Innehållsförteckning för 7+14 November 2025 från Farmer's Weekly

Farmers and farmworkers and their families are the backbone of our economy: they produce the food that keeps everyone – from the poorest to the richest – alive and functioning. They produce the food that keeps the fabric of society together. The situation in South Africa in terms of the lack of economic growth, growing poverty and increasing crime is far from ideal, and requires its own rapid solutions, but you can multiply these issues and their consequences by 100 when access to food is removed from the equation. Despite the crucial role that farmers and farmworkers thus play in society, they are increasingly working in terror under the very real threat of attack and death. Rural safety – or, more accurately, rural insecurity in this instance – is not…

Gaboutlelwe Trading is a women-led company that avidly advocates for climate change initiatives in previously disadvantages communities. Makhomo Semenya is the founder and managing director of Gaboutlelwe Trading, and is a well-renowned community builder in Alexandra township, Johannesburg, for over 20 years. Her passion for changing the perception of climate change in the townships started while she was a teacher in 2002. She continued to host climate change initiatives throughout her career until she retired in 2024 as a school principal at Gideon Rambuwani Combined School in Klipfontein View. Gaboutlelwe Trading was established to continue the climate change legacy of Semenya through waste management services. The business objective of Gaboutlelwe is to reduce the impact of waste in residential, industrial and farm operating zones. WASTE CHALLENGES In South Africa, climate…

The arrival of US President Donald Trump in Israel to address the Knesset (Israeli parliament), and after that to chair the signing of the peace accord between Israel and Hamas, was truly a global event. It was done in typical Trump-style that circumvented the conventional diplomatic political correctness in speeches and actions, but the importance of this event cannot be underestimated. Trump cannot get the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025, since it has already been awarded, but he and his administration must get credit for bringing the destruction and human suffering in Gaza to an end. The question that must be answered is how this peace accord was possible in terms of the Trump 20-point plan. BACK IN HISTORY The conflict in the Middle East is very old. If we…

South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis has highlighted a deeper problem that goes beyond government or legislation: South Africans don’t abide by regulations. Speaking at the AgriSA Atlas Congress held in Pretoria, Gauteng, in October, Dr Peter Evans, lead veterinarian of the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) Operational Centre, said that South Africa’s animal health regulations were sound, but that compliance was lacking. “We have good legislation in place. The Animal Diseases Act, and soon the new Animal Health Act, provides a strong regulatory framework. The problem is not the law, it’s how we apply it.” Evans explained that South Africa once had clearly defined infected and protection zones for FMD, particularly around the Kruger National Park where buffalo act as disease reservoirs. “That system worked incredibly well. The problem…

SA Olive gold medal-winning extra virgin olive oils have undergone a round of meticulous blind tasting to identify the recently announced 2025 Absa Top 10 Olive Oil Awards. In the delicate category, Mardouw Investments ZA made the list with Mardouw Premium Delicate, and De Rustica Olive Estate with their De Rustica Delicate. In the medium category, Lions Creek Estate stood out with the Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Morgenster Estate with Morgenster Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Willow Creek Products with Estate Blend, Tokara with Tokara Woolworths Estate EVOO, Babylonstoren with Babylonstoren Corantina and Oudewerfskloof Olive Farm with their Picual. In the intense category, Andanté Olives Porterville with Andanté Intenso and Rio Largo Olive Estate with Rio Largo Premium took the honours. Wendy Petersen, CEO of SA Olive, said that the…

The breeding of these valuable animals, for both meat and wool, is not always just about putting breeding rams with ewes. While it is important to use the best possible genetics or breeding material, because this consideration results in stronger, faster growing, and better quality animals, there are some basics of breeding to consider. If you are breeding sheep for quality wool production, for example, then, using a poor quality ram will affect the wool of the offspring or lambs that such rams produce. A strong wool ram will invariably produce lambs with strong wool. A fine-wool ram will more than likely produce fine-wool lambs. Both ewes and rams with genetic defects such as poor legs or overshot or undershot jaws may possibly result in offspring with similar defects. So,…

