Table of contents for 24 April + 1 May 2026 in Farmer's Weekly

In the traditional agricultural calendar, the farmer’s fortune is a hostage to fortune. Success is dictated by the caprice of the clouds and the cold volatility of global commodity markets. Whether it is the price of wool in Gqeberha or the demand for beef in China, the primary producer often finds themselves at the end of a very long and unstable tether. However, a new paradigm is emerging across the South African platteland, one that suggests sustainability isn’t just about soil carbon or environmental product declarations; it is about the social, historical, and cultural capital that keeps a rural community alive when the rain doesn’t fall. Farmers’ profit margins have been shrinking significantly in recent years. With the steep increase in the price of fuel we witnessed at the beginning…

Entries are now open for the 2026 KZN Toyota Kwanalu Young Farmer of the Year competition, which recognises the strength and diversity of young farmers across KwaZulu-Natal. Each year, the competition highlights a new generation of farmers who are not only producing food, but actively shaping the future of agriculture through innovation, sound management and strong community engagement. “The competition is not only about recognising excellence, but about ensuring that the future of agriculture remains strong, sustainable and led by capable hands,” says Kwanalu CEO, Sandy La Marque. Recent winners reflect the calibre of young farmers emerging across the province. In 2025, Creighton dairy farmer Dale Hutton was recognised for his data-driven, resource-efficient approach, integrating technology and sustainability into his operation. In 2024, Mooi River Beefmaster cattle and maize farmer…

South Africa’s agriculture has had a mixed experience in the first quarter of 2026. We see both positive and negative developments that continue to shape the operating conditions for farming businesses. On the negative side, foot-and-mouth disease remains a major challenge for the livestock industry. The procurement of vaccines and their distribution to various regions is ongoing but requires greater momentum, as many areas of the country are under financial strain. The disease has also led to the temporary closure of various export markets and added further financial strain on farming businesses. Another new event adding additional pressure to the sector is the Middle East war. The shocks of the war are reflected in higher input costs and the disruptions they create in export markets. South Africa imports roughly 80%…

Speakers at the African Seed Trade Association Congress in Cape Town warned that counterfeit seed is a growing threat to agricultural productivity, farmer livelihoods, and food security across Africa. David Kliplagat, general manager at Simlaw Seeds, said counterfeit inputs were undermining both farm performance and confidence in the seed sector. He cited research showing that up to 30% of seed and fertiliser in Kenya may be counterfeit, with losses previously estimated at about US$80 million (about R1,3 billion) annually by the Overseas Development Institute. He said the fight against counterfeit inputs is fundamentally about consumer assurance. “Farmers must get exactly what they pay for: seed that delivers on yield, quality, and resilience. Fake products undermine that trust.” The practice also weakens the business environment by reducing company revenues, damaging brand…

Results from a survey among grain farmers, released at the recent Grain SA Congress, showed that grain farmers’ confidence has decreased sharply since 2025, the main reasons being higher input prices and depressed product prices. GRAIN PRICES UNDER PRESSURE The global supply of grains is expected to increase from 2025 to 2026 at faster than long-term rates. This, combined with lower demand growth caused by slower global economic growth, resulted in lower international grain and oilseed prices. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation’s cereal price index dropped from a 2022 average of 154 to 108 in February 2026. International commentators expect that grain and oilseed prices will remain at current levels for the rest of 2026. Lower international prices are reflected in South African grain and oilseed…

AFRIKANER The Jannie Visagie Afrikaner Stud was established in 2017. Visagie focuses on breeding for improved growth and milk production and, over the years he has sourced some of the best bulls available to achieve this objective. The herd is well known for outstanding growth performance. A group of bull calves from the stud recently excelled in the Christiana Beef feedlot, achieving the highest average growth there. The stud consistently produces high weaning weights and strong post-weaning growth. The female animals display sound constitution, excellent milk production, and good fertility. JEV23150 excelled in his growth test. He originates from a fertile maternal line and boasts impressive breeding value indices of 105 for milk, 129 for direct weaning growth, and 123 for post-weaning growth. He represents the modern Afrikaner breed very…

