Tabla de contenidos para 20 June 2025 en Farmer's Weekly

John F Kennedy once said: “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Farmer's Weekly was launched in 1911, and over the past 114 years, we have been a leading voice in agriculture, not only in South Africa, but also further afield in the rest of Africa. Upon the publication's establishment, our mission was to ‘serve agriculture’, and we have been steadfast in our approach when it comes to producing content for the magazine and our digital platforms. But, like all things in life, change is inevitable, and we at Farmer's Weekly now find ourselves in a period of transition. From 1 July 2025, Farmer's Weekly will move from a weekly to a biweekly (every second…

Dear Farmer's Weekly, I am writing to you with an urgent and heartfelt plea to help us find the perfect forever home for a very special rescue dog named Mac. Mac was found alone in the heart of the rugged Grabouw mountains by herder boys. He was starving, fighting for his life, and suffering from ehrlichiosis, an infectious disease commonly known as tick-bite fever. When he arrived at our rescue organisation, The Barking Ark in Somerset West, Western Cape, he was undernourished, dangerously ill, and had fluid on his lungs, which meant he was struggling to breathe. DEDICATED VOLUNTEER CARE Mandy, one of our volunteers, became Mac's foster mother. She had to sleep upright with him on her chest for the first three nights, helping him to breathe. Every breath…

An outbreak of African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) has been confirmed on farms near Porterville in the Western Cape, marking a shift in the pest's usual pattern of migration. Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Dr Godfrey Kgatle, research coordinator at Grain SA, said the outbreak is linked to climatic conditions that made the region more favourable for the pest this year. “We started receiving reports in early April 2025 from areas around Porterville, Riebeek West, Wellington and Philadelphia. This region is not usually affected, so it came as a surprise,” Kgatle said. He added that the pest's arrival was likely to have been influenced by a combination of early rain, a dry period, and then heavy rainfall from January, which supported fresh grass growth, ideal conditions for larvae. “The moths can travel…

At the Sandveld Potato Growers' Organisation's annual general meeting, recently held in Lambert's Bay in the Western Cape, farmers were encouraged to sign up to the Potatoes South Africa (Potatoes SA) app. FP Coetzee, manager of information at Potatoes SA, said the app was developed to help farmers make better production and marketing decisions. It offered daily and historical data and statistics on potato sales, stock and delivery, as well as daily market reports for various vegetables, grains, meat and fruits. Its news feed featured the latest information on industry developments, technologies and findings, and provided information about upcoming events and reports that allowed farmers to benchmark their performance against others. Additionally, the app supported the identification of potential potato plant health issues and took farmers to pages where the…

The Mohair Empowerment Trust (MET), in partnership with The Shearing Shed, recently hosted a three-day knitting workshop for 21 women from Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville and Aberdeen in the Eastern Cape, including MET farmers, farmworkers and their families. Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Beauty Mokgwamme, general manager of MET, said the initiative aimed to empower local women by equipping them with practical, income-generating skills through handcraft and mohair product creation. She added that the primary goal of the workshop was to build participants' confidence and creativity while offering a pathway to financial independence. “We want to give these women the tools to transform their lives using what's already around them. Mohair is a local resource with global value,” she said. Ruth Pringle, workshop facilitator at The Shearing Shed, said the training focused on…

While South Africa moves closer to establishing its cannabis industry, many producers are still grappling with uncertainty. Managing risk in a regulatory environment that is still taking shape is chief among their challenges. Add to that the threats of climate change, and these problems are only exacerbated. Crop insurance has long been a pillar of traditional agriculture, but it remains out of reach for cannabis farmers. This introduces a significant financial vulnerability. Adding fuel to the fire is the significant investment needed to meet strict compliance standards required for medicinal cannabis cultivation. AN INDUSTRY LEFT EXPOSED South African farmers are able to secure coverage for most crops, including wheat, maize, and fruit; however, cannabis occupies a far more ambiguous space, as its legal status continues to create issues over the…

