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
Senwes is offering R20 million in production loans to black farmers
After the successful approval of the merger between Senwes and the Suidwes Group in 2020, Senwes is currently in the final year of three years emanating from the merger.
Unspoilt bush, hikes amongst game, hidden rock pools – and pure serenity
The Bateleur Nature Reserve, in the heart of the Waterberg, offers nature lovers the ideal getaway. You can stay over in old, self-catering farmhouses or hikers’ base camps, or simply pitch your tent, says Riaan Hattingh.
Global solutions for grain crops
Stoller South Africa offers a wide range of plant physiology solutions for leguminous and non-leguminous crops.
How to optimise beef cattle production
Optimisation of the environment is the single most important requirement for sustainable beef production, according to animal scientist Hennie Snyman. For that to happen, the implementation of precision farming principles is of the essence, he says.
‘FMD restrictions are late, but necessary’
Role players in the South African beef industry believe that, although they have come at a rather late stage in the game, the government-enforced restrictions on the movement of cattle in the country are imperative to the sector’s survival.
The cattle most at risk from lion attacks
In a recent study, researchers at the University of Pretoria attempt to explain why some types of cattle may be more likely to serve as prey for lions.
‘Free’ the private sector – and watch SA thrive!
The buck stops with government, whose policymakers should stop scapegoating and allow South Africa’s economy to flourish in a free market, writes Temba Nolutshungu of the Free Market Foundation.
Brafords: the best of two breeds
The Braford was developed with improved efficiency and meat quality in mind. Today, the breed thrives on the veld and in feedlots. It is also renowned for its early maturity.
Pretty views, pears, and a painting pig
A picturesque pear farm in the Franschhoek Valley offers a number of accommodation options, including a barn where an artistic pig and other rescue animals spend the night!
Sponsored
John Deere launches combine with ‘mammoth’ capacity
John Deere has just launched its X9 Series Combine, which it says is currently the largest grain-handling harvester in Africa.
Logistics: the weak link in SA’s raisin industry
Ideal climatic conditions and access to irrigation have helped to propel South Africa’s raisin industry to ever-greater heights. But deficient logistics infrastructure and a lack of processing capacity are hampering further expansion, says Pieter Botha, Nedbank Business Banking’s area client manager for the Northern Cape.
‘FMD still poses a major threat to SA livestock’
The spread of foot-and-mouth disease across South Africa will continue unrelentingly unless all industry players step up to the plate and do their part to control the disease as much as possible
Target pests and maintain ecological balance with Amicor® Insect Control
FMC’s new Amicor® Insect Control represents an advancement in insecticide technology, and offers farmers so much more than mere insect control.
Win 1 of 3 agribusiness courses with SA Campus!
SA Campus is giving away online short courses in agribusiness to three Farmer’s Weekly readers.
Your one-stop guide to BLUP breeding values
Frans Jordaan and Dr Ben Greyling of the Agricultural Research Council provide recommendations to help breeders apply good management and recording practices that can optimise their herds’ genetic evaluations.
An innovative new harvesting tool
Enter the PickLogger, a new harvesting tool developed by Agri Technovation, that allows for more accurate yield management.
Exploring the traits of the Angus
While the Aberdeen-Angus may have its roots in Scotland, it is thriving in South Africa due to its meat quality and maternal abilities, amongst other traits, according to the Angus Society of South Africa.
How Namibia’s farmers have fared amid COVID-19 and other challenges
In a recent report, the Namibia Agricultural Union outlined the state of that country’s agriculture sector, and how it has been affected by COVID-19 and other factors.
A bright future for drones on farms
Research conducted by Dr Lauren Meiring of Stellenbosch University on the collision-avoidance systems of unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones could help boost the use of these machines on farms.
How iron levels in maize have changed over 2 000 years
According to a study by Ale Vidal Elgueta et al, researchers from Chile and France, the intensification of agricultural production over the past two millennia has led to a reduction in the level of iron in maize.
