Tabla de contenidos para 24+31 October 2025 en Farmer's Weekly

Every now and then, I like to shed some light on the importance of mental health, particularly as it relates to farming. While it may seem superfluous to many, the fact remains that farming is consistently ranked among the professions with the highest rates of suicide in countries across the globe. The unique combination of economic instability, geographic isolation, and dependence on uncontrollable forces, such as weather, drives this risk. Exacerbating the problem is the fact that discussions around ‘mental health’ and suicide are often taboo, particularly in more conservative societies, and particularly in sectors that are dominated by men. Boys are told to ‘man up’, and that showing emotion is a form of weakness. These beliefs make it particularly difficult for men to seek the necessary help when they…

SA Harvest has announced a significant milestone in its long-term strategy to build a climate-resilient, community-driven food system: the completion of three greenhouses in Cape Town, Gqeberha, and rural Eastern Cape. These projects form the backbone of a replicable model for systemic sustainability – one that integrates nutrition, education, and economic inclusion into local food ecosystems. Launched as part of SA Harvest's mission to move beyond food rescue and tackle the root causes of hunger, the greenhouse initiative demonstrates how localised production can foster food sovereignty in structurally food-insecure communities. The greenhouses utilise Fresh Life Produce's African Grower vertical hybrid-hydroponic growing system, which was designed to enable individuals across South Africa to cultivate their own vegetables on minimal land and thereby foster self-sufficiency. Taking the concept a step further, each…

The imminent closure of Denny's Phesantekraal mushroom production facility in the Western Cape marks the second since 2022, leaving only the Gauteng facility operational. Libstar, which owns Denny Mushrooms, has however indicated plans to divest its mushroom production entirely, focusing instead on value-added food categories. In their interim financial statement, released at the end of September, Libstar noted that the Phesantekraal facility had been operating at a sustained loss due to structural production challenges, including rising input costs, resource constraints and biosecurity pressures. Libstar CEO Charl de Villiers said in a statement that despite extensive negotiations, no viable commercial agreements could be secured to safeguard the site's long-term future. “As a result, Libstar has commenced labour consultations regarding the closure, which will affect approximately 376 employees. The Gauteng facility will…

The South African economy is struggling with structural problems and this will impact negatively on the agriculture sector. South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) disappointed again in the second quarter of 2025 (see table). According to Statistics South Africa's (Stats SA) recently released GDP growth figures for the second quarter of 2025, the economy grew by 0,8% compared to the first quarter on an annualised basis. WEAK ECONOMIC GROWTH TO CONTINUE INTO 2026 Using the more sensible year-on-year comparison, the economy only grew by 0,7% compared to the second quarter of 2024, and by 0,7% in the first half of 2025 in comparison to the first half of 2024. GDP growth of below 1% per year was achieved in 2023 and 2024. Weak GDP growth of about 1% is expected…

Journey To Ithaca by William Rowland (University of Johannesburg Press, R275) Rowland was an energetic, transformative leader of the South African National Council for the Blind, serving as its chief executive from 1996. Although born sighted, he was left blind at age five after a stray gunshot through his temple severed his optic nerves. Yet, as this highly personal memoir shows, he was undaunted, adapting with the help of his parents. Rowland was a high achiever at Worcester's Pioneer School for the Visually Impaired and then trained as a physio in Cape Town and London. His own experiences and determination encouraged him to lobby for equal opportunities for the disabled, detailed in his 2003 account of the growth of SA's disability rights movement, Nothing About Us Without Us. His own…

EASTERN CAPE 13 NOVEMBER National Angora Ram Sale, Botanical Sports Grounds, Graaff-Reinet. On offer: 70 rams. Phone Chris Curtain on 063 689 9960, or Hans Greeff on 082 788 0308. 20 NOVEMBER Somerset East Angora Ram Sale, Somerset East Golf Club. On offer: 60 rams. Phone Johannes de Jager on 063 688 8949, or Hans Greeff on 082 788 0308. GAUTENG 8 NOVEMBER X-treme Genetics Boer Goat Auction, Fire and Wine Arena, Pretoria. On offer: 20 rams and 65 ewes. Phone Corné du Plessis on 076 101 9996. 22 NOVEMBER Wolmar Bosvelder Sheep and Marhan Boer Goat Total Dispersal Sale, Ditsong Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum, Rayton. On offer: 200 Boer goats; 100 Bosvelders; and 100 Bosvelder-type ewes. Phone Boela Wolmarans on 083 293 9574, or Coenie Meyer on 072 289…