While Balgowan Beef Company’s (Co) farm-to-fork route to market is the exception rather than the rule, their circumstances are all too familiar. As first-generation farmers, access to land remains a major hurdle, and limited capital has meant leasing land rather than buying. Land available for rent is seldom in prime condition, and typically requires significant investment in supplementary feed to sustain a productive beef operation, a cost that can quickly erode profitability. Yet, through a different approach, Balgowan Beef Co in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands has shown that building a viable beef business on such land need not come at the expense of profitability. Farmer Justin Crawford has bucked the norm, implementing regenerative agriculture practices to boost the veld to the extent that 90ha of natural grass is sufficient to feed…

Single site range The single site range celebrates the best-quality grapes to be found on an estate. From grape to glass, the process is characterised by minimum-intervention winemaking and letting the vineyard communicate the uniqueness of its site, history, and careful cultivation. These wines are made in tiny volumes and only released if the bottled wine proves to be exceptional. Pieter de Waal reports. Bergsteen Chenin Blanc 2023 R500pb A single, low-trellised vineyard planted in 2006 high up against the Badsberg Mountain (at 365m above sea level this is the highest vineyard on the estate) in a combination of clay and shale soil. Grapes are hand-picked and allowed to ferment at their own pace before being transferred to older 500l oak barrels. On the nose it shows exotic fruits like…

Dear Prof McCrindle, We like to ride endurance, but all our riding horses have footrot and also irritated fetlocks because it is so wet and muddy, and they are also lame. We would like to start training them for endurance riding at this time of year, but it’s so wet that their hooves sink into the mud. Is there anything we can do to keep them sound? Kind regards, Tommy Dear Tommy, There are several things that need to be understood when getting horses fit in wet weather. Horse riding and carriage driving was an accepted method of transport in the UK and Europe, where the rainfall is always high and muddy roads are common. The ancestors of our working horses survived these conditions, and methods were developed to keep…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. Abeeb Babatunde Omotoso is a senior lecturer at Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology in Igboora, Nigeria, and a senior research associate at North-West University. Abiodun Olusola Omotayo is an associate professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the US. This article was first published by The Conversation. To read the original, visit bit.ly/41cBG34. “Agriculture is the backbone of Africa’s economy. It provides livelihoods for over 70% of the rural population and contributes to national food security and economic development. For most rural households, farming is not just a source of income and sustenance. It also provides cultural identity and social stability. Over the past two decades, however, rural Africa has…

A University of Cape Town doctoral study in chemical engineering has found that confectionery waste has strong potential as a feedstock for bioenergy production while supporting waste reduction and resource efficiency. The PhD study by Dr Carol Ngwenya investigated whether carbohydrate-rich confectionery waste can be repurposed for renewable bioenergy production instead of being disposed of in a landfill. She evaluated the feasibility of producing bioethanol, biobutanol and biogas from confectionery waste using different microbial systems. The findings demonstrated that these waste streams can be successfully converted into bioenergy, with process optimisation and microbial acclimatisation improving substrate utilisation and energy production. Ngwenya’s research was motivated by the urgent need to develop a sustainable bio-based economy to support South Africa’s social and economic growth. “National science and innovation strategies, such as South…

South Africa’s fresh produce markets have entered 2026 with notable shifts in supply and pricing across key vegetables. February saw strong consumer demand supporting firmer prices for several commodities, despite mixed volume trends influenced by seasonal production patterns and regional trade developments. This piece provides a concise overview of recent movements in cabbage, carrot, onion, potato, and tomato markets. CABBAGES Cabbage prices strengthened notably from January to February, supported by improved consumer demand throughout most of February. Average monthly prices increased from R2 016/t in January to R3 052/t in February. This upward momentum continued into the first week of March, with prices rising a further 31% (see Graph 1), despite a 10,1% decline in average monthly volumes supplied. On a year-to-year basis, average prices were 26,8% higher, while annual…

