Sabrina Dean
Multimedia journalist active in print, radio and online platforms.
The future of Boer goats in South Africa
Boer goat stud breeders from across the country were in Bloemfontein at the start of May to participate in the annual Boerbok, Kalahari Red and Savanna World Show. Sabrina Dean spoke to Boer goat breeders Kobus Lötter, Andries Vollgraaff, Casper Byleveld and Lukas Burger about the current state of the Boer goat industry, and what the future holds for it.
Potato farmer’s virgin soil strategy to reduce disease risk
Potato production is a high-risk, high-reward industry. Farming seed potatoes is even more so. Sabrina Dean visited Gerhard Bruwer of Genade Boerdery in the Northern Cape to find out more about this component of the family farming operation.
Meatmasters: bred for tough conditions and good meat
Jean du Plessis refers to himself as a ‘bush breeder’, someone who selects with the eye and farms in harmony with his natural environment. Sabrina Dean visited him in the arid Northern Cape to find out more about his extensive Meatmaster sheep farming operation.
Below-normal summer rain predicted as dam levels decrease
Although water supply scenarios for much of the country are currently deemed comfortable, forecasts of a chance of below-normal rainfall for early summer do not bode well for parts of the Eastern Cape and Limpopo where rivers are reportedly drying up.
Thabethe did not want investigators to meet Estina alone
Former HOD of the Free State department of agriculture Peter Thabethe was questioned by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Friday about why he was not willing to give permission for National Treasury investigators to meet with Estina role players.
Pet owners urged to vaccinate against rabies
All efforts to control the deadly viral disease of rabies are based on vaccination, hence the theme of this year’s annual World Rabies Day: ‘Rabies: vaccinate to eliminate”. This is according to the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC).
High food price inflation leaves poor consumers in the lurch
Annual food price inflation reached its highest level for the past 18 months in August, with the biggest year-on-year increase seen in the price of special maize meal.
‘Land to be restituted, not redistributed’ – Mabuza
The 278 parcels of land mentioned by Deputy President David Mabuza during follow-up questions in a National Council of Provinces session in Parliament on Wednesday were intended for restitution purposes, not redistribution.
How to make a living running a small-scale broiler operation
Necessity inspired Anneke Loock of Bloemfontein to start earning a living from a small-scale poultry business. The lessons learnt on her journey to success will prove useful to anyone launching a similar enterprise, says Sabrina Dean.
Agri industries record far better growth than SA economy
The growth of the primary agriculture sector in South Africa is far outstripping the economic growth of the country as a whole.
1 000ha of Limpopo farmland burnt in protest action
It has been estimated that as much as 1 000ha of farmland near the town of Alma in Limpopo have been destroyed after allegedly being set alight during a community protest this week.
Farmers urged to vaccinate livestock proactively
Livestock owners are being urged to vaccinate livestock proactively against vector-borne diseases such as Rift Valley fever (RVF), rather than reacting after an outbreak.
NWGA pleads for continued state support in communal ram project
Time was running out to secure quality wool rams for distribution next year in a development programme targeting wool growers in communal areas.
Intensive Boer goat farming: Good money, endless demand
Free State Boer goat farmer Mariaan Grobler says intensive production is a viable option as there are never enough goats available to meet demand. Sabrina Dean visited her on her Free State farm to learn how she has fine-tuned her commercial operation to maximise production.
Future Farmers expands development initiative into Free State
Young people looking for a foot in the door in the agriculture sector and farmers looking for a way to provide such opportunities could now come together at a new facility launched in the Free State on Thursday.
Vrede Dairy project: ‘SA needs to rethink Public Service Act’
Allegations of murder, death threats and state capture have been in the spotlight during testimony on the Vrede Dairy project, also known as the Estina project, at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture since 22 July.
High-tech solutions to manage weed resistance to herbicides
According to agronomy expert Leonard Oberholzer, weeds’ resistance to herbicides is expected to be one of the greatest threats to food production in years to come.
Designing an irrigation system according to soil type
Dr Willem de Clercq, a researcher at the Water Institute at Stellenbosch University, says that all farmers, and especially those who practise conservation agriculture, need to approach irrigation in a holistic manner that will ensure sustainable production.
Mixed reaction expected from agri sector to repo rate reduction
The decision by the South African Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee to lower the repo rate to 6,5%, down from 6,75%, will affect different role players in the agriculture value chain in different ways.
No serious injuries reported after Astral chemical leak
A chemical leak at one of Astral’s processing plants in Olifantsfontein had resulted in the hospitalisation of 15 of the food manufacturer’s staff.
