Farmers could see cash flow relief if diesel prices fall
South African farmers are set to receive modest but welcome cost relief in January 2026, as a projected diesel price cut eases pressure during peak operations, particularly harvesting and land...
US tariffs tarnish trees and tinsel
US President Donald Trump’s trade war with China was expected to dampen festive cheer this year, with artificial Christmas trees noticeably more expensive for US consumers this holiday season.
Fiery weekend devastates Paarl wine estate, strains fire crews
A hot, windy weekend kept Western Cape fire crews busy on the last weekend before Christmas, with a fire at Laborie Wine Estate in Paarl and disruptions in a number...
Steenhuisen unveils the FMD vaccination plan for the national herd
After Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen announced that South Africa’s entire national herd would be vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease, scepticism quickly surfaced among farmers and industry role players. Questions were...
Feed donation brings hope to struggling Southern Cape farmers
For many in the Western Cape, the severe drought of 2017/18 is a distant memory, but on the Mossel Bay Vlakte the drought never really ended.
Father’s tutelage propels girl to farming top spot
At just 13 years old, Zimbabwean Tarylyn Chipo Bote won a national agricultural competition in November, earning recognition for her successful rabbit project.
Foot-and-mouth disease crisis under spotlight at industry workshop
Farmers, veterinarians and industry experts met in Potchefstroom, North West, on 12 December to discuss practical ways to manage the growing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis affecting livestock across South Africa.
Meat prices hit eight-year high ahead of festive season
While annual consumer price inflation eased month-on-month in November, surging meat prices are putting a damper on December braais.
Western Cape FMD outbreak remains contained as control measures set in place
The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) situation in the Western Cape remains stable, with no further spread detected beyond the original index farm near Gouda, according to Agri Western Cape (AWC) and...
Kleiheuwel Trust sets national superfine wool record at 14,1 microns
Kleiheuwel Trust, a 4 700ha mixed farming operation in the Western Cape, achieved a record R306/kg for 14,1-micron Merino wool at the BKB Live Wool Auction on 3 December in...
Dorper breeding on an upward trajectory in Zimbabwe
The first Dorper sheep sale ever held in Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland region took place recently, signalling that the breed has entered a growth phase in numbers and public interest.
Wheat crisis deepens as government stalls
It has been more than a year since Grain SA and the South African Cereals and Oilseeds Trade Association formally requested a revision of the wheat import tariff formula.
Little joy for fresh produce farmers this festive season
High volumes of fresh produce have coincided with cash-strapped consumers, bringing a halt to festive season pricing. Farmers are therefore unlikely to see the higher prices for their produce that...
Poisonous shrub behind sudden livestock deaths
Farmers across South Africa’s Highveld region are being urged to look out for a fast-spreading poisonous shrub called Cestrum parqui, which has already caused cattle deaths in several areas.
Workplace transformation key to future of SA agriculture
At the Agbiz Media Day held recently in Pretoria, Thapelo Machaba, Agbiz agricultural economist and policy analyst, outlined a series of initiatives aimed at ensuring the local agricultural value chain...
Zim farmers to benefit from government licence cuts
Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector is set to benefit from the government’s regulatory fee reforms, which will see statutory fees either scrapped or reduced in the coming year.
Policy landscape: more ups than downs this year, says Agbiz CEO
At the Agbiz Media Day 2025 held in Pretoria on 5 December, Agbiz CEO Theo Boshoff said the policy environment in 2025 had delivered “more positive outcomes than challenges”, despite...
Botswana reinstates vegetable import ban from South Africa
Botswana has once again banned vegetable imports from South Africa and other neighbouring countries in an effort to bolster support for local producers, despite having only recently lifted similar restrictions.
Senwes reports strong rebound as profits jumps 34,5%
Agribusiness group Senwes reported a solid recovery in its interim results for the six months to end-October 2025, with profit after tax up by 34,5% to R325 million after a...
FMD outbreak confirmed in Limpopo, emergency measures rolled out
The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed three separate outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease across the province, prompting immediate quarantine measures, movement restrictions, and a coordinated emergency response.
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