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.
The future of agriculture in the new digital age
Regenesys Business School is hosting a panel discussion on 19 September 2019 from 08h00 to 10h30 at its campus on Pybus Road, Sandton.
FoodNext.Africa 2019
Now in its third series, FoodNext.Africa is dedicated to capturing the conversation around food disruption across the value chain, from farm to fork.
Rural development is key to promoting economic development
Investing in an end-to-end employee health, risk and well-being solution can result in considerable savings for the employer, while ensuring that valued staff members are retained.
Win a Bearings International Toolbox
Bearings International is giving away an all-in-one toolbox worth R4 980 to one lucky reader. Fill in the competition form to stand a chance to win.
Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Conference
The Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Conference has become established as a must-attend gathering for the global fertilizer supply chain to meet with African policy-makers, importers, distributors and farmers from some of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Massey Ferguson introduces a full range of hay equipment
AGCO has acquired the forage division of the Lely Group, a leading manufacturer of balers and loader wagons in Europe.
Grain hedging: lessons from the farmers who get it right
Since South African agriculture converted from control boards to the free market system in the 1990s, farmers have had to learn how to contend with extreme volatility on commodity markets. According to Silotrat’s Werner Rossouw, hedging is a valuable tool that maize farmers can use to reduce the risk of fluctuating prices. However, in order to benefit from the system, they must learn the rules of the game.
Farmer’s Weekly remembers former editor Alita van der Walt
The agricultural journalism and farming communities are mourning the loss of Alita van der Walt, former editor of Farmer’s Weekly, who passed away on 12 August in Tzaneen, Limpopo.
Consider the environment when expanding your farm
Obtaining environmental authorisation with the help of technical consultants prior to expanding farming operations on virgin soil will help farmers avoid prosecution that could lead to hefty fines or even jail time, writes James Brand, a natural resources and environment senior associate at law firm ENSafrica.
Insurance not covering all your risks? Here’s a solution
Gaps in insurance cover can be addressed by structured risk financing policies that allow for the funding of risks not feasibly covered by traditional policies.
Electric tractor powered by a cable
The GridCON research project and its electric cable powered tractor are part of John Deere’s continued efforts to electrify agricultural machinery, and offers new opportunities for farms to supply their own energy.
Honeybush tea: Small industry, big potential
Although honeybush has long been used in parts of South Africa to brew a caffeine-free tea, it has remained a small-scale activity. However, the industry has potential to grow and thus create jobs for poor communities in the Western and Eastern Cape. Annabel Horn and Albert Ackhurst of the Western Cape’s Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning explain.
Creating a better world through skills and diversity
Diversity in the workplace at top agricultural companies such as Corteva Agriscience brings more ideas, skills and creativity to the table.
How to avoid a salmonella outbreak
In most developing countries, salmonella is a major cause of illness and death in children under the age of five, warns Zimbini Mdlulwa, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council.
Can your business survive without you?
It is the role of a skilled financial planner to identify potential financial risks that clients are faced with, and provide tailor-made solutions to mitigate its financial impact on the client. This article proposes an unlikely solution to a common, yet often forgotten, risk: ill-health and non-specific absence from duty, and how the use of a power of attorney may protect businesses in these situations.
Beef Cattle Information Day
Join us for the first Farmer’s Weekly Beef Cattle Information Day on 30 August. Top speakers from the South African livestock industry will present on topics ranging from disease management and animal nutrition, to the branding and marketing of beef in South Africa.
The importance of succession planning
Succession planning is a process that occurs over time, which ultimately involves the transfer of the farm business assets. It depends on the needs and wishes of the owner.
Motor oil that reduces cost and improves performance
Total’s TRACTAGRI HDX 15W-40 high-performance motor oil has been specifically designed for turbocharged and naturally aspirated engines, and can be used in tractors and other agricultural machinery.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak double cab: A comfortable workhorse
A unique blend of go-anywhere family car and tough, practical pickup, the double cab bakkie appeals to a wide spectrum of users. Johannes Letsohla recently tested the Ford Ranger
Wildtrak 3.2TDCi to understand why it is one of the most popular bakkies in this class.
SA agri training needs drastic digital overhaul
Digital technologies and innovations have the potential to revolutionise the world’s food systems. This is why agricultural education and training, particularly in South Africa, needs to be revisited as a matter of urgency, writes Dr Kobus Laubscher, agricultural economist and fellow of the World Academy of Productivity Science.
