Farmer's Inside Track

High-performing livestock operations rely heavily on quality roughage, yet the true energy value of maize silage is often compromised before reaching the feed bunk. Kerry Rowlands, a field agronomist at Pannar Seed, highlights how dairy and beef producers can elevate their feeding programmes by balancing dry matter yields with high starch content rather than focusing solely on bulk volume.

Rowlands explains how grain potential contributes up to 65% of silage energy, emphasising the importance of subsoil fertility, correct planting densities, and proactive foliar disease control to prevent leaf degradation.

In this episode, she breaks down the...

Can simple record-keeping double as your farm’s most powerful profitability tool? In this episode, we sit down with Stefan Corbett, data analytics specialist at Agritistics, to demystify digital agriculture and farm data management. Many producers view digital farming as an intimidating, high-cost hurdle, but Corbett proves that transforming your operation doesn’t require expensive tech or complex platforms.

Learn the crucial difference between raw data and true operational insight, and discover why linked data points across a livestock’s lifetime reveal whether your management decisions are truly paying off. Corbett also breaks down how to avoid the da...

With El Niño weather patterns bringing heightened climate risk across Southern Africa, managing input costs while maintaining crop productivity is a critical priority for growers. Dr Michael Southwood, founder of the Agri Vision Foundation and organiser of the SADC Plant Nutrition Symposium, highlights how precision measurement tools, from moisture probes to sap meters, empower producers to reduce water and fertiliser use without sacrificing final yields.

Southwood explains how managing irrigation is fundamentally about oxygen management in the root zone. He outlines the importance of tracking soil water potential down 10-centimetre increments, using drone and NDVI satellite i...

Escalating input costs and climate shifts require growers across Southern Africa to bridge the gap between global agricultural research and immediate field execution. Dr Michael Southwood, founder of the Agri Vision Foundation, highlights how the upcoming SADC Plant Nutrition Symposium connects international scientific developments with practical application to optimise crop performance and export quality across 15 SADC countries.

In this episode, Southwood breaks down practical strategies for managing El Niño weather threats. He explains how cover crops, mulching, and biostimulants enhance photosynthetic capacity and carbohydrate levels to buffer plants against extreme heat, drought, severe winds, and frost.

In this episode of Farmer’s InsideTrack, Sibo Molo, founder of Molo Consulting, unpacks tax compliance, agricultural funding and credit management. He explains why proper financial records, separate farm banking, asset registers and tax compliance can help farmers access funding.

Molo also discusses personal credit scores, VAT and diesel refunds, Coida registration and common compliance mistakes. He shares practical advice for emerging farmers looking to become more finance-ready and build financially sustainable farming businesses.

The “fifth quarter” – including offal, cheeks, and trotters – is becoming an essential commercial and nutritional strategy for South Africa’s red meat industry. Supported by findings from the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO), Dr Carmen Muller, a researcher at the University of Pretoria, highlights how moving beyond standard muscle cuts captures hidden carcass value while addressing broader socio-economic challenges.

Drawing on recent nutritional testing and industry data, Muller demonstrates how organ meats deliver concentrated doses of bioavailable heme iron, complete proteins, and vital micronutrients to budget-conscious households facing food insecurity.

In this episode, she breaks down the r...

Dr Michael Southwood, agricultural consultant and founder of the Agri Vision Foundation, explores why securing the future of agriculture demands a fundamental shift from chasing quick harvests to investing in soil health and seamless farm succession.

In this episode, he examines how closing the gap between lab research and field practices creates lasting stability for growers facing market volatility.

Grounded in over two decades of field experience, Southwood details practical strategies for managing biological, chemical, and physical soil balances, avoiding widespread agronomic pitfalls like nitrogen over-application, and managing pest resistance dynamically. He also shares advice...

In this episode, Lukas Meyer, business manager at Pannar Seed, breaks down why record yields no longer guarantee farm profitability in the face of depressed grain prices and sustained input costs. He unpacks why producers must shift their focus from maximising tonnes per hectare to understanding the true net return generated by every field.

Drawing on practical agronomic and commercial insights, Meyer outlines why indiscriminate cost-cutting can backfire and explains how to transition to a smarter investment strategy. He also shares tips on choosing risk-resilient seed hybrids, optimising plant populations, maximising fertiliser efficiency, and aligning production costs...

In this episode of Farmer's Inside Track, Reneilwe Selialia shares lessons from building a young vegetable farming business, Kopano Holdings, and working towards commercial markets. She discusses the importance of networking, finding and maintaining reliable markets, planning production for consistent supply, managing irrigation and understanding the true cost of getting produce to market. Reneilwe also shares practical advice for new farmers: stay humble, ask questions, learn from others and build relationships that can open doors to new markets.

