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.
New and alternative grape varieties: dare to drink different
Driven by climate change and shifting consumer tastes, South African winemakers are embracing heat-tolerant, disease-resistant alternative grape varieties. Explorations at nurseries like Bosman Adama show how these novel cultivars secure sustainable viticulture.
Register for the Brahman Focus webinar
Farmer’s Weekly invites you to the Brahman Focus Webinar on 11 August 2026, where we will discuss the breed and its place in modern beef production.
ETI offers payroll relief for agricultural employers, but compliance is key
The Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) has been available for more than a decade, but rising labour costs and the seasonal nature of agricultural employment make it worth revisiting. Farmer’s Weekly spoke to Peter Dix, an ETI specialist at Caracal Financial Services, about how the incentive can assist agricultural employers.
Tanzania to host Africa Agri Expo and Future Food, Livestock & Poultry Expo
The 10th Africa Agri Expo (AAE 2026), which will be held alongside the 3rd Future Food, Livestock & Poultry Expo (FLIP 2026), is expected to attract more than 10 000 visitors from 35 countries when it takes place at the Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere Trade Fair Grounds in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 2 to 3 September.
Breede River Valley: grape growers of grit and glory
‘The flood showed us the worst of nature, but it also showed us the very best of people.’ Pieter de Waal spoke to several farmers and winemakers affected by the floods.
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Ambrosia Citrus Estate: 15 years of low-flow drip irrigation
Ambrosia Citrus Estate, near Hoedspruit in Limpopo, was established in 1999. In 2011, the estate’s journey with low-flow drip irrigation began when it became one of the first farms in South Africa to install UniRam™ 0,7ℓ/h low-flow drippers.
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The soil holds the answers, and Omnia helps you understand them
Every successful crop starts long before the seed goes into the ground. It begins with the soil: its composition, its limitations, its water-holding capacity, and the dynamics beneath the surface.
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Agrico T-Series ripper unlocks the potential of Free State’s sandy soils
The ripper is helping a Viljoenskroon farmer improve efficiency and drastically reduce fuel consumption, and his maize yields have increased as the roots grow deeper to access more water.
Limpopo academy brings practical, on-farm training to local farmers
By placing training, mentorship, and practical skills at its core, the Mathuba Farming Academy in the village of Ha-Ravele, near Makhado in Limpopo, is equipping farmers to build productive, sustainable, and commercially viable enterprises.
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Thinking of selling your farm? Here’s what you need to know
Selling a farm is both emotional and strategic. For many farmers, it marks the end of a lifelong relationship with the land, yet it also requires careful financial consideration. In this Q&A, Vleissentraal Properties addresses the key questions every seller should consider.
North West youth dialogue encourages youth participation in agriculture
The Department of Agriculture hosted the North West leg of its Youth in Agriculture Dialogue on 23 July at North-West University’s Mahikeng Campus as part of its countrywide efforts to promote greater youth participation in agriculture.
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Combatting the replenishment of soil sclerotinia inoculum stocks
Sclerotinia white mold replenishes the soil with resilient sclerotia that survive for over a decade. Applying the biofungicide LALSTOP Contans WG directly destroys these structures, safeguarding future susceptible crops.
Step back in time at Glen Avon Farm
Waking up on Glen Avon Farm is like suddenly finding yourself in the English countryside of yesteryear, but it offers far more than just country accommodation.
Spier: from early pioneer to modern powerhouse
Established in 1692, Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch blends its historic Cape heritage with modern, award-winning winemaking. Today, it stands as a global leader in regenerative agriculture, art, and tourism.
Bruce Jack: international winemaker of magic and mystery
Bruce Jack has become one of the Cape’s most influential winemakers, recently claiming, for the sixth time, a top spot in the annual Drinks International ‘The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands’.
Rockwood wins latest court battle over rhino horn export permits
Rockwood Conservation is once again at the centre of South Africa's rhino conservation debate after the Northern Cape High Court, on 3 July, dismissed government's application for leave to appeal, with costs, over export permits for legally and ethically harvested rhino horns.
The importance of developing new potato cultivars
The development and evaluation of new potato cultivars are helping local producers meet changing consumer and processing demands while improving yield, adaptability, disease resistance, and long-term production.
Is South African agriculture prepared for El Niño?
With the South African Weather Service confirming the onset of El Niño, Farmer’s Weekly spoke to South African agricultural stakeholders about the sector’s preparedness for the climate phenomenon ahead of the summer crop production season.
A South African’s English wine journey
A chance conversation with Western Cape wine entrepreneur Penny Streeter led South African wine industry veteran Barry Anderson to England’s Leonardslee Family Vineyards. Today, he is helping build one of the UK’s most ambitious wine tourism destinations while navigating the unique challenges of English viticulture.
Proudly SA Wine Expo promotes local brands
The Proudly South African Local Wine Expo will bring together local wine producers and buyers in a bid to create new market opportunities for the industry. The event comes as South African winemakers face mounting export challenges, including higher US tariffs, while continuing to play a significant role in the country's economy.
