Sabrina Dean
Multimedia journalist active in print, radio and online platforms.
Nampo 2025 sets new record with over 87 000 visitors
A record-breaking 87 191 visitors attended the 57th annual Nampo Harvest Day at Nampo Park near Bothaville, Free State from 13 to 16 May, Grain SA announced on Monday.
Fruit farmers relieved as Tiger Brands sells canning factory for R1
There was a sense of relief and excitement among fruit farmers and communities surrounding Ashton in the Western Cape as food giant Tiger Brands announced it would sell its canning business to local producers for R1.
China bans meat imports from SA as new FMD cases are confirmed
Two new cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed in Mpumalanga and Gauteng, which has led to China banning meat imports from South Africa.
Machinery and tractor brands finalise mega displays at Nampo
Machinery and tractor exhibits that had been in the planning for nearly a year were getting their final spit and polish this week as mega exhibitors prepared for the gates to open at Nampo Harvest Day on Tuesday, 13 May.
Plan your route to Nampo 2025 with these updates
Preparations are in full swing for this year’s Nampo Harvest Day, taking place at Nampo Park just outside Bothaville, Free State, from 13 to 16 May. Organisers have released a detailed route advisory for visitors travelling to Nampo Park.
‘R1 billion in stock’ soon to make its way to Nampo 2025
An estimated R1 billion in stock will be making its way to Nampo Park outside Bothaville in the Free State over the next two weeks as exhibitors start setting up for the annual Nampo Harvest Day, which will run from 13 to 16 May this year.
Armyworm suspected in death of 100 cattle in EC
Around 100 cattle were recently found dead in a camp on a farm in the Grahamstown area in the Eastern Cape, according to Agri Eastern Cape (Agri EC).
Heavy rain and cold pose problems to oilseed, sheep farmers
Further heavy rain and cold weather conditions are cause for concern for grain, oilseed and sheep farmers. South Africans can expect heavy rain and cold conditions for the rest of the week, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
Compensation payments to Zim farmers dispossessed of land commences
While the process of initial compensation payments to farmers who had been dispossessed of land in Zimbabwe were reported to be proceeding smoothly by Zimbabwe’s government and Zimbabwe’s Valuation Consortium (Valcon), these claims have been branded as “misleading” and “inaccurate” by role players in the country.
Electronic deeds registration aims to save time and money
The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has launched the Electronic Deeds Registration System (eDRS). Although the agriculture sector has welcomed the move to modernise property registration, concerns remain about how smoothly the transition from a manual to an electronic system will unfold.
Making lucerne hay while maximising soil health
Free State irrigation farmer Freek Strauss grows lucerne for the local and export markets. At the same time, the crop improves the soil’s condition, thus increasing the yields of other crops in rotation.
How an agripreneur is creating jobs for his community
Lengau Mothiane has just signed on another 10 employees to handle the workload at his farmer support services business, Horizon Southern Group. Sabrina Dean spoke to him about his journey.
Optimal liming is key to preventing soil acidification
As much as 30% of South Africa’s agricultural soil resource is deemed to be acidifying, mostly due to inefficient or incorrect liming practices. This is according to a recent presentation by Dr Pieter Haumann, CEO of the Fertilizer Association of Southern Africa.
True data on informal farming sector vital – BFAP report
There are large gaps in the available agricultural production data, particularly when it comes to the contribution of smallholder farmers to the informal agricultural economy in South Africa.
Stats SA adjusts ‘food poverty line’ to R585 per month
Any person living in South Africa needs to have at least R585 per month to afford enough food to meet the minimum required daily energy intake needed to survive.
Record production puts pressure on global grain prices
US grain and oilseed prices traded slightly lower during trade in the first week of August as global forecasts predicted a record global grain crop.
‘Locked out of livelihoods’ women struggle to feed families
One of the consequences of the COVID-19-related lockdown regulations was that many women working as informal traders have been “locked out” of their livelihoods.
Tackling crime along the South Africa-Lesotho border
The strip of land spanning just over 900km along the Lesotho-South Africa border remains a source of economic loss and trauma for the many rural South Africans living there. Sabrina Dean spoke to Dr Jane Buys and Richard Chelin about the safety and security challenges in the area.
Family farm harvests 50t of carrots a day all year round
Bloemfontein farmer Johannes Griesel started producing carrots on 0,5ha. Today, he grows thousands of tons of this staple crop, harvesting it on every working day of the year.
Gap between farm and retail prices ‘warrant investigation’
A mixed picture was being painted by the different entities monitoring food prices during the national lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by the Competition Commission.
