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.

Look for ethical breeders before buying animals

Farmer's Weekly

Animal welfare: shifting the focus from preventing harm to promoting happiness • Ensuring the contentment and well-being of your pets - and truly enriching their lives - goes well beyond the ‘Five Freedoms’, writes Dr Elize van Vollenhoven of the University of Pretoria.

It’s Cannabis Expo time!

Saving rhinos is part of an ‘ecosystem of conservation’ - UP wildlife vet

Livestock lessons from teacher

Bilateral relations between the US and SA extremely strained

South Africa has cushioned Southern Africa from a maize supply crisis

WEEKLY NEWS WRAP

Designer seed the next focus for agri technology

SA fruit, wine producers to adhere to ESG criteria

Hyenas essential to the health of their ecosystems

Vague animal welfare laws leave farmers puzzled

Concerns as China bans SA beef due to FMD

AFMA: taking the South African feed industry forward with safety compliance • Without safe feed, there cannot be safe food. This was the key message at the Animal Feed Manufacturers’ Association’s media and industry day, held in Pretoria in early May. In addition, the organisation also outlined its plans to unite the animal feed industry in an effort to address challenges surrounding feed and food safety. Magda du Toit reports.

Weather conditions look set to be ideal for SA’s maize harvest • This week, Absa AgriBusiness examines the market dynamics influencing grain and oilseed prices, and looks ahead at production prospects for the various crops.

South Africa’s place in the global cannabis supply chain • For stakeholders in the local cannabis industry, the key to success lies in staying aligned with shifting laws and market trends, and building the capabilities to meet international standards, writes Thomas Walker.

It’s all systems go for hemp production • The cannabis hype in South Africa has been dampened by the reality of pricey compliance and start-up costs. Hemp presents the solution to both, requiring low input costs while offering promising marketing opportunities. Lindi Botha visited Green Route Hemp Industries in Walkerville, Gauteng, to find out about the value chain development needed to propel the local industry forward.

Growing cannabis legally: what farmers need to know • South Africa’s cannabis industry faces regulatory challenges, with medical cannabis and industrial hemp as the only legal cultivation routes. Trenton Birch, co-founder and CEO of Cheeba Africa, spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about these complexities and the barriers to market entry.

How the SA saddlebred has built a global reputation • Koekie de Villiers, vice-president of the Saddlebred Society of South Africa and head of its marketing portfolio, spoke to Sabrina Dean about the breed, its history, and the society’s annual showcase event.

A top stud’s breeding philosophy • The Bridgewater Stud in Hekpoort, owned and run by Garland Poil, has gone from strength to strength since its establishment more than 40 years ago, and offers horse owners and breeders some valuable lessons when it comes to developing a breeding strategy. Janine Ryan reports.

Organic farming: a global boom in the making • With worldwide demand for organic produce set for exponential growth, the industry is entering a transformative era. For South African farmers, it offers an opportunity to diversify and future-proof their operations, writes...