Indholdsfortegnelse for 22 March 2024 i Farmer's Weekly

FROM THE EDITOR On 6 February, US congressmen John James and Jared Moskowitz introduced a bill to the US House of Representatives that seeks a review of the bilateral trade ties between the US and South Africa. It is largely believed that this bill was introduced because of South Africa taking Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged genocide in Gaza. While many countries supported South Africa in its application against Israel, many others, including the US, have said that Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza and is simply responding to the terror attack of 7 October 2023, in which Hamas – which South African Foreign Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor has claimed is not a terrorist group despite many other countries’ assertion that they are indeed…

For Cynthia Sekgobela, retirement in 2016 brought a bold new beginning. After 21 years as an accountant and tax consultant, she swapped her ledgers for her true passion in farming and started Gung's Boerdry in Zuurbekom, a 2,5ha farm on the West Rand. In the month of International Women's Day it is fitting that we pay tribute to this dynamic, 67-year-old female agripreneur who is making a name for herself in the farming community and beyond. “My father was a commercial farmer and businessman in Winterveld, north of Pretoria, and when he passed away in 1983, my brother took over. So, farming has always been in my blood, and I am so happy I could follow in my family's footsteps as an organic farmer.” Running the farm hasn't always been…

Hundreds of farm dwellers in uMgungundlovu District in KwaZuluNatal benefitted as Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu launched a landmark policy aimed at accelerating access to water and sanitation services on privately owned land. The launch, held as part of National Water Month, took place at Cool Air Sport Grounds in Dalton under the uMshwathi Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. The policy was propelled by a court case in 2019 that sought to enforce the provision of basic services to farm dwellers and others who reside on privately owned land in different parts of the country. As a result, the department developed the policy, which underwent extensive nationwide consultative processes for 90 days from December 2022 to March 2023 and subsequently was approved by Cabinet on 29 November 2023. At…

Challenges at the Port of Cape Town is preventing the pomegranate industry from cashing in on favourable market prices. Kobus Louw, COO of SAPEX, said that the international demand for local pomegranates was excellent, as excessive heat negatively affected pomegranate colour formation in Peru and had led to production in that country being 30% to 50% lower than usual this season. “Peru is South Africa's biggest international competitor, and its pomegranate industry is three times the size of the South African industry. Lower production from this region could create new market opportunities and support market prices,” Louw explained. But challenges at the Cape Town port would make it difficult for South African farmers, who target Muslim markets during Ramadan, which runs from 10 March to 8 April this year, to…

The Republic of Ireland has reason to celebrate as its grass-fed beef has received Protective Geographical Indication (PGI) status. Irish grass-fed beef received the special recognition from the EU and would be hosting an event to celebrate. According to a statement released by the EU, this award was an indicator of a premium product, which helped sell the product on global markets. The statement said that cattle given the status needed to spend at least 220 days a year on pasture. The EU said the PGI award was open to products that were produced, processed or prepared within the specified geographical area, and had particular features, qualities or a reputation attributable to that area. Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said it was looking forward…

The UN World Wildlife Day took place on 3 March with the theme ‘Connecting people and planet: exploring digital innovation in wildlife conservation’. The UN said the aim of the day was to raise awareness about the latest applications of digital technologies in wildlife conservation and trade. “The celebrations highlight how such technologies and services can drive wildlife conservation and human-wildlife coexistence, now and for future generations, in an increasingly connected world,” it said. The day served as a reminder of the urgent need to fight against wildlife exploitation, pollution and human-induced global warming, which have detrimental environmental and social impacts. The UN said it acknowledged that billions of people benefitted from wild plant and animal species for food, energy, materials, medicine, recreation and many other vital contributions to human…

Zambia will review its US$7 billion (about R131 billion) budget for the fiscal year to address food insecurities largely brought on by the drought, which has reversed projected food production during the 2023/24 farming season, said Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane. As many as six of the country's 10 provinces have been devastated by dry spells caused by drought, leaving devastation of various crops, chiefly maize, which is Zambia's staple food. This has fuelled concerns that the Southern African state may reduce its production capacity to half of the 3,2 million tons harvested last season. The minister said Zambia had severely been hit by drought, which has caused dry spells in more than half of the country, leaving the majority of the three million smallholder farmers with financial losses as many…

Stellenbosch University (SU) researchers recently published their study on the nearly 400-year-old history of oaks in South Africa. They said that the story of oaks in the country may, however, be coming to an end, forever changing the treescape of towns and cities such as Cape Town, George, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Swellendam. In a paper published in the South African Journal of Botany, ecologists from the Centre for Invasion Biology (CIB) at SU's School for Climate Studies said the team traced the history of the introduction of the genus Quercus into South Africa, as well as its current status and the factors that are changing its distribution across our landscapes. Postgraduate student from the Department of Botany and Zoology at the university and first author on the paper Christiaan Gildenhuys…

