starts early for Western Cape grain farmers
The Western Cape Department of Local Government has brought forward the province’s 2020/2021 fire season declaration, following a request by Agri Western Cape to ensure the safety of the 2020 harvest.
Mboweni finds more money for Land Bank in tight budget
South Africa is deeply indebted and economic growth is expected to contract even more than initially anticipated.
Juice, hand sanitiser and discounts to solve SA’s wine glut
South Africa is currently faced with a wine glut of 289 million litres, due to the ban on the sale of liquor during the lockdown period to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
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