Farmer's Inside Track

Hosted by Food For Mzansi

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Episodes

300

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

The Farmer's Inside Track podcast is proudly presented by www.FoodForMzansi.co.za. It is aimed at South Africa’s up-and-coming farmers and new entrants into farming and agri-businesses who need information and inspiration to help them start up and get up to sprinting speed as commercial producers and/or agri-processors. • Join the farmers' members club | www.farmersinsidetrack.co.za • Facebook | www.facebook.com/foodformzansi.co.za • Twitter & Instagram | @foodformzansi.co.za

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60 recent

October 30, 202612 min

Nedbank: Sustainable agribusinesses are key to transformation

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 insights into the real-world barriers facing commercial expansion – from secure land tenure and water infrastructure to market access. De Bruyn makes a compelling case for rethinking industry terminology like “emerging farmer” and highlights how commercial banks, if integrated into government blended finance schemes, can bridge vital funding gaps. Discover how cross-sector collaboration delivers on-the-ground results through mentorship, structured shareholding, and technical support.

October 26, 202624 min

Agricultural credit: What farmers need to know before borrowing

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 unpack what lenders look for when assessing funding applications, including cash flow, financial records, credit history, repayment capacity, collateral, governance, risk mitigation and market access. The discussion also explores common application mistakes, warning signs of over-indebtedness and the importance of understanding borrowing costs and repayment terms. Sangweni and Pratt highlight how farmers, particularly emerging producers, can strengthen their creditworthiness through sound business planning, mentorship, strategic partnerships and diversification, while using credit responsibly.

October 23, 20268 min

Unlocking high-energy livestock feed through precision silage management

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. Rowlands explains how grain potential contributes up to 65% of silage energy, emphasising the importance of subsoil fertility, correct planting densities, and proactive foliar disease control to prevent leaf degradation. In this episode, she breaks down the operational execution required from field to bunker. She provides actionable guidelines on optimal soil planting temperatures, managing seasonal heat and drought stress, and applying tight compaction and sealing techniques to eliminate oxygen and prevent yeast and mould spoilage.

October 22, 202613 min

Simple ways farmers can turn raw data into actionable insights

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 platforms. Learn the crucial difference between raw data and true operational insight, and discover why linked data points across a livestock’s lifetime reveal whether your management decisions are truly paying off. Corbett also breaks down how to avoid the dangerous “garbage in, garbage out” trap through practical standard operating procedures (SOPs). Whether you run a small-scale farm or a commercial operation, tune in to start turning routine daily records into smarter, more profitable decisions today.

October 21, 202619 min

Precision irrigation: Cut fertiliser and water inputs without sacrificing crop yields

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 water and fertiliser use without sacrificing final yields. Southwood explains how managing irrigation is fundamentally about oxygen management in the root zone. He outlines the importance of tracking soil water potential down 10-centimetre increments, using drone and NDVI satellite imagery to spot early plant stress, and monitoring water source quality to prevent salt and bicarbonate issues. In this episode, he also breaks down real-time sap testing to prevent over-fertilisation and explores targeted band placement and dripper technology. Southwood invites producers to attend the upcoming SADC Plant Nutrition Symposium in Stellenbosch to learn more about advanced fertigation techniques.

October 19, 202620 min

Mogale Maleka: Growing more with less through hydroponics

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 hydroponics business, accessing funding, choosing suitable crops and the importance of starting small, being patient and embracing technology. The conversation also explores how collaboration, farmer training and innovation can support food security and create opportunities for young people in agriculture.

October 14, 202619 min

SADC Plant Nutrition Symposium unlocks precision strategies for growing crops

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 quality across 15 SADC countries. In this episode, Southwood breaks down practical strategies for managing El Niño weather threats. He explains how cover crops, mulching, and biostimulants enhance photosynthetic capacity and carbohydrate levels to buffer plants against extreme heat, drought, severe winds, and frost. Southwood also shares event registration details and explains how symposium proceedings support the Agri Vision Foundation’s mission to foster food security and entrepreneurship in impoverished communities.

October 12, 202634 min

Get your farm finance-ready: Tax, compliance and credit

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. He shares practical advice for emerging farmers looking to become more finance-ready and build financially sustainable farming businesses.

October 8, 202619 min

The fifth quarter: Unlocking nutrition, carcass value, and sustainability in red meat

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 socio-economic challenges. Drawing on recent nutritional testing and industry data, Muller demonstrates how organ meats deliver concentrated doses of bioavailable heme iron, complete proteins, and vital micronutrients to budget-conscious households facing food insecurity. In this episode, she breaks down the resource-efficiency benefits of whole-animal utilisation. She advocates for integrating offal into mainstream food security policies and consumer education, positioning the fifth quarter as both a practical sustainability win and a high-margin opportunity for the livestock supply chain.

October 7, 202622 min

Beyond short-term yields: Building resilient soils and multi-generational farms

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 volatility. Grounded in over two decades of field experience, Southwood details practical strategies for managing biological, chemical, and physical soil balances, avoiding widespread agronomic pitfalls like nitrogen over-application, and managing pest resistance dynamically. He also shares advice on implementing precision diagnostics, such as sap testing and soil carbon tracking, and more. Southwood highlights how attending the upcoming SADC Plant Nutrition Symposium on 19–20 November 2026 in Stellenbosch connects producers with actionable agronomic tools while supporting regional food security initiatives.