Dear Prof McCrindle, My neighbour's threatening me with legal action because his cattle have snotsiekte. I own a registered game farm where I have kept wildebeest for several decades. One of my neighbouring farmers also said that wildebeest were indigenous on her farm in this area when she purchased it in about 1980. This backs up my impression that when I purchased my farm, there were already both blue and black wildebeest on the property. The complainant does not maintain either his grazing or border fence, so his sheep and cattle go through his fence and graze my firebreak along the fence as his grazing is now depleted. Could this cause snotsiekte in his cattle? Kind regards, Frank Dear Frank, Malignant catarrhal fever (snotsiekte) in cattle is a notifiable disease…

Wildlife beats conventional stock hands down with their non-selective feeding habits, according to a well-known sheep breeder. What started as a dream to restore his patch of nature to its former glory, turned out to be a profitable enterprise for sheep breeder Koos van Eeden. Gemsbok, eland and kudu are now roaming the mountains on his Namaqualand farm and beating their domesticated counterparts to the bank – and, hopefully into oblivion if he has his way. As a youngster, Van Eeden, now in his 60s, of Klipfontein Farm near Bitterfontein in the Western Cape, saw gemsbok and springbok horns lying about the veld when on his regular wanderings. He imagined how the veld must have once looked. The fantasies were fuelled by the stories his mother told about springbok herds…

According to the first crop estimate by the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), inspected export volumes are expected to increase by 0,6%, from 78,9 million (4,5kg equivalent) cartons to 79,4 million cartons. The lower and upper limits for the harvest are 77 million and 81,7 million cartons, respectively. This is 6,6% above the five-year average of 74,5 million cartons. Export volumes from the Olifants River are forecast to decline from 4,4 million to 3,7 million cartons, below the five-year average of 3,9 million cartons, due to a 5% reduction in the area under production. In the northern provinces, volumes are expected to increase from 4,8 million to 5,1 million cartons, although still below the five-year average of 6,2 million cartons, with a 14% decline in planted area cited as…

Tru-Cape growers achieved record-breaking Pink Lady packouts this season, marking a major milestone for South Africa's leading apple exporter. At Ceres Fruit Growers, packouts reached nearly 75%, the highest on record, while Two-a-Day recorded an 8% increase compared to last year. Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Tru-Cape procurement manager, Calla du Toit, said this success followed years of targeted investment, shared learning, and smart orchard practices designed to improve colour, fruit quality, and yield consistency. “We made it our goal to get closer to 80% Pink Lady per hectare, and we've come a long way. These results show that the strategy is working,” Du Toit said. ORCHARD INNOVATION Tru-Cape's record-breaking results are rooted in innovation that begins in the orchard. Growers like Kootjie Viljoen, from Oewerzicht farm near Greyton, have adopted…

The Tanzania High Commission in the UK has set a target to raise the country's exports to the UK to £1 billion (about R23 billion) by 2030, with a particular focus on horticultural and agricultural products, the Daily News recently reported. Mbelwa Kairuki, High Commissioner to the UK, said attaining the goal would require coordinated efforts and strong stakeholder engagement in both countries, and reiterated the importance of accurate and practical information for Tanzanian exporters hoping to export to the UK. “To facilitate this process, the High Commission has prepared a briefing document that provides critical insights into market expectations, regulatory and compliance requirements, and strategies for building credibility with buyers,” Kairuki said, according to the Daily News. Kairuki added that as the UK imported a wide range of fruits…

Despite inclement weather, Seongju County in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, has achieved melon sales of more than 600 billion Korean won (about R7,3 billion) for three consecutive years, according to an article by Lee Seung-kyu for the Chosun Daily. The county is a major melon-producing region in the country, accounting for 80% of all South Korean melon production. In September, Seongju County announced that this year's melon sales reached 605,2 billion Korean won (R7,4 billion). In 2023, the county announced sales of 601,4 billion Korean won (R7,3 billion), and in 2024, 620 billion Korean won (R7,6 billion) was achieved in melon sales. Lee also said that for the 2025 season, the country produced 180 000t of melons, with 1 821 households earning over 100 million Korean won (R1,2 million).…