Growing a healthy root system is essential for producing high-quality, high-yielding wine grapes. Yet many farmers still make mistakes by planting vines incorrectly or handling them poorly before planting. These errors weaken root development, creating a ‘factory’ that is too fragile to support the vine properly. As a result, such vines struggle to reach their full productive potential and are less resilient during floods, heatwaves and droughts. In most cases they also have a much shorter lifespan than those with well-established root systems. While farmers are aware of this, mistakes during planting continue, even on top wine farms. During a presentation at a Vinpro regional meeting earlier this year, Marko Roux, independent viticulturist and viticulturist adviser of Hexberg Nursery in Wellington, Western Cape, said he regularly encountered such vineyards on…

Speculated initially to be introduced at ‘around R450 000’, the Chery-owned Omoda and Jaecoo (O&J) sprung a surprise by launching the Jaecoo J5 at a very competitive starting price of R379 900. The J5 is the Chery sub-brand’s second local model after the J7, which starts at R519 900. While the J7 is positioned as a more rugged-styled SUV ready to tackle the dirt, the Jaecoo J5, according to O&J, is more of an urban solution. The two do share the same design language, starting with the familiar ‘waterfall’ front grille. But at 174mm the J5’s ground clearance is 26mm lower than the J7, while it also does without its sibling’s black wheel arch cladding and flush extendable door handles. SAME SAME, YET DIFFERENT The J5 rides on the same…

The cultivation of rice is currently associated with significant environmental and economic drawbacks, primarily due to the inefficient use of conventional nitrogen-heavy fertilisers. Most crops only utilise about 40% to 60% of the nitrogen applied, leading to severe environmental issues like eutrophication and ‘dead zones’ from run-off. However, new research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, US, and China’s Jiangnan University, led by Baoshan Xing and Chuanxi Wang, demonstrates a promising solution: nanoscale applications of the element selenium. They discovered that lightly spraying a suspension of nanoscale selenium directly onto the rice foliage using a drone dramatically improves the plant’s ability to absorb the element. The selenium stimulates photosynthesis by over 40%, causing the plant to absorb more carbon dioxide and produce more carbohydrates. These carbohydrates flow to the roots,…

Dear Prof McCrindle, Which are the most dangerous diseases in goats at this time of year? We live in Gauteng and have a smallholding with 250 meat goats. The weaners are being fattened for sale, but I think they need to be vaccinated. Should the ewes that have just lambed also be vaccinated? Which vaccines are important? Kind regards, James Dear James, In Gauteng the spring rains facilitate the multiplication of many different types of ticks as well as flies, midges and mosquitoes. These vectors carry infectious diseases that are particularly dangerous for newly weaned kids as they lose the immunity from their dam’s milk at weaning. Goat ewes (sometimes called nanny goats) are also usually in poor condition after feeding kids and so more susceptible to diseases and parasites. It’s therefore…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly. This article was written in collaboration with zoologist Cormac Price, professors Marc Humphries and Graham Alexander, and reptile conservationist Nick Evans. Read the original article at bit.ly/3JbIWGP. “Black mambas (Dendroaspis polylepis) are Africa’s longest, most well-known venomous snakes, but despite their fearsome reputation, these misunderstood snakes are vital players in their ecosystems. They keep rodent populations in check and, in turn, help to protect crops and limit the spread of disease. The species is found widely across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Somalia and southwards into South Africa. They are capable of adapting to many environments. HOW DO BLACK MAMBAS INDICATE TOXIC POLLUTION? It is about bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation happens when chemicals, like pesticides or…

Willard Batteries, in partnership with Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), is strengthening its legacy of community upliftment and environmental stewardship through two school tree-planting initiatives held just days apart. On 4 September, the team collaborated with educators and learners at Villa Liza Primary School in Boksburg, Gauteng, and on 5 September, the greening momentum continued in Cape Town with another tree planting ceremony at the Oaklands High Greening Project. For Willard Batteries, one of South Africa’s most trusted and loved battery brands, these initiatives represent far more than a once-off act of goodwill. They reflect a long-standing commitment to sustainability, education and social responsibility. Aligned with the company’s Go Green, Go Willard campaign, this has seen thousands of trees planted across the country. In Boksburg’s Villa Liza township, the…

