Innehållsförteckning för 2 + 9 January 2026 från Farmer's Weekly

The South African Cane Growers’ Association is urgently campaigning to address an unprecedented surge in subsidised sugar imports that is severely damaging the local industry and threatening rural livelihoods – see story on page 15. ‘Not many people realise the size of demand in the informal economy, particularly for meat and vegetables’ – GG Alcock, business adviser, author, and leading advocate of kasinomics, on the importance of the informal sector and the opportunities it presents to farmers (pages 16 to 17). ‘Ports are the first point of entry for many agricultural commodities, but inefficiencies, outdated systems, and poor infrastructure turn them into bottlenecks’ – Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB Commercial, on the barriers holding back agricultural trade in Africa (pg 19). ‘When infrastructure matches ambition, rural communities can…

The South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) Academy, a training organisation that promotes animal, environmental, and public health in the pig industry through knowledge transfer, recently hosted a mini development symposium in Pretoria. The event included an afternoon of meaningful dialogue, strategic learning, and leadership exchange, effectively bridging academic insight with real-world industry innovation. It also served as the closing ceremony for the academy's two flagship development programmes: the Supervisory Leadership Development Programme, and the Business Skills and Enterprise Development Programme, both presented in collaboration with the Stellenbosch Business School's Executive Development division. SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT A key focus of the event was acknowledging small businesses and emphasising the importance of ongoing education under the theme ‘I Matter’. Entrepreneur Retshidisitswe Mfekere, affectionately known as Coach, shared his…

Rising input costs and tightening margins mean every machinery purchase must work harder than ever. For many farmers, previously owned equipment offers a cost-effective route to maintaining efficiency, provided the purchase is made with clear intent and careful evaluation. According to Western Cape farm equipment broker Debbie Smit, the decision to buy new or second-hand hinges on a farmer's needs, the demands of their operation, and whether newer technology will provide a meaningful return. “Farmers typically operate in five-year machinery cycles, replacing key equipment once it reaches the 2 000-hour to 3 000-hour mark, which means many used machines on the market fall within this age range. Five-year-old technology is still more than capable of keeping farmers efficient and precise,” Smit explains. With precision tools central to financial viability, farmers…

Soil health refers to the soil's ongoing ability to function as a vital, living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. This is how Dr Hendrik Smith, the Agricultural Writers SA's Agriculturist of the Year 2025, and conservation agriculture facilitator for the Conservation Agriculture Farmer Innovation Programme (CAFIP) housed at Asset Research, defines it. “Healthy soil gives us clean air and water, bountiful crops and forests, productive grazing lands, diverse wildlife, and beautiful landscapes,” he says. Based on this definition, it is clear that healthy soil underpins the resilience and sustainability of plants, animals, and people alike. Soil performs this role through five essential functions. • Regulating water Soil determines where rain, snowmelt, and irrigation water go – whether it flows over the surface or infiltrates into the ground; •…

When Zelda Greyling first set foot on Frans Stapelberg's farm outside Marble Hall in Limpopo in 2019, Wagyu cattle were the last thing on her mind. At the time, Greyling was one of South Africa's leading forensic fire investigators, working across the continent for major insurance companies. She had been dispatched to Limpopo to investigate a blaze that destroyed Stapelberg's feed barn. What she did not know then was that this seemingly routine case would redirect her career, reshape her farming enterprise, and ultimately position her as one of South Africa's rising Wagyu producers. It was during that farm visit that Greyling encountered Mitzi, a striking young Akaushi (red Wagyu) cow with exceptional breeding values that define the breed. For Greyling, it was love at first sight. Stapelberg, then the…

RADISSON RED HOTEL Contrary to the naysayers, the Gautrain has proven to be a boon for Rosebank. The area used to be renowned for its purple-rinse grannies, but they've made way for a younger, hipper, more diverse generation and big-name businesses such as Anglo American, De Beers and Coca-Cola. That change is reflected in the ethos and aesthetic – let's call it ‘funky-corporate’ – of the Radisson Red Johannesburg Rosebank. It's part of the global Radisson Hotel Group, with hotels from Sandton and Cape Town to Amsterdam, Istanbul and Shanghai. The colour red is used cleverly throughout the establishment, without feeling like you're trapped in red-alert mode. Thanks to its window looking out on the increasing development of the suburb, our Standard Room, with king-size bed, desk, coffee/tea facility, bathroom…

