Indholdsfortegnelse for 21 October 2022 i Farmer's Weekly

The decision to euthanise an animal is seldom an easy one for an owner to make. And neither is it for a veterinarian, since having to put an animal down can be fraught with emotional hardship, as morals, ethics, empathy, practicality, and the professional obligation to provide humane care collide. The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) spoke to veterinary professionals to hear their thoughts on the complex and multifaceted issue of euthanasia. Their considered and often poignant responses show that every day, these animal-health professionals have to weigh up many factors when exercising their duty to ease animals' pain and ensure their quality of life. This includes dealing with the very human emotions - their own as well as those of the owners - that come with having to make…

The sheep scab outbreak in the Northern Cape has largely been contained, with only three new incidents reported in September. The quarantine measures previously imposed on the majority of flocks in the province have also been lifted, according to the Northern Cape Red Meat Producers' Organisation. The organisation's operations official, Julize Volschenk, told Farmer's Weekly that the swift and effective action against the disease was made possible by a donation of 10 000 doses of vaccine from Afrivet.…

An outbreak of lumpy skin disease in India is expected to lead to devastating losses for cattle farmers. The disease can result in decreased milk production, emaciated animals, birthing difficulties, and death. According to reports, 100 000 head of cattle and buffalo had died so far, and a further two million animals had been taken ill. The virus had spread to at least 15 Indian states, with the number of deaths among cattle and buffalo nearly doubling in just three weeks, the Press Trust of India news agency said. Small-scale farmers were being disproportionately affected by the disease, as many had tried to insulate themselves from the shocks of climate change by rearing cattle for milk, according to Devinder Sharma, an agriculture policy expert in Chandigarh. He added that the…

The expected 1,33% increase in soya bean production announced in the Crop Estimates Committee's (CEC) September crop forecast is testament to the growing awareness of soya bean's value as a viable alternative for summer crop production. This was according to Ralf Küsel, chairperson of Grain SA's Sunflower and Soybean Working Group. The CEC set the 2022 soya bean production estimate at 2,2 million tons, which was 1,33%, or about 28 900t more than the previous forecast of 2,18 million tons. The anticipated area planted to soya bean was estimated at 925 300ha, with an expected yield of 2,38t/ha. “Farmers are increasingly moving to soya bean production for a number of reasons, [such as] the fact that soya bean fares considerably better than maize under very wet production conditions. "We expect…

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has estimated that 14% of all food produced each year is lost after it is harvested and before it reaches retailers. A further 17% is wasted by retailers and consumers. Approximately 31% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributable to the agrifood system, and up to 10% of these emissions are from food waste itself. In some countries, the food supply chain is already on course to overtake farming and land use as the largest contributor to GHG emissions. A guideline for food waste prevention published last year by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) found that 1,7km3 of water was extracted from groundwater and surface-water bodies…

Somalia is facing a humanitarian crisis of enormous severity and magnitude. This follows four failed rainy seasons, protracted conflict, political instability, and the impact of rising global food prices – the latter made significantly worse by the war in Ukraine and the disruption to global food and fuel markets. There’s a strong possibility of famine being declared later this year, and this dire situation is predicted to continue well into next year. Up to 7,1 million people in Somalia are considered in need of urgent humanitarian assistance; that’s nearly half of that country’s population. Each of the previous two famines in Somalia saw roughly 250 000 people die. Most of the people who die during famine largely come from marginalised and minority groups in the country. Experts are worried that…

Canopy-adapted spraying involves 'conforming' to each canopy in your orchards, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. "You adjust variables such as forward speed and air volume to better suit the size and shape of the tree canopy, rather than using constant spray machine settings for every orchard on a farm," explains ProCrop's Philip Rebel. To illustrate, he uses the example of a tractor driving past a single tree in the orchard. The volume of dropletcontaining air directed at this tree is a function of the forward speed of the tractor and the air delivered by the machine. If the speed of the tractor is increased, the volume of spray is reduced, as the window of time during which the spray is delivered to the tree is smaller. Most pumps and…

LIFESTYLE Campfire Stories Indigenous people of North America and Canada have long been agriculturalists and farmers. According to Christina Gish Hill, an associate professor of anthropology at Iowa State University in the US, the first Europeans to settle in North America were amazed at the abundance of food. The key to the indigenous people's food production lies in the story of the Three Sisters. In his book, Indian Legends of Eastern Canada, Lois Thomas tells the story of the Three Sisters, based on the oral stories of various indigenous American and Canadian people. The stories differ somewhat from community to community, but the premise remains largely the same. According to Thomas’s account, the Three Sisters lived together in a field. They were quite different from each other and dressed in…

