Sabrina Dean
Multimedia journalist active in print, radio and online platforms.
Fires destroy farms, homes and grazing in the Bathurst area
Just after lunch on Sunday, 18 January 2026, the messages started popping on forums that fires were raging between Bathurst and Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape.
Dorper veld rams that can adapt to any situation
Dorper breeder Christo van Deventer believes the breed has a bright future, with growing interest in the ‘veld rams’ produced by him and a select group of breeders in the Northern Cape. He spoke to Sabrina Dean about the importance of selecting based on performance data.
Johan van der Nest’s incredible 30-year legacy as an auctioneer
Johan van der Nest is renowned in auction circles and was the first freelance stud-stock auctioneer to begin operating in South Africa. He spoke to Sabrina Dean about a career built on knowledge, experience, people skills and just a touch of showmanship.
World-class mohair producer adds value with clean clip practices
Michau Nortjé, an Angora farmer who was this year named among the top two in the world, says successes came following small shifts in how he was managing the quality of his end product.
US tariffs tarnish trees and tinsel
US President Donald Trump’s trade war with China was expected to dampen festive cheer this year, with artificial Christmas trees noticeably more expensive for US consumers this holiday season.
Christmas in summer: celebrating with South African plants
Many Christmas plants such as poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe are deeply rooted in Northern Hemisphere traditions and aren’t naturally adapted to South Africa’s warm December climate. Horticulture expert Andy de Wet talks about traditional plants and indigenous alternatives.
Karoo seed onions perform well on the global market
Seed onion production is proving a valuable drought risk mitigation strategy for several farmers in the Karoo Highlands of the Northern Cape, around Williston, Fraserburg, and Calvinia. Hannes Esterhuyse spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about his mixed operation.
Why our locally bred goats are gaining global popularity
There are over 650 registered members with the South African Boer Goat Breeders’ Association focusing on three distinct breeds: the Boer goat, the Savanna and the Kalahari Red. Association secretary Chantelle Smit spoke to Sabrina Dean about these breeds.
How the SA Saddlebred has built a global reputation
How would you describe a Saddlebred horse in terms of the breed standard?
The American Saddlebred is known for its refined beauty, proud presence, and...
Desert cattle operation reaps rewards of regenerative agriculture
Kalahari farmer Willie Storm has used regenerative agriculture practices to improve his cattle stocking capacity from the area norm of around 21ha per large stock unit (LSU) to 5ha/LSU.
Afrikaner – a hardy breed making its mark in feedlots
The Afrikaner cattle breed is prized for its indigenous hardiness, natural resistance, high fertility and ease of calving. Sabrina Dean found out more about the breed from Julian Balt, who was recently elected president of the Afrikaner Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa.
Roadway Farms: building a sustainable future in vegetable farming
Roadway Farms in Albert Falls, KwaZulu-Natal, is implementing a model intended to keep the family operation financially viable and sustainable into the future. Vegetable farmer and entrepreneur Shakti Satyapal talks about how they have reimagined the business in recent years.
Official goat stats fall short of informal market estimates
Goat meat statistics in South Africa poorly reflect the reality of the market, with huge differences between official figures and informal estimates.
Enviable Dormer traits: exceptional growth rates and early maturity
The Dormer is one of South Africa’s most prolific sheep breeds and exhibits many highly profitable traits. Over the years, selective breeding of the Dormer has led to the development of a medium-framed sheep that produces high-quality meat and wool.
Dormer breeders’ society is dedicated to improving the breed
Despite the Dormer’s rapid growth rates and excellent carcass quality, the Dormer Sheep Breeders’ Society of South Africa is actively working to further improve the breed.
Why sheep farmers should consider the Dormer for crossbreeding
The Dormer’s ability to pass on its economic traits to its offspring makes it the ideal breed for crossbreeding programmes. The Dormer has many exceptional traits, say Liezel Grobler, secretary of the Dormer Sheep Breeders’ Society of South Africa, and Marius Eksteen, head of the society’s marketing portfolio.
Development of the Dormer, a purely South African breed
The Dormer is a truly South African sheep, purpose bred to perform locally and compete internationally. Sabrina Dean spoke to Liezel Grobler, secretary of the Dormer Breeders’ Society of South Africa, and Marius Eksteen, head of the society’s marketing portfolio.
Bredasdorp gears up for a bigger Nampo Cape 2025
From 10 to 13 September 2025, Nampo Cape returns to Bredasdorp in the Western Cape, offering visitors a mix of farming innovation, livestock, and grain production.
Goat farmer launches her own skincare and wellness range
Selinah Ntjana, a Limpopo farmer and entrepreneur, is advocating the various benefits of goats through books, skincare, and wellness products. She spoke to Sabrina Dean about her brand, Selinah The Goat.
Free State officials notify public of two new FMD cases in Viljoenskroon
On Thursday, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) said in a statement it was “notifying the public and the entire farming community” that two new cases had been confirmed in Viljoenskroon, with a third case still possible, pending laboratory results.
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