Farmer's Inside Track

Technology and innovation are rapidly transforming the red meat supply chain, addressing questions about authenticity, safety, and environmental stewardship. As consumers seek clearer assurances about what they eat, the industry is rolling out new tools and practices that restore trust and promote responsible farming. In this episode, Michaela Pretorius, a technical manager at Cavalier, shares how forward-thinking approaches, from traceability to data-driven quality improvements, are reimagining meat production from farm to table. Technology and innovation, led by red meat industry role players, aim to build trust, ensure sustainability, and deliver consistently high-quality meat.

In this episode, chartered accountant Desry Lesele, driven by his Limpopo farm roots and role as Nedbank's senior agriculture manager, shows farmers how to conquer rising costs, weather volatility, and tight margins with tailored financial tools for growth and resilience.From witnessing his grandmother's struggles growing sorghum and maize, Lesele crafts solutions against input price surges, grain oversupply, and climate threats risking 40% yield losses, urging early banker ties, tech investments, and diversification.He insists that farmers should treat farming as a business by tracking records, planning strategically, and using finance as a survival edge for food security and rural jobs.

Join Farmer’s Inside Track as Craig Carter, a seasoned livestock farmer with 25 years’ experience, shares his journey from electrical technician to successful beef producer. He discusses weaner calf production, choosing the right cattle for the land, managing droughts, and building a sustainable farm. Packed with practical advice, stewardship lessons, and insights for young farmers, Craig’s story highlights the passion, hard work, and faith that drive success in livestock farming.

South Africa’s wine industry is uniting behind a powerful ESG vision that puts people, planet, and profit on equal footing. In this episode, South Africa Wine NPC, Wieta, Vinimark, and Spier unpack how a new ESG framework supports producers from vineyard to glass, helping especially smaller wineries meet global demands for transparency and accountability. Gerard Martin, Siglinda Lösch, Heidi Newton-King, and Linda Lipparoni share practical steps to cut emissions, safeguard water, protect workers’ rights, and strengthen traceability so consumers can enjoy South African wine with confidence and pride.​

In episode 4 of our special Nedbank series, we spotlight Bathabile Masemola, the dynamic co-founder of Green Leafy Growers. From discovering an entrepreneurship programme on Facebook to building a thriving agribusiness that supplies major retailers, Masemola’s journey embodies resilience, innovation, and the power of the right support. Join us as we explore how Nedbank’s commitment to mentorship, market access, and sustainable agribusiness is helping shape a new era of South African farmers.