Farming Basics

The 2025/26 fruit and wine harvests are drawing to a close after a hot, dry start, heavy rain at peak harvest, and a March heatwave, creating uncertainty across the Western Cape. Karen van der Westhuizen, a soil scientist and irrigation consultant, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the benefits of digging profile holes.

Hot, dry conditions test even the best irrigation strategies. Christo van der Westhuizen, agronomist at Netafim Southern and East Africa, explained to Glenneis Kriel how farmers can manage water efficiently to protect crops during hot days.

Soil coverage and living root maintenance are vital for successful conservation agriculture. However, a study has revealed that farmers find these aspects the most challenging when converting to no-tillage practices. Agronomist Dr Hendrik Smith discusses best practices.

The agriculture sector is notoriously volatile, but producers can find stability using financial derivative tools. This article clearly defines and differentiates between two key instruments: forward contracts and futures contracts.

Budgeting isn’t reserved for accountants. In South African agriculture, where margins are under pressure from volatile input costs, unpredictable weather, and fluctuating commodity prices, it is an important management tool that helps farmers plan for profitability, resilience, and long-term sustainability.

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.