Staff Reporter
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.
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.
Metropolitan Collective Shapers empowers SA’s youth entrepreneurs
In a time when youth entrepreneurship in South Africa continues to lag, small-scale farmer Siphindile Hlengwa, founder of Ndlovukazi Agricultural Multipurpose, has shown that structured business support can shift agricultural enterprises from simply surviving to becoming sustainable and even award-winning.
A haven for children to learn about farming
Beyond teaching agricultural skills to their own children, Zimbabwean farmers Vimbai Ruvengo and her husband, Mussolini Ganyo, have turned their property, Panganayi Farm on the Hwedza-Marondera boundary, into a haven for children eager to learn about farming.
Handling of livestock as part of training on a practical farm
The South African agriculture sector faces growing pressure to ensure food security, sustainable farming, and innovative livestock production, requiring a skilled workforce with theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
New climate commission to steer SA’s just energy transition to 2030
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a new group of commissioners to the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), marking the start of a new five-year term that will run from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.
TopFruit: pioneering stone fruit varieties for every season
TopFruit provides South African producers with stone fruit varieties that meet specific market demands. Our selection spans the entire growing season and includes cultivars with varying chilling requirements, ensuring adaptability across different climates and production conditions.
FMD case in Eastern Cape highlights communal grazing challenge
The confirmation of a new foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case in Amahlathi Local Municipality in the Amathole district has once again placed the Eastern Cape at the centre of South Africa’s escalating animal health crisis.
Ethical trade still matters when consumers are under pressure
When household budgets tighten, ethical consumption is often the first casualty. Yet in agriculture, periods of economic strain are when fair trading relationships matter most. South Africa’s Fairtrade industry shows how trade-based interventions can strengthen producer and worker resilience.
Rooiwal wastewater crisis hits farmers hardest
Failing infrastructure upstream of Hammanskraal near Pretoria, Gauteng, continues to undermine livestock welfare, crop production, and farm viability in northern Tshwane.
Indigenous and drought-hardy summer crops for profitability
Indigenous crops like Bambara groundnut, amaranth, sorghum, and cowpeas offer climate-resilient, nutrient-rich, niche market opportunities in South Africa, despite structural and commercial challenges.
Pigs in a blanket in a sweet glaze – Serves four
Juicy pork sausages wrapped in crispy bacon and coated in a sweet, sticky glaze. Simple to make and perfect as a tasty side or party favourite, served hot from the oven.
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