Farming Basics

As foot-and-mouth disease continues to wreak havoc in South Africa, with misinformation circulating and anxiety growing among farmers, Farmer’s Weekly approached Dr Dave Midgley, CEO of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa, to answer the questions farmers on the ground are asking.

Dr Ingrid Malebana and Dr Klaas-Jan Leeuw, researchers at the Agricultural Research Council, are exploring whether a simple farm by-product can help South African farmers cut costs.

A farm is purchased with capital, but cash flow keeps it running. From maintenance to insurance, the cost of ownership is often higher than new buyers expect. Andreas Greeff, managing director of Vleissentraal Eiendomme, shares advice for sustainable farm management.

If you painstakingly choose your wine to pair perfectly with your food or you can name at least five major winemakers in the country, then maybe you have what it takes to be a good sommelier. Erica Taylor, vice-chairperson of the South African Sommeliers’ Association, spoke to Nichelle Steyn.

Willem van der Westhuizen, business development manager at Orizon Agriculture, speaks to Zunel van Eeden about what regenerative agriculture entails, and how farmers can potentially earn an income from it.

Buying a farm is a financial strategy. From bank loans to investor partnerships, farm financing requires long-term planning and realistic calculations. Andreas Greeff, managing director of Vleissentraal Eiendomme, explains the options and the potential pitfalls.

Andrew and Colette Masterson run an expanded farming concern on the farm Milagro in the Humansdorp district. Their farm includes, among others, a Simmentaler stud and an Angus stud. The Mastersons are active participants in the show ring.

Bearing in mind the inhibiting cost of commercial synthetic fertilisers to communal farmers, Shane Brody highlights the significant benefits of using animal by-products.

Cattle breeders have used best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) to produce estimated breeding values (EBVs) for over 20 years and can use genomic evaluations to improve accuracy. But are they applying EBVs correctly? Bonsmara SA technical chairperson David Cock explains.

A solid contract underpins any successful rental relationship. With more producers choosing to rent rather than buy, contract fine print is more important than ever. Andreas Greeff, managing director of Vleissentraal Eiendomme, explains how to avoid legal pitfalls.

With rural crime on the rise and police resources stretched thin, farm watches across South Africa are stepping up to protect farming communities. These volunteer-led safety networks are preventing millions in losses, deterring criminal activity and helping police solve major crimes, proving that when farmers unite, the benefits ripple far beyond the farm gate.

Dr Dave Midgley, CEO of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa, believes that parasites’ growing resistance to anthelmintic remedies and an increasing parasite load among beef cattle in South Africa is a serious cause for concern. He spoke to Annelie Coleman.

To keep your livestock healthy and disease-free, it’s essential to adhere to sterile procedures and proper techniques when administering injections.

When buying or selling a farm, one factor can make or break the deal: value. Emotion skews judgement, with sellers overestimating their land and buyers underbidding. In a market driven by production potential, location, and demand, independent valuators are crucial.

Corine Steyn, manager liaison at the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, spoke to Cobus du Plessis about the importance of branding animals and the regulations that govern this practice in South Africa.

Martin Booyens, InteliGro’s biological solutions technical specialist, spoke at the Bio-Alliance SA-Brazil 2025 Conference in Pretoria, hosted by the South African Bioproducts Organisation and the Brazilian Embassy, outlining steps to implement integrated pest management programmes.

Dairy flavour profiles are often overlooked. Many factors can affect how milk looks, smells, and tastes. Rina Belcher, co-owner of Belnori Boutique Cheesery in Bapsfontein, Gauteng, explains how goat’s milk characteristics change with the animals’ living conditions.

The continual practice of ‘monoculture’ planting by farmers is becoming increasingly detrimental to the quality of produce in the longer term, so cyclical rotation is a better option, writes Shane Brody.

Farm security measures enforced by farmers and supporting organisations play a crucial role in preventing attacks and livestock theft. Farmers are also adopting tools to discourage criminal activity and strengthen prevention.

Farmers living in communal farming regions may feel that they are unable to grow cabbages because they don’t have access to places selling seedlings. Shane Brody has a solution for them.