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.
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G20 Task Force One: promoting inclusive economic growth and equality
South Africa’s G20 presidency coincides with tight budgets, rising debt, and climate risks for many developing nations. The G20 South Africa 2025 Summit, through three new task forces, seeks to refocus global economic governance on fairness, opportunity, and resilience.
From the fields of Mpumalanga to the frontiers of plant science
Nonduduzo Adelaide Simelane and her siblings grew up helping their grandmother tend maize and bean fields in Schoemansdal, Mpumalanga, and now she is studying towards a PhD in plant science at the University of Pretoria, reflecting her perseverance, passion, and purpose.
How a bursary turned a reluctant student into a plant science champion
Stacey Fisher never imagined she’d find herself in agriculture let alone completing a PhD in plant biotechnology, but everything changed when she joined the Plant Omics Laboratory at the University of the Western Cape.
Zimbabwe compensates 85 Europeans who lost farms to land reform
Zimbabwe's government has compensated the first batch of 85 farmers from European countries who lost their farms during the country’s land reform programme, with 10 of them paid in full.
From chemistry to crop science: how a bursary led to new possibilities
During her academic journey, Meryl Awkes, now a Standard Bank business centre head, pivoted from chemistry to agriculture thanks to the Maize Trust Bursary Scheme and has since built a career that feeds people and the economy.
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Case IH makes ownership easier with competitive finance offers
This flexible finance programme provides farmers with a Prime -5% variable rate, three-year term, and choice of monthly or annual instalments when buying tractors.
National beekeeping strategy moves forward as SA targets EU
South Africa is positioning its honey industry for expansion into international export markets, with Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen confirming that work is under way to meet the EU’s honey import standards.
First case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease confirmed in Western Cape
The first confirmed case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Western Cape has been reported on a farm near Gouda., prompting an immediate quarantine and control measures to contain the outbreak.
Amé Grobler shares her journey as a lab technician working with cattle genetics
Ever wondered how farmers can choose whether their cows produce male or female calves? The answer lies in cutting-edge genetic technology that's revolutionising cattle breeding across South Africa.
Opinion: we have underestimated a pillar of our economy
From my time in the National Treasury, I’ve seen how agriculture’s role in economic planning is underestimated. Too often, it is viewed as a siloed primary sector of harvests and food security rather than a powerful tool for holistic development.
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Growing futures, together: Omnia’s commitment to South African agriculture
For over 70 years, Omnia has stood shoulder to shoulder with Southern African producers - not just as a supplier, but as a trusted partner in the field.
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Safety begins on the ground we walk on
Durable, affordable terraPOD footwear reflects what farming itself is about: resilience, stewardship, and care for the people who produce our food.
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Agrico’s recipe for sustainable growth: listen, improve, expand
Agrico’s vision is clear: to provide tools that don’t just work, but help farmers farm more efficiently, productively, and profitably.
FMD outbreak may push red meat prices higher this festive season
As the festive season approaches, experts are warning South African consumers of possible red meat price hikes due to ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.
Broken promises: the collapse of Zimbabwe’s land compensation
Zimbabwean farmer Stuart Brent was promised US$800 000 (about R14 million) compensation for improvements to property lost during the country’s land reform programme, but received less than US$8 000 (R138 000), turning his initial relief into disappointment.
Rainy season alert: vaccinate livestock against bluetongue in time
As the rainy season approaches, Dr Hanri Bester-Cloete, state veterinarian in Bloemfontein, urges livestock farmers, especially sheep farmers, to vaccinate their animals against bluetongue, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, which can cause serious financial losses.
Agro-industrial parks in focus as Africa eyes agricultural growth
Africa’s agricultural potential remains largely untapped, with post-harvest losses of key commodities exceeding 30% and continued reliance on imported processed foods. This deficit in local value addition undermines food security, erodes export revenue, and curbs job creation and industrialisation.
From hive to jar: turning raw honey into liquid gold
It is a sticky business that requires the application of basic physics to extract nature’s golden produce. Charles Friderichs of Honey-Dawn Bee Farm near Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape explains why, when it comes to processing honey, less really is more.
Pork 360: the farm-assured mark of South African pork
Pork 360 is South Africa’s farm-assured certification that assures consumers, retailers and the entire pork value chain have access to safe, fresh and affordable pork.
