Indholdsfortegnelse for 22 September 2023 i Farmer's Weekly

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently released its annual ‘The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World’ report. On pages 6 and 7 of this issue, we look at the section of the report that deals with urbanisation and the impact it is having on food production. However, as nutrition (and child nutrition in particular) is a passion of mine, in my editorial this week I will briefly look at the report's overview of the affordability of a so-called healthy diet. According to the FAO, the cost of a healthy diet rose globally by 4,3% compared with 2020 and by 6,7% when compared with 2019 (pre-COVID-19). While this is in line with global inflation, the more interesting part of the report is the…

ARCHIVE This article looked at what the feedlot manager looks for in an animal. Quality is in the eyes of the beholder. That saying should be the guiding maxim of the man who has the job of buying for feedlots and finishing off the animals. So says Dave Ford Kanhym, feedlots manager at Middelburg and Pietermaritzburg. He is responsible for finishing 198 000 cattle a year at these feedlots. Buying calves at the price higher than the going market price for beef and finishing them in a feedlot over 100 to 120 days needs somebody who knows exactly what they are doing and how to assess an animal's potential. Otherwise, they won't be in business for long. The ideal feedlot animal utilises the least feed per kilogram gained, has a…

With the return of the El Niño weather phenomenon, the World Food Programme (WFP) has teamed up with governments and humanitarian partners to reach more than half-a-million people with preventive action projects in four Southern African countries in 2023. According to a recent report by the WFP, the aim was to reach 200 000 people in Zimbabwe alone following the prediction that the effects of drought will intensify in parts of Southern Africa in the coming months. Under the R238,38 million initiative, the WFP consequently launched its biggest effort in the region to date to trigger early warning messages, distribute drought-tolerant seeds and financing, and provide safe water to communities and livestock. The support measures include issuing drought-tolerant sorghum seed to farmers. According to the 2019 study by Kidanemaryam Wagaw…

The 9th International Macadamia Symposium (IMS'23) is all set to take place at the Zimbali Coastal Resort in KwaZulu-Natal from 18 to 21 September. Local as well as international speakers will share their extensive knowledge on various topics, providing delegates with valuable insights and fresh perspectives. From global market trends to precision agriculture, flowering and pollination, post-harvest techniques, and pest management, to name a few, the sessions promise to cover a wide range of critical subjects affecting the macadamia industry. IMS'23 will gather together macadamia industry professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts from around the globe. An assembly of 43 exhibitors will also be showcasing exceptional products and services. Lizel Pretorius, CEO of Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC) and representative of the IMS'23 committee, expressed her excitement regarding the evening functions to be…

The fresh produce market continues to respond to shifting economic market patterns, with an uptick in demand observed towards the end of each month, while activity tends to wane in the middle. In this ever-evolving landscape, investments in energy security are becoming ever more important to maintain quality and steady production. CABBAGE The cabbage market has exhibited resilience, with anticipation of increased volumes in the forthcoming warmer months. The overall quality of cabbage has remained commendable, though a minor fraction has displayed slightly poorer quality. Cabbage sourcing hubs include Brits, Delmas, Bapsfontein and Tarlton. Month-on-month cabbage volumes increased by 1% (see Graph 1), with a total of 3 074t registered in the week concluding 1 September across the five primary fresh produce markets of Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and…

Pulses are a category of leguminous crops that belong to the family Fabaceae. These nutritious and versatile plants are characterised by their dry, edible seeds, which are typically enclosed in pods. Pulses are a crucial component of global agriculture and nutrition due to their high protein and fibre content, as well as their contribution to soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. Pulses play a significant role in human diets, particularly in vegetarian and vegan diets, and are essential for food security and sustainable agriculture. India is currently the world's largest producer of pulses, as well as the world's biggest consumer. COMMON TYPES OF PULSES Several pulse crops are cultivated worldwide, with each having unique characteristics and culinary uses. Some of the most commonly grown pulses include: • Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) Chickpeas…

Agricultural technology (agtech) is at the forefront of farming today, but thousands of farmers face infrastructure issues that prevent them from putting technological advances in place. In the article, ‘The impact of livestock farming technology in animal agriculture’ published on Plug and Play, the writers investigate the challenges farmers face today in terms of animal protein, animal health and diseases while dealing with connectivity and infrastructure issues. “Why is the process of adopting technology so slow within this industry? “Well, the short answer: money. The economics of the livestock industry shifts from season to season, meaning it's not always profitable,” said the writers Taylor Fay and Kinly Ku. In the US, the two companies making waves with regards to tech in livestock farming are Cainthus and Rex Animal Health. Cainthus…

