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
Digital tools help when dry bean outlook is uncertain
The HelloChoice online platform allows farmers to easily find buyers for their commodities, bringing with it improved transparency and security.
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Farm tools that make life easier for farmers
Jenna Robinson, Go to Market Manager for Husqvarna, looks at seven reasons why battery-powered machinery is making waves in the farming industry.
The huge risks posed by antimicrobial resistance
Access to effective antimicrobials and their appropriate use have a role in productive and sustainable agriculture. However, the misuse of these products has contributed to rising rates of antimicrobial resistance, impairing public health, food and agriculture production systems, and food security. The UN’s recent action plan serves as a road map for focusing global efforts to address antimicrobial resistance.
Lucerne hay grading: Making SA producers globally competitive
The uniform quality and grading of lucerne hay is important to ensure that animals are as productive as possible, according to Dr Gerrie Scholtz, consultant to the National Lucerne Trust and a lucerne specialist.
Agriculture in Botswana: Opportunities for investment
Are you looking for a place to set up and expand your business? THINK BOTSWANA! Join our webinar on 31 March 2022 to learn more.
A nostalgic stay on the Santos Express
Rail travel enthusiast Brian Berkman has been on some of the most famous and glamorous train journeys in the world. He recently explored Mossel Bay’s delightful Santos Express, a stationary train that offers superb views of the sea at affordable prices.
Inclusivity is crucial to SA’s livestock sector
Mooketsa Ramasodi, director general of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, argues that bringing South Africa’s informal livestock sector fully on board will not only improve the lives and future prospects of smallholder farmers, but also maximise profits for the industry as a whole.
How Israeli Agritech can add value to South African farmers
Join the Israel Trade Office of South Africa for a seminar on how Israeli Agritech can benefit South African farmers and find out about the latest agricultural trends.
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Reap the fruits of success with John Deere tractors
John Deere offers fruit farmers tractors with improved power and reduced fuel consumption in the aim to help growers increase their profitability.
Small-scale egg production basics
This article focuses on how to build, manage and maintain an affordable, small-scale egg production unit.
Grain storage innovation needed
In this, part one of a two-part series, Mariana Purnell, a consultant with eGrain, a provider of electronic warehouse receipts for the grain industry, discusses the challenges that changes to grain quality control pose for the industry. In particular, she focuses on producing maize according to particular standards for niche.
Social protection for sustainable food systems
Social protection programmes to help farmers become more resilient aren’t just safety nets, but can help them make investments and meaningfully engage in markets, says the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.
New feed waste solution for dairy farmers
The UK-based agriculture solutions company, JF Hudson, has designed a first for the dairy industry: an attachment that can help to greatly reduce feed wastage in dairy sheds and save farmers money.
Managing mastitis in dairy cows
Mastitis can cause devastating economic losses for a dairy farmer. Yet a long-term vaccination programme can be an effective weapon in the fight to control it, writes Robyn Joubert. She spoke to Prof Inge-Marié Petzer, an udder health specialist at Onderstepoort.
Tips for dipping sheep
Sheep need to be dipped to prevent the spread of lice, scab and other economically important ectoparasites.
Southern Africa’s hunger hotspots
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Food Programme’s Hunger Hotspots report highlights the countries most at risk of increased food insecurity from August to November 2021. In Southern African, these include Mozambique, Madagascar, Angola and the DRC.
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Agrico’s brand-new website offers an exciting online experience!
Agrico’s new website makes it easier for customers to get into connect with Agrico’s experts. A colourful journey through irrigation projects in Africa, an interactive experience with Agrico centre pivots and multimedia encounters with robust implements, are just a few of the features that customers can enjoy on Agrico's brand-new website.
Looking forward to 2022
The past year has brought with it many challenges, including a significant increase in the prices of agricultural inputs. However, farmers have shown that there is much strength in unity, and they have managed to push through these difficulties to end 2021 on a high, as these agricultural leaders show.
Hunting on the southern slopes of the Magaliesberg
At this guest house on a game farm in North West, visitors are provided with a comfortable stay and plenty of things to see and do, including hunting exotic game species, says Riaan Hattingh.
The CM-CT6 compost turner: Making good-quality compost
Efficient drum design makes the CM-CT6 compost turner highly productive, resulting in farmers being able to produce high-quality compost more rapidly.
