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The Pretoria High Court has ruled the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment's failure to set annual export quotas for captive-bred lion products since 2019 is unlawful and invalid. Judgment by Judge P.A. van Niekerk on 29 Oct after SAPA took government to court
South Africa's wine industry moves from production-driven cooperatives to estate model. Primary grape producers down 41% - from 3,667 in 2009 to 2,176 in 2025. Private cellars down from 524 to 434.
Scientists confirm 2026 is developing into a historic super El Niño. AgriSA's Johann Kotze warns biggest threat for SA livestock will be extreme heat, not drought. Good dam levels and bumper grain crop should keep food security stable short-term.
Across SA, farmers blending livestock and game to spread risk from climate, costs and stock theft. Creating dual income from breeding, hunting, meat and tourism while improving veld use.
Month of two halves for Namibia. Strong growth first 3 weeks, then FMD confirmed in //Kharas Region on 23 Sept. Cattle marketing at 21,387 head, up 3.3% y-o-y. YTD at 217,007 head, up 30.9%. B2 price at N$78.74/kg, up 6.1%.
Four alleged stock thieves caught red-handed trying to steal six cattle near Middelburg. Farmer woken at 02:40 Wednesday after worker spotted fence being cut.Stay tuned to Agri News Net for more.
South Africa's summer grain region is desperately waiting for rain. For most of October, large parts of the area received less than half of their normal rainfall, and the dry spell is starting to weigh heavily on both fields and markets.The 10th wool sale of the 2026/27 season offered a smaller clip of 5,365 bales, mostly long, fine micron Merino wools, with 50.6% sustainably certified. The sale achieved a 91.6% clearance rate despite giving up some of last season's gains. Global fertilizer prices are expected to rise by 14% in 2026 before easing back to 2025 levels in 2027, according to the World Bank's latest Commodity Markets Outlook. The increase is part of a broader 23% surge in commodity prices — including food, oil and natural gas — driven by higher energy costs, shipping disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, and grain shipment problems in the Black Sea.Sunny and warm conditions will dominate the interior through most of the weekend, with thundershowers developing over central to eastern parts from Sunday and becoming scattered early next week. While welcome after a dry October, rainfall may underperform as large-scale circulation remains unfavourable for widespread, significant rain.The National Department of Agriculture and Mohair SA have joined forces to strengthen technical support for mohair farmers through the development and deployment of extension practitioners.
Highly technical trade negotiations between South Africa and the United States continue, while trade union Solidarity makes a last-ditch attempt today, Thursday 29 October, to keep South Africa in AGOA for 2027. South Africa's Ambassador to the US, Roelf Meyer, has warned that even if South Africa is excluded from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, hardening its stance against America will not bring solutions.
The South African Department of Agriculture says although there has been an outbreak of Newcastle disease in the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil, poultry meat, hatching eggs and day-old chicks can still be imported, provided strict animal health requirements are met. This includes assurance that farms and facilities have been free of the disease for the required period.
South African livestock producers need to think more critically about how carcasses are measured, how they are compensated and how consumers ultimately experience the meat, said Prof. Louw Hoffman.
Climate change and El Niño are making agricultural risks in South Africa more systemic and constant. Drought, floods, heat, hail and veld fires now regularly threaten crop production, assets, cash flow and the ability to plant again. High input costs and volatile fuel prices add further pressure on profit margins and long-term viability.
The Vumelana Advisory Fund is preparing to launch eight free support toolkits for communal property associations, as governance and compliance challenges continue to affect land reform in South Africa. The resources contain 69 practical tools designed to help associations manage community-owned land, strengthen governance and improve operations.
On 29 October 2026, wool growers at the Nkululeko shearing shed near Cofimvaba received eight Merino rams bred in Phila Njobe's flock, marking the first handover from the Cairns Ram Breeding Project and potentially sparking a growing ram programme that could change communal wool production in South Africa
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- Weaner calf: R50.93
- A2/3: R65.55
- B2/3: R59.71
- C2/3: R58.87
- Feeder lamb (Speenlam): R53.87
- A2/3: R113.83
- B2/3: R87.29
- C2/3: R85.52
- Baconers: R30.30
- Porkers: R30.11
- Frozen chicken: approximately R32.30 – R32.40/kg
- Fresh chicken: approximately R35.50 – R35.80/kg
- IQF: approximately R32.30/kg
- White Maize: R3,853/t (+R16)
- Yellow Maize: R3,832/t (+R10)
- Wheat: R5,952/t (+R2)
- Sunflower: R10,470/t (–R15)
- Soybeans (Soya): R9,072/t (+R112)
- White maize: around R3,795 – R3,853/t
- Yellow maize: around R3,800 – R3,832/t
- Soybeans: around R8,912 – R9,072/t
Maize prices stabilised and edged slightly higher on 30 October after the sharp declines seen earlier in the week. Soybeans posted a stronger recovery. Sunflower eased modestly. Overall, prices remain under pressure from the large 2026 maize crop and comfortable domestic supplies, while still reflecting some weather-related caution ahead of the new planting season.
