South Africa's oldest & most trusted agricultural magazine. Bringing you the latest news, in-depth analysis & farming success stories. #FarmersWeeklySA
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AgriSA has adopted five policy mandates aimed at addressing the structural challenges facing South African agriculture. The proposals span land reform, natural resources, labour, rural safety, and trade, with stronger cooperation between government and industry identified as essential to achieving progress.
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Farmer's Weekly retweeted
Last week we convened a high-level discussion with various agricultural stakeholders in Pretoria to reflect on our preparedness for the upcoming El Niño drought.
The @FarmersWeeklySA has published a brief from our meeting.
farmersweekly.co.za/agri-new…
The total value of wildlife sold at auction in South Africa during the first nine months of 2026 has already exceeded the total recorded for the whole of 2025, according to provisional figures presented by African Wildlife Auctions.
At the WRSA Congress, Johan du Toit, CEO of African Wildlife Auctions, presented data showing R1,01 billion in wildlife auction sales up to 30 September 2026, compared with R897,6 million for the whole of 2025.
His presentation highlighted stronger prices in several categories, alongside more selective buying based on animal quality, genetics and performance records.
However, continued pressure on hunting and venison businesses suggests that growth remains uneven across the wildlife sector.
How has the 2026 season been for your wildlife operation?
Is your farm as well insured as your bakkie?
At the Wildlife Ranching SA (WRSA) Congress at the CSIR in Pretoria, Tjoeps Thornhill of Efficient Insure warned that underinsurance and inadequate liability cover could threaten an entire farming business.
He urged wildlife ranchers to review their liability cover for fires, hunting and tourism activities, and to ensure that buildings and equipment are insured for their correct replacement values.
Thornhill also stressed the importance of having a practical risk management plan, including how the business would cope while damaged infrastructure is being rebuilt.
He encouraged farmers to regularly consult a risk adviser to understand what their insurance policies cover and identify potential gaps.
When did you last review your farm’s insurance?
Producing more food alone will not solve South Africa’s food security challenges.
Farmers need access to better technology, more efficient production methods and the resources to remain productive, while greater efforts are needed to prevent food loss and ensure that surplus food reaches those who need it.
As World Food Day is observed today, 16 October, under the theme “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow”, the focus is on practical solutions that can improve agricultural productivity, reduce waste and strengthen food security.
Read more: bit.ly/4Beo3kM
A fruit farmer, an organic vegetable producer, and a collaborative citrus development were recognised at the 2026 Agricultural Writers SA (AWSA) !Xhariep regional awards in Cape Town.
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Farmer's Weekly retweeted
Good morning,
South Africa’s agricultural focus has shifted to the 2026-27 summer crop season, which begins this month. Farmers in some regions have started preparing the land for the new season. In a few weeks, we should see activity across all regions.
Recent rains have further improved soil moisture, building on already better-than-normal levels from the 2025-26 season. During that period, the rainfall window was prolonged and continued through May, which is unusual, as rains tend to taper off around March.
As for how much area farmers will plant, especially amid fears of an El Niño-induced droughtand higher input costs because of the US-Iran war, we will have an indication later this month.
On 27 October, the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) will release its report on farmers’ intentions to plant for the 2026-27 season. The report will cover maize, sunflower seed, soybeans, groundnuts, sorghum, and dry beans.
Ordinarily, South African farmers plant around 4.5 million hectares for summer crops. But in the 2025-26 season that we are leaving behind, the area increased to 4.6 million hectares as farmers took advantage of the favourable rainfall and crop prices.
Of the 4.6 million hectares, about 59% (2.7 million hectares) were maize, with 26% (1.2 million hectares) being soybeans. Whether the farmers maintain this area will depend on how they view the risks associated with the expected El Niño-induced drought and their tolerance for the higher fertiliser and fuel prices.
Broadly, while we expect the season ahead to be challenging for the sector, we don’t anticipate a major reduction in the area planted for now. We still believe the favourable soil moisture at the start of the season may encourage decent plantings.
Importantly, shorter-growing crop varieties may perform even better if we continue to receive moisture early in the season, as we are now seeing. Still, timing will be critical
Atkins Farm & Garden Machinery is looking for an experienced Service Manager to lead its 13-person service department in Cork, Ireland.
The role is suited to a qualified agricultural engineer or mechanic with at least five years’ post-qualification experience, strong leadership skills and a solid machinery service background.
Applications from non-EU nationals who meet the requirements will also be considered.
For more information or to apply, contact Liam de Paor at [email protected] | depaor.ie
#SponsoredPost #vacancy
Speaking during the second session of the @AgriSA1904 Congress, Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp emphasised the importance of farm profitability and greater unity within the agriculture sector.
