Sabrina Dean
Multimedia journalist active in print, radio and online platforms.
Court upholds ban on sale of water rights by farmers
A high court ruling on the sale of water rights could have far-reaching consequences for farmers, some agriculture role players have warned.
Tomatoes, bananas worst affected by country-wide cold fronts
Tomato producers have been among those worst affected by a spate of cold fronts during May and June, which had a negative impact on certain fruit and vegetables traded on South Africa’s fresh produce markets.
Farming jobs remain steady amid dismal employment figures
With South Africa’s unemployment rate now standing at more than 30%, a labour expert has warned the worst was yet to come.
Protecting South Africa’s trees from the shot hole borer
The polyphagous shot hole borer threatens over 150 South African tree species. If left unchecked, it could cause huge damage to citrus and avocado orchards, amongst others. Prof Wijnand Swart and Dr Gert Marais, who are striving to find a solution to the problem, spoke to Sabrina Dean.
Farmer development needs new financing mechanism – Didiza
One of the major obstacles still faced by new entrants in the farming sector was the lack of structured financial and practical support offered by the public and private sectors.
Record global harvests predicted for maize and wheat
The International Grains Council (IGC) is forecasting record-high global grain harvests for the 2020/2021 season.
Ford Raptor: tough as nails, smooth as silk
Ford expects its Ranger Raptor to set the benchmark in the 4x4 pickup sector. Sabrina Dean travelled to Goerapan, Northern Cape, for the vehicle’s launch in South Africa.
Second locust wave could dampen East Africa’s harvest hopes
Despite significant gains in the battle against desert locust infestations in 10 countries, mostly in East Africa, food security remains at risk, especially as a second wave of locusts now threaten what could otherwise be a promising crop harvest for the region.
Wool and maize: perfect partners on marginal lands
While wool accounts for only about 30% of his income, Free State farmer Le Roux Fourie views it as a crucial element in his cropping and livestock operation. He spoke to Sabrina Dean about the value of this commodity, especially in light of its consistently high price.
Feedback still being awaited on farm patrols during lockdown
Organised agriculture role players have again called for regulations to be revised so that farmers can reinstate rural safety activities such as the patrolling of farming areas.
Urgent call from NERPO to extend farmer funding deadline
Time has run out for smallholder and communal farmers to apply for relief funding from the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform (agriculture department).
Lockdowns must not disrupt food supply chains – FAO, AU
With statistics prior to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic suggesting that one in five people in Africa suffers from hunger, it is important that agriculture be recognised as an “essential service” on the continent.
Riots spark fear over safety of food transporters – Purchase
Prior to the national lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), stakeholders in South Africa’s agriculture industry had already started engaging with government about measures that would enable food security and prevent scenarios such as food riots.
SA blueberry export revenue rises to over R1 billion
The South Africa blueberry industry continues to set record-breaking growth trends, with export volumes for 2019/2020 increasing more than 50% compared with the previous season.
Transformation project stands as an example
Despite ongoing delays and red tape, Merino stud breeder Eddie Prinsloo and eight of his employees have begun farming in partnership in a business known as the Donkerhoek Farming Project. Sabrina Dean visited them on Prinsloo’s Free State farm to learn about the venture.
Thousands of litres of milk dumped in US as pandemic deepens
With US dairy farmers forced to dump thousands of litres of unprocessed raw milk daily amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, farm level milk prices for 2020 is expected to decline sharply.
Inside a family-run abattoir that slaughters 800 cattle a day
The Beefmaster Group’s abattoir in Kimberley can process up to 800 cattle a day. Roelie van Reenen, the group’s supply-chain executive, spoke to Sabrina Dean about how the group operates and maintains its high standards.
Spazas, food hawkers with permits, get greenlight to trade
An amendment to South Africa’s lockdown regulations that will allow informal traders with the necessary permits to resume operations was announced by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, on Thursday.
Migrant worker restrictions fuel fears of harvest delays in EU, UK
Lockdowns in countries around the world, imposed by governments to slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), along with travel bans and restrictions on movement is posing a severe risk to the global food supply chain.
Late rainfall sees Free State farmers returning to wheat
When the rains came too late to plant maize at the end of 2018, Bultfontein farmers Anton and Heinrich Botha joined other producers in the region in planting dryland winter wheat instead. Sabrina Dean visited this father-and-son team to find out why they are so enthusiastic about the renewed interest in wheat.
