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.

We don't need more talk; we need action

Farmer's Weekly

EU agri rules are stifling small-scale farmers in SA, and government isn't helping • While South Africa must pursue strategic compliance with the EU's various phytosanitary regulations, the interests of the country and those of its emerging farmers must not be marginalised in the process, writes Ayanda Sakhile Zulu, intern at the Free Market Foundation.

Animal production basics

In memoriam

Fight fire with flow: step-by-step strategy

Hard work pays off for small-scale farmer

FMD biosecurity: a fundamental shift from reactive containment to proactive prevention

NEWS WRAP

Study backs port privatisation to boost South Africa's trade and efficiency • A new study by Link Supply Chain Management reveals that port privatisation across Africa has significantly boosted efficiency, investment, and trade competitiveness. The research urges South Africa to fast-track similar reforms at its ports. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports.

FDA approves virus-resistant gene-edited pig

ARC urges zero-waste veg crops in marginal areas

Stellenbosch University animal abuse investigation

Madikwe elephant neglect damned in Parliament

Agri-Expo shows go from strength to strength

Award-winning young farmer credits ‘teamwork’

Illegal sand mining is crippling sugar cane farmers

Tractor delivery boosts mechanisation, productivity

Foot-and-mouth outbreak is pushing meat prices up • In this week's column, Absa AgriBusiness considers the dynamics in the livestock industry to explore what price trends could look like in the months ahead.

Livestock sector in crisis (again) • Various foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks over the past few months have put the South African beef industry in a quandary. This will further escalate unless government starts governing, writes Dr Koos Coetzee.

Vital livestock injection and sterility knowledge • To keep your livestock healthy and disease-free, it's essential to adhere to sterile procedures and proper techniques when administering injections, writes Shane Brody.

Alcohol: under the influence vs testing positive • The concept of being under the influence in the workplace involves more than just a positive breathalyser reading, as labour law considers several additional factors, writes Christoff Pretorius.

Tough decisions needed to sustain agricultural growth • In the face of severe budget contraints in the public sector and more pressing priorities on National Treasury's plate, policy practitioners may need some innovative financial models, writes Dr Sifiso Ntombela.

The unmatched hybrid vigour of the Boran • Known as the mother cow of Africa, the Boran has been developed over more than 1 000 years to provide modern farmers with a hardy, cost-effective animal. Sabrina Dean spoke to Gerrit Potgieter from Komga in the Eastern Cape, a council member of the Boran Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa who oversees the society's marketing portfolio, to find out more about the breed.

The Boran advantage • Quentin de Bruyn, who farms cattle in the eastern Free State, has spent over 15 years refining his beef production system around the Boran. He spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how the Boran's resilience, fertility, and low input needs are reshaping commercial beef production in South Africa.

New Boran stud off to a great start • The...