- Commercial maize plantings for the 2026/27 season planned at approximately 2.4 million hectares, the lowest since 2019.
- Maize plantings expected to drop about 12.4 percent year-on-year due to El Niño drought fears and high input costs.
- White maize plantings projected to fall by roughly 18 percent.
- Yellow maize plantings expected to decline by about 3 percent.
- Sunflower plantings anticipated to rise by nearly 45 percent as a more drought-tolerant, shorter-season alternative.
- Crop Estimates Committee released its first intentions-to-plant report highlighting the reductions.
- Strong El Niño conditions confirmed with forecasts of below-normal rainfall across summer rainfall regions.
- Above-normal temperatures predicted, especially in Free State, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
- Department of Agriculture issued an El Niño advisory warning of dry conditions, heat stress, crop failure and livestock losses.
- Elevated veld-fire risk highlighted alongside drought threats.
- Soil moisture currently favourable from recent rains and the previous season.
- Major dam levels standing at around 90 percent, offering a better buffer than the 2015/16 drought.
- Farmers urged to protect cash flow and reduce plantings on marginal land.
- Advice given to conserve grazing and prioritise financial resilience over maximum production.
- Healthy soil management emphasised as a key drought-defence strategy.
- Potential food-price inflation impact flagged for early 2027 if drought materialises.
- Winter wheat harvest estimated at 1.81 million tons, the lowest in eight years.
- Wheat production expected to decline 5 percent year-on-year due to Western Cape dryness and reduced area.
- Overall winter crop production (including barley, canola and oats) estimated up about 2 percent to 2.67 million tons.
- Early winter wheat deliveries to commercial silos already under way.
- 2025/26 maize harvest revised upward to a possible record of approximately 17.69 million tons.
- Brutal attack on cattle farmer Donovan Marx (50) near Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp on 28 October.
- Marx was shot, stabbed and reportedly had his ears cut off.
- A farmworker was restrained but managed to free himself and raise the alarm.
- Attackers fled in the farmer’s vehicle.
- Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp strongly condemned the attack.
- Aucamp called for prioritised rural policing, intelligence and increased resources.
- AfriForum demanded urgent action from the Acting Police Minister.
- Broader discussion of farm attacks as a persistent issue affecting rural safety and food security.
- Calls intensified for specialised investigative capacity and better coordination with community structures.
- Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement included temporary fuel-levy relief.
- Significant reduction in the diesel levy scheduled from early November to ease input-cost pressure.
- Contingency reserve increased to R10 billion to address risks including El Niño.
- Additional R1.5 billion allocated over three years for agricultural extension officers.
- Agricultural organisations welcomed the relief but stressed the need for effective implementation.
- Government advancing transfer of state land with full title deeds to qualifying black farmers.
- Initiative announced to identify 100 productive farmers per province on state-leased land for potential ownership transfer.
- Emphasis placed on implementing the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan amid competing crises.
- Agricultural employment noted as having grown in recent years.
- High fertiliser and fuel costs, linked partly to Middle East tensions, continued to pressure margins.
- Dairy sector under pressure from lower producer prices and rising feed costs.
- Long-term decline in the number of dairy farmers highlighted.
- Strong agricultural export performance recorded earlier in 2026.
- Continued focus on animal health, including lingering foot-and-mouth disease concerns.
- Rising cybersecurity risks noted for increasingly digital and automated farming operations.
- Conferences and industry events highlighted emerging-farmer success stories and support programmes.
- Calls made for better data systems, anticipatory finance and parametric or index insurance.
- Parametric insurance products being rolled out and tested as a complement to traditional cover.
- Ongoing work on land reform, inclusion of emerging farmers and rural economic revitalisation.
- Industry advice focused on practical risk reduction measures including firebreaks, water conservation, suitable cultivars and careful livestock management.
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South African Dam Levels Report 30th October 2026
- North West: 100.7%
- Free State: 100.3%
- Gauteng: 99.0%
- Northern Cape: 97.0–97.6%
- Mpumalanga: 97.6%
- Limpopo: 97.2%
- Eastern Cape: 94.1%
- KwaZulu-Natal: 87.5%
- Western Cape: 79.6%
- Vaal River System: Approximately 100.2%
- Orange River System: Approximately 100.2%
- Vanderkloof Dam: 99.7%
- Theewaterskloof: ~73%
- Voëlvlei: ~55%
- Berg River: ~94%
- Wemmershoek: ~80–81%
- Steenbras Upper: ~100%
- Steenbras Lower: ~47–48%
- Total outbreaks recorded: 2,871
- Resolved / closed: 1,370
- Still open: 1,501
- Eastern Cape: 421 open
- KwaZulu-Natal: 346 open
- Free State: 163 open
- North West: 143 open
- Gauteng: 136 open
- Mpumalanga: 123 open
- Limpopo: 99 open
- Northern Cape: 39 open
- Western Cape: 31 open
- Gauteng: Significant progress. New outbreaks declined by 96.9%, with no new outbreaks reported in September. Approximately 603,000 animals vaccinated in 2026, covering about 92% of the provincial herd.
