In June 2021, the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development declared a disease management area (DMA) in KwaZulu-Natal to mitigate a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. In our Farmer's Inside Track weekend edition, Dewald Olivier, chief executive officer of the South African Feedlot Association, unpacks this.

Plus, business innovation lead at Andermatt Madumbi, Dr Brendon Neumann talks all things plant health and vitality.

Wheat harvesting is off to a good start in Mzansi and this week, on Farmer’s Inside Track, we share a few insider tricks and tips when it comes to marketing your grain crop – the why and the how!

Southern Cape farmers are being chastised for the illegal use of water including the diversion of rivers, which the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation has described as unacceptable. Agricultural legal expert Katlego Ngwane, also known as the legal boeremeisie shares a few handy tips for up-and-coming farmers. 

We’re back with Farms, Food and Future powered by Andermatt Madumbi. Our focus: Biorational crop solutions and this week we’re focusing on plant health and vitality with business innovation lead at Andermatt Madumbi, Dr Brendon Neumann. 

Minister Thoko Didiza has vowed to support 13 black owned wine brands currently trading from the new trading hub for black wine brand owners. She described the new facility as a breakthrough moment in Mzansi’s wine industry. 

Vhongani Shumba, joins our “Agripreneur 101” segment. Her compounded butter brand called Mybutter is a testament to her love of gourmet cooking. 

On the top of our book pile, is The Science of Animal Agriculture, by Ray V Herren. And, our farmer tip of the week comes from David Fincham director of David Fincham Aquaculture in Gauteng. 

At 32, Malapane Thamaga already has a bird’s eye view of the agricultural sector. Thamaga, who hails from Limpopo, holds BSc and honours degrees in agricultural economics from Stellenbosch University and was hand-picked by minister Thoko Didiza to serve as one of her representatives on the Maize Trust.  

 Talk about a go-getter!… He joins us in today’s episode to talk more about his new role and the way forward.

Wanna start your own vegetable farm? Or perhaps you’re keen on expanding your existing operation to include veggies? You have come to the right place. This week, in our one-hundredth episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, we share a few insider tricks and tips.

Plus, we explore early indications that South African farmers intend to plant more summer crops for the next production year. Paul Makube, a senior agricultural economist at FNB, weighs in.

We’ve got some exclusive info on the very first agricultural gap year offered by the Peritum Agri Institute and Reitz Landbou Akademie. This initiative is proudly supported by the VKB Group because, after all, deciding on a career can be a daunting prospect.

Speaking of interesting agricultural careers… Tshepo Ntemane, a civil engineer by trade, joins our “Agripreneur 101” segment to talk about his moringa supplement product line.

To celebrate our one-hundredth Farmer’s Inside Track episode, we go down memory lane with highlights from two years of podcasting. It’s been a great ride and we’ve cherished every moment. 

We also share our top three books for entrepreneurs! And, our farmer tip of the week comes from Isabel Kruger, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers Organisation Stock Theft Forum. 

According to the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, 60 % of South African households are food insecure and more than 13 million children live in poverty. Mzansi took practical steps to reduce food loss and waste following an initiative launched a year ago by the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa.  

Since it’s launch in SA, it has already gained signed commitments by more than 50 business entities in the consumer goods sector.  

Matlou Setati, executive for the food safety initiative at the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa joins us now to tell us more.

We are excited about our brand-new segment on Farmer’s Inside Track called Farms, Food and Future powered by Andermatt Madumbi. We’re focusing on Biorational crop solutions and we now continue our conversation with bio specialist at Andermatt Madumbi, Mark Hutton who gives the 101 on soil and root health. 

There are a number of factors to consider as a new farmer in Mzansi. In our previous episode we took a deeper look at production planning and this week we’re zooming in on labour relations. 

Dr Mpho Maja, director of animal health at the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in the North West, highlights some of toughest blows SA agri has dealt with over the past two years. 

We kick off a new segment this week called Farms, Food and Future powered by Andermatt Madumbi. Our focus: Biorational crop solutions because, after all, we need to change the way food is grown. A bio specialist, Mark Hutton gives the 101 on soil and root health. 

We share highlights from “on the frontlines of food safety”, webinar presented by FairPlay and Food For Mzansi. Experts shed some light on the issues surrounding food safety in South Africa. 

Our “agripreneur 101” segment features juice and condiment maker Zukiswa Gqirana. She says that you need surprisingly little to start your own small business.

On the top of our reading list this week is, Start Your Own Business: The Only Start-Up Book You'll Ever Need by Rieva Lesonsky. And, our farmer tip of the week comes from North West livestock farmer, Ipeleng Kwadi.

The Covid-19 pandemic, large scale corruption, and civil unrest form a particularly bleak background for this year’s local elections, taking place on Monday, 1  November 2021. 

 Professor Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, from University of Witswatersrand, joins us in today’s episode to discuss some of the issues around the elections.

Starting a new farming venture requires careful planning. Last week, we shared eight steps before drafting your business plan. This time around, we take a deeper look at production planning.  

We head to Citrusdal for minister Thoko Didiza’s engagement with agricultural workers in the Western Cape. Her focus is on opportunities for children of farm workers. 

Following a sharp increase in input cost, farmers face more pressure from an expected rise in fuel prices next month. Dawie Maree from FNB Agribusiness unpacks how this will impact new farmer’s especially.

Part-time cattle farmer Chris Hess ensures that his animals stay in good condition all year round by adding Voermol products to their feed. We also chat to Dr Francois van de Vyver about tips on how to get the most out of animal nutrition products.

Our “Agripreneur 101” segment features Andile Sasanti, a non-dairy yoghurt maker. He wants to break down the stigma around traditional herbs and herbalists.

On the top of our reading list this week is, Dirt to soil: One family's journey into regenerative agriculture by Gabe Brown. And, our farmer tip of the week comes Dr Didi Claassen from Afrivet.

Wagyu beef is the most expensive beef in the world, but South Africans can’t get enough of it. According to Johan de Vos, chairperson of the Wagyu Society of South Africa, we used to slaughter between 20 and 30 oxen a week, this has increased to 120 to 150 per week. Crazy but true! 

Joining us in today’s episode is, Dr Michael Bradfield, CEO of the Wagyu Society, to give some statistics about the growth of the breed.

Starting a farming venture can be a daunting prospect, especially when you’re a new farmer. A key component to success is setting up a solid business plan and this week on Farmer’s Inside Track we share the 8 steps you need to consider before drafting your business plan…

Economist and national market executive at the South African Sugar Association, Sifiso Mhlaba highlights the sugarcane industry’s contribution to SA’s economy and more specifically, KwaZulu Natal the region this crop is grown.  

Eugene Van Der Walt has been farming for over a decade and his operation has drastically improved once he discovered Voermol Feeds, this weed we find out how? 

Plus, Dr Francois van de Vyver, National Technical Manager at Voermol Feeds shares tips on how to improve your livestock’s nutritional deficiencies and more about their three-phase lick programme. 

Our “agripreneur 101” segment features Kyle Oelofse, chief executive officer of Goshen Food Solutions. He is a chicken liver manufacturer, whose mission is creating a product that is both high in nutrients and delicious! 

On the top of our reading list this week is, Farming While Black by Leah Penniman. And, our farmer tip of the week comes Keneilwe Raphesu who farms alongside her father in the North West.