Sabrina Dean
Multimedia journalist active in print, radio and online platforms.
Frontier Bonsmaras’ strategy for sold-out auctions
Due to its insistence on uncompromising quality, Frontier Bonsmaras in the Eastern Cape has sold every one of the bulls on offer at its annual sale over the past 12 years. Sabrina Dean joined the group on its pre-sale tour to find out how this event fits into Frontier’s formula for success.
Grain SA initiative to help farmers get financing
Grain SA (GSA) recently announced that it will dedicate R5 million to serve as collateral to help black potential commercial farmers unlock financing.
How a small farmer became SA’s biggest pineapple producer
A unique microclimate in the southern Eastern Cape has given rise to a niche cropping industry that requires intensive precision production over a five- to seven-year cycle. Sabrina Dean paid a visit to large pineapple producer Mark Harris to find out more.
New family farming organisation for SA
A new organisation aimed at protecting and promoting the rights, values, ideals and needs of family farmers in the primary production sector in South Africa was officially launched in Pretoria on Thursday.
SA frozen chicken meat imports hit record levels last year
South Africa set a new record for the amount of frozen broiler meat that was brought into the country last year, importing R6 billion worth of chicken.
Mixed farming: key to livestock success for Free State farmer
Nelius Ferreira, the Free State’s Top Young Farmer for 2018, focuses on quality production in a global marketplace. Sabrina Dean visited him on his farm near Harrismith to learn more.
Agri sector highlights negative consequences of load-shedding
Organised agricultural organisations have expressed serious concern that any further load-shedding carried out by Eskom during important production periods could negatively impact the profitably of farmers and the affordability of food for South Africans.
Free State declared a drought disaster area
Free State Agriculture (FSA) has welcomed the news that the province has been declared a drought disaster area.
New international consortium makes R4,8 billion bid for Clover
A newly formed company, Milco SA, has announced that it would make an offer to acquire the entire issued share capital of Clover Industries...
Crop estimate for maize ‘better than expected’
South Africa’s summer grain farmers have planted 180 000ha less maize than originally intended for the current production season, according to the Crop Estimates Committee’s (CEC) preliminary area estimate for summer grain crops.
2019 Cape Premier Yearling Sale achieves good results
The highest price achieved at the annual Cape Premier Yearling Sale held in Cape Town yesterday was R4 million for an unnamed filly, one of the last progeny of one of South Africa’s top Thoroughbred sires, the late Captain Al.
Researchers urged to get out into the field
More than 250 delegates are attending the annual Combined Congress of soil, crop production, weed and horticultural sciences, underway at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein until Friday.
‘Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak no threat to consumers’
The recent confirmation of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak among cattle in the Vhembe District in Limpopo has sparked strong reaction from the livestock sector, along with unfounded panic among consumers.
‘Government’s land reform statistics not accurate’
Government is misusing the land question to garner votes for the upcoming election, which is detrimental for South Africa as a whole and the economy in particular, according to FF+ leader, Dr Pieter Groenewald.
SA’s foot-and-mouth disease-free status temporarily suspended
Role players in the red meat industry have expressed deep concern that the temporary suspension of South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease-free (FMD) status could result in lost income amounting to billions of rand, while also disrupting domestic trade.
Stable local demand for vegetables, but export markets beckon
Rainfall and the availability of water were expected to have the biggest impact on vegetable production in the coming year.
New commercial farmer invests in asparagus
Up-and-coming commercial farmer Daniel Maqala is diversifying further by investing in asparagus. Sabrina Dean visited him to find out more about his journey so far.
Mitigating the impact of Lesotho’s wool woes on SA industry
It is expected that the loss of the Lesotho wool and mohair clip, due to new legislation in that country, would have a negative impact on the bottom line of wool traders in South Africa.
Concern about pressure on feedlot margins
Concerns have been expressed that feedlot margins could come under pressure going forward, especially if feed prices increased on the back of delayed summer plantings.
Agri growth helps SA out of recession
Positive performance in the agriculture sector in the third quarter (Q3) of 2018 has helped lift South Africa’s economy out of a technical recession.
