Innholdsfortegnelse for 10+17 October 2025 i Farmer's Weekly

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport recently hosted its Women in Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain Empowerment Conference 2025, for which Farmer's Weekly was a media partner. I think to many it seemed like an odd choice for us, as we are an agricultural publication, and logistics seems fairly far removed from the industry that we represent. But the truth is that logistics is the backbone of all industries and sectors, including agriculture, and the sector will not survive without a reliable and trustworthy road network and logistics. The journey of a single crop, from seed to shelf, is entirely dependent on logistics. The seed that farmers buy in, the inputs they use to grow their crops and ultimately the harvested crops that they send out for processing or…

At the Vinpro Regional Information Session held near Worcester in the Western Cape, experts highlighted the urgent need for farmers to adapt to climate change and embrace sustainability to remain competitive and resilient. The Western Cape is already feeling the impacts of climate change, with more extreme weather and shifts in rainfall patterns, said Prof Stephanie Midgley, specialist scientist for climate change research at the provincial Department of Agriculture. She said the province's varied topography made it difficult to predict exact local impacts, but western areas were expected to become drier, while average minimum and maximum temperatures could rise. In some regions, rainfall may remain stable or even increase, but spread over longer periods, while cycles of wet and dry seasons might shorten. “Where we previously might have had a…

The South African blueberry export sector is currently experiencing heightened challenges arising from macroeconomic developments, most notably in its evolving trade relationship with the US, writes Zama Sangweni, an agricultural economist at Absa AgriBusiness. In the period following “Liberation Day” this year, the US announced the imposition of a 30% tariff on all South African exports. While framed as a response to a perceived trade imbalance rather than a formal tariff policy, the measure, which came into effect on 9 August 2025, has generated significant concern across agricultural value chains. The principal risks are associated with margin compression and the potential erosion of market share. High-value commodities such as citrus, table grapes, and nuts are particularly exposed, given their relatively high export orientation toward the US market. INDIA PRESENTS ATTRACTIVE…

Riversdale Piggery, located outside Riversdale in the Western Cape, officially went into production in 2020. It is collectively owned by Number Two Piggeries, an agricultural holding company primarily involved in the pork and dairy industries, and Jireh Foods, which owns several diversified farms and a dairy in the Riversdale area. Jireh approached Number Two Piggeries with a mutually beneficial proposal: Number Two could provide piglets to Jireh, which they could grow out using highly nutritious whey produced during the cheesemaking process at Jireh's dairy. This means Number Two has an additional market for their piglets, and Jireh can turn whey – a waste product – into a money-spinner. BEING ABLE TO UTILISE THE DAIRY'S WASTE PRODUCT IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS A PIGGERY IS FEASIBLE Jan Streicher, manager at…

Pig farmers face an increasingly difficult balancing act; feed costs remain high, performance margins are slim, and pressure is mounting to reduce antibiotic use and nitrogen emissions. Yet, many feeding strategies still rely on broad formulas with theoretic nutritional values, not taking into account the vast variations that can occur between feed batches. The result is varying feed conversion ratios, and pigs whose immune systems are left to falter during times of high stress. “There is a better way to feed pigs, one that is more precise, cost-effective, and built around real, digestible nutrients, not just crude protein numbers,” says independent swine nutritionist JD Mostert. He explains that by focusing on digestible amino acids instead of crude protein, producers can reduce waste, improve gut health, and unlock stronger performance in…

Showmanship is much more than a title – it is a lifestyle. The experience, advice and the opportunity to benchmark will make a lasting impact on your farming business, says Jannie Kotzé from De Panne Angus Stud. “Winning the most prestige title in the agricultural showring is much more than displaying your best animal. It takes a mixture of hard work and genetics, determination and humbleness to benefit from the experience.” He knows what it takes as he is an icon in the showring. He took the reins from his father (Paul) to honour his passion for animals. Paul played an integral part in the success of the Swartland Show as its convener for years, a role which Kotzé currently fulfills as the convener of the show's beef section. De…