FAST FACTS Odendal's main operation is potatoes, but he also plants maize and oats, as well as fresh produce, such as cabbages and watermelons. Over the years, he and his father have tested 21 different potato varieties for various criteria, including yield, palatability, and suitability. He produces and sells about 500t of seed oats per annum, which are processed in the plant on his farm. Thirty-seven-year-old Johan Odendal runs a mixed farming operation on the farm Theronskop in the Petrusburg district of the Free State. He farms in partnership with his father, Johan Sr, and has been doing so since returning to the farm after completion of his degree in agriculture at the University of the Free State in 2010. Their main operation is potatoes, but the family also plants…

While rabbit farming remains a niche segment of South Africa's livestock industry, it is gaining momentum thanks to growing interest from consumers and new markets opening up for its meat and by-products. According to farmer Daisy Moleko, founder of Rabbit Farmer and the Rabbitry Academy, the growth is fuelled by structured training, innovative market models, and a growing awareness of the value that rabbit farming can add to both emerging and commercial agriculture operations. INCREASING ENTHUSIASM “Rabbit farming in South Africa is definitely growing. After over 24 years of research and development, we're seeing more farmers showing an interest and taking the first step into the industry. “The key has been creating a one-stop solution – training, supply chains, and market access – that makes it easier for farmers to…

Your Guide to Adulting by Rumbidzayi Munyaradzi (Self-published, R295) Munyaradzi's engaging self-help book offers direct, pragmatic advice that's part memoir and part self-help, mainly for those from matric entering their first jobs. Munyaradzi grew up in Zimbabwe, did a BCom at Wits University, and landed her first job at JP Morgan, one of the world's most prestigious investment banks. But before that, she says she “failed forward” through many rough patches. This is Munyaradzi's second book, recently selected for Exclusive Books' Homebru promotion and showcased by her at the Kingsmead Book Fair in Johannesburg. She applies modern corporate strategic thinking to formalising career dreams as a vision for your life, where you use ‘toolkits’ to set, implement, and repair your goals and carefully consider which jobs to apply for. Interestingly, this…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. Dr Yolandi Smit specialises in equine surgery and is based in the Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies at the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Veterinary Science. Email yolandi.smit@up.ac.za. “While often overlooked, hoof care is fundamental to a horse's overall health, soundness and performance. As the saying goes, ‘no hoof, no horse’. This is a reminder that even the most well-bred, well-trained horse cannot perform without strong, healthy hooves. This piece explores the intricacies of hoof health, the risks of neglect and best practices to ensure horses remain comfortable, mobile and able to perform at their peak. WHY HOOF CARE IS ESSENTIAL Horses with well-maintained hooves are less likely to suffer from painful conditions…

South Africa's agricultural exports grew by 6% in the first quarter of 2025 to reach US$3,4 billion (around R60 billion), up from US$3,2 billion (around R57 billion) in the previous quarter, according to the latest data from the International Trade Centre. Compared with the same period in 2024, this marked a 10% year-on-year increase, driven by strong demand for fresh grapes, maize, apples, wine and wool. Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Bhekani Zondo, economist at the Trade Research Unit of the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), said: “This continued growth is a testament to the resilience of our sector. Despite global challenges, industry and government collaboration on market access and export compliance remains strong.” He added that fresh grapes led the export basket with a 21% share in value, followed by…

Karan Beef has suspended cattle intake at its Heidelberg feedlot following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which was confirmed in early June. Henk Groenewald, general manager of Karan Beef, told Farmer's Weekly that Karan Beef understood that the suspension would have direct implications on cattle operations and livestock planning, but the step was taken to contain the disease and mitigate any risk to the broader livestock industry. The financial impact on Karan Beef is expected to be substantial. Groenewald explained that movement restrictions will result in animals having to stay in the feedlot longer than planned, which will increase standing days and result in higher feed consumption and overheads, such as labour, utilities and veterinary care. “We are working closely with industry partners and authorities to manage the impact…