Rassie: Stories Of Life And Rugby by Rassie Erasmus with David O'Sullivan (Macmillan, R288) Erasmus and O'Sullivan are something of a dream team if you want disclosure with a capital D, especially as you can imagine wonderful interview sessions with roaring laughter. Rassie's childhood, bouncing between his unstable family and the stricter disciplines of the sport he fell in love with, seems made for a Hollywood movie, especially followed by his steady ascent to national and Currie Cup-winning teams. Then there's the idiosyncratic way he took coaching by the scruff of the neck and shook up his teams and himself. The photograph section opens with Rassie's under-9 team in Despatch, where he's pictured as an imp on the far left of the front row. Maybe that was an inadvertent portent…

Black quarter, also known as blackleg, is a highly contagious and often fatal bacterial infection that primarily affects cattle. It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium chauvoei and is characterised by severe muscle inflammation and tissue necrosis. Black quarter is a significant concern for cattle farmers, as it can lead to sudden and dramatic losses within a herd. The disease typically occurs when cattle ingest or come into contact with soil, feed or water contaminated with C. chauvoei spores. Injuries or wounds, such as those caused by grazing on rough terrain or during vaccination, can serve as entry points for the bacterium. Black quarter often strikes suddenly and progresses rapidly. The animal may present with lameness or difficulty walking. Swelling and severe pain are common signs, typically in the muscles…

Follow us at @FarmersWeeklySA @FarmersWeeklySA We shared the article, ‘Rainbow Chicken opens new plant in KZN’, and our followers were excited by the news. They had the following to say. Posted: 31 August 2023. READERS’ COMMENTS Tashni Sewsunker: Congratulations…good news! Roslyn Harwood Campbell: This is so great! It presents job opportunities for people as well. Ishara Balkissoon: What awesome news! Bring it to Johannesburg please! Rob Oakley: Great news from Rainbow Chicken! I always miss the batteries on the road to Pietermaritzburg from Durban. Roxy Franks: Happy anniversary, Rainbow, and I wish you a prosperous future. PHOTO OF THE WEEK MOTANA@nok_mot “If being a model was a goat.” Via X (formerly Twitter). Posted: 4 September 2023. Want your photo to be featured as our ‘Photo of the Week'? Tag @FarmersWeeklySA…

One would be forgiven for missing crucial economic data releases during the busy calendar of the BRICS summit in the week of 25 August in South Africa. One example of such data was the inflation figures, which showed that South Africa's headline consumer inflation fell to 4,7% in July 2023, the lowest since July 2021, from 5,4% in June. Notably, this was better than the market's forecast of 4,9%. The sharp fuel price deflation and easing food price pressures were some of the main drivers of this deceleration in headline inflation. I particularly noticed the food category of the inflation basket, which had remained elevated over the past few months, a trend that we saw globally. But the recent data paint a promising picture. For example, South Africa's consumer food…

More than 20 outbreaks of the H7N6 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been reported in South Africa to the World Organisation for Animal Health since the end of May. Most of the outbreaks occurred in Mpumalanga, the Free State and Gauteng, with Izaak Breitenbach, general manager of the Broiler Organisation of the South African Poultry Association, confirming that daily outbreaks were reported in Gauteng in the last week of August. Although seven cases of H5N1 HPAI occurred in the Western Cape from April to June, no H7N6 outbreaks had yet occurred there at the time of writing. Breitenbach said that this was the first time that the H7 strain was detected in chickens in South Africa. “The strain is just as contagious as the previous HPAI strains…

Clarity is still lacking on how the proposed Climate Change Bill will affect agriculture, with burdening carbon taxes and fair policing the greatest concerns. The portfolio committee of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has received feedback on the comments submitted by the public. While pleased with most of the feedback, Agbiz, which contributed significantly to the comments, said there was still much uncertainty as to the fair policing of carbon emissions from the agriculture sector. DFFE had agreed to use the updated nationally determined contribution of agriculture's carbon emissions, and not the 2015 version as stated in the Bill. The wording would be changed to reflect this. Annelize Crosby, head of legal intelligence at Agbiz, said sectorial emissions needed greater clarity due to the sector's structure.…

