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.
Make the most out of tough times
Farmer's Weekly
Rooftop solutions are vital for South Africa • Harnessing solar power and harvesting rainwater on Reconstruction and Development Programme house roofs can cut monthly household costs by more than 30%, improving food security and climate resilience for millions of low-income families, writes Mark Volmink, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of the Western Cape.
Pest control • 29 to 31 July, Groenkloof, Pretoria, and Cullinan
Eastern Cape entrepreneur turns ancient tradition into rural economic development
Black pigs continuing to bring home the bacon
SA farmers and agribusinesses are not in a positive mood
Tongaat Hulett narrowly escapes liquidation at the 11th hour • An 11th-hour agreement between business rescue practitioners, the Vision Consortium, and the IDC has saved Tongaat Hulett from liquidation, securing the future of over 17 500 dependent cane growers. Jyothi Laldas reports.
Wheat farmers left in the lurch as government rules out tariff changes • Government's rejection of wheat tariff changes leaves South African grain farmers facing severe financial distress, forcing many to sell their land, which threatens local food security and rural economies. Glenneis Kriel reports.
North West allocates R424,1 million to strengthen agriculture, communal farming • North West has allocated R424,1 million to boost provincial agriculture, prioritising infrastructure and enhanced communal livestock and disease control measures. Hanlie du Plessis reports.
Vines adapt to drought without sacrificing yields
The paper trail that protects your farm • Good farming is built on good decisions. Good decisions are built on good records, writes Cobus du Plessis.
The growth journey of unprocessed milk production in SA • South Africa's unprocessed milk production showed a rapid 26% expansion from 2010 to 2018, driven by structural consolidation, before plateauing due to rising input costs and disease outbreaks, writes Jade Smith.
Milk outlook stays positive despite ongoing challenges • Demand for dairy products continues to grow, but weak economic conditions and ongoing foot-and-mouth disease pressures are likely to keep producer price increases modest, writes Dr Koos Coetzee.
How to manage mother rooms and keep clones consistent • The growers succeeding at scale are those who understand that mother room management isn't housekeeping – it's the core of your entire operation, says Thomas Walker.
Pattern testing: the key to effective drone spray applications • A spray drone may look precise in action, but without proper pattern testing there is no guarantee that products are reaching their target effectively. As more farmers adopt drone technology, understanding how application variables influence spray distribution is becoming critical to preventing streaking, poor control and the development of resistance. Lindi Botha reports.
KEY DRONE TERMINOLOGY
Lessons Limousin stud learnt from foot-andmouth outbreak • A devastating 2026 foot-and-mouth outbreak at Devlan Limousins tested the herd's survival, proving that true farm resilience relies on disciplined biosecurity, unwavering team morale, and hardy, easy-fleshing genetics. Stud manager Manie Swartz and owner John Devonport spoke to Gary Wium.
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A history of the Meatmaster • South African farmers developed the Meatmaster by combining the hardiness...