VEA Stud Breeders, near Bonnievale in the Western Cape, made headlines in May when they bought Next Level (762-22-1427) for R2,3 million from Lukas and Abraham Burger of Griekwastad, Northern Cape. The sale followed Next Level's crowning as eight-tooth world champion at the Boer Goat Breeders’ Society's biennial world championships during the Bloem Show. While some might consider R2,3 million an excessive price for a Boer goat, William Smit, general manager of VEA Stud Breeders, sees it as a strategic investment in the stud, which was registered only last year. As the name suggests, Smit believes Next Level will elevate their breeding programme: “Next Level is as close to the perfect Boer goat that one can find. “He is not only impressive in appearance, with exceptional colour, a long, broad…

Recent research has found that pen riders are better than technology at flagging signs of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in feedlot cattle, according to an article by Canadian Cattlemen. Katrina Garneau, of the Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Western College of Veterinary Medicine in then Canada, said her research focused on BRD in feedlots and the role of pen riders. To conduct her research, she visited five different feedlots across Alberta and Saskatchewan, where she shadowed pen riders as they worked. The pen riders were asked follow-up questions when they pulled a sick animal from the herd. The animals were pulled when they showed clinical symptoms of the disease, such as nasal discharge. The riders also considered body posture and head carriage. Garneau used the Whisper device to get a…

Dear Prof McCrindle, Which are the most dangerous diseases in Boer goats in spring? We live in Gauteng and have a smallholding with 250 goats. The weaners are being fattened for sale, but I think they need to be vaccinated. Should those that have just kidded also be vaccinated? Which vaccines? Which parasites must be controlled? Goat Farmer, Gauteng Dear Goat Farmer, In spring, the most dangerous viral diseases are bluetongue (which is carried by midges) and sometimes Rift Valley fever (which is carried by mosquitoes). Bacterial diseases include enterotoxaemia (pulpy kidney) and tetanus. Vaccines are available to prevent all these diseases and should therefore be used now, according to directions. Spring temperatures facilitate the multiplication of many different types of ticks as well as flies and mosquitoes. These parasites carry infectious…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. This article was first published by The Conversation. Read the original at bit.ly/3VpO90n. “South Africa's Eastern Cape province has several million hectares of open land in rural areas, not privately owned but held in trust by the state on behalf of communities. The people who live there use it mainly for grazing livestock, subsistence farming and sometimes hunting. A common misperception is that the grassy, rolling hills will take care of themselves. But these rangelands degrade for many reasons, making them unusable for the small-scale and landless farmers who need communal land for their animals. Agricultural scholar Mhlangabezi Slayi researches practical ways of preserving rangeland ecosystems so that farmers can continue to graze livestock…

Here are tips on getting started in rabbit farming. Marketing and housing are covered in this article. Whether you decide to farm rabbits commercially for meat, wool or pelts, lesson one is to know your market. There are buyers for all the various products, but much needs to be done before it is finally sold. In the case of meat production, ask yourself who will slaughter your rabbits and market the carcasses. Also, how close are your markets and how many animals must be produced to warrant a trip to the abattoir? Once you have a market, look for a second and even third. This precaution will save much anguish should your principal market be lost. In any event, hunting for other markets often leads to more lucrative or secure…

South Africa's maize and soya bean farmers should expect lower prices in the medium term as commodity prices are expected to soften. Favourable weather conditions and strong demand prospects are however, expected to cushion the impact, according to Absa's AgriTrends Spring edition. The 2024/25 production season brought a notable rebound in maize output. Favourable weather conditions lifted white maize production by 27% and yellow maize by 7% compared with the previous season, pushing South Africa's total crop above 15 million tons. This meant South Africa would exceed domestic demand. Despite the larger harvest, prices on the South African Futures Exchange (SAFEX) have not fallen back to export parity levels. Going forward, maize prices are expected to decline. Absa forecasted that yellow maize will decline from R4 223/t in 2025 to…

South Africa's fruit industry celebrated its innovators and leaders at the Hortgro Awards 2025. According to a press statement, Michelle van der Spuy of Landbou.com received the Izithelo Hortgro Media Award for outstanding reporting on issues facing the fruit industry, including export logistics, market access and economic pressures. Logistics pioneer Johan Strydom received the Daan Strydom Science and Technical Award for a lifetime of contributions that improved cold chain management, containerisation and export technologies, which in turn increased industry competitiveness. The Hortgro Transformation Award went to La Vouere Stone Fruit, belonging to a partnership between Raymond and Mary Koopstad of LaVouere, who have a 60% stake, and Verdun Estates’ Georgie Hewitt, Peter Wolfaardt and Johan du Plessis. The partnership, according to the statement, has demonstrated how trust, a shared vision…

