Farmer's Inside Track

In this podcast episode, Nedbank’s head of agriculture client value propositions, Cobus de Bruyn, redefines what true agricultural transformation looks like in South Africa. Moving beyond simple land-ownership metrics, De Bruyn explains why long-term success hinges on transforming small-scale growers into productive, profitable, and bankable commercial farming enterprises. He shares critical insig...

Access to finance can help agricultural SMMEs grow, but understanding credit and preparing a strong funding application are essential for long-term financial sustainability. In this episode of Farmer's Inside Track , Zama Sangweni, agricultural economist at Absa, and Olivia Pratt, executive sales and strategy for SMEs at Nedbank, share practical advice on navigating agricultural finance. They unpa...

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. Rowland...

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...

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...

In this episode of Farmer Mentor, we speak to Mogale Maleka of AB Farms, a hydroponics specialist and mechanical engineer who turned an urban farming research project into an agritech business. Maleka discusses how hydroponic systems can help farmers overcome land and water constraints, improve production efficiency and explore new market opportunities. He shares insights into building a hydroponi...

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...

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....

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 so...

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 volatil...

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, M...

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. Reneilw...

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 issu...

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 underst...

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 prod...

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 epi...

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 discusse...

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...

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 farm...

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...

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 So...

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....

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...

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. I...

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 agr...