Farmer's Inside Track

With scattered spreadsheets and lost notebook entries cutting into farm margins, using data effectively has become a critical business priority for modern agriculture. Dinah Nel, general manager at Agritistics, says turning everyday farm records into actionable business intelligence does not require expensive software or complex sensors, but rather a clear understanding of how to make existing information work harder.
Nel explains how tracking key metrics like livestock mortality, input costs, and field yields helps producers identify hidden financial leaks and optimise daily operations. She outlines the transition from disconnected records and WhatsApp messages to centralised systems, demonstrating how simple tools like customised Excel sheets or digital dashboards can transform raw numbers into clear visual patterns.
In this episode, she also breaks down practical steps for emerging and commercial farmers to structure their record-keeping without overwhelming daily farm routines.

Water use compliance is essential for farmers looking to operate legally, secure funding and protect South Africa’s scarce water resources. In this episode of Farmer's Inside Track, legal expert Katlego Ngwane, founder and director of Katika Consultancy, unpacks the National Water Act, water use licences, application requirements and the consequences of non-compliance. She also explains why farmers should verify water rights when acquiring land and plan for compliance before seeking agricultural finance.

As crop protection technologies evolve and regulations tighten, relying solely on years of experience is no longer enough to ensure safety on the farm. Speaking on Food For Mzansi’s Farmer’s Inside Track podcast, CropLife South Africa’s stewardship lead, Quade Sing Jam, and strategic partnerships manager, Elriza Theron, highlight why responsible agricultural remedy use must extend across the entire farm life cycle, from storage and application to container disposal.
Jam and Theron unpack common operational gaps, reminding producers that “the label is the law” and that formulation changes mean outdated practices can pose severe health and environmental risks. They explore why personal protective equipment (PPE) is far more than a compliance tick-box exercise, how to prepare for farm emergencies before they occur, and why proper container disposal is critical to protecting crop protection tools from regulatory bans.
In this episode, they also detail CropLife South Africa’s self-paced “Train the Trainer” online course. Designed to equip farm managers and supervisors with the tools to pass vital stewardship knowledge down to their entire team, the course ensures farm operations remain safe, compliant, and sustainable for the future.

A successful harvest depends on far more than end-of-season bulk; it begins with establishing a strong agronomic foundation long before shoots break through the soil surface. Nico Barnard, agronomist for Pannar Seed, highlights how producers can maximise crop performance and value by focusing on foundational seed selection, soil preparation, and early-stage management.
Barnard breaks down the critical role seed germination plays in establishing uniform plant stands and driving final yield potential. He outlines the core management practices needed to protect young crops, optimise nutrient uptake, and build strong root systems from day one.
In this episode, he also examines the practical decisions farmers must make before planting. He provides guidance on managing early-season growing conditions, selecting cultivars suited to specific regional climates, and applying sound agronomic principles to build stronger crop resilience and ensure long-term farm productivity.

In this episode of Farmer's Inside Track, winemaker Mahalia Kotjane, founder of Three Quarters Wines, shares her journey from a curious Grade 9 learner to building her own boutique wine brand in Stellenbosch. She discusses the importance of vineyard management, sustainable practices and quality winemaking, as well as how industry experience, strong relationships and market access have helped grow her business. Mahalia also reflects on balancing production with sales and cash flow, and offers practical advice to aspiring winemakers on investing in their skills, building networks and making use of industry support programmes.