Susan Marais
The slow transformation of SA’s dairy industry
Effecting change in the dairy industry is not for the short-sighted or faint of heart. Simpiwe Somdyala, CEO of Amadlelo Agri, spoke to Susan Marais about the agricultural investment company’s quest to uplift rural farmers in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, and the challenges it faces in the process.
Lessons in regenerative farming from a visiting US expert
US farmer and author Joel Salatin was invited by the Permaculture Institute for Southern Africa to visit South Africa and share some of his conservation farming knowledge with local farmers.
From civil engineers to chilli entrepreneurs
Mmule Matlala and her husband, Blessing, two 37-year-old civil engineers, left steady and well-paid Transnet jobs to start a food-production and agro-processing company. Susan Marais reports on their growth.
Sugar tax the main threat to the industry in 2023
While the sugar industry anticipates harvesting a similar volume of sugar cane as the average of the past five years, any increase in the Health Promotion Levy (HPL), or sugar tax, would result in severe damage to the struggling industry.
Pork industry gearing up for growth in 2023
South Africa’s commercial pig sector aims to grow its market share throughout 2023 by improving consumer awareness, while simultaneously boosting sustainability in terms of production.
Correct fresh produce packaging could aid growth
South African farmers “need to take a serious look at the sustainability and recyclability of their fresh produce packaging if they want to take advantage of emerging market opportunities around the world”.
How agri insurance can help protect your business
With more diversification comes more risk, says Andries Wiese, national business development manager and head of agri insurance at Hollard. Producers need to work on a risk management strategy tailored to their business’s specific needs to protect them against loss and financial liability. He spoke to Susan Marais about how to approach this task, and where to get the right sort of advice.
Hopes for poultry sector growth, despite challenges
Significant investments in South Africa’s poultry sector are expected to accelerate its transformation, thereby creating a significant number of jobs.
Agri role players share New Year’s resolutions for 2023
The best New Year's resolution for farmers and agribusiness leaders is to focus on self-improvement, as this will lead to greater wisdom and problem-solving skills.
Initiative to address South Africa’s failing rural roads welcomed
Agri SA welcomed the initiative taken by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (agriculture department) in convening a meeting between stakeholders in an attempt to fix the country’s dilapidated rural road infrastructure.
Give your farm security a high-tech boost
Rural crime, including stock theft, can be fought or prevented by working together as a community and employing high-tech security systems. Willie Clack, vice-chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, and Francois van Zyl, marketing manager at Etse Electronics, spoke to Susan Marais.
Joint venture aims to improve Eastern Cape veld goat industry
Twenty-one indigenous veld goats were delivered to the AmaBhele kaJamangile Kingdom in the Maclear area of the Eastern Cape on Wednesday (13 December), as part of a joint venture between Chief Zwelothando Mabandla, AfriForum and the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI).
Drakensberger cattle: ‘An all-rounder like no other’
Drakensberger cattle pulled the Voortrekkers’ wagons on their epic journeys to South Africa’s inland regions in the 19th century. Susan Marais visited Petrus Taljaard of Talman Drakensbergers in Mpumalanga to find out more about his love for this breed, and how he deals with cattle diseases and the area’s harsh winters.
‘Political infighting is hindering agri investment and job creation’
Politicians’ actions in South Africa are threatening food security in the only country on the continent that is self-sufficient in food production. This was according to Chris Schutte, CEO of Astral Foods, South Africa’s largest integrated poultry company.
From mining to breeding award-winning White Dorper sheep
Faced with the grim reality of retrenchment, Larry Snyders refused to give in to despair. Instead, he poured all his energy into his sideline business, a small White Dorper stud. A few years later, he reached the pinnacle of his new career, becoming a champion breeder. He shared his story with Susan Marais.
‘Agri robotics set to take off in South Africa’
South African farmers are joining the global trend of using professional service robots, called field robots, “to address the multitude of challenges brought on by daily farm life”, according to Agri SA’s head of rural safety, Kobus Visser.
‘Tractor sales soar as farmers recover from drought’
Although the tractor sales figures for October released by the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA) on Monday (7 November) were the highest in 40 years, this was probably based on “necessity, rather than extravagance”, according to Derek Matthews, chairperson of Grain SA, who said that “after several years of drought, many farmers had delayed replacing tractors.”
Limpopo hatchery goes to the next level
Although Clive Tigere obtained a university degree in statistics, he turned his back on an office job and returned to Louis Trichardt in Limpopo to start a hatchery. He explained to Susan Marais how his success is helping his clients’ businesses thrive.
‘Social media undermining elephant conservation’
Skewed social media messages about elephants and conservation are leading to greater destruction of the environment, according to Deon Furstenburg, an independent wildlife scientist and consultant to Wildlife Ranching South Africa.
Agri value chain reeling from spiking diesel prices
On the eve of yet another fuel price hike, this time in early November, farmers in the eastern parts of South Africa were scrambling to secure adequate volumes of diesel in order to be able to plant their crops. This was according to Henry Geldenhuys, a grain producer near Ermelo and president of TLU SA.
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