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.
Keeping the farm in the family
A big concern for farm owners is how to ensure their farms stay in the family for generations to come.
Farmers, forget about price!
Farmers have little or no control over producer prices. They should therefore focus on production and marketing efficiencies.
Time for the private sector to fight rural poverty
While rural development is supposed to be a key focus of the South African government, the state is failing in this obligation. Veteran rural development expert Jimmy Lonsdale believes the private sector should take over this responsibility to ensure that meaningful rural development is achieved as soon as possible.
Proper estate planning is necessary
Proper estate planning can spare future generations much unhappiness and legal costs especially where the succession of agricultural property is involved.
Want a profitable bull? Do your homework first!
Selecting a bull that will significantly improve a herd can be a daunting task, especially for a new buyer. At the 2017 Aldam Stockmans School, cattle veterans Martin Seyfferdt, interbreed cattle judge, and Arthur de Villiers, Arcadia Bonsmara stud owner, offered advice on selection breeding and marketing, and explained the breeder’s role in selling high-performance bulls.
Huge livestock losses may worsen food security in Somalia
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that large-scale livestock losses as a result of drought have severely impacted the livelihoods of farmers, which could exacerbate Somalia’s food security.
Bloem Show
Bloem Show is an annual event in Bloemfontein and takes place from 26 April - 5 May 2018. It is one of only two shows in South Africa that still successfully combine agricultural, entertainment and trade activities in one event.
Determining wheat yield
It’s important to adapt and revise your management strategies as the cropping environment, yield potential, commodity prices and input costs change.
The Gysie Britz story
With his passion and skill, Gysie Britz raised the bar in South African pigeon racing. Thomas Smit spoke to the champion fancier about his success.
Rhino Horn Trade Africa website launched
Members of the Private Rhino Owners Association (PROA) and any individual or company that owns rhinos or legally acquired rhino horn, may trade them legally through the PROA website.
When to plant sunflower for optimal yield
Sunflower’s consistent yield and drought-tolerance make it an attractive crop for SA’s dryland regions. It also has a relatively long planting window. Nonetheless, care should be taken to plant at the optimal time, cautions Dr Safiah Ma’Ali, senior researcher at ARC-Grain Crops Institute.
Why can’t that cow stand up?
A number of diseases and conditions can result in cattle and other ruminants being unable to stand up.
Farming without government support
In many countries, farmers are supported in various ways by government. South Africa’s real competition lies not in these largely inefficient farming systems, but in other unsubsidised countries such as Australia, Chile and New Zealand.
Tour to AgriTech, Israel 2018
(Bookings are closed) Join the Farmer’s Weekly tour to the Tel Aviv, Israel for the AgriTech Show the 6 - 11 May 2018.
Agritech Israel panel discussion
"Agri solutions for rural areas/new entrants to the market". Panelists Leeko Makoene Made with Rural, Jacques Bredell, technical field representative Hishtil SA, Michael Gorelik, COO of Tahal and Denene Erasmus, editor of Farmer's Weekly SA.
Botswana contravening UN declaration on agricultural funding
Farmers in Botswana have expressed concern about that country’s government continuing to allocate low budgets to the agricultural sector.
Using ‘cow power’ to make your dairy farm self-sufficient
Manure can be used to produce biogas, electricity and fertiliser. In the process, you will recycle nutrients and increase profits while reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Astral anticipates markedly improved half-year results
Various factors are expected to result in Astral Foods (Astral) posting what the JSE-listed company described as a “marked improvement” in its financial results for the six months ending 31 March 2018.
National parks for all seasons!
Experience South Africa’s national parks when they are at their best this coming year, says Taryn Arnott van Jaarsveld and René de Klerk.
The Farmer’s Weekly Nampo Tour 2018
(Bookings are closed) Join us again for this year’s Farmer's Weekly Nampo Tour from 15-18 May. The tour includes entrance to South Africa’s premier agricultural exhibition, the Nampo Harvest Day, as well as farm visits to commercial producers in South Africa.
