Farmer's Inside Track

In this episode of Farmer's Inside Track, Food For Mzansi speaks to Tshepiso Mkandawire, founder of Blessed and Beautiful Farms in Mabalstat, North West, about building a diversified farming enterprise from the ground up. She shares how she identified local food needs, started with what she had, expanded into horticulture, poultry and livestock, and is working towards a 200-hectare farming and agro-processing operation. Mkandawire also discusses understanding your market, seeking support, and building a farming legacy that empowers the community.

With climate patterns shifting across South Africa, relying purely on total seasonal rainfall figures is no longer enough to guarantee a harvest. De Bruyn Myburgh, agronomy manager at Pannar Seed, joins the podcast to unpack why managing field variability and prioritising moisture retention have become non-negotiable for modern crop survival.

In this episode, Myburgh explains how erratic weather patterns – where intense rainfall events are followed by extended dry spells – are forcing producers to shift their focus from maximising yields to capturing, storing, and effectively using every drop that falls. He highlights how treating whole fields uniformly increases risk and details how localised data can buffer crops against severe climate shocks.

To help growers prepare for upcoming seasons, Myburgh shares Pannar Seed’s actionable strategies for building on-the-ground resilience.

In this episode, Nedbank senior manager Desry Lesele breaks down how grain farmers can navigate a severe cost squeeze, falling commodity prices, and high input expenses. He explains how to prioritise cash flow and proactive margin management over sheer harvest tonnage.

From avoiding common credit pitfalls to leveraging digital procurement tools like PrysWys for price transparency, Lesele provides actionable strategies for stress-testing farm budgets and structuring bulletproof funding applications.

He urges producers to move beyond chasing single-season yields, warning that paper profitability means nothing without liquid working capital, and highlights how smart financial planning keeps farms resilient through market volatility.

Taking a trip down memory lane! Today, we’re revisiting some of your all-time favourite podcast episodes.

In this episode, we sit down with seasoned farmer Richard Ball, who shares tips on how to start pecan nut farming.

With close to two decades of hands-on farming experience, Ball highlights the importance of planting not just for profit but for posterity.

He delves into natural pest control, the power of indigenous livestock in regenerative systems, and why true sustainability lies in partnering with nature rather than fighting it.

From building a small lucerne operation on communal land to leading a thriving agro-processing business with regional reach, Tshepiso Jantjies shares the remarkable journey behind Jantjies Boerdery on this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.

As a producer, processor and exporter of lucerne, Tshepiso reflects on how financial discipline, strategic reinvestment and strong market relationships helped him grow his business from five employees to 25. He also discusses securing contracts with major industry players, the importance of professionalism, compliance and market readiness, and why young farmers should focus on building credible businesses that attract investment.

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, Charl van Reenen, agronomy manager at Netafim Southern and East Africa, discusses why successful irrigation starts with understanding your soil. He explains soil texture, structure and infiltration influence water movement, why lower flow rates can improve irrigation efficiency, and how deeper root systems contribute to long-term vineyard resilience.

Van Reenen also explores the value of industry collaboration in developing practical irrigation solutions and why growers should base irrigation decisions on observation and understanding rather than assumptions.

Whether you're establishing a new vineyard or looking to improve water-use efficiency, this episode offers practical insights to help you make more informed irrigation decisions.

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, livestock specialist and stud breeder Mampuru Madiga of Taurricon Industries shares practical, experience-based advice on raising healthy, productive calves under extensive farming conditions. Get all the information, from developing a farm-specific vaccination programme and maximising the benefits of colostrum to making informed weaning decisions and reducing post-weaning stress.

Madiga explains how good cow management, careful observation and understanding your farm’s unique disease challenges can improve calf survival, growth and profitability. Whether you’re a commercial or smallholder farmer, this episode offers practical tips to help you build a stronger, healthier herd.

The dropping temperatures of winter bring a hidden crisis for livestock farmers: dormant pastures stripped of their essential nutritional value. Dr Josef De Villiers Van Wyngaard, technical manager at Voermol Feeds, joins the podcast to unpack the critical role of protein supplementation in preventing livestock condition loss during tough winter grazing periods.

In this episode, he explains why protein becomes the first "limiting factor" for herds once the first frost hits, forcing plants to pull vital nutrients back into their roots for survival. He highlights the direct, damaging impact a protein deficiency can have on a farm's bottom line, leading to rapid weight loss, poor growth performance, and delayed reproduction cycles that extend inter-calf periods.

To help farmers combat these seasonal challenges, Dr Van Wyngaard shares Voermol’s tailored strategies for stabilising herds. He details the practical application of Voermol ready-mix options. Whether you manage a single herd or a combination of cattle and sheep, this episode provides the exact roadmap needed to close the winter gap and sustain animal health until spring.

In this episode of Farmers Inside Track, farmer mentor Liane Erasmus shares her journey into regenerative agriculture and the lessons she has learned from growing up on a farm outside Rustenburg to working in agricultural research. With a background in animal science and grassland science, Erasmus explains how regenerative farming can help livestock producers work with nature through improved grazing management, veld recovery and practical infrastructure planning. She also reflects on the challenges of adapting cattle, managing water and fencing on difficult terrain, gaining family support and balancing environmental sustainability with farm profitability.

As climate change, declining soil health and rising production costs continue to challenge agricultural production, seaweed biotechnology is emerging as a valuable tool for improving crop resilience and productivity.

In this episode, Dr Bongo Majeke, plant manager at AlKelp, explains how seaweed-based biostimulants support healthier soils, stronger root systems and improved crop performance. They also discuss the science behind seaweed biotechnology, its role in climate-smart farming, and what South African farmers should consider when incorporating these products into their production systems.