ACROSS 1. Any plant of the Plantago genus (8) 5. Climbing plant with bristly leaves and tendrils, and long cylindrical fruits used as a salad vegetable (8) 9. Unicellular, asexual reproductive body (5) 10. Of wine, matured by storing for a period (4) 11. Expressions peculiar to a language (6) 12. Fully cloud-covered (8) 14. Find and take back (8) 17. Zone of the earth in which life is possible (9) 19. Windblown loamy deposit of river valleys (5) 21. Desiccated (5) 22. Making reparation for (7) 23. Moist (prefix) (5) 25. Place where water flows from the ground; a spring (5) 27. Cape _________ is also known as Cape Spurfowl (9) 29. Laughable (8) 32. Sanitary; germ-free (8) 33. World's largest rainforest (6) 34. Orang ____ (4) 35. Break…

I am a 67-year-old farmer residing on a farm near Harding in KwaZulu-Natal. I was sadly widowed three years ago. I am actively involved on the farm and enjoy playing golf and bowls at our local club. I look forward to hearing from you. ALL YOURS, 9480 I am a 50-year-old woman who loves gardening, nature, travelling, magazines and dogs. I have no kids and never married. I don't drink or smoke. I am looking for a partner who is full of life, loving and kind, respectful and willing to do this life with me. CALM AND COLLECTED GIRL I am a small white lady, 54 years old, and attractive. I enjoy a wide variety of activities, including horse riding. I hope to meet a financially secure ‘old school’ gentleman.…

The agriculture sector is continuously confronted with numerous challenges forcing farmers to embrace change. Many farmers are facing a pivotal moment as these challenges put increased pressure on them to reduce their environmental impact, while having to maintain productivity and remain sustainable in an increasingly competitive global market. This constant need to adapt to mitigate challenges and manage risks puts the agriculture sector at the centre of technology development. The use of technology enables farmers to increase efficiency, improve yields, reduce waste, and remain profitable. In the process, the use of technology is also reshaping the agricultural landscape. Mechanisation has had a profound impact on farming practices and tractors have become indispensable on many farms. Tractors are divided into categories including utility, row crop, orchard, and track tractors based on…

Agriculture has always been notorious for its volatility with commodity prices swinging wildly between seasons. In such an environment, risk management has become key to ensuring sustainability. This is where financial tools such as forward contracts and commodity futures can assist. Though often associated with speculators and investors, these instruments are in fact powerful tools for producers themselves, offering ways to shift and manage risk. There has long been a tendency to lump together forward contracts and future contracts. This confusion is largely driven by a lack of understanding about the mechanics of these derivative products. There are fundamental differences between these, and both offer distinct advantages and risks to farmers. Understanding these differences is essential for producers who want to use them effectively. FORWARD CONTRACTS A forward contract is…

Indigenous black cattle was mentioned by the explorer Vasco da Gama in 1497 after he reached the southern tip of Africa. History has it that he apparently purchased an ox from local traders and was quite impressed by the meat quality. As commercial cattle farming in the Cape colony increased after the arrival of the Dutch in 1652, Governor Willem Adriaan Van der Stel imported black Groninger bulls in the early 1700s. His objective was to cross the dual-purpose Groninger with indigenous cattle. Groningen cattle, also known as Blaarkop, are typically black in colour with a white head and belly. The breed's ancestry can be traced to the Middle Ages. It has been mentioned in literature as early as the 14th century. The Groningen originated in what is now the…

‘The Mountain Lad’ Origin: Japan The Myth of Hoori and Toyotama-hime (‘Mountain-Luck Lad and Sea-Luck Lad’), was recorded in the Kojiki (712 BC) and Nihon Shoki (720 BC). It is one of the oldest and most important Japanese myths explaining the origin of wet-rice agriculture, and is still honoured today. The legend goes that long ago, there were two brothers: Umi-sachi-hiko (‘Sea-Luck Lad’), the elder brother and a fisherman, and Yama-sachi-hiko (‘Mountain-Luck Lad), also called Hoori, whom was the younger brother and a hunter. They were the sons of Ninigi, the grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu who had descended to earth. One day, the brothers decided to swap tools for a day. Hoori thus took his brother's fishhook to fish, but lost it at sea. Umi-sachi-hiko was furious and…