R-Calf, an organisation in the US that represents cattle farmers from 15 states, said imports of lamb from New Zealand were not beneficial for the local industry. R-Calf was taking their case to Washington, and said that it would hand over a petition that described the importance of the sheep industry to the US economy and environment, saying it was seeking relief from lamb and mutton imports that had supposedly ‘decimated’ the local sheep industry. According to the petition, imported lamb and mutton, primarily from Australia and New Zealand, had increased 2 363% in dollar value and 543% in quantity since the early 1990s. R-Calf claimed Australian and New Zealand lamb were not subject to the stringent production standards required of US sheep producers. According to the Meat Industry Association,…

A proposed increase in the Health Promotion Levy could have far-reaching negative implications for the already struggling sugar industry, its stakeholders, and workers throughout the value chain. This was according to the South African Cane Growers’ Association (SA Canegrowers), which said it was deeply concerned about the recently published Draft Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill, which included an increase in the Health Promotion Levy (‘sugar tax') due to take effect on 1 April 2025. Dr Thomas Funke, CEO of SA Canegrowers, said despite government repeatedly undertaking to consult the sugar industry and its stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of the levy, and its socio-economic impact on the sector, the publication of the increase in the absence of such consultation was a bad faith move by the…

A fusion of regional and innovative flavours is set to drive greater consumption of snacks that fit this profile. With a new class of consumer emerging that wants more than just nutrition from their food, producers that can tap into greater sensory offerings will win the day. Jennifer Creevy, director of food and drink at trend analyst company WGSN, says Gen Z and Millennial consumers seek “the deliciously disruptive” and celebrate brands and products that target and understand the needs and interests of their communities. “Secure in their interests and pursuits no matter how unconventional, they're drawn to brands that push the boundaries, create the unexpected and engage with pleasure, humour, earnestness or unbridled creativity,” said Creevy. She explained that those looking to capitalise on snacking trends would need to…

While load-shedding and high fuel prices are taking their toll on margins, pork produces are benefitting from a recovery in prices and lower feed costs, according to Dr Peter Evans, the new CEO of the South African Pork Producers’ Association. He said an upward trend in prices was to be expected as prices were cyclical, following an upward trend from the middle of the year up until December, after which they dropped and remained low until the middle of the year. Demand, however, was stagnant and Evans expected it to remain so for the next year or two because of consumer spending being under pressure due to the poor economy. The situation, however, is not unique to South Africa. According to Rabobank's Global Pork Quarterly Q3 2023, sluggish economic growth…

William Smit was an only child who inherited the family cattle farm. At the local school he was a star achiever, always cheerful and popular. The Smits were renowned for their quality animals. William's suggestions to add value by feedlotting, however, fell on deaf ears. Even after his father's death, William could never make up his mind about it, and he continued to farm much like his father did. Buyers noticed declining animal quality, while William and his wife became more and more reclusive, attending fewer social functions, study groups and even church services. When they did appear they were morose and always negative in any conversation. Eventually the only way to contact them was to visit the farm, where William would lament the climbing costs of supplements, low cattle…

SERVES 4 FOR THE SALAD ½ small red onion, halved and thinly sliced 65ml (¼ cup) lemon juice ½ small iceberg lettuce, quartered 30ml (2 Tbsp) dill, finely chopped 2 large avocados, peeled, stoned and sliced FOR THE DRESSING 250ml (1 cup) cashew nuts, salted and roasted, soaked overnight (soaked in water) 65ml (¼ cup) lemon juice 1 avocado, peeled, stoned and quartered 65ml (¼ cup) water Pinch of salt and black pepper 65ml (¼ cup) avocado or olive oil • Soak the onion slices in lemon juice for about 10 minutes to pickle slightly and remove the raw flavour. • To make the dressing, place cashew nuts, lemon juice, oil and avocado in a food processor and blend until smooth, adding the water through the feeder tube until a…

