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.

A spotlight on farm attacks and rural crime

Farmer's Weekly

Black mambas: heavy metal pollution detectors • According to researchers, toxic material builds up in snake scales, and thus black mambas can be good indicators of heavy metal pollution. Zoologist Cormac Price speaks about some of their findings.

Basic sheep production • 10 to 12 December, Groenkloof, Pretoria

Township women in waste management logistics for climate change awareness

Planting hope – one tree at a time

Kolbroek – the unique local pig breed

Ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas Gaza conflict will have more than just a regional impact

Steady improvements in port logistics bode well for the agriculture sector

NEWS WRAP

Advancing real-time data collection in South African agriculture • Dr Mahlane Godfrey Kgatle, Research Coordination Manager at Grain South Africa, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how the Information Hub at Innovation Africa, University of Pretoria, is transforming agricultural research through real-time data integration and collaboration across disciplines.

Stellenbosch University confirms sheep suffocation incident and ‘corrective actions’ • Ethical animal research training will in future be mandatory at Stellenbosch University to prevent a repeat of cruel treatment of sheep during an animal feed study. Jeanne van der Merwe reports.

Adapting to the Climate Change Act: how agro-processing SMEs can build resilience • Wynand Deyzel, commercial sales manager at Solenco, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about how the Act is shaping the operational durability of small to medium-sized agricultural enterprises and the role of indoor air management in adapting to climate impacts.

Disregard for law at the heart of SA’s FMD crisis

Carrying the costs of unrealistic climate adaptation

KWV shines at Veritas Awards with top accolades

Absa Top 10 Olive Oils announced after tastings

SA bags landmark stone-fruit trade deal with China

Vegetable prices fluctuating at the start of summer • Zama Sangweni explores how the five key vegetable commodities of cabbages, carrots, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes performed at the end of September, and the market conditions that can be expected in future.

Understanding sheep breeding specifics • Shane Brody explains some of the complexities of pairing compatible rams and ewes in the breeding process to ensure the consistent production of quality meat and wool.

Co-operation needed to build a resilient food system • From governments and international organisations to farmers, researchers, businesses, and consumers, including the youth, everyone has a role to play in shaping the transformation of agrifood systems of the world, says Dr Sifiso Ntombela.

How to deal delicately with insubordination • Disobedience or the willful refusal to obey an employer’s legitimate instruction is a serious offence, but as Hannes Latsky explains, the disciplinary procedure is not so straightforward.

FOCUS ON FARM SECURITY

Farm watches take charge of rural safety • With rural crime on the rise and police resources stretched thin, farm watches across South Africa are stepping up to protect farming communities. These volunteer-led safety networks are preventing millions in losses, deterring criminal activity and helping police solve major crimes, proving that when farmers unite, the benefits ripple far beyond the farm gate. Lindi...