In this episode, Daneel Rossouw, head of sales for agriculture at Nedbank, shares key takeaways from Nampo Cape 2026 on how collaboration, innovation, and strategic expansion are shaping the future of South African farming. He discusses the sector’s growing push toward unity, highlighting critical dialogues among agribusinesses, financial bodies, organised agriculture, and national leaders on issues like Western Cape grain viability, foot-and-mouth disease vaccinations, and rural infrastructure.

Rossouw explores how producers are using precision technology, renewable energy systems, and no-till practices to lower costs and protect natural resources. He breaks down why moving beyond primary farming into ve...

African swine fever (ASF) remains one of the greatest threats to pig farming in South Africa, but knowledge and strong biosecurity can make all the difference.

In this episode of Farmer's Inside Track, animal health technician Kenneth Malatji and Dr Thandi Chiappero, veterinarian at SAPPO, unpack what every pig producer needs to know about ASF – from recognising the early warning signs and understanding how the virus spreads to the legal obligation to report suspected cases.

They also share practical, cost-effective biosecurity measures and explain the risks of swill feeding and buying pigs from unknown sources. Wh...

In this episode, Daneel Rossouw, head of sales for agriculture at Nedbank, breaks down the compounding economic pressures facing South African producers in 2025–2026. He unpacks why farm profitability is being squeezed simultaneously across fertiliser, diesel, electricity, labour, and crop protection inputs.

Drawing on nearly 35 years of experience in agricultural funding, Rossouw reveals why producers must look beyond local weather patterns and commodity prices. He outlines how macroeconomic drivers, including interest rate shifts, Rand volatility, geopolitical supply shocks, and potential El Niño warnings, will directly shape farm margins over the next two seasons.

He urges far...

As climate variability and changing weather patterns continue to impact South Africa’s natural pastures, livestock producers can no longer rely on unsupplemented grazing alone to maintain production. Dr Josef de Villiers van Wyngaard, technical manager at Voermol Feeds, joins the podcast to unpack how farmers can shift from passive veld dependency to an actively managed grazing system.

In this episode, Van Wyngaard breaks down the essential distinctions between supplementation, substitution, and concentrates, providing clear guidelines on how to stimulate rumen microbes and improve fibre digestion without causing animals to stop grazing. He explores how sh...

From starting as a general worker at an abattoir to building a diversified agribusiness, Jeremiah Jothams shares the lessons, opportunities and challenges that have shaped the growth of Basadi Agribusiness. In this episode of Farmer's Inside Track, Jothams unpacks how he identified opportunities in the rabbit value chain and diversified into horticulture and slaughtering services.

Jothams discusses the realities of running processing infrastructure, the importance of understanding production volumes and profitability, and why compliance, operational efficiency and strong industry partnerships are essential for building a sustainable and diversified agribusiness.

Keywords: Diversification; Agribusiness, agricultural value chain<...

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, Byron Latrobe, technical sales advisor for Netafim Southern and East Africa, discusses precision drip irrigation for onion seed production.

Byron explains how dripper spacing and irrigation uniformity influence root development, flowering, pollination and yields, while highlighting the importance of maintaining a dry flower environment to support bees and reduce disease pressure. Learn more about managing saline water through leaching, using fertigation to improve nutrient efficiency, and the advantages of thin-wall drip lines for seed producers. Byron also shares practical advice on installation, retrieval, maintenance and filtration, and explains why fa...

In this episode, commercial farmer and agriculturalist Lesego Mohube shares practical strategies farmers can use to prepare for drier seasons and manage water more efficiently. From improving soil health and using irrigation more effectively to harvesting rainwater, maintaining water infrastructure and reducing unnecessary water losses, Lesego highlights practical steps that can be applied on farms of different scales. Tune in for practical insights on building a more water-efficient and climate-resilient farming operation

In this episode of Farmer's Inside Track, Moleke Maphila shares how his passion for agriculture grew from witnessing the role of livestock and vegetable production in rural livelihoods. After struggling to find employment, he turned his knowledge and qualifications into an opportunity to build his own farming enterprise. With support from his family and business partner, Maphila began farming on a 22-hectare property, turning his agricultural knowledge into practical experience and a growing business.

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

Agriculture remains a key driver and beneficiary of technological innovations.

In this episode, we speak to Thulani Magida, the founder of Juta Agritech, who explores the specific uses, benefits, licensing requirements, and potential of drone technology to advance agricultural practices in South Africa.

As South African livestock producers navigate volatile climate cycles and degraded veld conditions, suppressed fertility caused by mineral deficiencies can limit herd growth. Dr Josef De Villiers Van Wyngaard, technical manager at Voermol Feeds, joins the podcast to tackle how targeted phosphate supplementation serves as a critical driver for protecting reproduction and driving farm profitability.

He breaks down why phosphate remains one of the most underestimated limiting factors in local livestock production, especially when recovering pastures fail to deliver essential soil nutrients. He also highlights the direct connection between long-term mineral gaps and dropped calving or lambing...