RED MEAT SECTOR WORTH R67 BILLION TO SCOTTISH ECONOMY Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has this week released an assessment of the vital economic contribution of Scotland's red meat supply chain to the Scottish economy; the last time a similar assessment was undertaken was in 2016. – grampianonline.co.uk IRISH FARMERS REACT ANGRILY TO EU DECISION ON NITRATES DEROGATION Farmers say the failure to secure an extension means that from January 2026 some will be obliged to cull their herds. – irishtimes.com CROATIA LAUNCHES CRYPTO PIG FARM PLATFORMS Three Croatian companies have launched an online platform where investors will be able to buy ‘crypto pigs’ that can later be converted into pork meat, in a bid to boost the sagging meat industry in the country. – euractiv.com…

UNITED STATES The scorching heat eased a bit and brought some relief to the maize belt with cooler temperatures, but farmers were concerned as they prepared for harvest season, said the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA said there had been a decline in the crop as soil moisture was lacking this season due to the extreme heat. With harvest season this month, the late summer heat has caused some degradation in crop condition. However, the situation would have been much worse if the heat had occurred earlier in the crop's development, said the USDA. INDIA According to the Indian government, it has allowed traders to ship out non-basmati rice held up at ports due to a sudden ban on the export of rice. The ban that was announced…

The first-ever synchronised and comprehensive elephant survey undertaken by the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) shows that elephant numbers in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe stand at 227 900. Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe share common international borders along the Okavango and Zambezi River basins. The KAZA TFCA, the world's largest conservation area, covers 520 000km2 and is nearly the size of France. According to the survey, estimated elephant numbers in Angola stand at 5 983. There are 131 909 in Botswana, 21 090 in Namibia, 3 840 in Zambia and 65 028 in Zimbabwe. Only Zambia presented a declining trend. However, the overall carcass ratio was 10,47%, which warrants closer inspection since it may indicate heightened mortality rates. “Several factors are likely contributing to the…

In August, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza launched the Agro-Energy Fund (AEF) to assist farmers in alleviating the effects of load-shedding. Earlier this year, in response to the energy challenges in the sector, the minister established a task team comprising sector partners to advise on solutions to mitigate against the impact of power cuts on the sector. The team consisted of Agri SA, Agbiz, the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy, and DALRRD officials. BLENDED FINANCE In addressing alternative energy sources in the sector, the minister, together with the Land Bank, announced how farmers could access the AEF. The fund is a blended finance programme, established in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), to provide funding for the acquisition…

With the proliferation of various livestock diseases, farmers need to become acquainted with the medicines and other remedies they will use throughout their careers. If you do not understand how these remedies work within the biological system of livestock, then you could actually make matters worse. For example, employing a deworming drench dose at the incorrect quantities can lead to toxicity if too much is used, or parasite resistance to the remedy if too little is used. You also need to know what the ‘efficacy’ and ‘classification’ of a particular remedy is. If liver fluke (a dangerous parasite to livestock) is a problem in your area, it won't help to use a dose that does not counteract liver fluke. Nasal bots are a common problem in sheep, and some doses…

Having separate budgets for your business and personal finances is a prudent financial practice as it helps maintain clarity and organisation. It allows you to clearly distinguish between your personal income, expenses and financial goals, and those of your business. This separation simplifies record-keeping and financial management. Maintaining separate finances is often a legal and tax requirement for businesses, particularly for legal entities like corporations and LLCs. Commingling personal and business funds can lead to legal complications and potentially jeopardise limited liability protection. Separation of finances also ensures accurate and transparent financial reporting for both personal and business purposes. This is essential for tax compliance, financial audits, and meeting regulatory requirements. Furthermore, when finances are separated, you can create distinct financial plans and strategies for your personal and business goals.…

At the third sale of the wool season, 5 101 bales were on offer. A sales clearance of 86,8% was achieved. The Cape Wools SA Merino indicator decreased 5,5% for nonResponsible Wool Standard (RWS) wool and 6% for RWS wool compared with the previous sale to close at R149,45/kg (clean) and R162,37/kg (clean) respectively. Major buyers were G Modiano SA (1 707 bales), Standard Wool SA (753), Tianyu SA (678) and BKB Pinnacle Fibres (458). The OVK auction saw 1 074 bales on offer, of which 92,27% were sold. The highest price of R135/kg was achieved for a two-bale CL lot of 16,8 microns from the clip of Burnley Park Boerdery in Tarkastad. The buyer was Standard Wool SA. The Australian market closed 0,4% down (in Australian dollar terms). Competition…