Farmer's Weekly

I am often asked if I would ever consider leaving the media industry to pursue farming, and my answer is always the same: absolutely not! And there is only one reason for this: I am simply not brave or gutsy enough to embark on a career in farming. T

EDITORIAL TEAM Editor Janine Ryan, janiner@caxton.co.za Deputy Editor Jenna van der Walt, jennag@caxton.co.za Senior designer Louis Kruger Designer Mario Ferlito Copy editors Fanie de Villiers, Yvonne Fontyn and Richard Goller Digital editor Sindira

While we are still at the start of the 2024/25 global grain and oilseed production season, with the Southern Hemisphere yet to plant in about two months, the International Grains Council (IGC) forecasts a decent harvest. For example, in its latest up

New ways of reducing tariffs on farm livestock and products were under consideration. Losses amounting to R250 million a year that at present are being incurred by the Railway Administration on passenger traffic, but which are recovered from the agri

South Africa is a small, open economy. From a gross domestic product (GDP) point of view, we are the fortieth-largest economy in the world and the 32nd-biggest agriculture sector. We can hardly be called an economic powerhouse but South Africa is sti

This year, the Overberg in the Western Cape will be celebrating the fifth instalment of Nampo Cape (NPC) and the 30th anniversary of Mechanisation Day. This year's NPC, taking place from 11 to 14 September in Bredasdorp, promises to be bigger and bet

Stakeholders in the potato industry have been asked to increase collaboration and not hoard insights that could benefit the industry as a whole. Speaking at the Potatoes South Africa congress held in Cape Town in July, the organisation's CEO, Willie

One potato extra per person, per week: this is Potatoes SA's goal to achieve greater levels of food security, stability in rural economies and the best use of resources for food production. Speaking at the Potatoes SA Congress, held in Cape Town in J

National Treasury recently activated a wheat import tariff of R17,63/kg. Dr Tobias Doyer, CEO of Grain SA, welcomed this move but said the tariff should have already been activated in March and increased to over R40/kg by July. He added that the slow

African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks are escalating in Vietnam, posing risks to food supplies and potentially driving up inflation, according to a government statement released in mid-July. ASF has long troubled the global pork market, with the devast

Recent storms in the Western Cape have negatively impacted winter cereal and citrus production in certain parts of the province. In Citrusdal, which exports roughly 20 million 15kg cartons of citrus per year, citrus farmers had suffered on-farm losse

Monarch Tractor, a start-up in California that specialises in autonomous electric tractors, has secured a US$133 million (about R2,5 billion) investment, boosting its value to $518 million (R9,6 billion). Founded by car enthusiasts and a wine produce

The Potatoes SA Congress held in Cape Town in July included a gala dinner, where the best of the best in South African potato production were acknowledged. – Lindi Botha

The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently hosted a significant meeting with aspiring farmers, marking the launch of the Nguni Project, an initiative designed to inspire South Africans to explore Nguni cattle farming. Attend

In celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July, Nonceba Kontsiwe, Eastern Cape MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, handed over essential agricultural inputs to Lingomso Lethu Special School in the town of Butterworth. The in

Spier Wine Farm recently unveiled its flagship organic wine range, Farmer Angus, on the farm in Stellenbosch. While the launch and excellent wines were sufficient cause for celebration, the farm also invited various speakers to talk about the benefit

In the aftermath of black frost followed swiftly by destructive fires, Limpopo's agricultural community finds itself in dire straits. The impact has been severe, with initial estimates exceeding R1,3 billion in damage, as reported by Henk van de Graa

The market for gourmet mushrooms in South Africa is seeing notable growth. Despite the high costs and specific challenges involved in their production, the appeal of these mushrooms for their culinary and medicinal benefits is undeniable. However, mu

The Boran Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa has welcomed Kenya's Boran Cattle Breeders’ Society (BCBS) to join SA Stud Book, the South African animal registering organisation. This was according to Francois Smith, president of the South Africa

Not only has the El Niño weather phenomenon ravaged crops in Zimbabwe this year, but it has also resulted in widespread livestock deaths in the country. Thirty percent of households in Matabeleland South have reported livestock deaths, making it the

Genomics has the potential to markedly improve the profitability and sustainability of beef production in South Africa, especially among small-scale and emerging farmers. This is according to Prof Linky Makgahlela, research manager for animal product

South Africa's Agricultural Business Innovation Survey 2019-2021, commissioned by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), has unveiled pivotal insights into the innovation dynamics within the agribusiness sector. Despite the tumultuous disrup

Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grain and oilseed prices remain subdued due to ample global supplies, stiff export competition, and uncertainties over Chinese demand. The lower global prices continue to put pressure on SAFEX wheat and soya bean prices.

The Competition Commission recently released a provisional report following its Fresh Produce Market Inquiry. The commission initiated the inquiry because it had reasons to believe that there existed market features that impeded, distorted, or restri

Africans and especially South Africa's commercial farmers are resilient and don't need much to become optimistic. Recently we had the good news that DA leader John Steenhuisen had become agriculture minister, and then the Boks won against the Irish a

In 2022, Ashia Cheetah Conservation, Cheetah Outreach Trust, Stellenbosch University and Groningen University in the Netherlands joined forces to provide a landscape-wide census of free-roaming cheetahs to allow for better communication about these a

The Winelands Fire Protection Association (Winelands FPA) in the Western Cape says that for every 1°C increase in global temperatures, there is a 29% increase in fire risk. This alarming correlation was evident in recent events as reported by Daily M

SERVES 4 • Cook the rice according to the packet instructions and then drain it. • Heat a splash of the oil in a large frying pan or wok on high and fry the onion for about five minutes or until browned. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Add th

SERVES 8 TO 10 200g packet Tennis biscuits, crushed 80g baking margarine, melted 385g tin condensed milk 750ml (3 cups) milk 125ml (½ cup) corn flour 80ml (⅓ cup) water 5ml (½ tbsp) vanilla essence 2 eggs Pinch salt Ground cinnamon, for dusting • Bli

Hippos, a Mongoose and Me by Karen Paolillo (Penguin, R300) Paolillo's sequel to her hit first book, A Hippo Love Story, continues the story of life at the Turgwe Hippo Trust, which she founded in south-eastern Zimbabwe 30 years ago. It's a personal

Researchers from Northwestern University in Illinois, US, have uncovered a new mechanism in Earth's phosphorus cycle, shedding light on a previously unknown natural process, according to a report by ScienceDaily. The study, published in July in the j

What are antimicrobial residues in cow's milk? Are they dangerous to humans? Dairy Farmer, Eastern Cape Antimicrobials are another name for antibiotics, but the term also includes other chemicals that kill microbes (another name for ‘germs’). There a

HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that each row and column, as well as each of the 3 x 3 squares, contains all the digits from 1 to 9 Look out for the answers to this week's Sudoku puzzles in next week's magazine. ■