Dear Jonno, We love your renditions in Farmer's Weekly, and now have the privilege of asking you to create our own dream cottage. We need something small and comfortable for family, friends, and visiting weekenders. We are surrounded by timber farms here and want to build the cottage purely out of wood, on stilts, to keep the floors dry. In some way it is an acknowledgment to the foresters and their efforts. We want two bedrooms, and just one toilet/shower room, plus a small kitchenette and lounge. Kind regards, Fernando Dear Fernando, Shown is a layout that I believe would suit your ‘weekenders’, small and comfy. Changing the size slightly will not affect general costs dramatically. As can be seen, the entire cottage is of timber construction, even the roof! The…

Madam: Impossible by Stephen Francis & Rico; What Else Can Go Wrong? by Zapiro (both Jacana, R240 each) It's time to laugh out the old year and laugh in the new with stalwarts Stephen Francis & Rico and their Madam & Eve annual 2025, Madam: Impossible, and Zapiro with his landmark 30th annual edition, What Else Could Go Wrong? The Madam & Eve title sequence is delightful, and family characters are drawn ingeniously into other contemporary South African scenarios, such as Thandi's adopt-a-pothole scheme, Eve as the new ambassador to the US, and Gogo's updated version of The Wizard Of Oz. The apparent expropriation of everything from time and good moods, to tyres and comrades is wryly mocked, while Putin keeping up to date on Madam & Eve and the…

The telephone jangled in 74 Squadron's hut at the forward fighter base at Manston in Kent, England. Squadron leader Sailor Malan grabbed the phone, listened, put it down gently and ordered: “Let's go!” It was a ‘scramble’, and the 12 Spitfires were airborne within minutes. “Shipping being attacked off Dover, strong enemy presence to be found!” crackled the aircraft radios. Malan led the squadron over North Foreland into the sun and towards the English Channel before looping around and diving towards Dover. “Well, well, well, there they are! Sections Green and Blue cut some cake! The rest follow me to the top to look after the cover!” Six Spitfires screamed towards the Stuka dive bombers while the other six flew into the German ME 109s at an alarming rate up…

Online The Feed and Nutrition Course aims to give the student a better understanding of the basic nutritional requirement of cattle. The course aims to assist farmers by offering information on the feeding and breeding of cattle, praparing cattle for market, and also focusing on different stages of development. The balancing of rations is also covered, and students will be supplied with nutritional tables. Phone Rothman Livestock Training Services on 064 506 0720, email admin@rltsafrica.com, or visit rltsafrica.com. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 5 TO 6 JANUARY International Conference on Forestry Food and Sustainable Agriculture, Johannesburg. Email info@iaarresearch.com. 30 JANUARY International Conference on Agroecosystem Transitions and Ecological Indicators, Johannesburg. Email Nathan Vincent at info@isit.org.in. 9 FEBRUARY International Conference on Ecosystem Restoration in Agricultural Regions, Johannesburg. Email Akash Shinde at team@sciencecite.com. COURSES…

Coenie Snyman, winemaker and founder of Rock of Eye Wines, was named the 2025 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year for his Rock of Eye Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, while Marnich Aucamp, assistant winemaker at Stellenbosch Vineyards, won the Young Winemaker of the Year award for his Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc 2024 at a gala dinner near Kleinmond in the Western Cape. When asked what they attributed their success to, both winemakers jokingly answered “luck”, with Aucamp adding that the win reflected “everything coming together at the right time and in the right place”. Snyman, who previously won the award in 2009, told Farmer's Weekly that the accolade was especially meaningful as it recognised wine produced from Rock of Eye's very first vintage. He credited the win to a strong…

The growth of South Africa's fruit exports shows no signs of abating, while the market for the technology and infrastructure that supports the sorting, packing and transport of millions of tons of locally grown fresh produce from orchard to retail shelves is experiencing its own boom. South African citrus exports reached a new high this year, and has grown by more than 71% since 2015 (Farmer's Weekly, 24 November 2025). Deciduous fruit exports are also booming; apple exports increased by 47% between 2015 and 2024, pears by 53%, and cherries almost sixfold. Growth is expected to continue as new plantings come into production in coming years. Concurrently, a growing number of big farming operations have invested in their own packhouses and marketing capacity in order to gain more control over…

