Blog
Practical guides for South African farmers, farm managers and fleet operators on diesel logbooks, SARS diesel refunds, fuel losses and vehicle maintenance.
El Niño 2026/27 farming
Record Maize Harvest, El Niño Ahead: How to Plan the 2026/27 Season
South Africa harvested a record maize crop in 2026, but a strong El Niño threatens the 2026/27 summer. How to protect your margins before planting starts.
4 min readRead articleSARS diesel logbook requirements
SARS Diesel Logbook Requirements: A 2026 Checklist for Farmers
What SARS wants in a diesel refund logbook: the records to keep, the monthly reconciliation and the mistakes that cost farmers their claim in an audit.
6 min readRead articleSARS diesel refund registration
SARS Diesel Refund Registration 2026: What Farmers Must Do Now
Diesel refunds are leaving the VAT system. Who must register with SARS, why your diesel supplier must register too, and how to keep claiming in 2026.
6 min readRead articlewhat is El Niño
What Is El Niño? The Meaning, Origin and Impact on South Africa
What is El Niño, where does the name come from and how does it work? A plain-language guide to El Niño, La Niña and what the 2026/27 El Niño means for SA.
8 min readRead articletractor cost per hour
How to work out the cost per hour of a tractor or farm vehicle
Running cost per hour for a tractor, or per km for a bakkie or truck, with a worked example, and how to use it to decide repair or replace
7 min readRead articlediesel theft
Diesel theft on farms: warning signs and how to stop it
How to spot diesel theft on a farm, which controls actually help, and how to investigate a tank discrepancy fairly before you accuse anyone.
7 min readRead articlediesel logbook
How to keep a farm diesel logbook
A practical guide to keeping a farm diesel logbook in South Africa: what to record for every tank and vehicle, how often, and how long to keep the records.
5 min readRead articlediesel tank level
How to measure diesel tank levels and reconcile your stock
How to measure a farm diesel tank with a dipstick and chart, why book and measured stock drift apart, and how to reconcile them and set your own tolerance.
7 min readRead articlepaper logbook
Paper vs digital fuel records on the farm
Paper logbook, spreadsheet or app for farm diesel records? What goes wrong with each, what to look for in a digital system, and how to switch.
8 min readRead articleSARS diesel refund
SARS diesel refund audit checklist for farmers
What to have ready if SARS verifies or audits your diesel refund claim: the records SARS asks for, eligible and ineligible use, retention and common gaps.
6 min readRead articletractor service schedule
Tractor service schedule and maintenance checklist for farms
A practical tractor maintenance checklist for South African farms: daily checks, services by engine hours, pre-season prep and how to keep service records.
8 min readRead article