South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak continues to expand, with the latest official figures showing 2 249 reported outbreak locations nationwide, reinforcing concerns about the disease’s growing geographic spread. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-new…

During her introduction at the AFMA information day, Executive Director Liesl Breytenbach highlighted the increasingly integrated nature of feed and food systems and emphasised the critical role the formal feed industry plays in supporting food security, animal health, and consumer confidence. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-new…

“We do not have time to be offended. There is a disease to beat.” That was the response from dairy farmer Andrew Morphew after a leaked internal email allegedly sent by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen’s chief of staff, Jana le Roux, sparked outrage among farmers and livestock industry stakeholders: bit.ly/4v9u7rk

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Nokuzola Capa, reaffirmed government's commitment to food security, inclusion, and collaborative development during the @SasolSA Iphepe Farmers Day celebration in Secunda.

#FarmersWeeklySA is at the @SasolSA Farmers’ Day, a flagship event under the Bridge to Work (BtW) programme’s Iphepe farmer development stream. The day brings together about 200 emerging farmers participating in the programme, alongside agricultural experts, government representatives and industry partners. The programme includes discussions on young commercial farming, finance and market compliance, farm resilience and sustainability, as well as practical sessions on vegetable production, poultry production and animal health management.

Gao Mothoagae, Sasol vice president CSI and Foundation opening address at the @SasolSA Iphepe Farmers Day. Up before sunrise, farmers travelled from across the country to celebrate what's possible when vision meets opportunity. Today is about hope, faith, resilience, and the success stories proving that agriculture is not just a career, it's a pathway to economic inclusion, job creation, and lasting prosperity. Together, we're growing more than farms. We're growing futures.

@FarmersWeeklySA is attending the @AgriWesKaap Santam Young Farmer of the Year Awards at Ashanti Estate near Paarl. Best of luck to all the finalists – we're looking forward to celebrating the innovation and dedication of the Western Cape's young farmers.

The Western Cape government is working to make environmental approval processes more practical and responsive to agriculture’s needs following recent flooding in the province, while also aiming to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers. This was according to Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell. Severe rainfall and flooding in recent months have left farmers and municipalities across the province facing significant infrastructure damage, while environmental impact assessments (EIAs) have, in some cases, delayed urgent repair work. He explained that, as part of this response, the provincial government has approved 78 Article S30A applications, allowing farmers and municipalities to carry out essential flood-damage repairs through a simplified, no-cost approval process, often handled over the phone instead of waiting for another EIA. Read the full article: bit.ly/4okJKJQ

This #YouthMonth, #FarmersWeeklySA celebrates young people who are shaping the future of agriculture. Through innovation, entrepreneurship and determination, they are building successful businesses, creating jobs and making a meaningful contribution to the sector. Today, we feature 29-year-old Hennie Goosen from Upington in the Northern Cape. A freelance livestock auctioneer, stud breeder and animal scientist, Goosen has built a career at the intersection of livestock genetics, production and marketing. His entry into agriculture was not a calculated career decision but rather a natural progression shaped by family tradition. Both his grandfathers were stud cattle breeders, and his father continues in the same field. He notes that he cannot recall ever wanting to pursue a different career, describing agriculture as something “in his blood”. Click the link to read the full article: bit.ly/4v287P1

Parasitic weeds remain a major threat to crop production across Africa, particularly in grain-based systems. Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, director of food security and safety research at North-West University, offers a practical guide to managing these weeds through improved soil health and sustainable farming practices. farmersweekly.co.za/farming-…

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy's Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF), are hosting the inaugural South Africa–Italy Agriculture Business Forum from 9 to 10 June 2026 in Cape Town. The forum marks an important step in advancing economic development through international collaboration, bringing together business leaders, innovators and policymakers from both countries. It will be held under the theme: "South Africa and Italy: Building resilient, value-added agri-business partnerships – from the soil to the shelf." Photos Clayton Swart

The Western Cape government is working to make environmental approval processes more practical and responsive to agriculture’s needs following recent flooding in the province, while also aiming to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-new…

Karan Beef has resumed beef exports after more than a year of disruptions caused by foot-and-mouth disease. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-new…

On the second day of the #agbizcongress2026, Ambassador Anesh Maistry, Director: Economic Diplomacy Training and Support at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), shared insights on South Africa's economic diplomacy in a changing global environment and the importance of strengthening capacity within the diplomatic corps. "All relationships should follow the money. Discussions and engagements must focus on business. National economic interests should drive our economic diplomacy agenda and help address unemployment, poverty and inequality through economic growth," he said. Photo @ToitMagda

Minister of Agriculture @jsteenhuisen told #FarmersWeeklySA at the #AgbizCongress2026 that closer collaboration between government and industry will be essential to unlocking growth, expanding markets and creating opportunities for new entrants to the agriculture sector. "We're only scratching the surface about what agriculture's true potential is in South Africa," he said.

Biosecurity was once again put under the microscope during a panel discussion on Thursday afternoon at the #agbizcongress2026. Leading the discussion were @AgbizSA CEO Theo Boshoff as facilitator, Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA), Dr Marinda Visser of the University of Pretoria, and Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS). Ntshabele noted that biosecurity should be a culture and a way of life, with every citizen understanding their role in safeguarding the agriculture sector. "Ordinary people are not aware of how their actions can impact biosecurity," he said. Photo @ToitMagda

Michelle Phillips, Group CEO of Transnet SOC Ltd, announced that 11 new privately owned rail operators have recently been introduced to South Africa's rail system, expanding operations across various corridors of the national rail network. She also invited the private sector to take advantage of the opportunities available within the system. #AgbizCongress2026

Speaking at the 2026 @AgbizSA Congress in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture Mooketsa Ramasodi highlighted progress in South Africa's efforts to combat foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), noting that nearly 6 million cattle have been vaccinated to date. He stressed the need to accelerate the vaccination programme to curb the spread of the disease and strengthen the country's livestock sector. Ramasodi also emphasised the importance of a regional approach to disease control, adding that further engagement with Botswana is on the agenda.

Despite sectoral consultations and a public commentary process that began in December 2025 and was later extended to 27 March 2026, farmers may have to wait several more months for clarity on the proposed Regulations for the Protection and Management of Groundwater Resources. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-new…