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.
Fall army worm outbreak reported in Uganda
The Ugandan minister of agriculture, animal industries and fisheries, Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, has issued a warning about fall armyworm infestations in that country.
SA’s Claire Reid wins Global Agripreneur of the Year award
A young South African agripreneur, Claire Reid, was recently awarded the prestigious Agripreneur of the Year Award at the third Future Agro Challenge (FAC) Global Championships, which took place during the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) held in Johannesburg.
Dealing with Fusarium ear rot
The incidence of ear rot in South Africa’s maize-producing areas can vary greatly from year to year and from land to land within the same season.
Excellent brandy grape harvest despite drought
While the drought in parts of the Western Cape had adversely affected crop production, it is expected that it would have little effect on this year’s brandy grape harvest.
Brazilian meat processors investigated for bribery
Brazilian meat-packing companies, Brazil Foods SA (BRF SA) and JBS SA, were recently raided by police after alleged bribery of health officials that could threaten US$12 billion (R152 billion) in annual exports, Reuters reported.
Edible oils’ cartel investigation to go ahead
Four of the five edible oils companies that are being investigated by the Competition Commission (CompCom) for alleged anti-competitive practices have reportedly approached the South African High Court to interdict the CompCom from reviewing documents that it seized from the companies’ premises during a search and seizure operation on 8 December 2016.
SA agriculture not investing in development – Prof Karaan
While South Africa’s agricultural sector had experienced spectacular successes over the past two decades, its future was of great concern, according to Prof Mohammad Karaan, Dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University.
KZN commercial farmers establish transformation organisation
Commercial farmers in southern KwaZulu-Natal recently launched a non-profit organisation aimed at helping local developing farmers achieve optimal, sustainable and profitable agricultural production from their enterprises.
British American Tobacco Zimbabwe’s profits decline
Tobacco processor, British American Tobacco (BAT) Zimbabwe, reported a 45% drop in its bottom line for the year ended 31 December 2016.
Modern, ethical livestock production is here to stay
The socio-economic dynamics of an ever-growing and increasingly globalised human population are placing increasing demands on the world’s livestock producers. German Agricultural Society president, Carl-Albrecht Bartmer, explored these issues at the opening of EuroTier 2016.
Animal health: Rabies
It is time once more for our annual warning about this deadly disease. Rabies can strike any warm-blooded animal and it is rightfully a feared zoonosis.
CGA Citrus Summit
The CGA Citrus Summit is a biennial event where growers of the different citrus regions and value chain partners get together.
Uganda in need of food aid
Uganda’s government recently announced that at least 10 million Ugandans were in need of food aid after the drought affected crop harvests, according to media reports.
Award-winning Agritech Expo Zambia returns to Chisamba
Farmers should brace themselves for yet another awe-inspiring agribusiness and agricultural technology and B2B platform, says Coillard Hamusimbi.
Growing the European market for avocados
Local and overseas demand for South African avocados has grown substantially over the past five years, according to Subtrop CEO, Derek Donkin.
Safety at markets
Occupational health and safety (OHS) play a crucial role in the workplace. So much so, that the Occupational Health and Safety Act lays down a host of precise legal requirements for employers and employees.
China bird flu outbreak peaks
Cases of the endemic H7N9 bird flu appears to have peaked in China but incidences of the flu are expected to continue into late April, according to epidemiologists.
Export success for Western Cape chilli exporters
Fynbos Fine Foods, owned by chilli lovers Rozelle and Julian Abramson, has grown from a small business to a prosperous product development and food production business. The operation’s chilli products are exported to various countries around the world.
Guidelines for controlling fall armyworm
SA’s grain producers have been cautioned not to use pyrethroids to fight fall armyworm (FAW) as the species was resistant to it.
Printable Valentine’s Day card for farmers
Love is in the air! Farmer's Weekly has created the perfect Valentine's Cards for that special someone in your life.