ACROSS 1. Spiral pile of earth thrown out by a small, burrowing creature (8) 5. Treads on roughly (8) 11. Japanese seafood or vegetables deep-fried in batter (7) 12. Desert lynx of North Africa (7) 13. Fruit of the vine (5) 14. Per item or person (6) 15. System of rabbit burrows (6) 16. Fittingly (5) 19. Food regularly eaten (4) 23. Decaying bog moss cut in blocks and used for fuel (4) 24. Stopping place for travellers and their animals (7) 25. Seafowl dung used as manure (5) 26. Fish-eating animal with short fur and webbed feet (5) 28. The keeping of goods or information (7) 30. Milky white semi-precious stone with traces of colour (4) 32. Flexible garden water pipe (4) 35. Grass-like plant with solid, triangular stems…

MOST POPULAR ON FARMERSWEEKLY.CO.ZA 'HIGH DIESEL PRICES WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE UP PRODUCTION COSTS' The latest increase in diesel prices is a severe blow to grain farmers, according to André Kirsten, vice-chairperson of Grain SA's Winter Grain Working Group. Read the full article at bit.ly/3eawRSR, or scan here: Posted: 4 October 2022. Follow us at @FarmersWeeklySA FROM FACEBOOK @FarmersWeeklySA We posted a link to an artide titled, 'Dehorning your beef cattle can help boost profits', and a few of our followers shared their thoughts on the topic. Posted: 5 October 2022. READERS' COMMENTS Keyasi Saranji: "In some parts of Zimbabwe, horned cattle have become easy targets for cattle rustlers, as they can easily rope them. Dehorned cattle are difficult to leash." Johan Robbertse: "Putting castration rings [around the horns] is…

Syngenta and John Deere recently hosted their first knowledge hub workshop at the Sensako Research Farm near Napier in the Western Cape. The event, which took place over two days at the end of September, attracted 254 growers, agents and collaborators. It also showcased the latest John Deere technology, including crop sprayers, planters and harvesters, alongside field-trial demonstrations and plant protection solutions. Antonie Delport, managing director of Syngenta South Africa, said the purpose of the partnership between John Deere and Syngenta was to future-proof food production. "Together, we want to lay the foundation for precision farming in South Africa, from seed to harvest, through the use of, and access to, expertise and quality products and technology." Hentie Breedt, marketing manager of John Deere in South Africa, added that the partnership…

FEATURE Firearms The Constitution of South Africa clearly states that “everyone has the right to freedom and security of the person”. Security and personal protection are constantly on the mind of farmers in this country, as the vast majority of farms are in rural areas, far from help from the nearest South African Police Service (SAPS) unit. This is one reasons that many farmers own firearms. However, obtaining a firearm in South Africa is a tedious process. Any person who wishes to legally own a firearm must first obtain a licence, which will specify whether the firearm is for self-defence, hunting or sport. A separate licence is needed for each firearm. South Africa’s current firearm regulatory framework consists of the Firearms Control Act (No. 60 of 2000), as well as…

Blueberries are a relatively new crop to South Africa, and with the frequent arrival of new varieties, finding the right recipe for optimal production is no easy matter. At the same time, the price of blueberries is decreasing after hitting a peak two years ago, which means that farmers now need to make the most from every input and hectare to ensure their sustainability. Unfortunately, their task is made far harder by the blueberry plant's notorious inefficiency at absorbing calcium (Ca) and nitrogen (N), both of which are key elements required for a good fruit crop. Simply adding more of either nutrient doesn't solve the problem. Instead, growers are advised to relook at application rates and methods, and the different forms of the elements. CALCIUM An adequate level of Ca…

The first physiological disorder that comes to mind with tomatoes is cat-face or cat-facing. This describes deformities of the fruit that are rather unsightly and usually render the product unmarketable. The problem begins at the flowering stage. One of the main causes is the western flower thrip, which attacks the developing ovary, the initial stage of the fruit. The scarring caused becomes magnified as the fruit develops. Apart from causing cat-face, these thrips are also the vector of the spotted wilt virus. Look for thrips before the flowers are ready to open, because at this stage they confine themselves to feeding on leaves and are far easier to control with insecticide. This is not the only way that catface can develop. When fertilisation has taken place, and due to various…