The recent launch of the second edition of the cross-incubation programme in agrotechnology, Maitri 2.0, will strengthen the agricultural innovation partnership between India and Brazil, according to TV BRICS. Prensa Latina, a partner of TV BRICS, said that the initiative served as a two-way learning platform between India and Brazil, encouraging collaboration and the exchange of vital and relevant knowledge. At the launch, Dr Mangi Lal Jat, India's secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, said that commercialisation extends beyond generating revenue, and emphasised the need to deliver publicly funded innovations directly to end users. TV BRICS reported that Jat described Maitri 2.0 as “a platform for co-creation between Indian and Brazilian innovators”. He also reiterated the commitment to build a “stronger, more innovative, and inclusive agri-food ecosystem…

Employers engage individuals under various arrangements, but misclassifying employees as independent contractors can result in serious legal and financial consequences. Under South African labour law, classification depends on the true nature and substance of the working relationship, and not the contract's wording. KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE IS VITAL By law, an employee is defined as any person, other than an independent contractor, who works for another person (or the state) and receives or is entitled to receive remuneration, including any other person who assists in any manner to carry out or conduct the employer's business. INCORRECT CLASSIFICATION BY EMPLOYERS MAY RESULT IN LEGAL LIABILITIES AND PENALTIES This arrangement reflects an employeremployee relationship, where the individual is incorporated into the business structure and performs services under the employer's direction and control. The…

Pig farming in South Africa is undergoing a profound transformation. Once driven almost entirely by efficiency and productivity, the sector is increasingly shaped by consumer expectations, international trade requirements and ethical debates around animal welfare. Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, Dr Arnold Kanengoni, a veterinarian in porcine health at the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Veterinary Science, says pig welfare has become central to how the industry operates. “Pig welfare is no longer a side conversation. It is central to how the industry operates, how farmers access markets and how consumers make purchasing decisions,” he explains. South Africa's pork industry is significant. With more than 1,6 million pigs slaughtered annually, it contributes over R7 billion to the agricultural economy. While the country is self-sufficient in pork production, it operates in a…

In the 30 or so years that I have been a florist, I cannot count the number of times that one of my clients have said to me: “I don't need a lot of flowers; just fill the arrangement with greenery.” What people don't realise is that good-quality in-demand greenery can fetch the same price, and at certain times of the year even more, than some of the in-demand flowers on the Multiflora Flower Market auction. Welma Viljoen, owner of Mobjadi Farm, supplies the flower market with various types of greenery almost on a daily basis. I wanted to find out from her if greenery farmers face the same obstacles as flower farmers, who have surprisingly high electricity and other input costs. Mobjadi, which means to grow or to cultivate,…

Pocket Guide: Birds Of Botswana by Dominic Rollinson (Struik Nature, R270) The problem with reviewing books is they give you ideas. This one made me want to fly north or, at the very least, jump behind the wheel and drive to Botswana. From Durban in my beloved Jimny would have been a test of my determination, although certainly not impossible. Botswana is home to about 600 bird species, and Rollinson's compact, 407-page guide covers about 360 of the most conspicuous and frequently seen of those species. It also directs you to the most bird-frequented areas in the introduction. Species are allocated a double page each, with a description and habitat details, plus clearly reproduced, well-coloured photographs. Tick-listers will particularly appreciate careful comparisons such as between the greater and lesser flamingo. The…

As the G20 agriculture ministers convene in the Western Cape, the global spotlight is once again on food security, trade, and sustainability. These discussions are not just diplomatic formalities; they have real implications for South Africa's agribusiness sector, which continues to demonstrate resilience and potential amid global and domestic challenges. SHIFTS IN GLOBAL TRADE Recent shifts in global trade, such as the US's imposition of higher tariffs on Brazilian beef and new trade deals with Southeast Asian nations, are reshaping agricultural trade flows. These developments present both challenges and opportunities for South African exporters. With our competitive edge in high-value products like citrus, wine, and red meat, South Africa is well positioned to fill emerging gaps in global supply chains, provided we can navigate tariff and non-tariff barriers in key…