While various regulations and policy developments might be causing uncertainty in the agriculture sector, farmers should remember that previous radical attempts at land reform failed to materialise, or had minimal impact. This was the message from Annelize Crosby, head of legal intelligence at Agbiz, who spoke to farmers at the Sandveld Potato Growers' Organisation's annual general meeting held recently in Lamberts Bay, Western Cape. Examples of these ‘radical attempts’ ranged from resolutions to better protect the rights of illegal occupants, and the ‘one farmer, one farm’ campaign that emerged from the 2005 Land Summit at Nasrec, Soweto, to ceilings on land ownership and a ban on foreign land ownership, as proposed in the Land Reform Green Paper, which was not written into a white paper. Crosby said property rights formed…

Over 250 young people from across the Eastern Cape gathered at the historic Feather Market Hall in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) for the inaugural Youth in Agriculture Indaba, hosted by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture. In her opening address, NMB Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said the event, which marked the official launch of Youth Month, brought together aspiring farmers, students and agripreneurs to engage with government leaders, agricultural stakeholders and industry experts on the future of farming in South Africa. Lobishe added that the strong turnout at the event stressed the importance of youth-driven growth in the agriculture sector. “This is a hands-on sector that requires time, dedication and care. If we don't harness young talent and innovation, we will not see the growth we need,” she…

Having spent my formative years in what eventually became the Transkei region and having rum donor-funded farming projects in the former Ciskei region, over time I witnessed the gradual degradation of crop and vegetable production. I would, in some instances, see the ongoing practice of ‘monoculture’: this effectively means the planting of the same crops, year-in and year-out, on the same croplands. Because maize is part of the staple diets of many communities in South Africa, the previously mentioned monoculture invariably involved this crop. Each planting season I would notice maize plants becoming progressively smaller and increasingly yellow in colour and this is invariably caused by nutrient deficiencies, and even perhaps by high pathogen and parasite levels in the soil. Without fail, the food produced by such plants will be…

FAST FACTS Rooibos is endemic to South Africa and was the first African food included in the EU's geographical indications register. Rooibos was awarded Protected Designation of Origin status in May 2021. Rooibos production is limited to South Africa's Cape Floral Kingdom, which includes the Cederberg and Sandveld in the Western Cape, and the Bokkeveld area of the Northern Cape. The crop thrives in areas with cold, rainy winters and very hot summers with temperatures as high as 45°C. It requires between 200mm and 450mm of rain during winter. Rooibos production is on a slight downward trend, with 17 000t produced in 2023, 14 000t in 2024, and an expected 13 000t for the 2025 harvest. “What makes rooibos so unique is that it is endemic to the Cape Floral…

The Eeco is the spiritual successor to Suzuki's iconic Carry van, many of which found their way to South Africa via private importers in the 1980s. Affectionately dubbed the ‘half-loaf’, the Carry van was a mini-minibus with a second-row bench seat and a decent amount of boot space. The Suzuki Eeco is only offered as a panel van and, like its Super Carry pick-up sibling, prides itself at offering fuel-efficient, point-to-point transport of goods at a low price. But don't be fooled by its size. While its dimensions of 3 675mm in length and 1 475mm in width are hardly bigger than Mr Bean's Mini, its cargo space is no laughing matter. The loadbed is 1 620mm long, 1 300mm wide, and offers 1 070mm from the floor to the…

Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in the US have created artificial proteins that can change shape to adjust to their environment, just like some natural proteins in our bodies do. This breakthrough holds significant promise for the agriculture sector. In nature, proteins often change their shape to do specific jobs, such as helping muscles move or breaking down food. Until now, however, lab-made proteins have been unable to do the same. Instead, they have remained fixed in one form, which has limited their functionality. Now, the UCSF team has made a synthetic protein that can change its shape. They added a special segment that lets the protein respond to calcium, allowing it to switch between two different stable forms. BENEFITS FOR AGRICULTURE So why does this…

Black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou), known for their nervy and eccentric disposition, also have a sinister look to them, with their black-and-brown coats, front-curling horns, white swishing tails, and mohawk manes that run all the way down to their bovine-like snouts. Endemic to South Africa, the black wildebeest once roamed the country's central and eastern grasslands (including Lesotho and what is now called Eswatini) in their hundreds of thousands, but by the early 1900s, they had been hunted to the brink of extinction. However, since the rise of game farming in the 2000s, the black wildebeest has made a comeback across its historic range, not only on game farms but also on more traditional livestock and cropping farms. AGGRESSIVE TRAITS Black wildebeest can be aggressive when breeding or threatened, but the…