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, Tebogo Nyathela, founder and CEO of Farmers’ Hope in North West, shares how she grew a small vegetable garden into a commercial farming and agro-processing business.

She discusses practical lessons on market access, SA GAP certification, water rights, production capacity and the importance of mentorship and support networks. Nyathela also explains how agro-processing helped the farm reduce post-harvest waste by about 95% and create new income opportunities.

She also shares her plans to explore European markets with products including powdered spinach, beetroot and pickled jalapeños.

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

Karen Swanepoel, the Executive Director of the Southern African Essential Oil Producer Association (SAEOPA), explores the vibrant landscape of essential oils in South Africa.

She delves into the key essential oils produced in the country and highlights how the industry has evolved over time.

In this episode, Swanepoel offers valuable insights into the opportunities available for South African farmers, discussing the innovative production methods that uphold the nation’s reputation for quality.

Listeners will lear...

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...

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...

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 lo...

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...

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...

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.

Behind every glass of locally produced milk lies a dedicated network of South African farmers, factory workers, and rural communities whose care shapes the nation’s health. Conny Sethaelo, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Director at Nestlé Nespray, joins us to discuss how the brand connects local sourcing with cutting-edge environmental practices to create a sustainable value chain from pasture to packaging.

In this episode, she invites consumers to “look beyond the glass” to understand the incredible journey of South African dairy. Sethaelo highlights how Nestlé Nespray draws 100% of its milk from over 96 farms across the Eastern...

What does regenerative agriculture look like in practice, and why are more farmers paying attention? In this first episode of our special Nedbank series, Daneel Rossouw unpacks how regenerative farming can help farmers navigate rising costs, climate uncertainty and growing pressure to do more with less.

In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, Gauteng farmer Simphiwe Hlubi shares how a childhood passion for agriculture grew into a diversified farming business focused on livestock, poultry and feedlotting. He discusses the challenges of market access, rising input costs and funding, while highlighting the importance of diversification, planning and mentorship. Hlubi also shares his vision of building a lasting agricultural legacy for future generations.

What role does growing media play in crop success? In this episode, we unpack the science behind specialised substrates such as coir, peat moss, perlite, and Hygromix, and their growing role in greenhouse, nursery, and intensive horticultural production.

Featuring insights from Dean Oellerman of Greenhouse Technologies, the conversation explores root development, water management, germination, nutrient monitoring, and the realities of adopting soilless growing systems in Southern Africa.

In this episode, we speak to Matjee Mokgoadi, founder of Phuti Ya Mashilape Group and a youth agricultural leader, about empowering emerging farmers through mentorship, agribusiness support and cooperative development.

He shares insights on overcoming funding and market access challenges, building sustainable farming systems and why young people should view agriculture as a viable business and career opportunity. The conversation highlights the importance of leadership, collaboration and practical experience in driving rural economic development.

In this episode, we speak to Absalom “AB” Mfumadi of the South African Weather Service (SAWS) about how farmers can use weather technology to strengthen climate resilience and improve on-farm decision-making.

From real-time storm tracking and 10-day forecasts to livestock heat-stress monitoring and digital weather tools, Mfumadi unpacks how weather data can help producers plan operations, protect workers and livestock, and adapt to increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.

We also explore accessible tools for smallholder farmers, advanced solutions for commercial operations, and the important role of blending modern forecasting with indigenous weather know...

True sustainability in modern farming is about more than just food production; it is about building energy independence and financial resilience. Paul Stuart, Gordon Ayres, and Lusani Khubana join us to discuss bioenergy, innovation, and sustainability, exploring what the upcoming Bio360 Africa event means for the future of African agriculture.

Stuart is the CEO and director of Bioenergy Events and Services (BEES); Ayres serves as the secretary general of SABIA; and Khubana is a projects officer at Madam Waste. Together, their work centres on driving collaborative, localised green energy solutions and helping agricultural producers valorise...

True sustainability in livestock farming begins with selecting animals that can thrive in their specific environment. Ndumiso Gule joins us to discuss the vital role of climate-smart genetics and breed selection as a primary defense against extreme weather conditions.

Gule is the director of Gule Agri Consulting and works closely with the Red Meat Producers' Organisation (RPO) to deliver essential farmer training sessions and information days across the country.

In this episode, he highlights why matching cattle genetics to geographic realities is crucial for low-input farming. Gule explains why indigenous breeds...

In this episode of Farmer’s Insight Track, young Limpopo farmer and agribusiness entrepreneur Thabo Phasha shares his journey as a third-generation farmer building a grain and agro-processing business. He discusses treating farming as a business, the role of mentorship, collaboration and discipline, navigating growth challenges, and his passion for youth advocacy and agricultural policy. A practical conversation on entrepreneurship, resilience and the future of farming.