The year 2025 will go down as one of the worst years in terms of grain quality. While the country is expected to deliver a bumper crop, concerns over the quality have put a damper on the year's performance. Drought at the start of the summer rainfall region's season, followed by excessive rain, reduced the quality of maize and sunflowers. Dirk Strydom, managing director of Nampo, told Farmer's Weekly that the lower quality meant that farmers were only able to sell 64% of the white maize crop as Grade 1, and faced large discounts on the rest of the crop. Asked whether he was concerned about the viability of farmers to survive such a setback, Strydom said that the discount would not be comfortable for any farmer to absorb. “There…

At the first Citrus Growers Development Indaba, speakers addressed transformation in the industry, and black farmers’ vision to account for 50% of all citrus exports by 2032. The Citizen's Enkosi Selane reports. Black citrus growers are driving a transformation ambition that aims to capture half of South Africa's citrus export market by 2032. They have so far contributed 19% to the industry, surpassing targets set by the Agricultural and Agro-processing Master Plan. However, financing remains the biggest obstacle to emerging farmers, according to industry leaders who spoke at the first Citrus Growers Development Indaba. The event brought together farmers, government officials, banks and development agencies to address transformation challenges in the citrus sector. The event was also the first dedicated platform for black citrus farmers to collectively strategise their future…

THE UNITED STATES The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced US$3,38 million (about R58,33 million) in grant funding to be awarded to three organisations through the Bison Production and Marketing Grant Program (BPMGP), Qualityassurancemag.com reported. The grant will be given to Mad Agriculture, the National Bison Association and the Flower Hill Institute, and aims to strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of bison and bison products in the US, Quality Assurance said. According to the USDA, this would be accomplished “through business and resource development and the advancement of innovative approaches to solving long-term needs in the bison sector”. The BPMGP award recipients “will implement a competitive subaward programme that will fund and support projects that address problems across the bison industry”, the USDA explained. COLOMBIA Domestic demand for…

Many of our communal farmers reside in the former homeland regions and it's a concerning reality that many food- or fodder-producing croplands have been largely depleted of nutrients over time. Monocropping of grains such as maize year in and out has resulted in soil nutrient shortfalls that make production increasingly challenging. Rural communities have long recognised the value of animal manure as a natural fertiliser for croplands. However, effectively collecting, treating, storing, and utilising manure requires organisation, planning, and a collective approach. By combining animal manure with kitchen scraps and leaf sweepings or grass cuttings, rural communities can create nutrient-rich compost that enhances soil fertility and promotes sustainable agriculture. Organising for manure collection and composting involves some important factors: Community engagement: gather local farmers, livestock owners, and residents to discuss…

The Mastersons run their farming enterprise near Oyster Bay in the Eastern Cape's Humansdorp district. Their Milagro Simmentaler stud was started in 2004, while the Angus stud was started in 2009. “We enjoy the competitive aspect of participating in shows and showing gives any breeder the opportunity to compare his best animals with the best from other herds. Showing provides the ideal opportunity for networking with fellow breeders and potential customers and the marketing benefits of being successful in the show ring cannot be underestimated,” Andrew Masterson explains. He adds that while social media has provided the opportunity for breeders to ‘show’ their cattle through photos that can be manipulated, it cannot compare with actual showing. “Many breeders have Facebook champions, but I would encourage them to experience the exposure…

In the past, the Swiegers family was unable to produce any livestock on the rugged northern slopes of their farm, Witrivier, near Meiringspoort in the Groot Karoo, because of nenta succulents that grow there. These succulents poison any livestock that dare to eat it. Giel Swiegers, third generation on the farm, explains that when eaten, the toxins in the plant attack the muscular and nervous systems of an animal, causing tremors, weakness and death if animals are not treated in time. Fifteen years ago, however, Swiegers's father, Guillaume, came up with the idea to keep Boer goats in these areas. The experiment was a huge success. They had to treat one or two of the goats for poisoning at the start, but after that, never had problems again. “Boer goats…

The order in which the greenery is arranged on the trolleys at the flower market, including stating any defects on the greenery, is the farmer's responsibility. This is then coded in by Multiflora Flower Market and reflects on the screen during the flower auction. Some of the defects that should be noted include marks on the leaves, crooked or thin stems, and any type of bacteria or pests. If the farmer sends greenery in an order that does nor correspond to the way the buckets are arranged on the trolley, the staff at Multiflora have to recode the item during the auction, causing a delay. The farmer is fined each time this occurs. The grading of the product is also done by the farmer. The auctioneers check the trolleys of…