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Wool industry opens the door for accurate carbon reporting

A new peer-reviewed study has found that wool production is not as carbon-intensive as believed and could help curb global...

Mark Hook leads revival of Boran, Nkone cattle societies in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean farmer Mark Hook has revived dormant Boran and Nkone cattle societies, growing registered herds from a handful to thousands....

FMD vaccine rollout criticised as industry questions years of inaction

Metropolitan empowers small business owners

Pest control operator rule eased for certain restricted agri remedies

FMD suspected in Humansdorp amid worsening drought

FMD spreads across Eswatini, livestock sales suspended

Foot-and-mouth disease breaks out in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe dairy industry regains momentum

SA farmers await fair compensation for land losses in Zimbabwe

US tariffs tarnish trees and tinsel

Small-scale farmers put electric tractors to the test in pilot project

EU pork producers reeling from China’s anti-dumping duties

‘Urgent action needed to protect farmworkers from heat stress’ – WHO

Managing ascites in broilers starts with prevention

Ascites is one of the most economically damaging conditions in broiler production. It often becomes visible late in the production cycle but starts much earlier, and once clinical signs appear, there is no treatment, thus producers must remain vigilant.

Weaner to grower: piggery turns waste into profit

Disease outbreaks, high maintenance costs and a fluctuating market remain constant risks for piggeries. As a result, farmers may experience losses and production delays. Jan Streicher, manager of the Riversdale Piggery, spoke to Henning Naudé about maintaining profitability through strict biosecurity measures and an efficient feed programme that capitalises on a waste product.

Boer goats: Resilient animals thriving even on hostile terrain

Giel Swiegers’s Boer goats aren’t the farm’s main income, but by grazing once-unused slopes, they play a vital role in keeping his farm, Witrivier, resilient and productive.

Reliable market access is key to expanding South African goose farming

Modern goose farming faces several challenges, including competition from cheaper poultry alternatives like chicken, declining demand for products such as feathers, and ethical concerns surrounding practices like force-feeding to produce foie gras.

Beauty, genetics, growth: Building an Ankole cattle enterprise in SA

Ankole genetics were introduced into South Africa by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2004 after he visited Uganda. In 2016, farmers had the chance to buy offspring from the imported embryos to test their viability. Early investor Nico Lerm speaks about how he has since expanded his herd.

Deep dive into SA’s Merino wool industry and the luxury textile market

South African Merino wool thrives in global luxury markets thanks to centuries of selective breeding, environmental stewardship, evolving export systems, and increasingly transparent and technology-driven supply chains. We take a look at the local industry.

Crops

Malawi tobacco farmers reap rewards, but challenges remain

Malawi had a bumper tobacco year in 2025, selling more than 221 000t, up 66% year-on-year. Farmer’s Weekly spoke to the country’s Tobacco Commission and a local farmer about the industry.

How perseverance turned a bookshop owner into Zimbabwe’s top tobacco farmer

Zimbabwean tobacco farmer Denford Mutwiwa has built a large-scale commercial operation by treating farming as a business, using contract funding and renewable energy to overcome limited bank support and unreliable power supply.

Capsicum pubescens: the very different chilli pepper

This species is grossly underrated, most probably due to climatic restrictions as to where it can be grown, writes Bill Kerr.

Flower to freight: an inside look at commercial litchi production

Local litchi producers compete with Madagascar and Mauritius during the counter-seasonal summer harvest. To meet global demand, production chains must stay efficient, says Jaco Henery, production manager at Komati Fruits, who explains how they manage their harvest for exports.

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TopFruit: pioneering stone fruit varieties for every season

TopFruit provides South African producers with stone fruit varieties that meet specific market demands. Our selection spans the entire growing season and includes cultivars with varying chilling requirements, ensuring adaptability across different climates and production conditions.

Sound advice from a fourth-generation sugar cane grower

Sugar cane farmer Pratish Sharma shares his practical insights with Octavia Avesca Spandiel on aspects like soil health, pests, irrigation, harvesting, and industry rules, offering useful guidance for anyone entering South Africa’s highly regulated sugar industry.

