Farmer's Weekly Magazine - August 09, 2024

In this issue

An update on the Free-roaming Cheetah Census. Economies of scale hinder smallholder producers report. Meatmasters in the Free State
It’s a privilege to work with this outstanding sheep breed. Harnessing the latest research and tech to fight grapevine leafroll disease. Where an MCC winemaker from the Overberg got her inspiration,

Agriculture's massive rail burden

New ways of reducing tariffs on farm livestock and products were under consideration.

3 mins

UK farmers don't fear lab-grown meat

A new report from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) in Gloucestershire, England, suggests that lab-raised meat may not be as threatening to traditional farming as previously thought.

1 min

New Spier wine collection highlights the strength of diversity

The recent launch of the Spier Wine Farm Farmer Angus collection also featured insightful talks on the benefits of regenerative farming and community resilience, writes Glenneis Kriel.

3 mins

Kenya's Boran breeders' society joins SA Stud Book

The Boran Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa has welcomed Kenya's Boran Cattle Breeders' Society (BCBS) to join SA Stud Book, the South African animal registering organisation.

1 min

Free-roaming cheetahs: researchers and conservationists join forces with farmers

Cyril Stannard, project manager and field officer at the Cheetah Outreach Trust, spoke to Roelof Bezuidenhout about the progress of the Free-roaming Cheetah Census, which covers the entire area where this iconic cat occurs in South Africa and neighbouring countries.

5 mins

Flying the flag for female Cap Classique winemakers

Brian Berkman visited Klein Botrivier Farm, on Karwyderskraal Road in the Overberg's Bot River, to learn about Melissa Genevieve Nelsen's Méthode Cap Classique winemaking.

5 mins

Running a Meatmaster stud on just 65ha

Innovative Meatmaster breeder René Rossouw runs her 350-strong Jumike Meatmasters stud on only 65ha on the family farm, Alice, in Wesselsbron in the Free State. She spoke to Annelie Coleman about how she manages to effectively run her flock on such a small piece of land.

6 mins

New weapons in the fight against grapevine leafroll disease

Research, genetic selection, machine learning and drones are being investigated as possible means to strengthen the fight against grapevine leafroll disease. Glenneis Kriel spoke to the experts.

6 mins

Fire-smart farming: how to tame the flames and be prepared

As we head for what is predicted to be another hot and dry summer, farmers must remain vigilant about the risk of fires, writes Brendon Adams, after-sales product and technical support at Husqvarna South Africa.

3 mins

Underground problems.in a field of beans

Bill Kerr says the benefits of growing crops in healthy, organic soil was never adequately taught to him during his agricultural education.

2 mins

SUV shoot-out: the verdict

Six of the most rugged and capable ladder-frame SUVs set out on a thrilling expedition across the Cape and through the challenging terrain of the Karoo. Car Magazine provides its assessment of each vehicle.

2 mins

Losing a horse: reflecting on a personal experience

There is a special bond between a rider and their horse, and when that bond is broken, it is difficult to cope with the loss, writes Dr Mac.

2 mins

Read all stories from Farmer's Weekly

Farmer's Weekly Magazine Description:

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.