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.
Energy storage can enhance SA agriculture
Energy-related challenges pose a significant obstacle to the agriculture sector’s continued growth in South Africa, says Abraham Cambridge, founder and CEO of The Sun Exchange, which specialises in solar-energy projects.
Enter the Nestlé Needs Youth agripreneur competition
Calling all young agripreneurs! Entries are open for the Nestlé Needs Youth Agri Competition, with top mentorship and coaching prizes up for grabs.
Genetics-based guidelines to buying a bull at an auction
Frans Jordaan and Dr Ben Greyling, researchers at the Agricultural Research Council, write about the importance of choosing bulls based on breeding and performance indices, rather than their visual appearance.
Healthier trees, thanks to pest-control partners
Professors Almuth Hammerbacher, Bernard Slippers, Brett Hurley and Chris Weldon of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute at the University of Pretoria speak about the importance of protecting South Africa’s timber plantations.
Keep your tractor in tip-top condition with MF Connect
MF Connect teams up with your Massey Ferguson dealer to help you ensure that your tractor operates at peak performance.
Performance testing for the commercial farmer
Frans Jordaan and Dr Ben Greyling of the Agricultural Research Council write about the important role that performance testing plays in increasing a commercial herd’s fertility and profitability.
Captive breeding and wildlife trafficking
According to a UN report, there is evidence that captive breeding is being used in some instances as a guise for the illegal trafficking of wildlife and their body parts.
Choosing the right feed for your chickens
The best-quality meat demands the best-quality feed, according to Dr Elsje Pieterse, senior lecturer in the Department of Animal Science at Stellenbosch University, and Brett Roosendaal, head nutritionist at Epol. They spoke to Marinda Louw-Coetzee about feeding requirements for producing chicken products.
Supporting innovation in agriculture
The Technology Innovation Agency helps bridge the gaps in the research and development of agricultural technologies in South Africa.
Design your own Massey Ferguson tractor at the push of a button!
The AGCO ASK feature enables farmers to ‘design’ their tractors according to their own needs and requirements.
Seawater-farmed tilapia
In this article, the second in a two-part series, Ramon Kourie and Vuyani Somyo of Thapi AquaKulcha show how seawater-farmed Mozambique tilapia can provide cheaper protein than broilers or other livestock.
Limousin bull sold for a record R1,2 million
The Auction of the National Limousin Champions was held on Water’s Edge farm on 21 May.
Chalets with views of the vast Langkloof Mountains
Driving through the mists of the Outeniqua Pass to explore where to stay and what to do in the Langkloof, Brian Berkman returns to an old favourite.
A plough to improve carbon storage
With farmers under increasing pressure to improve practices to offset global warming, LEMKEN has developed a plough that aims for better soil health and fertility.
Compost problems, and how to fix them
A poorly managed compost pile will take a long time to decompose. Here are the signs of trouble to look out for.
Managing the risk of wildfires
A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme says wildfires will become an increasing reality for the world due to climate change and other factors. Thus, fire management and risk reduction are essential.
Is artificial insemination right for your farm?
Artificial insemination is a good way to improve your herd, as you can purchase top-quality genetics without having to buy in a bull, says Dr Ben Greyling, programme manager at the Agricultural Research Council.
Rum brings rewards for KZN cane producer
Heart, soul and spirit: all of these can be found in spades on Seafield Farm, a family-run sugar cane concern in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Owner Brad O’Neill spoke to Susan Marais about how innovation in the
form of rum distillation is helping his business rise above the sugar cane crisis, while regenerative farming methods are keeping the farm’s already fertile, high-quality soil in peak condition.
Mozambique tilapia: big plans for a small fish
Fish is a healthy source of protein, but is becoming increasingly unaffordable for South Africans. Ramon Kourie and Vuyani Somyo of Thapi AquaKulcha look at why marine tilapia may be the perfect alternative to other white fish.
Know your cattle: Angus
The Angus breed was first bred in Scotland in the 1700s. the high quality of its beef was important right from the start. the first importation of angus into South Africa was in 1895, when 10 cattle arrived on the farm of J Newburg in the Free State.
