Staff Reporter
Farmer's Weekly's Staff Reporter team provides accurate, timely, and trusted coverage of South African agriculture, delivering expert-backed reporting on farming, livestock, crops, agribusiness, technology, policy, and industry developments.
Latest articles
Tame stink bugs with the macadamia combo pack
Protect your upper canopy crop with Philagro’s Macadamia Combo Pack. Combining Samurai® 20 SC and Sumi-Alpha® 200 EW, it delivers immediate systemic defense and rapid knockdown to control destructive stink bugs effectively. By Johan Marais, Biorational Product Manager at Philagro.
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Financing that understands farming
Every farming operation has its own equipment needs, cycles, and long-term goals. John Deere Financial offers personalised financing solutions designed around these realities, helping farmers focus on the operation they know best.
The Botswana hunter who became a wildlife farmer
As Botswana’s game farming industry grows, professional hunter Luke Blackbeard’s story highlights how wildlife can become both a viable farming enterprise and a tool for conservation. His journey reflects the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
Preserving elite bull genetics beyond death
Genetics play a critical role in sustainable beef farming. Why do genetics matter and how can they be conserved?
Wine, apples, and the art of ageing very well
Pomologist, former wine columnist, and inveterate collector Buks Nel has spent a lifetime exploring wine, apples, and much more. Pieter de Waal visited him for Cap Classique, conversation, and a taste of patience.
Webinar: Building a productive and profitable Dohne Merino flock
What does it take to build a Dohne Merino flock that performs under South African conditions while delivering value to the farmer?
Cheap on paper, costly at the till: what 1,1% food inflation really means
The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy's latest brief shows that food prices are barely rising, yet a basic healthy diet still swallows more than half the income of some households. South Africa’s slowing food price cycle offers households relief, but the farmers supplying that food face a difficult question: can they keep producing profitably?
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Keeping farm grounds in shape with the Husqvarna Z560X zero-turn mower
Spring brings the grounds back to the top of the maintenance list on farms and estates across South Africa. Entrances and avenues, the homestead garden, lodge and guest lawns, staff housing, and areas around offices and pack sheds all start growing again at once, making efficient mowing essential for keeping properties neat and presentable.
Johan Kotzé on the growing pressure facing South African farmers
South African farmers are under increasing financial pressure as the sector grapples with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), high input costs, tight margins and the risk of El Niño conditions.
Wheatlands a Karoo farm where seven generations made history
After eight generations of diverse farming on this spread in the Camdeboo area of the Eastern Cape Karoo, Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit discovered there are hundreds of stories to be told around the family fire.
Building stronger biosecurity on poultry farms
Effective poultry biosecurity is built on layers of protection, with each one helping to keep pathogens away from birds. Disease prevention starts long before anyone enters a chicken house and there are strict checklists and controls poultry producers can put in place across the farm to reduce disease risk.
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Standard bank 2026 Chenin Blanc Top 10 challenge winners announced
Celebrating 13 years of partnership, the 2026 Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge honoured South Africa’s national heritage white grape variety. Each winning producer receives R25,000 to invest in
a social upliftment or community initiative.
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John Deere 3E Series: a new compact performer for South Africa
John Deere is expanding its offering across Africa and the Middle East with its new 3E Series compact utility tractors, a range designed for producers and landowners who need a smaller tractor without compromising on capability, reliability, or versatility.
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Agrico and Absa team up to make centre pivot finance more accessible
A new partnership between Agrico and Absa makes it easier for qualifying clients to finance Agrico centre pivot irrigation systems, including pipelines, pumps, sprinklers, and automation.
Farmers must reregister for diesel refunds
SARS has opened a standalone diesel refund registration system, separate from VAT. Existing claimants must register again, while farmers will eventually be able to claim only.
Good Life Show drives sustainable business
Now in its sixth year, the 2026 edition of the Good Life Show closed with the Johannesburg leg, which ran from 18 to 20 September at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng. It followed the Cape Town edition, which took place from 29 to 31 May at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, in the Western Cape.
WEBINAR | What should farmers consider when building a productive goat herd?
Register now for the upcoming webinar, where experienced Boer Goat, Kalahari Red and Savanna breeders share practical advice on building a productive goat herd.
Botswana to streamline game-farming permit applications
Botswana is moving to digitise its game-farming permit application process as the government seeks to expand the country’s wildlife economy and create opportunities for agricultural diversification.
A tale of beaches, bokkies and Beefmasters
Kasouga on the Sunshine Coast blends nostalgic beach holidays with farmstay charm. Experience coastal bliss, grazing Beefmaster cattle, and endangered oribi antelope at Kasouga Farm’s tranquil Oribi Haven cottages.
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Finance built to keep the pace
John Deere Financial structures flexible solutions around your farm’s cash flow, seasonal cycles, and growth plans. Pair your agricultural expertise with financial structures built to keep pace with your operation.
