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
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.
Pollution puts Gauteng farming under pressure
At the Gauteng Legislature’s Pollution Summit in Ekurhuleni, local farmers, environmental activists, and policymakers gathered to address acid mine drainage, urban sprawl, failing infrastructure, and illegal dumping.
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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.
Phahamo Agribusiness first annual farmers’ day unites local agri community
Phahamo Agribusiness held its first annual farmers’ day on 4 September 2026 at Protea Hotel in Klerksdorp, bringing local farmers and other agricultural stakeholders together to engage with one another and share their knowledge.
SARS to host webinar on new diesel refund system
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is hosting a webinar today to explain its new Diesel Refund Registration Programme and what it means for farmers and other parties.
ARC ecologist Mike Peel wins wildlife excellence award
Dr Mike Peel, a specialist scientist and ecologist at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), has received the 2026 Southern African Wildlife Management Association’s (SAWMA) Wildlife Excellence Award.
New packhouse boosts North West vegetable farmer’s prospects
In the past, Pako Moroeng, managing director of Mor Farming near Bloemhof, North West, has sometimes had just 24 hours to sell his freshly harvested produce before it starts to spoil. He spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about how a new packhouse could help extend the shelf life of his produce and improve market access.
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Precision farming and nutrient intelligence
A field may look uniform, but the soil beneath it rarely is. Soil texture, nutrient status, water-holding capacity, and yield potential can vary from one zone to another. When every hectare is treated the same, some zones may not receive enough support, while others may receive more input than they need.
Windaba 2026 targets wind energy growth with two-day programme
Now in its 15th year, Windaba 2026 will return to Cape Town on 6 and 7 October under the theme ‘Implementing Watt Matters: Policy. Power. People.’
Santa Gertrudis: A practical guide to the breed and its commercial value
Understanding what a cattle breed can offer starts with knowing how its characteristics translate into the realities of farming.