Dear Prof McCrindle, My wife is pregnant, and her doctor says she should keep away from cats. We have a very friendly farm cat that keeps the rat population under control. Her name is Tiger, and she is spayed and vaccinated. We are very fond of her, and she sleeps on our bed. Is there anything we can do to prevent my wife from getting toxoplasmosis? Kind regards, Fouriesburg Farmer Dear Fouriesburg Farmer, Your wife's doctor is correct to warn her of the dangers of toxoplasmosis. It is a fairly common communicable disease in humans and animals in South Africa, and can cause pregnant women to miscarry. A recent review mentioned that the disease was found not only in cats but several other animals, too. Domestic cats showed a prevalence…

In this article, we looked at how pillow pack marketing of vegetable greens and salads came as close as possible to the ultimate in farming for some. Iceberg lettuce may still be king of the marketplace, but new leaf lettuce varieties, tailored to the needs of the customer, are after its crown. They come in all shapes and colours and are packed in convenient portions to suit customers. “It's all about choice for the consumer,” says Bruce Glazer, a director of Dew Crisp, a company which produces and packs all sorts of salad on Akkerana farm near Paarl. “With both husband and wife working, the emphasis is on meals that are quick and convenient. The new plastic bowl and pillow pack variety of salads offer just that. And they are…

South Africa's timber industry has struggled to recover from subdued consumer demand post-COVID-19. Demand for pine timber remains especially low, while eucalyptus used for dissolving pulp (DP) is faring better. Commenting on Sappi's first quarter results for 2025, CEO Steve Binnie said that despite continued challenging global macroeconomic conditions and weak paper markets, DP selling prices and sales volumes were recovering. There was also higher demand for packaging and speciality paper. This resulted in the company posting a profit for the period of US$70 million (about R1,2 billion), compared to a US$126 million (R2,2 billion) loss accrued in the corresponding period last year. “Containerboard demand in local markets remains steady, and underlying demand for DP remains strong. Packaging and speciality paper markets in North America and South Africa are expected…

The dragon fruit industry has continued its slow and steady growth, wrapping up a positive season in June. “Market demand picks up every year, with the local market providing much stability in a season that had production issues when we traditionally would have capitalised on high export prices,” said Freddie Steyn, Mpumalanga dragon fruit farmer and deputy chairperson of the Southern African Dragon Fruit Association. The continuous rain across most production areas at the start of the year meant that pollination was hindered. This reduced the March and April crop, which was when South Africa had an ideal export window to the EU as that market emptied of Ecuadorian and Peruvian dragon fruit. Steyn told Farmer's Weekly that globally, market demand was increasing, but strong competition on the export market…

While the US's ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs could be seen as a negotiating tactic, it may have backfired, irrevocably changing trade relations around the world. Speakers at the International Fresh Produce Association's Fresh Solutions day in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, held at the end of May, said the world would not return to pre-April 2025 trade patterns, even if the ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs were scrapped. “[US President Donald] Trump's way of negotiating is to start with an outrageously high number, so that a lower figure becomes more palatable, even if it is higher than before,” said Emile du Plessis, head of behavioural economics and economic insights at Standard Bank. He has predicted that the tariffs to be announced on 9 July would be less than the 30% initially imposed on 2 April 2025,…

Carl Battenhausen says that although his family will never leave the wool industry, his aim is to diversify their portfolio. Currently, their Merino sheep herd is 3 200 ewes strong. Battenhausen's passion for sheep is undeniable. In 2023, he claimed the well-deserved laurels for the best young ewe in the BKB Jongooi Interclub competition. The family also runs a small beef cattle herd. But passion alone will not keep the boat afloat. Thus, Battenhausen ventured into the game industry. To enter the trophy hunting business, his plan was to breed a variety of plains game species so that he could offer hunting tourists a stellar line-up. He focused on breeding a variety of colours of the most popular antelope. ‘MY MAIN FUNCTION AS A FARMER IS TO PLAN AND DELEGATE’…