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HOW TO LIVESTOCK

How to show off your animals in a show ring

Andrew and Colette Masterson run an expanded farming concern on the farm Milagro in the Humansdorp district. Their farm includes,...

Recognising the value of manure and organic waste

Bearing in mind the inhibiting cost of commercial synthetic fertilisers to communal farmers, Shane Brody highlights the significant benefits of...

HOW TO CROP

Can regenerative agriculture provide an income stream?

Willem van der Westhuizen, business development manager at Orizon Agriculture, speaks to Zunel van Eeden about what regenerative agriculture entails,...

The integrated pest management journey

Martin Booyens, InteliGro’s biological solutions technical specialist, spoke at the Bio-Alliance SA-Brazil 2025 Conference in Pretoria, hosted by the South...

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AGRIBUSINESS

Commercial beekeeping: managing swarms and logistics

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Agrico’s support makes commercial farming in Botswana possible

Handling of livestock as part of training on a practical farm

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FNB signals optimism for the year ahead

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Driving water efficiency across South African farms

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Case IH makes ownership easier with competitive finance offers

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New Holland unveils the Braud 8.50L for faster, gentler grape harvesting

Vicar technology: sure bet for faster and smarter spraying

EMPOWERMENT

The pressure on veterinary care in South African agriculture

Changing lives in farming communities

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Metropolitan Collective Shapers empowers SA’s youth entrepreneurs

A haven for children to learn about farming

OPINION

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Future-proofed 5G connectivity for mines, hospitals, and hotels

Poor mobile signal in 2026 isn’t just inconvenient—it’s costly. Mines, hospitals, and hotels face safety, clinical, and revenue risks, while proactive organisations stay in control with reliable connectivity.

HILLBILLY HOMES

Farm shop with food and entertainment

Jonno designs a farm shop that includes a shisa nyama/braai area; an entertainment hall/restaurant, a car wash and filling station.

AGRITOURISM

An Arctic adventure where the hunt continues, but on the ice...

Brian Berkman says a luxury icebreaker expedition offers South Africans an extraordinary alternative to their traditional June holidays.

RECIPES

Pigs in a blanket in a sweet glaze – Serves four

Juicy pork sausages wrapped in crispy bacon and coated in a sweet, sticky glaze. Simple to make and perfect as a tasty side or party favourite, served hot from the oven.

Orange-glazed apple-stuffed pork fillet with balsamic baby onions on the side

Perfect for a Christmas table, this orange-glazed pork fillet is stuffed with apple, wrapped in crispy bacon and served with glossy balsamic baby onions.

Festive gammon with ginger, garlic & citrus glaze – serves 10 to 12

Slow-simmered in a fragrant, savoury stock and finished with a light honey, soy and orange glaze, this festive gammon is tender, flavour-packed and perfectly balanced for a special celebration meal.

Mini festive fruit & nut cakes

Packed with cranberries, figs, and warming spices, these mini Christmas cakes are naturally sweetened, nutty, and perfect for gifting or enjoying with a festive cup of tea.

Holiday cheer cake

An easy, joyous cake full of flavour and holiday spirit-perfect for sharing with loved ones.

Videos

FMD update: Kobus Bester on the impact of foot-and-mouth disease on...

South Africa’s National FMD Strategy: Key points under discussion

From the classroom to the global stage: Dr Hlamalani Ngwenya’s agricultural...

2026 Agricultural Policy Priorities – EP 31

SA’s Soya: A Rising Star! – EP 30

farmer’s weekly

South Africa’s leading English agricultural publication has served the sector for more than 113 years. Trusted by farmers as a source of advice, inspiration and the latest agri news. Farmer’s Weekly caters for established commercial, smallholder and emerging farmers, as well as the agribusiness sector and focuses on helping them achieve their objectives. Farmer’s Weekly seeks to motivate and inspire the country’s producers, as well as to promote the interests of a sustainable agriculture sector, both online and in print.

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