The Weekly Wrap

In this episode of the Weekly Wrap podcast, Farmer’s Weekly editor, Denene Erasmus, and journalist, Sabrina Dean, discuss the top stories featured in the 15 May issue of the magazine. Erasmus also provides an update on how the recently announced closure of Caxton Magazines will affect Farmer’s Weekly.

In this first delivery of the Weekly Wrap podcast to air after the end of the hard lockdown, listeners get a preview of the top news and feature articles from the 15 May issue of Farmer’s Weekly. The magazine is back in print and will be available for sale from Friday, 8 May.

Top news stories in this issue include an update on how changes in consumer purchasing behaviour have supported an increase in demand for canned goods, as well as a look at the latest summer grain and oilseeds crop estimates for the 2019/2020 season. A special report looks at the rise of the online livestock auctions industry in South Africa.

The features section offers readers insight into how local farmers’ over-reliance on imported agricultural inputs places the industry at risk during a time when the global supply chain has been experiencing trade disruptions.

Farmers featured in this issue include KwaZulu-Natal-based beef producer Mike Rennie who tells Farmer’s Weekly how he manages to keep in-calf cows in top condition during the winter months, and potato farmer CT van der Merwe, who implements nature-friendly farming techniques, explains how he achieves input savings and water-use savings without sacrificing yield.

Stay up to date with the latest agricultural news, views and analysis with a print or digital subscription to Farmer’s Weekly visit www.farmersweekly.co.za

The focus of our special Covid-19 pandemic Weekly Wrap podcast series now turns to smallholder and emerging farmers, and the impact of Covid-19, and related restrictions on trade, on these farmers as Farmer’s Weekly speaks to Aggrey Mahanjana, group managing director of the National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation.

South Africa’s five-week long, hard lockdown will be ever so slightly eased from 1 May, when the country moves to a level-4 lockdown. In this episode of our special coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic podcast Farmer’s Weekly SA editor, Denene Erasmus discusses some of the articles featured in the latest, 8 May, free digital issue of Farmer’s Weekly. The magazine, (which can be read here www.farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/south-africa/read-the-8-may-digital-farmers-weekly-magazine-free/) features an article on the financial assistance available for farmers affected by COVID-19, an article on macadamia production with advice to help farmers achieve better crack-out, as well as a story explaining on how livestock farmers can rebuild their herds and veld, as well as recover financially, after a drought.

The podcast also includes an interview that Farmer’s Weekly journalist Sabrina Dean conducted Aggrey Mahanjana, group managing director of the National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation. The conversation highlights how a lack of technology and other challenges specifically impact farmers in deep rural areas when it comes to being able to continue selling, or even apply for government aid during times of crisis, such as has been experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic and related national lockdown.

Stay up to date with the latest agricultural news, views and analysis with a print or digital subscription to Farmer’s Weekly visit www.farmersweekly.co.za

In this second part of a special two-part edition of the Weekly Wrap podcast, Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, in an interview with Farmer’s Weekly journalist Sabrina Dean, explains in more detail how the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and related restrictions have affected various farming industries and agribusinesses.

Listen to this second part of Farmer’s Weekly journalist, Sabrina Dean’s interview with Agbiz CEO, Dr John Purchase, for Farmer’s Weekly’s special coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic podcast series. The discussion is a continuation of the first part of this interview (listen to episode 7 https://iono.fm/e/850883) in which Purchase discusses how the national lockdown has been impacting agribusinesses, the food system and the agriculture value chain. This second part of the interview also explores expectations for the coming months, the importance of foreign currency earnings from exports for the economy, and the state of confidence among agribusinesses.

Stay up to date with the latest agricultural news, views and analysis with a print or digital subscription to Farmer’s Weekly visit www.farmersweekly.co.za

In this special two-part edition of the Weekly Wrap podcast, Farmer’s Weekly journalist Sabrina Dean speaks to Dr John Purchase, CEO Agbiz, about how the COVID-19 lockdown has affected agribusiness and food supply in South Africa.

In this fourth instalment of our special coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic podcast series Farmer’s Weekly editor, Denene Erasmus, brings us the good news that despite the lockdown further delaying printing of the magazine, the team has decided to publish the 1 May and 8 May editions for free, online, on multiple digital platforms. Erasmus shares a rundown of some of the features to look forward to in the 1 May issue, available here www.farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/get-a-free-farmers-weekly-digital-magazine-during-lockdown/.

Sabrina Dean speaks to Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, about some of the interventions by agribusiness leaders prior to- and during the lockdown aimed at keeping agricultural supply chains fully operational. Purchase also talks about the state of food security in South Africa and about the impact of the lockdown on agricultural exports.