Port logistics are making the news again, but this time for the right reasons. Those who follow this space may recall that the World Bank compiles a Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) that ranks the worlds’ ports from best to worst. A few years ago, South Africa’s ports were ranked amongst the worst in the world. The latest CPPI recognises the Port of Cape Town as the most improved port, which is obviously positive, but it still ranks South Africa amongst the lowest in the world. Statements such as these usually catch headlines, but they actually do not tell the whole story. The methodology used by the CPPI has not escaped criticism. The South African Association of Freight Forwarders and some shipping lines have recently come forth to highlight a…

Climate change is reshaping the way South African farmers produce food, with increasing pressure from both the environment and the market. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become less predictable, farmers face a growing list of risks, from new pests and diseases to shifting crop suitability. Yet at the same time, they are being asked to meet consumer and legislative expectations that are often disconnected from on-the-ground realities. Speaking at the AgriSA Atlas Congress held in Pretoria, Gauteng, in October, Jacques Jordaan, CEO of the South African Plant Improvement Organisation, said the challenge for fruit farmers is particularly complex because of the long-term nature of their crops. “We don’t farm a short-term crop. An apple tree stays in the ground for 60 to 80 years, so it’s a huge risk…

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen recently announced a major win for South Africa’s fruit sector as he signed a one-of-a-kind stone fruit trade protocol with China. The agreement, Steenhuisen told Farmer’s Weekly, is the first of its kind to grant a single country access to the Chinese market for five different stone fruit varieties, including apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums and prunes. Minister Steenhuisen was joined by industry representatives from Hortgro, the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum and Berries ZA to finalise the agreement, signed in Shanghai with Minister Sun Meijun of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Steenhuisen said he is proud to assist South African farmers in promoting their high-quality produce all over the world. “Our farmers are price takers and not price makers.…

Agricultural stakeholders in the private and public sectors have been in a year-long G20 dialogue, which South Africa has an opportunity to host in 2025. Agriculture is one of the priority sectors that will be discussed by leaders from the G20 countries when they gather in Johannesburg later in the year under the theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’. South Africa’s G20 theme emphasises the need to create an inclusive agriculture and broader economies centred on people and societies that strive to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals and nations, regardless of their economic status, gender, race or location. Beyond agriculture, the importance of transitioning to green energy, the digital economy, health, and sustainable development will be central to the discussions in agriculture. In relation to agriculture,…

Mechanical vineyard planters are becoming more common in South Africa, but reactions from operators and contractors are mixed, with some praising their precision and efficiency while others highlight challenges and limitations. Jayde Hamman of German Machine Services, which specialises in mechanical vineyard planting, told Farmer’s Weekly that they use the Wagner Pflanzen-Technik Champion Balance because it is a rugged machine, well suited to South Africa’s diverse vineyard conditions. Its real-time kinematic GPS guidance system is among the most accurate on the market, allowing it to plant with high precision. The machine, imported from Germany, costs around R2 million. Hamman charges about R3,20 per vine, plus R21/km for transport from Paarl to the client’s farm. Clients also supply diesel, which works out to roughly 12c per vine. These costs exclude VAT.…

Non-selective grazing can only be effectively achieved when both the palatable and unpalatable grasses are kept in a short, high-quality state the entire growing season. This gives better forage quality and animal performance and promotes non-selective grazing. The only way to get both the palatable and unpalatable grasses grazed down is to focus grazing in priority grazing paddocks and to make sure that the grasses in priority paddocks are levelled to the ground before the spring rains so that even the unpalatable grasses are acceptable to livestock. Cattle will never eat unpalatable grasses if they are not kept short. DIFFERENT APPROACHES The aim of priority paddocks is to allow livestock to eat the high-quality regrowth of short-grazed grass and also to promote non-selective grazing. Of course, not all paddocks should…

Artificial intelligence (AI) in farming was on the agenda at the recent Western Cape Nampo, but as renowned South African journalist and author Arthur Goldstuck points out in his latest book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide To AI: The African Edge (Macmillan, R330), it’s already a decade since Africans seized the power of AI and began making a difference on the ground in our continent – and showcasing this to the world. Goldstuck knows how Africa needs technology that takes its rural heartland into account because he grew up in the Free State platteland where, as he puts it, “life was quiet enough that books became my main adventure”. He had read his way through all the science fiction in the local public library by the time he was 10, “scaring my parents…