SERVES FOUR TO SIX 15ml olive oil 10ml unsalted butter 1 large onion, chopped 5ml fresh whole ginger, finely grated 2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped 480g sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks 60ml vegetable stock powder 1ℓ boiled water 5ml fresh coriander, chopped, plus extra to serve 5ml lemon juice 5ml castor sugar 5ml ground black pepper • Place the oil and butter in a saucepan over a medium heat and fry the onion gently, covered, for five minutes or until soft and translucent. • Add the ginger, apple and sweet potato and fry gently, covered, for another six to eight minutes. • Dissolve the vegetable stock in the freshly boiled water. • Add the stock, coriander, lemon juice, castor sugar and pepper to the sweet potato mixture. Bring…

Hillbilly Homes LIFESTYLE Dear Jonno, I currently reside in Johannesburg and have a farm of 2ha in Limpopo. I would like to build two rondavels on the farm before later erecting a family home there. We have three children, so one rondavel should have two bedrooms, which my wife and I will share with our five-year-old. The other children, aged 15 and 13, can share the second rondavel. There should be a small kitchen and lounge area with a fireplace, as the winters are very cold there. You can join the rondavels by means of a veranda where we can all sit during the summer months. I'll leave the diameter of the rondavels up to you; I just need something that's comfortable and big enough. The surface is not flat;…

AUCTIONS TO LIST AUCTION RESULTS in this section, email Janine Ryan at janiner@caxton.co.za. Market Report Konsortium-Merino's 91st and 92nd Production Sales HIGHEST: (RAM) R50 000 Victoria West and Hofmeyr - The 91st and 92nd Konsortium-Merino Production Sales were held on the farms Dombietersfontein and Vrolikskraal on 1 and 14 September respectively. At the 91st sale, the highest price of the day was paid for a ram, which was sold to Pikkie Uys of Wakkerstroom for R50 000. The second-highest price of the day was also paid for a ram, which was sold to Roelof Theron of Murraysburg for R45 000. Rams achieved an average price of R18 049. This sale was held by Vleissentraal, with Jakkie Nel as the auctioneer. At the 92nd sale, the highest price of the day…

FARMER'S DIARY 31 October to 4 November, Delmas, Mpumalanga The Introduction to Basic Vegetable Production short course focuses on the principles of vegetable production under irrigation. The course presents the procedures of soil analysis and land preparation, correct planting procedures, harvesting methods, and more. Phone the Buhle Farmers' Academy on 063 287 2732, or email applications@buhle.org.za. Visit buhle.org.za. CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND EXPOS 17 TO 18 NOVEMBER Agribusiness Conference 2022, Protea Hotel, Sandton. Email Buhle Ndokweni at buhle@mathema.co.za, or phone 011 862 4001. 17 TO 18 NOVEMBER Sustainable Innovative Producers and Emerging Farmers Conference, Protea Hotel Balalaika, Sandton. Email Karabo Ramabu at karabo@mathema.co.za. 24 TO 25 NOVEMBER Drones and Unmanned Aviation Conference 2022, Emperors Palace. Email info@bussynet.co.za. COURSES AND TRAINING 16 OCTOBER TO 5 NOVEMBER Sheep and Goat Training Module, George.…

ARCHIVE 28 YEARS AGO 1911 23 December 1994 2022 In this article, an expert stated that careful observation and strict selection were needed to combat pigmentation in sheep flocks and improve the quality of the clip. Foreign objects such as twine, wire and pieces of sacking are usually seen as the main culprits in wool contamination. However, colour and the presence of black fibres are also significant. At the outset, wool growers must appreciate the importance of clean, uncontaminated wool in their bales, says Smiley de Beer of the [then] Wool Board in Caledon, Western Cape. Cleanliness is the primary requirement in the manufacture of tops. The wool industry dictates that in the manufacture of white and pastel-shade materials, there may not be more than 100 dark fibres in 1kg of wool.…

WEEKLY NEWS WRAP - A farmer near the town of Jagersfontein in the Free State, Dennis Louw, lamenting the extensive losses he suffered when a tailings dam adjacent to his farm collapsed and flooded his property (pg 22). '[…] soya bean fares considerably better than maize under very wet production conditions' - Chairperson of Grain SA's Sunflower and Soybean Working Group, Ralf Küsel, outlining the many advantages of soya bean as an alternative crop in the summer rainfall production regions (pg 22). ‘Why should [we] pay more for Eskom power if the service is unreliable?' - General manager of TLU SA, Bennie van Zyl, expressing strong opposition to Eskom's application for steep hikes in electricity tariffs (pg 20). ‘If some of the products were eliminated […], citrus exports would be…