South African agriculture contributes just below 3% to the gross domestic product (GDP), about 6% to employment, and roughly 10% to exports. While the share of agriculture in GDP has declined, the absolute value of the sector has grown fivefold since 1994. This can be attributed to a clear policy framework adopted in 1996 that promoted free markets, open trade, and inclusive agricultural growth underpinned by strict biosecurity on animal and plant diseases and pests. About 42% of the country’s agricultural value-add is generated from animal production. FARMERS’ LOSSES In recent years, the animal industry has been constrained by the frequent outbreaks of trade-impairing diseases such as listeriosis in pigs, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle, sheep and goats, as well as avian influenza in poultry, amongst others. These animal diseases…

Farmers across the Western Cape have increasingly adopted conservation agriculture practices such as no-tillage and zero-tillage to improve soil health, reduce costs, and conserve soil moisture. While these systems offer many benefits, long-term trials have shown that they may also introduce new challenges when they are practised over extended periods (more than 10 years). A recent study conducted at the Langgewens Research Farm in the Swartland region examined how different tillage systems influence wheat and canola production under dryland conditions. The results suggest that occasional or rotational tillage may provide a practical middle ground between intensive conventional tillage and continuous no-till systems. WHY TILLAGE STILL MATTERS Conservation tillage systems, particularly no-tillage and zero-tillage, have been widely promoted for their ability to improve soil structure, reduce erosion, enhance water use efficiency,…

Aesthetically, the Across is not an evolution of the Grand Vitara, but a brand-new model despite using the same Suzuki-developed Global C platform as its sibling. Longer and wider, the Indian-built five-seat Across is more spacious, with between 333l and 347l of boot space and a ground clearance of 210mm. At first glance, the Across cuts a distinct figure with a deep lower-air intake, rugged wheel arch cladding and a faux front skidplate underneath the bumper. GOOD-LOOKING RIDE All models are equipped with LED headlights, and roof rails being standard on the range-topping GLX. At the same time, the latter rides on 17″ machined alloy wheels whereas the entry-level GL has imitation, or what Suzuki calls ‘painted’ wheels, of the same size. Compared to the Aston Martin DBX and Alfa…

Global populations of migratory freshwater fish have fallen by about 81% since 1970, according to a new report by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. These fish, which depend on long, continuous river systems to move between spawning, feeding, and nursery habitats, are now among the world’s most threatened. The assessment identified 325 fish species that require international conservation action, pointing to a largely overlooked biodiversity crisis. Fish that migrate across borders are especially at risk, as dam construction, habitat fragmentation, pollution, overfishing, and climate-related changes disrupt river connectivity. Freshwater species are declining faster than those on land or in the sea, yet they receive far less global attention. Most of the identified species are found in Asia (205), followed by South America (55), Europe…

Goats are more economical than cows. Throughout much of Africa, goats are kept for their milk because they are cheaper to feed than cows. The quality of the milk is excellent and the keeping of goats for milk should be encouraged. Tropical breeds include the Anglo-Nubian, which is mainly roan and white in colour, and has long legs and lopped ears. The animal is usually polled; the adult female weighs 60kg to 75kg and can produce 1ℓ to 2ℓ of milk/day. Another tropical breed is the Jamnapari, a cross between the Indian Jamnapari and the Egyptian Nubian. This animal can be white, black, or fawn in colour. The ears are large and lopped. Females have a mass of 45kg to 60kg, are horned, and may produce 1ℓ to 1,5ℓ of milk/day.…

