Farmer's Weekly

Farmer’s Weekly is an agricultural magazine based in South Africa, targeting the whole of Southern Africa. The magazine is committed to advancing the interests of the region’s farmers and its agricultural industry by serving as a mouthpiece for the industry and by keeping its readers informed of the latest developments in the agricultural sector.

Women making a mark in agriculture

Farmer's Weekly

Strategies to prevent water contamination of food • Decades of South African research reveal key blueprints to reduce water contamination in fruit and vegetables. Loandi Richter-Mouton and Lise Korsten of the University of Pretoria share some of their counter-measures.

Taking charge of your cattle’s nutrition • 25 to 27 September, George

Spinach by another name

Employment equity targets a missed opportunity

SA citrus industry remains resilient amid EU import decline

NEWS WRAP

Research confirms Karoo lamb as better option

Growing demand for meat as global incomes rise

Rising living costs hitting South Africans hard

Global trade slows down amid policy uncertainty

Investment opportunities in sustainable agriculture • A recently released report in partnership with the Western Cape government focuses extensively on the benefits of alternative energy systems to farmers. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Spanish court sets precedent in ruling on ‘industrial livestock harm’

Mexican tomatoes face 17% tariff

World in brief

Grains value chain round table Q3 update • The Grains Value Chain Round Table is driving inclusive growth in South Africa’s grain sector through progress in trade, infrastructure, transformation, research and policy, supporting farmers and advancing the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports.

Evaluating the efficacy of plant-enhancing products in seed production • The Bee-Tech Group is trialling 11 plant-enhancing products to assess their impact on pollen quality, an overlooked yet vital indicator of seed production and crop resilience under climate stress. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports.

Oil price – what the projections are for the next few months • Armed conflict in the Middle East, where a significant part of the world’s oil is produced, highlights the uncertainty around political and military dynamics within this region, according to Absa AgriBusiness.

Why the FMD crisis will not have a lasting effect on beef prices • Consumers already suffering from higher prices for items like communication, electricity, rates and taxes cannot afford to pay more for beef, says Dr Koos Coetzee.

Responsible ways to keep CLA at bay rather safe than sorry • This chronic bacterial disease predominantly affects goats and sheep, but as Shane Brody writes, the risks can be minimised with responsible preventative and treatment measures by farmers.

Worker bonuses: what employers should know • Contrarary to belief by some workers, employers are actually not legally obliged to pay year-end bonuses to their staff. To avoid any misconceptions between the parties, Meyer Louw suggests an upfront approach.

We need in-depth research on land and agriculture policy • With the regulatory environment remaining constant for the past three decades and showing limited changes, Dr Sifiso Ntombela believes there are burning issues that policy researchers should address.

Maximising tyre performance • Farmers often underestimate the value of using premium-quality tyres in good condition. Willouw Goosen, Bridgestone’s development manager of Agri, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about common mistakes farmers make that negatively impact tyre performance.

NEW TYRE TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA

FOCUS ON WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE

Making a mark on...