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.

Horses, machines and agriculture

Farmer's Weekly

What China's new zero-tariff policy means for African trade • In a landmark shift for Sino-African relations, China has announced zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries starting in May 2026. While designed to bridge a widening US$102 billion (about R1,7 trillion) trade deficit, the policy presents a double-edged sword, says Lauren Johnston, associate professor at the China Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.

Drive and maintain a tractor

FMD is a warning: are we building smallholder farmer resilience?

If you have space try grow your own potatoes

The global impact of the US—Israel attack on Iran • POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE

NEWS WRAP

Record agri exports expose growing dependence on volatile global markets • Despite a R124,6 billion trade surplus in 2025, South African agriculture faces a major challenge as the US—Iran conflict threatens Middle Eastern meat and fruit exports. With half of production destined for export, local farmers are exposed to Trump-era volatility, rising fertiliser costs, and fuel price instability. Lindi Botha reports.

Standards and policy key to unlocking Africa's industrial hemp potential • In late March, policymakers, researchers, financiers, and industry stakeholders from across Africa gathered at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal for the African Industrial Hemp Fibre Processing for Commercialisation Conference. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports.

Lamb drives exports, but red meat at risk

Seed innovation expands beyond genetics to meet Africa's production challenges • To close Africa's 10t/ha maize yield gap, the African Seed Trade Association Congress highlighted the need to shift beyond genetics to seed care and artificial intelligence. By combining hybrid seeds with biological treatments and digital breeding tools, the industry aims to shield 580 million smallholders against climate extremes, transforming degraded soils into productive, resilient systems. Glenneis Kriel reports.

Global oil market dynamics impact local fuel prices • Unless tensions brought about by the US-Iran conflict ease quickly, the South African agriculture sector may be faced with short-term downside risks driven by volatility of global politics, writes Zama Sangweni.

Why your veg cycle is too long, and how to cut it by two weeks • The cultivators still running eight-week veg cycles aren't doing so because it produces better results; they're doing it because that's how they've always done it, writes Thomas Walker.

FOCUS ON TULI

Award-winning Tuli breeder lays out four factors for success • Of the various Sanga-descended breeds we now have in South Africa, the Tuli is an established, reliable breed known for its proven beef genetics, and is now found in stud and commercial cattle operations nationwide. Christo Rothmann spoke to Henning Naudé about the four key factors for running an award-winning Tuli stud under challenging conditions.

Zimbabwean farmers reshape Tuli breeding • Zimbabwe's indigenous Tuli cattle are gaining ground as breeders prioritise resilience over sheer size. Leaders like Anne Cooke and Phillip Reed use genomics and artificial insemination to refine this fertile, docile breed. Perfectly adapted to the Highveld's sourveld, the Tuli offers a low-maintenance, cost-saving solution for sustainable Southern African beef production. Clemence Manyukwe...