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.
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.
Commercial farmers’ vital role in rural development
Largely failed land reform initiatives are leading to increased tension and uncertainty in the agriculture sector as a whole. Veteran rural development expert Jimmy Lonsdale believes commercial farmers have a key role to play in turning this situation around.
Minimising the impact of land development
Development in a natural area should maintain the integrity of the environment and never compromise the proper functioning of the ecosystem within the landscape.
Getting started with rabbits
Rabbits are inexpensive to keep and produce high- quality protein. They can also be housed in a small space, making them ideal for the small-scale farmer.
New agribusiness transformation programme
A five-year, multi-pronged programme that brings together government, academia and the private sector’s financial expertise has been launched in the Free State.
On the verge of success: SA’s ‘municipal farmers’
A new class of emerging farmer working the land on municipal commonages have similarities to the ‘kulaks’, the highly productive, early 20th century entrepreneurial Russian farmers drawn from the peasantry. Researchers Doreen Atkinson and Mark Ingle explore this phenomenon and its implications for land reform.
Focus on market access at agribusiness conference
The 2019 Agribusiness Africa Conference, hosted by South Africa’s largest English language agricultural publication, Farmer’s Weekly, will bring together top speakers and a range of stakeholders from across the agriculture, agribusiness and trade platforms to delve into the dynamics of trade between farm gate and domestic, regional and international markets.
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Blowers that can clean much more than leaves!
Husqvarna leaf blowers are ergonomically designed to provide maximum comfort and ease-of-use over an extended period.
A sturdy breed: some Toggenburg basics
The present genetic stock of these dairy goats in South Africa originated from animals imported from Switzerland in 1951. Their milk is used to produce a variety of hard and soft cheeses.
Save your tyres – and save money
Reduce fuel expenditure and improve productivity by ensuring tractor tyres are inflated to the optimum pressure.
Why Bonsmara cows should be your first choice
Maternal ability is an important trait in female animals of any breed. Cows must be fertile,and able to support, protect and grow their calves into healthy weaners. Bonsmara cows are renowned for this characteristic, and produce superb results in an extensive cattle operation.
Bees the victims of irresponsible pesticide use
Honeybees are the world’s best-known pollinators of natural flora and a vast array of food and fibre crops. Yet they are frequently harmed by human activities, writes CropLife South Africa’s operations and stewardship manager, Dr Gerhard Verdoorn.
Researchers advance in fight to control fall armyworm
Fall armyworm has caused significant damage to croplands in South Africa since first detected in early 2017. However, Dr Annemie Erasmus, a senior researcher of entomology at the
Agricultural Research Council’s Grain Crops Institute, writes that an integrated pest management strategy has been shown to be an effective weapon against infestation.