Which is best for farm efficiency: capital investments into machinery or a labour workforce? The answer is not clear cut as it depends on a host of factors, ranging from scale of production to type of farming to social considerations. In certain scenarios it is crucial to invest in the best machinery to remain competitive. Large-scale commercial grain farming is not viable with manual labour, for example. On the other hand, many fruit or vegetable production scenarios require human-based feel and judgement, such as selecting properly ripe fruit during harvest, for example, or planting a bulb to face in the correct direction. In cases of small-scale or seasonal operations, investment into machinery could turn into a liability if it fails to contribute enough to reach break-even point on the initial…

South African farmers are operating in one of the most volatile agricultural periods in recent memory. Erratic rainfall, rising input costs, shifting working windows and long-term soil degradation have created a production landscape where margins for error are increasingly small. Yet while most discussions focus on seed genetics, fertiliser programmes or climate models, one practical decision often determines whether these inputs succeed or fail: the choice and correct matching of farm implements to soil and production type. From tillage tools to planters, rippers, discs and strip-till units, implements are no longer merely mechanical attachments; they have become agronomic instruments that directly influence soil structure, water-use efficiency, fuel consumption and overall profitability. Dr Tingmin Yu, senior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), and Etienne Meyer, marketing manager at AFGRI Equipment,…

After nearly two decades in state-run agriculture, farmer Jolian du Preez walked away from job security to build an ostrich enterprise in one of South Africa's toughest farming regions. Today, his system blends strict management, drought resilience and a deep respect for industry standards. He produces feathers, meat and leather for an export-driven market. COURAGE TO STEP OUT ON HIS OWN Du Preez says leaving a government-linked agricultural job with predictable hours, a consistent salary and limited personal risk was not a decision many people would take lightly By 2016, he felt ready for a different future. “It was time. I wanted to farm for myself,” he says. With the help of a Land Bank loan, he then went on to purchase his farm in the Klein Karoo. This region…

When temperatures climb and the wind picks up, even well-managed fields, vineyards and orchards can start showing signs of stress. The instinct is often to “just add more water”, but during hot spells it's less about volume and more about timing and technique, says Christo van der Westhuizen, agronomist at Netafim Southern and East Africa. Different crops reach heat-stress thresholds at different temperatures, but all become more vulnerable when soil moisture drops, making well-timed irrigation essential. He explains that soil, depending on its type, depth and texture, has a limited water-holding capacity, almost like a glass. Once that ‘glass’ is full, any extra water simply runs off or drains too deeply to be useful. Worse still, over-irrigating can saturate the soil pores that normally hold air. Roots need that oxygen…

While the MG ZS Pro is the global replacement for the ageing ZS offering, with more space, tech and power, the Chinese-owned British marque will sell the two compact crossovers alongside each other locally. The ZS now represents an affordable option and the ZS Pro a more upmarket product. The twoderivative ZS Pro line-up starts with the Comfort at R397 600, which is R87 700 above the flagship ZS Luxury. In a big upgrade from the ZS, the Pro swaps out the 1,5ℓ naturally aspirated petrol engine for the same turbocharged 1,5ℓ mill that features in the mid-sized HS SUV. The result is 41kW more power and 125Nm more torque for a total of 125kW/275Nm. This is sent to the front wheels via CVT instead of the HS's seven-speed dual…

The increase in numbers of both the silverleaf cotoneaster (Cotoneaster pannosus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) on the 455ha farm of De Hoek has been nothing short of unnerving. This is especially so because both species have been listed as invasive and are endemic to central China and the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia, respectively. Their combined presence on a little farm in the Eastern Cape's highlands is maybe at best intriguing. THE SILVERLEAF COTONEASTER The silverleaf cotoneaster has spread over large parts of the world – including the US, Australia and South Africa – mainly due to its international popularity as an ornamental plant. Its spread in and around Barkly East was no doubt prompted by its addition to gardens, from where the plant ‘escaped’ into the mountains…