The poultry industry has welcomed the Competition Commission's inquiry into the poultry value chain. The commission announced the investigation in February last year, with the final terms of reference published in the Government Gazette on 30 September 2025. Izaak Breitenbach, general manager of the South African Poultry Association's Broiler Organisation, told Farmer's Weekly that some media reports had incorrectly suggested the inquiry was aimed at uncovering fraud among major producers. “This is not a witch hunt. It's an evaluation of the entire value chain, from genetics supply to retail, to identify barriers to entry and opportunities for black economic empowerment,” he explained. He added that the industry was committed to transformation, investing more than R2,1 billion between 2019 and 2024 in expansions that created production opportunities for 20 black outgrowers…

Your cannabis root systems might represent untapped commercial value and environmental solutions that South African operations can't afford to ignore anymore. Walk through any commercial cannabis facility after harvest, and you'll see the same scene: mountains of root balls heading straight to waste. We've become so fixated on the flowers that we've forgotten the other end of the plant entirely. That's a mistake, because emerging research suggests cannabis roots contain bioactive compounds with genuine commercial potential, and their physical properties could address some serious agricultural challenges facing South African growers. WHAT'S ACTUALLY THERE Cannabis roots aren't pharmacologically inert. Historical records show various cultures used cannabis root preparations for inflammation, joint pain, and skin conditions, though these traditional applications were never subjected to modern clinical standards. More interesting for commercial operations…

In this article, we offer a look at various broiler and layer breeds to hopefully help you make an informed decision about what type of chicken production you want to pursue. The list is not exhaustive, and there are many other breeds to choose from. We also offer a look at breeds that are largely used in commercial, intensive operations. BROILERS A broiler is any chicken bred specifically for meat production. In South Africa, most commercial broilers typically reach slaughter weight between 32 and 34 days of age. This is the age at which they are generally slaughtered in South Africa, but in other parts of the world they may be slaughtered later. In the US, for example, broilers are typically slaughtered at around 47 days, while in the EU…

The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association (WIETA), in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, recently hosted an event in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, to celebrate its Black Producer Ethical Support Programme. WIETA CEO Linda Lipparoni told Farmer's Weekly that the initiative, launched seven years ago at the department's request, aims to help black-owned wine brands and farmers achieve WIETA ethical assurance. “The programme seeks to equip black-owned wine brands and producers with the technical and legal tools to integrate ethical systems into their businesses, to uphold safe and fair working conditions and comply with international ethical trade standards and market requirements,” she said. The support includes human resource and health and safety guidance, assistance with administrative and infrastructure development, and help with municipal approvals for facilities such as…

TUNISIA Dragon fruit (pitaya), an exotic fruit originally from Asia and Latin America, has recently become available in Tunisian markets, appearing in cities like Tunis and Sousse, according to Webdo. It is seen as a social media phenomenon due to its ‘premium’ image, photogenic aesthetic, and reported nutritional benefits (rich in fibre and antioxidants). However, its price point of over 30 dinars (about R180) per kilogram makes it significantly more expensive than conventional fruit, largely restricting its consumption to wealthy clientele. While the majority of dragon fruit in Tunisia is currently imported, some farmers in the Sahel and Bon are beginning to cultivate it in suitable greenhouses, hoping that local production will eventually lower prices and make the fruit more accessible, according to Webdo. KENYA Makueni County, Kenya, a major…

NEPAL Vegetable prices in Kathmandu continue to surge as continuous rainfall, floods and landslides disrupt supply routes to the capital city, The Kathmandu Post recently reported. Torrential rains in and around Kathmandu have damaged transport infrastructure across multiple regions, with landslides cutting off major highways in several places, the news agency said. According to traders, prices were likely to remain high until the supply chain returned to normal, winter vegetables began arriving arriving on the market, and the Dashain festivities concluded. PHILIPPINES The Philippine government is urgently seeking reforms to the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) to address high Japanese tariffs on Philippine banana exports, which currently face seasonal rates of 8% to 18%, the Manila Bulletin recently reported. This market dominance is under threat from competitors, particularly Vietnam, which…