“You cannot implement any policy or idea if farmers do not make money. At the same time we must strive for better unity in agriculture to take on all the challenges - then we will be successful even if it is tough. We have to be honest about the challenges we are facing.”
Aucamp also stressed that farm murders must be treated as a priority crime.
“If our farmers cannot do their work in a safe environment we will not have food. If we do not have farmers we will not have a country.”
Agri Securitas received contributions from several businesses, including Santam, Sanlam and NWK, in support of farm and rural safety during the @AgriSA1904 Congress.
Established in 1999, the Agri Securitas Trust Fund supports practical rural safety projects in collaboration with Agri SA’s provincial affiliates.
These include the provision of camera and radio communication systems, the installation of boom gates and trauma counselling for farming communities.
. @AgriSA1904's Economics and Trade Centre of Excellence focuses on strengthening the economic foundation of South Africa’s agriculture sector.
Providing feedback on the centre’s work at the Agri SA Congress, its chairperson, Jannie Strydom, emphasised the importance of connecting farms to infrastructure, infrastructure to markets, and markets to investment.
“This is how we can create growth,” he said.
.@AgriSA1904 operates within a federal membership framework that supports stakeholders across South Africa’s agriculture sectors. Within this structure, five centres of excellence focus on key issues affecting farmers across the country.
The Land and Development Centre of Excellence focuses on land redistribution, land restitution, tenure reform and farmer development.
Its aim is to promote an equitable, transparent and economically viable land reform process while protecting the rights of all landowners and enabling new entrants to access land for productive and inclusive growth.
Providing feedback on the work of @AgriSA1904's Rural Safety Centre of Excellence at the Agri SA Congress, Joe Scholtz pointed out that South Africa recorded 23 642 murders in 2025, of which 280 occurred on farms and smallholdings. In addition, approximately 20 000 cases of stock theft were reported.
He said violent crime affected farmers and farmworkers alike, emphasising Agri SA’s commitment to ensuring that farming communities can live and prosper in a safe environment that supports national food security.
The centre works with government, the police, the SANDF and private-sector partners to strengthen rural safety systems, with a particular focus on implementing and improving the National Rural Safety Strategy at national, provincial, district and police station levels.
At the @AgriSA1904 Congress this afternoon, Deputy President Derek Mathews emphasised the importance of building strong relationships across the agricultural value chain.
“The relationships that we build are crucial to the country to build a future for all. Relationships enables us to participate on a global platform and to compete.”
“Trust, care and respect.” These are the foundations of successful partnerships, Derek Matthews Vice President of @AgriSA1904, said in his opening address at the Agri SA Congress.
He called for stronger ties between farmers, banks, agribusinesses and government, describing these relationships as “economic infrastructure” that helps agriculture compete and prosper. Their success matters to the whole country.
The KwaZulu-Natal 2026/27 Multi-Planting Season programme seeks to increase food production and help smallholder farmers prepare for the anticipated effects of El Niño.
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What makes the Dohne Merino a profitable choice for South African sheep farmers, and how can producers get the most out of their flocks?
Join #FarmersWeeklySA for its upcoming Breed Focus Webinar, featuring two experienced Dohne Merino farmers: Richard Armstrong, chairperson of the Upper Cathcart Farmers Association, and 2025 National Sheep Farmer of the Year; and Dries Pienaar of White Wools Dohne.
Drawing on their farming experience, the speakers will discuss breeding decisions, genetics, reproduction, flock management, animal health, nutrition and the factors that influence profitability.
The 90-minute webinar will include an hour of discussion, followed by 30 minutes of audience questions.
Whether you're already farming with Dohne Merinos or considering the breed, join the discussion and put your questions to the experts.
DATE: 13 October 2026
TIME: 11:00 - 12:30
Register for free: bit.ly/3VZA656
South Africa’s wine industry researchers achieve a great deal with substantially less funding and capacity than their international counterparts. Broader funding sources, coordinated research programmes and producer involvement could help the industry build on this foundation.
farmersweekly.co.za/agri-new…
After a two-year absence, the Royal Agricultural Society opened the gates to its new home at Tweedie Hall in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday, marking the start of a new chapter for one of South Africa’s oldest agricultural shows.
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The Farmer’s Weekly Hitching Post has been bringing singles together for generations, and today we’re taking the tradition from the pages of the magazine to the Royal Agricultural Show.
Join us today, Friday, 9 October, from 15:00 to 17:00 at the Farmer’s Weekly Royal Pavilion in Tweedie Hall, Howick.
Come along for a relaxed afternoon and see who you might meet!
#FarmersWeeklySA #RoyalShow2026
