Farmer's Inside Track

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 and details how localised data can buffer crops against severe climate shocks.
To help growers prepare for upcoming seasons, Myburgh shares Pannar Seed’s actionable strategies for building on-the-ground resilience.

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 farms resilient through market volatility.

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 looking to improve water-use efficiency, this episode offers practical insights to help you make more informed irrigation decisions.