Livestock prices have largely followed an increasing trend, with the meat complex reflecting broad-based year-on-year (y/y) increases across all major categories. As the festive season approaches, demand for livestock products is expected to increase, likely keeping prices elevated towards the end of the year. BEEF Global beef markets are under strain as supply-side challenges continue to drive prices upward. In the US, years of drought have adversely impacted grazing conditions and pushed up feed costs, leading to smaller cattle herds and tighter supply. With global inventories low and export demand still strong, global beef prices remain elevated, underscoring how climate shocks and animal health risks are converging to reshape the global meat supply landscape. In South Africa, Class A beef prices lost momentum at the end of September, decreasing by…

For many aspiring farmers, poultry offers one of the quickest ways to turn a profit. Birds grow fast, markets are almost everywhere, and start-up costs can be surprisingly low if you are careful. Small-scale producers across the country are proving that you don't need a fortune to get started – just a plan. Take Angelo Marman, for example. A few months ago, he added a modest flock of broilers and layers to his vegetable fields, hoping the birds would help with pest control and enrich the soil. What started as a side project quickly grew into something more. The chickens proved so lucrative that he persuaded his sister and father to start their own operations. “I have found farming chickens to be the easiest and quickest way to generate extra…

Across the world, jars labelled as pure honey are increasingly being found to contain sugar syrups or blends of uncertain origin. Prof Robin Crewe, who serves on the Fake Honey Committee of the international federation of beekeepers’ associations, Apimondia, says the US Pharmacopeia's Food Fraud Database has ranked honey as the third most targeted food for adulteration, after milk and olive oil. He attributes this to global demand outpacing production, the lucrative opportunities for fraud, and the inherent difficulty of testing honey for authenticity. An EU investigation conducted between November 2021 and February 2022 exposed the extent of the problem. Of 320 honey samples tested at EU border posts, 147 (46%) were suspected of being adulterated. The highest number of suspicious consignments originated from China, while honey from Turkey showed…

With the ever-increasing number of Chinese manufacturers flooding the local market for years now, it was quite refreshing to see an Indian manufacturer emerge for a change, albeit in the form of an old familiar face. While Tata Trucks & Buses never left, its local passenger vehicle division closed shop in 2019 after a 15-year period during which their portfolio featured the Indica, Indigo, Bolt, Telcoline and Xenon. Tata's reintroduction under Motus Motor Limited is a quantum leap from the days during which their products didn't exactly cover them in glory. The brand-new portfolio includes the Tiago hatchback, Punch compact SUV, Curvv crossover and Harrier mid-sized SUV. The manufacturer no longer build bakkies. TIAGO A starting price of R184 900 makes the Tiago the third cheapest local car. At this…

SERVES TWO INGREDIENTS Olive oil, for frying ¼ small onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 handfuls baby spinach, chopped Salt and pepper 6 eggs 30ml (2 Tbsp) milk 60ml (¼ cup) feta, crumbled 2 English muffins Butter or margarine, for spreading 30ml (2 Tbsp) mayonnaise 2 slices cheddar METHOD Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a 12cm x 22cm oven dish with baking paper. Heat a splash of oil on medium high and sauté the onion and garlic for about 3 minutes or until starting to brown. Stir in half the spinach for about 1 minute or until wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Spread evenly in the prepared dish. Whisk together the eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Carefully pour the…

According to a study by researchers at the North Carolina State University in the US, heating alone won't drive soil microbes to release more carbon dioxide (CO2). They need added carbon and nutrients to thrive, ScienceDaily.com recently reported. This finding challenges assumptions about how climate warming influences soil emissions. The study investigated how higher temperatures affect CO2 emissions from soil, finding that warming alone is not enough to increase the release of CO2. Instead, an increase in CO2 only occurs when the heat is combined with an ample supply of easily available carbon and necessary nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Emissions are generated by soil microbes (such as bacteria and fungi), which ‘breathe out’ CO2 as a by-product of their metabolism. For these organisms to thrive, they need both carbon…

HIGHEST PRICE: (FILLY) R330 000 Online – Bloodstock South Africa's September Online Auction was held on 2 September. The highest price of the day was paid for the filly VisionOfPeace by Visionaire out of Lisa Anne when she was sold by Ray Magner (agent for TJ Barnard and AL Williams) to Vendel Civilis for R330 000. The second-highest price of the day was paid for the colt Boom Town by Talk of the Town out of Women's Rights when he was sold by Majestic Tas Racing to Kremlin Racing for R300 000. The aggregate for the sale was R3 134 500 (2024: R3 706 500), with an average price per lot of R61 461 (R86 198). The sale was held by Bloodstock South Africa. – Staff reporter…