71. The Weekly Wrap – 17 September

Join Sindira Chetty and Janine Ryan as they discuss some of the biggest stories making headlines in agriculture this week, as well as highlights from the 6 June 2025 issue of Farmer’s Weekly. In this episode, we look at new research from Wits University suggesting that puff adders could help control rodent populations, earning them the title ‘friends of farmers’. We also cover progress in South Africa’s containment of foot-and-mouth disease and the alarming mass poisoning of vultures in the Lowveld. In the magazine, potatoes are in focus, with Potatoes SA CEO Willie Jacobs weighing in on challenges in the fresh produce market, and potato farmer Franelyn Roussouw sharing her story of adapting through change. Plus, we profile June’s featured beef breed, the resilient Beefmaster.

Join Sindira Chetty and Janine Ryan as they discuss some of the biggest stories making headlines in agriculture this week, as well as highlights from the 30 May issue of Farmer’s Weekly. In this episode, they look back at Nampo 2025, which drew more than 87 000 visitors and 900 exhibitors, and unpack the meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump. They also discuss South Africa’s decision to ban poultry imports from Brazil due to an avian influenza outbreak. From the latest magazine, they talk about developments in the local cannabis and hemp industries, a feature on Saddlebred horses and the young breeder behind Bridgewater Stud, and the Joshlin Simbra Stud in the Eastern Cape, where a cow and bull recently earned international recognition.

Join Sindira Chetty and Janine Ryan as they chat about some of the biggest stories making headlines in agriculture this week, as well as highlights from the 2 May issue of Farmer’s Weekly. This week, they cover government’s decision to scrap the proposed VAT increase and what it means for farmers, the sudden death of 100 cattle in the Eastern Cape possibly linked to armyworm strikes, and a new documentary, A World Without Cows. From the magazine, there’s a focus on summer crops, a story about how intercropping is boosts production on a Free State farm, and a feature on pig nutrition at different production stages. www.farmersweekly.co.za

Listen to some of the latest news from the farming sector and learn about the articles featured in the 29 October issue of Farmer’s Weekly in this episode of the Weekly Wrap podcast, presented by Sindira Chetty. This week’s main feature focuses on how to start farming with R1 million. A number of experts discuss the start-up potential of layers, broilers, pigs, vegetables and lucerne. In another feature, livestock nutrition specialist Dr Francois van de Vyver shares nutrition tips for growing your bull from a weaner to a top herd sire and find out how a farmer is breaking new ground for saffron production in South Africa. As in previous episodes Chetty also highlights some of the top performing news articles from Farmer’s Weekly.

In this episode of the Weekly Wrap, Janine Ryan and Julinda Schroeder discuss what listeners can expect from the 22 October issue of Farmer’s Weekly, which will be on shelf on 15 October. In the features this week, Farmer’s Weekly speaks to grazing specialist Dr Chris Dannhauser, who explains the importance of choosing the correct forage crop for your farming environment to meet the needs of your animals. Farmer’s Weekly also speaks to Emily Kok, a sheep farmer in the Karoo, about the challenges she faces running a successful operation on communal land. As in other episodes, Schroeder discusses the headlines that made the news in the 22 October issue.

Listen to some of the latest news from the farming sector and learn about the articles featured in the 15 October issue of Farmer’s Weekly in this episode of the Weekly Wrap podcast, presented by Denene Erasmus. Our main feature this week profiles a farmer from the Free State who, despite being unable to secure land ownership via government’s land reform programme has built a successful mixed farming business on leased land. Readers can also learn about a six-step production management plan that can be followed to maximise soya bean yields. A wine grape farmer from the Western Cape explains how they have been able to keep their family farming business going by diversifying into growing other crops, and by adding value to some of their produce. In our livestock section this week we speak to breeders who are part of the Bosveld Santa Gertrudis Study Group. As in previous episodes Erasmus also highlights some of the top performing news articles from Farmer’s Weekly.

Listen to some of the latest news from the farming sector and learn about the articles featured in the 8 October issue of Farmer’s Weekly in this episode of the Weekly Wrap podcast, presented by Julinda Schroeder. In this week’s main feature, we provide guidelines for preparing for livestock auctions. In our regular segment on different agriculture industries across the continent, we focus on Ghana. As in previous episodes Schroeder also highlights some of the top performing news articles from Farmer’s Weekly’s various platforms.

Listen to some of the latest news from the farming sector and learn about the articles featured in the 1 October issue of Farmer’s Weekly in this episode of the Weekly Wrap podcast, presented by Sindira Chetty. Our main feature in this week’s issue looks at regenerative grazing and how three cattle farmers experienced positive results with the use of regeneration as a means of restoring veld. They’ve also been able to increase their veld’s carrying capacity. We also, speak to Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, chairperson of the Fair-Trade Independent Cannabis Association about the growth of cannabis in SA and we find out how a natural approach to farming has enhanced the sustainability of a Limpopo farm. As in previous episodes Chetty also highlights some of the top performing news articles from Farmer’s Weekly.

In this episode of the Weekly Wrap, Janine Ryan and Julinda Schroeder take a look at what readers can expect from the 24 September issue of Farmer’s Weekly, which will be on shelf on 17 September. In this issue, we take a look at how dairy farmers can reduce their carbon footprints, while increasing milk yield and profits. We also take a look at some of the leading news stories in the issue, including the shortage of veterinarians in South Africa. Ryan and Schroeder also offer an overview of farming in Morocco, and look at some of the challenges faced by this sector.

Listen to some of the latest news from the farming sector and learn about the articles featured in the 17 Sept issue of Farmer’s Weekly in this episode of the Weekly Wrap podcast, presented by Denene Erasmus. Our main feature in this week’s issue looks at the use of embryo flushing in livestock breeding to speed up genetic improvement. Readers can also learn more about new guava cultivars, and about an apple, pear and plum export farm in Ceres which has successfully branched into cider production, using fresh apples to produce award-winning ciders. As in previous episodes Erasmus also highlights some of the top performing news articles from Farmer’s Weekly.