- Free State: No new cases reported in the most recent weekly updates. Cumulative confirmed cases stand at 804, of which 787 have been resolved and only 17 properties remain under quarantine.
- Eastern Cape: Ongoing concern, including confirmation of FMD in kudu at Addo Elephant National Park (October 2026). The park is under quarantine and surveillance. Clinical signs have also been observed in other wildlife species.
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OOM KERNEELS
Van die Plaas af:
Elke week as ek hier kom sit en skryf, dan dink ek oor wat alles gebeur het in die week - wat ek gesien, gelees en gehoor het. Om ons gebeur soveel dinge en ek is baie dankbaar dat ek nie vandag 'n jong man en vrou is in hierdie deurmekaar mooi land wat in 31 jaar afgebreek is deur 'n regering wat absoluut net na hulleself kyk.Ek het grootgeword in tye waar ons gebou het, en werk verskaf het en produseer het - maar om te sien hoe alles tot niet gaan, is nie lekker nie.
Ek is Moerig hier waar ek sit. Ek is hartseer en omgekrap in my binneste.
Maar wat op my hart is die week, is die aanhoudende moord en aanslag op ons boere, en 'n regering en sy meelopers wat absoluut hulle rug draai en maak of daar niks gebeur nie.
En die woord van ons sogenaamde geleerde leiers in alle fasette van die samelewing van "GENOEG IS GENOEG" is nie meer van toepassing nie. En die tyd van geld gee om in howe te staan is ook verby. Boere is doeners, nie praters nie - daar moet 'n ander plan wees, en dit is nie 'n praat-plan nie. Weet jy wat dit is om op 'n plaas in te kom soos jy 'n oorlogsveld benader? As jy dit nog nie beleef het nie, sal jy nie weet nie.
Vir 30 jaar en meer word ons boere gejag en aangeval en dit word net meer. En dit kos duisende rande om onsself te beveilig, en die lafhartiges kom in die nag om onskuldige, hardwerkende boere en hulle gesinne aan te val. Dis tyd dat daar na 'n ander straf gekyk word - die doodstraf.
Ek het in die week vir 'n verskaffer gevra hoekom sy groot koppe, wat so baie geld uit ons maak, nie hulle mening lig en opstaan vir ons boere nie. Hy het maar net sy skouers opgetrek. En ons moet moet druk plas op hierdie Landbou maatskappye om saam ons te staan en hulle stem dik te maak.
Dit gaan nie net oor ons boere nie - dit gaan oor almal wat so nodeloos vermoor en aangeval word. Die hele land is in 'n gemors en niemand het die reg om enige mens se lewe te neem nie.
Hier op die plaas is al my werkers deel van ons veiligheidsplan - en die mense verstaan wat in hierdie land aangaan. As ek met die boere gesels, is ons almal op dieselfde bladsy, en dit gaan net 'n woord kos om ons in aksie te stel. Ons boere gee kos vir Suid-Afrika en Afrika en die res van die wereld.
Ons het hardwerkende boere en getroue werkers.
Boere het lank genoeg geluister na beloftes en toegekyk hoe daar vir ure in hofsale deur gebring word en om tafels gesit en vergader word, en daarna lekker gekuier is met kos en drank, en niks het daarvan gekom nie- dalk een of ander uitspraak- wat die barbare glad nie nakom nie- want gunsies in die verlede tussen hulle maak dat hulle mekaar beskerm.
Die tyd van praat is verby-En om op die polisie staat te maak is soos om te wag vir die son om op te kom in die nag 12 uur. Ons het jare terug reeds die polisie afgeskryf. Daar is 'n paar wat hulle werk doen- en niks meer.
Getruida wat so lief is vir haar"Slimfoon:" lees my vanoggend 'n berig in die algemene Afrikaanse media wat die hele tragiese gebeure rondom die laaste aanval met soveel sensasie en emosie beskryf- en dan vertel sy my van die berig van die politieke diktator -wat ongestoord nog steeds "Kill the Boer " sing wat wil weet wie sny 'n boer se ore af. "Bid jou aan" ( 'n ou gesegde van my Ouma)
Ek is 'n baie lief vir my land en my mense- mense wat opgevoed is- wat leef and laat lewe- maar ek gaan nie lange na mooi praatjies luister nie. Hoe lank wil ons nog luister na "GENOEG IS GENOEG"
Dis my boere hart wat hier praat- Trek die skoen aan as dit jou pas.
Groete uit die Vrystaat- en ons hoop die week is daar water- uit die hemel
Tot volgende week.
Mag julle almal ’n lekker week he ons gesels weer. OOM Kerneels.
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