News
The Simmentaler advantage in Southern Africa
3+ day, 23+ hour ago (836+ words) For more than 60 years, the Simmentaler has played a structured, performance-driven role in Southern African beef production. Jamie Berger, general manager of the Simmentaler Cattle Breeders" Society of South Africa, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the breed"s performance,…...
Struggling with no-till? Cover crops could be the answer
4+ day, 20+ hour ago (1152+ words) Soil coverage and living root maintenance are vital for successful conservation agriculture. However, a study has revealed that farmers find these aspects the most challenging when converting to no-tillage practices. Agronomist Dr Hendrik Smith discusses best practices. Conservation agriculture (CA)…...
University of Pretoria equips 90 farmers to access formal markets
5+ day, 23+ hour ago (490+ words) Ninety small-scale livestock farmers from North West and Limpopo have completed a targeted development programme aimed at improving herd health, productivity and access to formal markets, in an initiative led by the University of Pretoria (UP) and funded by Sibanye…...
Top genetics and prices at the Bona Bona Platinum Auction
1+ week, 1+ day ago (310+ words) Buyers, bidders, sellers, and guests from across South Africa attended the ninth annual Bona Bona Platinum Auction in March, one of the country's premier wildlife events, held at the Bona Bona Game Lodge near Wolmaransstad, North West. The Bona Bona…...
Pork producers count the cost of ASF, FMD outbreaks
1+ week, 1+ day ago (823+ words) The unprecedented outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever in the South African pork industry have placed immense pressure on affected producers, with thousands of pigs culled and entire herds lost. While recent regulatory changes and additional slaughter capacity…...
Dorper production built on genetics, adaptability and disciplined management
1+ week, 2+ day ago (1769+ words) Ashley Phillips, a Dorper farmer in Tarkastad in the Eastern Cape, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about genetics, production systems, nutrition, breeding efficiency and the economics of sheep farming. On the edge of the Karoo, where rainfall is unpredictable and…...
Young farmer proves broiler margins are made in the management
1+ week, 3+ day ago (1797+ words) Attention to detail and work ethic have earned Gerrit Maritz the title of AgriCulture Gauteng's Young Farmer of the Year 2025. He runs a poultry operation producing 4,5 million broilers per year in Magaliesberg, Gauteng. He shared his lessons on keeping margins…...
Conserve soil to preserve life
1+ week, 5+ day ago (1015+ words) In early March, the Department of Agriculture held the "Transforming Farming: Sustainable Regenerative Agriculture" conference at Witpoort farm in Klerksdorp, where experts highlighted the importance of soil health and shared practical insights to help emerging farmers invest in regenerative practices....
BYD Shark bakkie lacks the stamina for all-day hunting
1+ week, 5+ day ago (626+ words) The BYD Shark is the fastest production bakkie in South Africa, but its battery needs some mindful management before taking down its rivals, writes The Citizen's Jaco van der Merwe. When the Shark's 29,58kWh lithium iron phosphate battery is charged, the…...
Water comes first for Woolworths’ fresh produce suppliers
1+ week, 5+ day ago (755+ words) A new PhD study offers a rare independent evaluation of Woolworths South Africa's Farming for the Future programme, revealing how the retailer's fresh produce suppliers are making clear gains in environmental sustainability, with irrigation and water management improvements leading the…...