Staff Reporter
MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa oulines Gauteng’s FMD containment plan
Foot-and-mouth disease is putting farmers under extreme pressure.
Sponsored
Power and intelligence working together
The new John Deere S7 Combine offers innovative improvements that help farmers get more out of every hour in the field.
MEC Elzabe Rockman details Free State’s FMD containment plan
At an engagement session hosted by the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at the Harry Gwala Multi-Purpose Hall in Sasolburg on 5 February, MEC Elzabe Rockman outlined the province’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) response plan to Farmer's Weekly's Gary Wium.
From mushroom waste to livestock feed
Dr Ingrid Malebana and Dr Klaas-Jan Leeuw, researchers at the Agricultural Research Council, are exploring whether a simple farm by-product can help South African farmers cut costs.
Sponsored
Agrico’s support makes commercial farming in Botswana possible
The success of a farming operation in Botswana is largely due to the accessibilty of equipment and technical backup from reliable service providers, like Agrico.
Sponsored
Purpose-built vehicle solutions for your business
Custom single-cab conversions offer practical solutions for safe storage and transport across a variety of industries and businesses. Toyota-engineered alterations are now available through Hilux Custom Builds to ensure uncompromising performance.
Sponsored
Keep cash flow healthy to HELP your farming enterprise thrive
A farm is purchased with capital, but cash flow keeps it running. From maintenance to insurance, the cost of ownership is often higher than new buyers expect. Andreas Greeff, managing director of Vleissentraal Eiendomme, shares advice for sustainable farm management.
Reliable market access is key to expanding South African goose farming
Modern goose farming faces several challenges, including competition from cheaper poultry alternatives like chicken, declining demand for products such as feathers, and ethical concerns surrounding practices like force-feeding to produce foie gras.
Sponsored
Future-proofed 5G connectivity for mines, hospitals, and hotels
Poor mobile signal in 2026 isn’t just inconvenient—it’s costly. Mines, hospitals, and hotels face safety, clinical, and revenue risks, while proactive organisations stay in control with reliable connectivity.
FMD update: Kobus Bester on the impact of foot-and-mouth disease on stud breeding
As foot-and-mouth disease continues to disrupt South Africa’s livestock sector, pressure on stud breeders and genetic progress is intensifying. Kobus Bester, representing the Stud Breeder Federation and the FMD Industry Coordination Council member, shares insights into the long-term impact of foot-and-mouth disease on South Africa’s red meat and stud breeding sector.
Livestock excluded from Bloem Show as FMD risk persists
The organisers of the Bloem Show have taken the unprecedented step of excluding all cloven-hoofed animals from the 2026 event, citing ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks and the need to prevent the further spread in South Africa’s livestock industry.
The pressure on veterinary care in South African agriculture
A day in the life of rural veterinarian Dr Suenette Kotze reveals how South Africa’s food chain is supported by a small group of overworked professionals who balance animal welfare, farmer support, and personal sacrifice across vast farming landscapes.
Pressure mounts to declare FMD a national state of disaster
Renewed calls to declare foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) a national disaster are gaining momentum, with farmers and industry leaders warning that, without stronger state intervention, the outbreak could inflict lasting damage on livestock producers, rural livelihoods, and export markets.
SA to host Agritec Africa, the biggest agribusiness, tech event on the continent
Agritec Africa, the continent’s leading agricultural exhibition, is coming to Johannesburg, Gauteng, this March for three days of networking opportunities, conferences, and demonstrations.
South Africa’s National FMD Strategy: Key points under discussion
Foot-and-mouth disease remains one of the most serious threats to South Africa’s cattle industry.
Sponsored
Positioning farm finance for the best results
Buying a farm is a financial strategy. From bank loans to investor partnerships, farm financing requires long-term planning and realistic calculations. Andreas Greeff, managing director of Vleissentraal Eiendomme, explains the options and the potential pitfalls.
From the classroom to the global stage: Dr Hlamalani Ngwenya’s agricultural journey
Dr Hlamalani Ngwenya’s journey into agriculture was unexpected, but it shaped a career defined by purpose, integrity and global impact.
AGOA extension offers relief, but SA’s eligibility hangs in balance
The US House of Representatives has approved a three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, temporarily easing trade disruption fears for sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa’s agriculture sector has welcomed the move, but the country’s beneficiary status remains uncertain.
Western Cape faces disaster as drought, wildfires batter agriculture
Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell will approach the provincial cabinet to motivate for a disaster classification as ongoing drought and wildfires continue to cause damage across the southern parts of the province.
‘Tiger heart’ calf deaths surge in FMD-positive herds
South African livestock producers are reporting a concerning increase in sudden calf deaths linked to a condition known as ‘tiger heart’. This post-mortem finding is increasingly associated with active foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks.
- ADVERTISEMENT -
MUST READS
- ADVERTISEMENT -
- ADVERTISEMENT -
