Keeping lamb and wool relevant requires more than increasing production. The sheep industry must understand what consumers value, deliver products that meet those expectations and ensure that the farmers producing them share in the rewards. farmersweekly.co.za/animals/…

Pieter Nortje of Sitrusrand near Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape has been named the 2026 @GrainSA/Syngenta Grain Producer of the Year! Nortje, who produces maize, wheat, soya beans and canola alongside citrus, accepted the award at the 2026 Grain SA Grain Producer Awards, sharing the recognition with the people who helped build his farming business. He paid tribute to his team, acknowledging that the business's expansion would not have been possible without the right people taking responsibility. He also thanked his wife and his 92-year-old father, recalling their modest beginnings selling tomatoes and collecting empty boxes to pack the next day's produce. His message to fellow farmers was one of hope: remain positive, support one another and keep farming. Congratulations to Nortje, his family and his team on this achievement!

Agricultural innovation must deliver practical results for farmers. At the 2026 @GrainSA Grain Producer Awards, Phote Monyamane, financial lead at Syngenta South Africa, called for faster technology adoption, sound science and stronger partnerships to help farmers manage risk and improve profitability.

When a farmer loses, employees and communities feel the consequences. At the @GrainSA Grain Producer Awards 2026, Dr Tobias Doyer highlighted why producer profitability and sustainability matter to jobs and the wider economy.

The 2026 @GrainSA Grain Producer Awards recognised farmers who have made significant progress through Grain SA’s farmer development programme @gsafarmerdev. The awards acknowledge producers at different stages of their farming journeys, recognising improvements in production, farming practices and business development. Motlalepule Vincent Masiu, 27, of Masiu Farming Enterprise in Senekal, Free State, was named the Grain SA/Absa/John Deere Financial New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year. The category recognises commercial grain farmers producing more than 250t. Masiu farms alongside his family, producing maize, soya beans and sunflower, as well as managing a Bonsmara cattle herd. Kopano Lentswetshipi from Lichtenburg, North West, received the Grain SA/Pannar Potential Commercial Farmer of the Year award. The category covers developing grain farmers in the 49ha to 250t production category. Lentswetshipi produces maize and sunflower alongside livestock. Lubabalo Jordan from Mthatha, Eastern Cape, was named the Grain SA/Land Bank Smallholder Farmer of the Year. The award recognises farmers producing crops on 4ha to 49ha of land. Since joining Grain SA’s farmer development programme three years ago, Jordan has expanded his maize production from 3ha to 13ha. Manqoba Nkosi from Donkerhoek, Piet Retief, in Mpumalanga, received the Grain SA/Absa South Africa/John Deere Financial Subsistence Farmer of the Year award. The category recognises farmers producing crops on 1ha to 3ha. Nkosi produces maize and soya beans alongside livestock and has participated in Grain SA’s farmer development programme since 2016. Congratulations to all the winners!

Farmers cannot invest in tomorrow if they are not profitable today. At the @GrainSA Grain Producer Awards 2026, Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp, called for practical delivery on market access, agro-processing and support for commercially sustainable farmers.

Partnership must deliver practical results. At the @GrainSA Grain Producer Awards 2026, Danie Minnaar reaffirmed Grain SA’s commitment to bringing producers’ voices and proposals to the table, calling for government to match this with implementation.

Innovation on the farm is not only about technology. It also involves sharing knowledge, challenging established practices and mentoring the next generation. Speaking at the 2026 @GrainSA Grain Producer Awards, Janalize van Buuren from John Deere encouraged farmers to learn from one another and remain open to new ideas. She recognised the determination of the nominees, acknowledging the unpredictable seasons and market pressures they have faced in building their farming businesses. Van Buuren also paid tribute to farming families and encouraged producers to pass on their knowledge while caring for the land that future generations will depend on.

Preparing for the next agricultural shock means learning from those that came before. Speaking on behalf of @AbsaSouthAfrica at the 2026 @GrainSA Grain Producer Awards, Dr @LangaSimela reflected on how farmers have adapted to repeated droughts and other pressures through better water management, improved genetics, technology and better-informed decision-making. She also acknowledged that not all farmers have been able to withstand these crises, reinforcing the importance of preparation and practical support. Her message to farmers, financiers and industry partners was to continue assessing risks, planning and adapting to changing conditions. Simela also congratulated the finalists and winners on their achievements and contributions to agriculture.

Every planting season brings decisions, investment and risk for farmers, their families and their teams. Speaking at the 2026 @GrainSA Grain Producer Awards, Lukas Meyer, business manager at Pannar Seed, recognised the determination of farmers who continue adapting, learning and investing despite the challenges they face. He also highlighted the importance of knowledge, innovation and strong partnerships in helping farmers build sustainable businesses. Congratulations to the finalists whose achievements demonstrate what that commitment can deliver. Pannar is the sponsor of the Potential Commercial Farmer of the Year category.

Access to finance is only part of what farmers need to build commercially sustainable businesses. Speaking at the 2026 @GrainSA Grain Producer Awards, Land Bank acting CEO Jabu Mphambo highlighted the importance of technical support, sound business management, infrastructure and reliable access to markets in helping developing farmers grow. He emphasised that agricultural transformation must create the conditions for farmers to succeed, expand and participate sustainably in commercial agriculture. Partnerships that combine funding, mentorship and market access are essential to achieving this. Mphambo also congratulated the finalists and winners, recognising their perseverance and the example they set for other farmers.

Behind every farming achievement are people whose work often goes unseen. Opening the 2026 @GrainSA Grain Producer Awards, Jeremia Mathebula, vice-chairperson of Grain SA, recognised the families, farm workers, mentors and communities who contribute to producers’ success.

"You can be so close, yet so far." AFASA president AJ Mthembu said farmers can be close to funding and infrastructure yet unable to access either. He called for better connections between farmers and institutions at #AGDA2026.

"We're competing in the International Olympics of Farming." Grain SA CEO Tobias Doyer told #AGDA2026 that commercial farmers need access to world-class technology, knowledge and infrastructure to compete internationally.

"We think if we sort it out finance, it's going to work. It's not. We set people up for failure." Johan challenged agricultural development programmes at #AGDA2026 to focus on partnerships, skills and responsibility, not finance alone.

"We must not assume that every black farmer is facing the same challenges in the same way." Gauteng MEC @VuyiswaRamokgop called for farmer support to reflect different levels of experience, capital and commercial development at #AGDA2026.

Day two at #AGDA2026, Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre: Gauteng MEC @VuyiswaRamokgop called for farmer support to be measured by productivity, dependable customers and the ability to reinvest in the next season.

Day two at #AGDA2026: The Creating Routes to Market panel at Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre urged farmers to check agents’ registration, protect produce quality and understand their intended market’s requirements.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed in kudu at Addo Elephant National Park, where red hartebeest and eland are also showing clinical signs of the disease. The park is under quarantine as veterinary authorities assess the risk of further transmission. farmersweekly.co.za/agri-new…

Day two at #AGDA2026: Finance and farming expertise cannot compensate for unreliable logistics, says Fruit SA CEO Fhumulani Ratshitanga. Keeping markets also requires consistent quality and supply.