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.
Farmers must be vigilant for presence of fall armyworm moths
Farmers have been urged to remain alert to the presence of fall armyworm (FAW) during the 2019/2020 crop production season, and to regularly scout their crops for larvae and eggs in their lands.
How to make farming pay with no land of your own
Two postgraduate students from the University of Cape Town are facilitating farming in the heart of the city, yet neither owns a sizeable piece of land. Wandile Tshabe, co-founder of No.Land Farming, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about their innovative project.
Slightly larger wine grape harvest expected in 2020
South Africa’s 2020 wine grape harvest is expected to be slightly larger than in 2019, but still smaller than the average wine grape crop over the past five years, according to Vinpro’s first crop estimate for the season.
Farmers cautioned to be on the alert this festive season
Farmers are cautioned to be more alert with the festive season approaching and be aware of increased criminal activity, according to Chris van Zyl, assistant general manager of TAU SA.
Call for banks to support farmers this planting season
Rain is urgently needed to enable farmers to plant summer crops in the eastern and western Free State, according to Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture.
Travellers urged to comply with SA’s import regulations
With the festive season in full swing, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has called on all travellers visiting or returning to South Africa during the festive season to comply with import requirements for agricultural and related products.
Another recession looming for South Africa
As South Africa’s GDP contracted yet again in the third quarter of the year, warnings have been sounded that another potential recession and job losses were looming.
Plastic packaging should focus on recycling
There is ‘no silver bullet’ to address South Africa’s plastic conundrum, according to Lorren de Kock, project manager for the circular plastics economy at the Worldwide Fund for Nature – South Africa. However, the fruit industry can start addressing the issue by moving away from packaging that is aesthetically pleasing to recyclable and reusable packaging methods.
Western Cape fire season draws closer
Fire authorities are bracing themselves for the Western Cape fire season that kicks-off on 1 December.
Lower consumer price inflation bodes well for consumers
Consumers can breathe a sigh of relief as South Africa’s consumer price inflation (CPI) has reached its lowest level in eight years.
Consumers must prepare for higher red meat prices
The decision by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and members of the livestock industry, to place a temporary ban on all livestock auctions in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West, will have a negative impact on consumers’ pockets this festive season, according to TAU SA.
Poultry master plan aims to increase local production
A new poultry sector master plan that will benefit everyone in the industry has been welcomed by the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE).
Cash-strapped consumers ditch luxuries
A recent trading update by the Distell Group has indicated that consumers are tightening their belts and looking for value for money.
Consumer inflation down but food inflation up – economist
South Africa’s consumer inflation (CPI) for September was marginally down at 4,1% year-on-year, compared with the 4,3% recorded in August, according to data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
Stone fruit production set to increase, despite drought
The South African stone fruit industry is forecasting improved volumes for the 2019/2020 season compared with last year.
World Egg Day: celebrating the many benefits of the egg
Today – 11 October - marks World Egg Day, a global salute to the health benefits and versatility of the egg. The theme of the campaign is ‘Eat your egg today and every day’.
Below-average rainfall spells tough season ahead for Western Cape
Large parts of the Western Cape are still not out of trouble after the 2019 rainy season, and will have to face yet another tough year. This was according to Jannie Strydom, the CEO of Agri Western Cape.
Farmer’s 20-year journey to acquire land, know-how and finance
Western Cape farmer Andries van der Poll grows wheat and medics on rotation on dryland, produces irrigated maize, and runs Dohne Merino sheep and Red Angus cattle. He spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about his agricultural journey and the mixed blessings of state funding.
Seed potato farmers warned about devastating potato disease
Seed potato growers attending the recent biannual Potatoes South Africa Seed Potato Growers’ Forum in Cape Town were warned about the potentially devastating effect that resistant black dot disease could have on the quality and quantity of their crops.
Wind farms: a massive opportunity for SA’s farmers
Fickle power supply and ever-increasing tariffs are spurring South Africa’s agriculture sector to look at alternative sources of electricity. Jacobus Treurnich, the land rights manager of G7 Renewable Energies, spoke to Jeandré van der Walt about wind farms and the opportunities that farmers will have to rent out their land for wind-generated power.
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