Table of contents for 10+17 April 2026 in Farmer's Weekly

Every now and then, I like to indulge in my passion for horses. And no better time is the horse focus that we include once or twice a year. A few years ago, I wrote an article on the transition from draught animals to mechanical labour for the Farmer's Weekly 110-year special edition. With technology excelling at such a rapid pace, and ‘artificial intelligence’ and ‘precision farming’ being the buzzwords of the day, it felt like a good time to revisit that article and to summarise the evolution from horses to tractors. First and foremost, it must be noted that the transition from horses and oxen to mechanical traction was not an overnight revolution, but a decades-long debate rooted in economic survival. Although petrol-powered tractors hit the market in the…

Livestock farmers in South Africa are experiencing the worst outbreak of foot-andmouth disease (FMD) the country has ever seen. It's officially a national disaster. Export bans, trade restrictions, and animal losses are wreaking havoc on the industry. It's fair to say the effects are most severe for smallholder farmers who have limited access to capital and safety nets and who produce food largely for their own households and local markets. The latest outbreak is not an isolated event; it unfolded in a context already strained by floods, rising input costs, and unstable access to land, water, and essential services. On their own, each shock might be manageable. Together, they show just how vulnerable rural livelihoods are to extreme weather, disease, and other setbacks. Of course, government must strengthen disease management…

Livestock is one of South Africa's top export opportunities but also the subsector most exposed to biosecurity risks, making investment in animal health a macroeconomic priority. AgriSA's Annual Trade Report 2025, released in March, showed beef exports grew 53% between 2021 and 2024 before falling 13% in 2025 to R3,1 billion due to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Lamb exports rose 677% between 2021 and 2025 to R1,16 billion, driven by improved access to Middle Eastern markets, favourable exchange rates, and a stronger product reputation. Lamb exports have largely been shielded from FMD, but biosecurity breaches persist and the Iran conflict could weigh on performance. Dr Frikkie Maré, CEO of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, told Farmer's Weekly that before the FMD outbreak, South Africa exported live sheep to the Middle East.…

Most South African cannabis operations are running six-to-eight week veg cycles when they could flip to flower at four weeks and hit the same canopy size. I've watched growers waste two weeks per cycle, adding 15% to 20% to electricity costs and reducing annual harvest frequency, all because they're following outdated timelines instead of managing structural development. The standard advice says vegetate for 60 days before flowering. Every extra day in veg is electricity, labour, and facility overhead with zero revenue generation. I've worked with three facilities that cut veg from 56 days to between 28 and 35 days without sacrificing final yield. The difference was understanding what determines flip readiness, and optimising for speed. WHAT DETERMINES READINESS Plants are ready for flowering when they've developed sufficient branching structure, not…

From the dry plains of the Karoo to the sourveld of the Highveld, Tuli cattle are proving their value as one of South Africa's most adaptable beef breeds. At Gouwsberg Tuli Stud, situated near Bronkhorstspruit in Gauteng, Werner Gouws combines veld-based selection, performance testing, and practical management to breed cattle that deliver under real farming conditions. For decades, the emphasis was on maximising output under controlled conditions – higher weaning weights, faster growth, larger frames. But, in a production environment now shaped by climate variability, rising feed costs and increasing disease pressure, that model is being tested. Today, consistency, adaptability and efficiency are emerging as the more reliable drivers of profitability. From the arid expanses of the Karoo to the sourveld of the Highveld and the mixed grazing systems of…

With irrigation using at least 60% of South Africa's water, efficient irrigation system design is no longer optional. In a water-scarce country, the future of farming depends on how precisely every drop is applied. INSUFFICIENT RAINFALL South African agriculture operates under a simple but unforgiving reality – water is limited and becoming more so. With an average annual rainfall of around 495mm, well below the global average, most countries fall into arid and semi-arid zones. Critically, about 65% of South Africa does not receive sufficient rainfall to support dryland cropping, making irrigation essential for reliable production. At the same time, irrigation is the dominant water user in the country. It accounts for between 51% and 63% of total national water use, with widely accepted estimates placing it at around 62%.…

South African farmers are often disappointed in the work rates of spray drones compared with theoretical figures. Anroé Steyn, sales manager at AfriAir, explains that manufacturers typically quote maximum rates under ideal conditions, while real-world operations are affected by multiple factors. For example, a DJI T100 drone can fly for eight to 10 minutes before requiring a battery swap and tank refill. A trained operator can change a battery in 30 to 40 seconds, while refilling takes one to two minutes. Field layout and terrain also affect performance. Work slows in fields with obstacles such as trees or power lines, irregular shapes, small blocks, or long distances from refill stations. Hilly terrain and orchards further reduce efficiency. Wind is another limiting factor. “Speed should be reduced in windy conditions, and…