The Kolbroek is well suited for keeping on small farms and smallholdings. The origin of the Kolbroek pig breed is shrouded in mystery. Records indicate that it made its first appearance in the 1920s when some pigs then described as Kolbroek were exhibited at agricultural shows in the Cape. But even at that time there was speculation about their roots. One school of thought maintains that the name was derived from the Coalbrook, a ship of the British East India Company that was wrecked at Cape Hangklip, close to Betty’s Bay, in 1778. The ship had pigs on board that were rescued, and it is surmised that the name Kolbroek originated from these animals. Another plausible, but less acceptable, theory about the breed’s origins is that the name was derived…

South Africa’s Climate Change Act, officially known as the Climate Change Act No. 13 of 2022, is slowly reshaping the operational landscape for businesses The Act provides the country’s legal framework for managing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate impacts, guiding the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. While major emitters like Eskom and the national grid are often in the spotlight, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in agriculture and agro-processing, are increasingly feeling the indirect effects. These businesses may not be directly responsible for large emissions, but they face rising energy costs, the need for greater operational efficiency, and the challenges of adapting to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves. UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SMES Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Wynand Deyzel,…

This article provides insight into expected market trends and price movements as we are heading into the last quarter of the year, considering recent supply volumes and consumer demand patterns. CABBAGES Average monthly cabbage prices fell by 16,7% (see Graph 1), supported by a 2,8% increase in average volumes supplied. Average year-on-year cabbage prices declined by 37,4%, supported by a 143,4% surge in annual volumes supplied. For the week ending 26 September, average market prices for cabbage settled at a low of R1 496/t. Analysts anticipate cabbage volumes to be limited during the last quarter of the year, with consumer demand expected to increase, so average prices may strengthen during the period. CARROTS Monthly trends showed a 17,7% increase in average prices (see Graph 1), despite an 18,2% rise in…

Insubordination disrupts harmony and discipline in the workplace and occurs when an employee wilfully challenges the employer’s authority, most often by refusing to follow a lawful and reasonable instruction. Since employees have a legal duty to obey valid instructions within their role, defying such instructions directly undermines the authority that supports the employment relationship. Even though the Labour Relations Act No. 66 of 1995 (LRA), does not define insubordination, the Code of Good Practice: Dismissal, published under the LRA does recognise gross insubordination as a serious form of misconduct. Insubordination can be expressed directly, such as an outright refusal to follow an instruction, or indirectly, such as deliberately ignoring an instruction. The LRA’s Code of Good Practice explicitly warns employers to not dismiss an employee for a first offence unless…

FAST FACTS In 1992, Hennie Hanekom purchased a portion of the Winkelshoek family farm and established Schenkfontein. The first vines on the farm were Chenin Blanc and Merlot. These have since expanded to include Colombar and Chenin Blanc, among others. Schenkfontein is part of the Swartland Wine and Olive Route. On the quiet outskirts of Piketberg, Western Cape, where the Swartland sun burns across rolling hills, a family-run wine enterprise has mastered the art of doing everything under one sky. At Schenkfontein, the Hanekom family has built more than a business – they’ve built a legacy that begins in the soil and ends in the glass, shaped by hard work, family ties and a deep respect for their land and people. Their story is one from soil to sip, where…

The emphasis on avoiding regrazing originates from a perception that regrazing is bad for the survival and productivity of palatable perennial grasses. However, the effect of regrazing of palatable grasses depends on whether grazing was selective or non-selective. Under selective grazing, where only the palatable grasses are eaten, regrazing leads to decreased productivity, whereas the unpalatable neighbours increase in productivity, leading to shifts in grassland composition from dominance by palatable grasses to dominance by unpalatable grasses (rangeland degradation). By contrast, under non-selective grazing, palatable perennial grasses become very competitive when both they and their unpalatable neighbours are repeatedly regrazed. Themeda triandra (red grass) can increase greatly under focused non-selective grazing. In fact, in a trial, this palatable species eliminated unpalatable grasses, showing the strong competitive strategy of red grass under…