Despite the cold winter weather, internal parasites were a serious problem in sheep and goats during August, according to the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa's (RuVasa) latest disease report. Wireworm infestation was reported in all provinces except North West, and roundworm in all provinces except the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga. Resistant roundworm occurred in all provinces except the Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape; and tapeworm was reported in all provinces except Gauteng, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Dr Faffa Malan, managing director of RuVasa, said wireworm outbreaks were associated with high mortality rates on some farms, with one farm reporting a wireworm strain that was resistant to all active dewormers. Malan said farmers needed to check the mucous membranes in the eyes of their sheep weekly for signs of…

BACK TO BASICS PEARL MILLET Pearl millet is an erect annual plant, up to 3m tall. It originated in central tropical Africa and the plant was domesticated as a food crop between 4 000 and 5 000 years ago along the southern margins of the central highlands of the Sahara. It has since become widely distributed across the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia. PEST CONTROL The greatest pest threats for the pearl millet producer are chinch bugs, stinkbugs, nematodes and birds. • Chinch bugs The female lays eggs in summer, and these hatch into nymphs within two weeks. The nymphs begin to suck the sap from host plants, while injecting chemicals into the plant that clog the vascular system. The area around the feeding puncture usually turns yellow. Inspect your…

At the beginning of September, John Deere announced that it had added three new selfpropelled forage harvesters, namely the 9500, 9600 and 9700, to its line-up. "Each model addresses the needs of contractors, customer harvesters, and dairy and livestock producers challenged by increased operating costs, shorter harvesting windows and a smaller pool of skilled workers," the company said in a statement. Chase Milem, marketing manager for John Deere international, explains that the new additions expand the kilowatt offerings for its wide-body harvesters, providing improved performance. The 9500 (up to 563kW), 9600 (up to 578KW) and 9700 (up to 606kW) feature the John Deere Power Systems JD18X 18-litre engine. According to the company, this is up to 13% more efficient, as it does not require diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). GREATER SERVICE…

Table Bay Hotel turns 25 this year, and few would deny that Sun International deserves recognition for its foresight and exceptional management. According to Anthony Leeming, Sun International CEO, in 1997 people questioned why a premium hotel would be built in a gritty working harbour, especially as the V&A Waterfront was a long way from being the destination it is today. "Right from the start, we saw the potential in establishing a world-class hotel in the heart of what we recognised would be a rapidly evolving tourism destination. Today, we're envied for having the best address in Cape Town," he says. Leeming recalls that former Sun International CEO Sol Kerzner was adamant that the hotel be built at an angle, facing Table Mountain head-on. From the opposite angle the hotel…

LIFESTYLE The Hitching Post I am a 40-year-young, English-speaking lady looking for friendship that could blossom into something more. I'm down to earth, fun and adventurous. I recently started my own little company and am passionate about what I do. If you're a Caucasian man who has an adventurous spirit and is a lover of life, or if you're an optimist and love the outdoors, travelling, or cuddling up and watching a good movie, I hope to hear from you soon! SUNNY BLONDE A single mother of two, I'm ready to settle down with a gentleman aged 35 to 40. I'm a born-again Christian who loves the quiet life. I'm fun, witty, and enjoy reading and watching movies. A man of any race may respond, as long as he is…

PROPERTY Eastern Cape CRADOCK • Trekkloof (1 156ha) sold by Dassen Trust to Brack Properties for R69 million. GQEBERHA • Chelsea (1,8ha) sold by Willem van Heerden to Sally Smit for R1,6 million. KARIEGA • Addo Drift (39ha) sold by Uitenhage Farms to Hearst Trading for R5 million. • Tweefontein (71ha) sold by Hope Trust to Joseph Ferreira for R8 million. • Willow Grange (8,9ha) sold by Jordaan Trust to Maria Ndlovu for R1 million. MTHATHA • Sirrah (31ha) sold by Klopper Hardware to Sineke Mzobani for R1,3 million. Free State BLOEMFONTEIN • Schietpoort (7ha) sold by Anna du Preez to Saunders Property Holdings for R2,8 million. • Welgelegen (65ha) sold by Venter Besigheidstrust to OK Farming for R5 million. • Boschsluit (4,2ha) sold by Kathleen de Jager to Martin…