Stay up to date with the latest agricultural news, views and analysis with a print or digital subscription to Farmer’s Weekly visit www.farmersweekly.co.za

In this special edition of the Weekly Wrap podcast by Farmer’s Weekly SA, Sabrina Dean speaks to Jaco Oosthuizen, CEO of the RSA Group, about the new normal for fresh produce markets and market agents during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. We also hear from Farmer’s Weekly editor, Denene Erasmus, about news making headlines in the world of farming.

In this third episode of our special coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic podcast Farmer’s Weekly SA editor, Denene Erasmus again highlights news and information relevant to the sector and the public at large during this critical period. She also shares a quick update on some of the top news articles up on the Farmer’s Weekly website.

The podcast also focuses on how the lockdown has affected trade of fresh produce. Sabrina Dean speaks to Jaco Oosthuizen, CEO of the RSA Group, one of the major fresh produce agents operating across South Africa. They discuss the direct impact of the lockdown, the relevance of fresh produce markets in ensuring food security in the country, and they also touch on possible silver linings.

Stay up to date with the latest agricultural news, views and analysis with a print or digital subscription to Farmer's Weekly visit www.farmersweekly.co.za

In this second episode of our special coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic podcast Farmer’s Weekly SA editor, Denene Erasmus again highlights how the publication has adapted to keep readers up to date with news and information relevant to the sector and the public at large during this critical period. She also shares a quick update on some of the top news articles up on the Farmer’s Weekly website.

This episode focusses mainly on regulations to be adhered to by farmers and farmworkers, as essential service providers, during the lockdown. Sabrina Dean speaks to the policy head of Agri SA’s Labour and Development Centre of Excellence, Jahni de Villiers about workplace health and safety and issues that farmers must be aware of during the lockdown and explains in particular how farmers need to manage the transport of workers during this time.

Stay up to date with the latest agricultural news, views and analysis with a print or digital subscription to Farmer’s Weekly visit www.farmersweekly.co.za

In this first episode of our special coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic podcast series Farmer’s Weekly editor, Denene Erasmus, gives an update on how the publication has adapted to keep readers up to date with news and information relevant to the sector, and the public at large, during this critical period. Despite not being able to print the magazine during April, Farmer’s Weekly has increased the volume of new content being published on the website, and the team is working hard to keep our audience up to date and informed.

This episode takes a look at the R20-billion per annum domestic citrus industry, which is just gearing up for the 2020 harvest season. Sabrina Dean speaks to CEO of the Southern African Citrus Growers’ Association, Justin Chadwick.

Stay up to date with the latest agricultural news, views and analysis with a print or digital subscription to Farmer’s Weekly visit www.farmersweekly.co.za

Welcome to the first official episode of The Weekly Wrap!

In this podcast, we discuss the 27 March issue of Farmer’s Weekly, which focuses on new farm technology, as well as skills development.

The features in this issue include information about the latest trends and developments in irrigation, and an article on some of the best mobile apps available to make life easier for farmers. We also look at the most in-demand skills in the farming sector, and why there are so many graduates that are unemployed.

We also speak about the impact the novel coronavirus outbreak is expected to have on the supply chain, the increase in the poultry tariff and various stakeholders’ response to this, as well as the drop in the oil price and how this will affect farmers.

Stay up to date with the latest agricultural news, views and analysis with a print or digital subscription to Farmer’s Weekly visit www.farmersweekly.co.za

Welcome to the last warm-up for the official Farmer’s Weekly podcast series, The Weekly Wrap.

In this podcast, we discuss the 20 March issue of Farmer’s Weekly, and look at the current marketing trend in the wine industry, as well as a Western Cape farmer who is determined to not only keep his soil healthy, but also to make conservation a profitable venture.

We also take discuss the recent Grain SA congress and how the novel coronavirus outbreak in South Africa is likely to affect consumer behaviour.

Stay up to date with the latest agricultural news, views and analysis with a print or digital subscription to Farmer’s Weekly visit www.farmersweekly.co.za

Welcome to the first warm-up episode of the official Farmer’s Weekly podcast.

In this episode, we discuss the 13 March issue of Farmer’s Weekly, and the importance of implementing a livestock identification and traceability system in South Africa. The issue of traceability has become particularly important in recent months, due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks last year.

We also discuss the expected increase in the maize harvest, and the agriculture sector in South Africa being in recession for the second year in a row.

Stay up to date with the latest agricultural news, views and analysis with a print or digital subscription to Farmer’s Weekly visit www.farmersweekly.co.za