SERVES TWO TO FOUR INGREDIENTS FOR THE AMASI MARINADE 3 garlic cloves, crushed 15ml (1 Tbsp) mild curry powder 250ml (1 cup) amasi 500g ostrich steaks FOR THE PESTO Handful mint + extra Handful coriander + extra Juice of 1 lemon 30ml (2 Tbsp) chopped pineapple + extra 30ml (2 Tbsp) chopped peach + extra ½ avocado, chopped + extra 50g cashew nuts 45ml (3 Tbsp) avocado or olive oil + extra Salt and pepper TO SERVE 5ml (1 tsp) cornflour Chilli flakes, to sprinkle METHOD • For the marinade, combine all the ingredients. Marinate the steaks in the fridge for at least one hour or up to six hours. • For the pesto, blitz together all the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. • Heat a frying pan on…

Dear Prof McCrindle, Can the prickly-pear cactus plant be used to feed cattle and goats? We own a farm near the Karoo in the Western Cape and these plants grow everywhere in the veld. Kind regards, Emile Dear Emile, Yes, prickly pears (specifically spineless varieties) are an excellent, highly digestible, and nutritious alternative feed for livestock like cattle and sheep, especially in arid regions. The prickly pear (Opuntia genus in the cactus family Cactacea) was officially declared a weed or noxious plant in South Africa as its thorns are dangerous for both humans and animals. It was apparently imported from Mexico or South America into the Western Cape about 300 years ago as a natural form of fencing to deter carnivorous animals and thieves from entering homesteads. Over time, some…

They are highly nutritious, not fattening, and produce good yields when grown under the right conditions. Potatoes are the world's largest horticultural crop, and the most important. But does the potato have a place in your vegetable gar den? The answer usually depends on the size of the garden den. To produce a family's potato requirements would take up quite a lot of space be cause it's a vegetable more often than not used very regularly. Even so, in spring after the popular vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, beans and lettuce have been sown and planted, there may be some space for planting potatoes to provide the family with ‘new’ potatoes around Christmas time. Intercropping between rows and other space-saving techniques can certainly influence gardeners to grow a few…

The US–Israeli war on Iran could heavily impact South African agricultural exports. While South Africa's recordbreaking agricultural trade performance in 2025 is a boon for the economy, it highlights farmers’ exposure to volatile global conditions. In 2025, agricultural exports reached R266,2 billion, up 8,8% year-on-year, while imports rose to R141,6 billion, producing a trade surplus of R124,6 billion, up 16,4% y/y. AgriSA's Annual Trade Report 2025, released last month, analysed local agricultural trade performance from 2021 to 2025. It showed that around half of production is exported, leaving farmers highly exposed to global conditions. In the past five years, the sector faced headwinds from COVID-19, the Ukraine war, the European Green Deal, US tariffs, and now the Iran conflict. Dr Mmatlou Kalaba, a senior analyst at the Bureau for Food…

Africa will need to produce significantly more food in the coming decades to feed its growing population, yet yields across much of the continent remain far below global averages, with seed innovation increasingly expected to close this gap. This was a key messages from speakers during session at the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Congress, held recently in Cape Town, Western Cape, where experts highlighted how innovation is expanding beyond genetics to include advanced treatments, digital tools, and farmer-driven solutions. Session moderator Nick Goble, a former AFSTA president, pointed out that Africa's population is expected to expand by 40% by 2050, while yields in many regions continue to lag behind global averages. For example, maize yields in the US average 10t/ha to 12t/ha, compared with just 2t/ha to 3t/ha in…

Please tell us about yourself, your background, experience in judging, and involvement in breeding. I have been involved with horses my entire life and have over the years focused on various breeds with the purpose of breeding quality competition and show horses. My family has had a stud, Rasheeq Arabians, for 35 years. I was a competitive child and junior rider, competing in Open Classes showing horses, and also in dressage. As a young adult, I actively pursued judging and have worked as an Open Class showing judge for the South African Showing Association (SASA) for the last 14 years. I am currently an international showing judge for SASA and am also a senior level Arabian judge. In terms of breeding, I have over the years bred purebred Arabians, Welsh…

Whereas the S90 is a sedan in the most conventional sense, the ES90's official designation isn't as clear-cut. Appearing sedanlike, but with a fastback appearance, it boasts SUV-levels of ground clearance. What's more, the electric motor is mounted on the rear axle, making the ES90 the first rear-wheel drive Volvo to be offered locally in decades. Joining the EX90 – a real SUV – in riding on the 800-volt Scalable Production Architecture (SPA2), the ES90 arrives with a choice of three trim levels; Core, Plus and Ultra. SINGLE ELECTRIC MOTOR Residing at the rear, the 92kWh battery pack powers a single electric motor capable of 245kW/480Nm. In terms of performance, the ES90 will get from zero to 100km/h in 6,6s and hit a limited top speed of 180km/h. Along with…