Distance learning giant, the University of South Africa (UNISA), is expanding its veterinary health offering to include the full veterinary qualification. UNISA will welcome its first group of 50 aspiring veterinarians in 2030 at a new purpose-built vet school near Bronkhorstspruit, Tshwane. Prof Ntanganedzeni Mapholi, acting executive dean of UNISA’s College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, told Farmer's Weekly that the new course offering is a response to the dire shortage of veterinarians in the country. “The University of Pretoria was historically the only university producing veterinarians, and many of those vets are emigrating, so however many veterinarians you train in a year, not all of them are staying in the country,” she explained. THE INTENTION IS FOR THE SCHOOL TO SERVE FELLOW SADC COUNTRIES AND THE REST OF AFRICA…

With rising farming costs, small-scale poultry keepers are increasingly seeking affordable, resilient, protein-rich feeds that reduce expenses while maintaining bird health. Five plants often reported to deliver strong results are amaranth, azolla, tree collard, comfrey, and moringa. Each has a distinct nutritional profile, propagation method, and management requirement. Used correctly, they can replace a meaningful portion of commercial mash, supply micronutrients, and strengthen forage systems, though none should be fed exclusively. At the outset, note that azolla (a type of water fern) is considered invasive in some regions, and research suggests its propagation may be restricted or illegal. Before attempting to grow or use it, consult your local nursery or agricultural department to determine whether indigenous or approved varieties may be cultivated, and under what conditions. THE FIVE PLANTS Amaranth…

South Africa’s agriculture sector often relies on seasonal and temporary labour, especially during peak farming periods. With school holidays creating opportunities for teenagers to seek part-time work, farm owners must understand certain key parts of the legal framework that governs the employment of minors. A child/minor is defined as anyone in South Africa under the age of 18. Sectoral Determination 13 (SD 13), issued under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA – No. 75 of 1997), provides the primary laws for employment within the agriculture sector. SCHOOL-LEAVING AGE SD 13 expressly prohibits the employment of any child/minor under the age of 15, or younger than the compulsory school leaving age, where that age is higher in terms of other legislation. Currently in South Africa, children must attend schooling until…

Visiting fellow farmers on other continents is high on the agenda for any farmer. This is where cross-pollination of ideas happen – in the field on another farm. The group of South African farmers who went on a sunflower tour in Argentina with Syngenta Seeds also visited a sunflower farmer, Robbie Cameron from Cameron Hnos S.A. on the coastal belt near Necochea-Quequén, to discuss and compare sunflower production strategies and methods. The Camerons cultivate maize, sunflowers, soya beans, cereals as well as fodder crops such as buckwheat and malting barley in a rotation system. The farming enterprise has evolved from a focus on commodity crops, to a provider of high value-added crops. The family’s history combines tradition and innovation with an international vision and a strong commitment to rural life.…

Most but not all crab spiders belong to the family Thomisidae. They use their ability to blend into the natural world not only to ambush, kill and feed on insects, but also to minimise the chances of becoming prey to predators like various bird species. FLOWER CRAB SPIDERS Some crab spiders can match the colour of their exoskeleton with the colour of specific flowers. This renders them almost invisible on floral ambush sites from where they target pollinators like bees, flies, and wasps. The crab spider’s ability to manipulate its colour is a process known as crypsis and is regulated through the activation of two layers of specialised cells in the exoskeleton. An upper layer of cells ensures the actual change in colour, while a lower layer of cells acts…

Don’t automatically reach for a presentation bouquet this Mother’s Day – think about a floral tribute that will last. Just out is Disperis Orchids of South Africa, a glorious coffee-table celebration of indigenous orchids published by the Flora & Fauna Publications Trust (R950; floratrust.co.za/books-indigenous-flora/). It showcases 32 known South African Disperis orchids, found in precious habitats from forests to grasslands. More than 450 photographs feature in the book, all drawn from the collection by Herbert Stärker, a Viennese banker with a passion for botanical photography. Orchid enthusiast Gavin McDonald, who recently retired as assistant professor of nature conservation at the Mangosuthu University of Technology, wrote the book’s text. Here are five of his key words: 1. Inheritance. My mother was a keen gardener and floral artist, so we grew up…