South Africa

Pannar Seed (Pannar) recently hosted its Extravaganza 2025 in Val, eastern Mpumalanga, during which agronomists and farmers discussed the pressing challenges facing the grains and oilseed industry.

The South African wine industry is working hard to position itself for a better future. This was the key message that emerged during a panel discussion hosted by South Africa Wine at the Farmer of the Year 2024 event.

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) continues its battle against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), with recent test results confirming further cases in the province.

The current African armyworm outbreak has reached historic proportions since first reported in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal on 15 February, according to Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager of CropLife South Africa.

A regenerative agriculture trial at Tygerhoek Experimental Farm near Riviersonderend in the Western Cape is yielding promising results in terms of soil health, according to Lisa Smorenburg, scientific technician at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, whom was offering an update on the project at the farm.

The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) has warned that South Africa may face catastrophic consequences without the vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Despite slightly lower rooibos tea crop expectations in 2025, the rooibos export market remains on an upward trend.

While the agriculture sector has become more prepared, the reintroduction of load-shedding on Saturday is driving up production costs.

The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture recently donated more than 300 sheep, including rams and ewes, to wool growers’ associations in the OR Tambo District as part of efforts to improve wool production and support farmers affected by recent disasters.

An outbreak of the African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) has been reported in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo, according to Roger Price, research team manager at the Agricultural Research Council, and Dr Godfrey Kgatle, research co-ordinator at Grain SA. The African armyworm feeds predominantly on grasses, but may also feed on grains, such as maize and millet.

In a first for democratic South Africa, the national budget speech was cancelled moments after it was due to be tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday 19 February.

Magic, a buffalo bull with 56-inch horns, was recently sold for R22 million at the Piet du Toit Wildlife Auction in North West. The bull was sold to four buyers.