Benni by Benni McCarthy with Mark Gleeson (Macmillan, R360) One of South Africa's soccer legends, McCarthy has attracted a dream team to help put together his memoir. Co-writer is the eminent Mark Gleeson, an iconic sports journalist and a fan favourite on SuperSport. The editor is Andy Capostagno, another supremo in both sports writing and broadcasting. The spirited dash of extra flavour comes from no less than a fascinating foreword from José Mourinho, the inspiring coach who shaped McCarthy's overseas career at a crucial point. This heartfelt memoir takes McCarthy from boyhood on the Cape Flats and fleshes out how soccer was a saving grace for him. It's a great celebration of how he broke free from the apparent predetermined fate of a lad from the Cape Flats. What he doesn't…

In a previous column, the question was asked whether the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the US military was the first domino to fall in US President Donald Trump's second term. That was in early January 2026. The impact of the Venezuela operation completely overshadowed the usually dominant World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as well as its recognised and authoritative Global Risk Report. Matters such as the US's push to gain control over Greenland, as well as references to a possible regime change in Cuba, confused global perspectives on the second Trump administration. GLOBAL TENSIONS RISE Negotiations continued between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, as well as with the leadership of Iran, with strong US influence in these meetings. Towards the end of…

The African Industrial Hemp Fibre Processing for Commercialisation Conference explored how standards, policy, and value chain development could help transform the continent's hemp industry into a commercially viable sector Delegates shared insights on hemp cultivation, processing, product development, and market access, highlighting the crucial role of standardisation and regulatory clarity in fostering industrial growth. BUILDING MARKET CREDIBILITY Speaking at the conference, Dr Sadhvir Bissoon, head of standards at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), said standards underpin industrial growth and innovation. “Standards are critical for the dissemination of new technologies and for supporting industrialisation objectives,” he explained. “They provide technical specifications that policymakers, regulators, and publicsector entities can reference to achieve sustainable development. This ensures that we don't have to reinvent the wheel.” Bissoon highlighted certification as key to…

For much of 2025, global oil markets finally appeared to be settling into a steadier rhythm after two years of intense volatility. Brent crude oil prices, which had been trending upwards through the disruptions of 2022 and 2023, began a slow but steady retreat. This has been at the back of a combination of slowing global demand, rising inventories, and shifting OPEC+ production strategies. In January 2025, crude prices increased notably when the US imposed sanctions on vessels linked to Russia and Iran, serving as a reminder that negative geopolitical shocks remain a downside risk for oil-importing economies. But the early price increase was short-lived. As February progressed, the market began adjusting to softer global demand conditions. Concerns about slowing economic activity in major consuming regions gradually pulled prices lower,…

Small beginnings grow into a lifelong farming vocation When Anne Cooke married in 1996 and relocated to her husband's farm, she soon realised that she had a passion for farming. Her husband, Kevin, suggested to her that they buy 20 Tuli-cross heifers and a bull. Cooke, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Herd Book and the Tuli Cattle Federation of Southern Africa, says that what started as a way to keep her busy grew into a lifelong vocation, and the birth of her Zimbo Tuli Stud. The Tuli, indigenous to Zimbabwe, thrives in the country's harsh environment. According to Cooke, there are currently 2 800 registered animals in Zimbabwe, and 26 breeders. Cooke says her husband was the manager at Dunottar Farm in Harare South when they got married. Their herd of…

M ost little girls go through a pony phase at some stage. Most outgrow it. Some never do. Lindi Donaldson's love for ponies never died, and rubbed off on her husband Digby. The duo have now been involved in breeding tiny powerhouse ponies for over four decades. Based in Magaliesberg, North West, the couple run Tipuana, a boutique stud operation focused on breeding top-quality pure- and part-bred Welsh ponies. The Donaldsons specialise in the traditional Welsh Mountain Pony, or Section A, which only stands at a maximum of 122cm at the whither (12 hh). They have, however, bred Section B and Section C Welsh ponies in the past, as well as Welsh Cobs and part-bred Welsh ponies over the years. “We've always liked ponies,” Lindi says recalling how the stud…

As freshwater scarcity drives the agriculture sector towards the reuse of municipal wastewater, new research from Johns Hopkins University, published in Environmental Science and Technology, clarifies how edible crops process trace psychoactive pharmaceuticals. The study focused on four common medications (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, amitriptyline, and fluoxetine) found in treated water. The team investigated how plants like tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce metabolise these agents. Their central finding was that plants predominantly store these chemicals and their by-products in their leaves rather than their edible fruits or roots. In tomatoes, the concentration in leaves was more than 200 times higher than in the fruit. In carrots, leaves held seven times the levels found in the roots. This distribution is driven by the plant's internal water transport. Unlike animals, “plants don't have a well-developed…