You have heard that aquaculture is growing rapidly across the world and you wonder if this represents an investment opportunity on your farm. Let's unpack the essence from a South African perspective. Trout were imported into South Africa in the late 1890s to stock in rivers for angling purposes. Shortly afterwards, the state erected hatcheries at strategic locations in the then Cape Province, Natal and Transvaal to produce fingerlings locally for the further stocking of rivers. This was the beginning of the aquaculture industry in South Africa, which for many decades was state driven and focused exclusively on the production of freshwater sport fish. Since the 1980s, however, there has been increasing interest in the production of food fish, both for food security and as a commercial investment. There are…

When selecting a silo for your farm, consider the following: ▪ How many types of grain will you store? More grades usually require separate bins. Consider the functionality of a larger bin versus several smaller ones. ▪ Evaluate the silo based on workmanship, consistent galvanising, precision build, steel strength, quality of fasteners and seals, and corrugation length. ▪Prioritise companies who manufacture and erect their own silos and have a strong track record. ▪Compare cubic metres, not just tons, as ‘ton’ capacity can be misleading. ▪ Do not just go for the cheapest option. ▪Invest in quality for a silo that will last. ▪ What is included in the price? Ladders, platforms, safety features? ▪ Avoid sites that need excessive earthworks. ▪Place the silo away from your home to reduce noise…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. This article was first published by The Conversation. Read the article at bit.ly/3IpsHlE. “ Since the latter part of 2023, hardly a week has gone by without some residents of Johannesburg, South Africa's commercial capital, losing their water supply. Notices of planned outages from the local water authority are a common occurrence. Unplanned water shutdowns also happen regularly. The entire city has been affected – shanty towns as well as less affluent and more affluent parts. The Conversation Africa asked geography professor Craig Sheridan, director of the Centre in Water Research and Development at the University of the Witwatersrand, what has gone wrong. IS THERE SUFFICIENT WATER PROVISION FROM GOVERNMENT? The water allocation for…

With more than 450 bird species within the Garden Route District, which also includes the Klein Karoo, BirdLife South Africa has developed an avitourism project funded by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, with additional funding from the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve. The multi-pronged approach includes working with local tourism offices, SANParks and CapeNature, as well as local bird clubs, and seeks to up the number of bed nights in the area while at the same time increasing local enthusiasts’ birdwatching and bird guiding knowledge. The gobirding.co.za website points people interested in avitourism – one of the fastest-growing outdoor pursuits globally – to the list of participating providers. Farmers who offer accommodation in Langkloof, Meiringspoort, Oudtshoorn, De Rust, Calitzdorp and the more traditional Garden Route areas can…

After showing major gains in the third quarter of 2023, the agriculture sector took a downward turn in the fourth quarter, recording a 4% drop in primary agriculture employment. This was according to data on the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released recently, undertaken by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). According to the QLFS, the total number of employed people in the country decreased by 22 000 to 16,7 million in Q4 of 2023, compared with Q3 of 2023. The official unemployment rate increased by 0,2% from 31,9% in Q3 of 2023 to 32,1% in Q4 of 2023. The number of unemployed people increased by 46 000 to 7,9 million during the same quarter. Additionally, the number of people who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement…

UNITED STATES Farmers in Texas have opened the first ever criminal case against a waste management company after experiencing livestock deaths. A local county has launched the investigation as the farmers claimed that the company sold them PFAScontaminated sewage sludge as a cheap alternative to fertiliser. Independent testing was done on the farms and the results showed that the PFAS levels were “shockingly high”. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility conducted the testing and said: “The farms’ drinking water was found to be contaminated at levels over 13 000 times higher than the federal health advisory for PFAS.” This followed 10 cows and several horses dying on a farm since the sludge was applied. UNITED KINGDOM Harvesting will be delayed by a month in the UK due to heavy rain and…

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (KZN DARD) is on a drive to ensure livestock belonging to farmers in the province are of the best genetic make-up in an effort to boost their profitability. As part of this drive, farmers in the Amajuba District of the provice were set to make considerable gains after the department rolled out the livestock improvement programme in the area. Agriculture Minister Super Zuma delivered Brahman bulls to farmers in the area, in response to concerns raised by local farmers about the condition of their cattle resulting from poor genetics. The department also donated farming implements and spent time engaging with farmers. Zuma made his first visit to the Osizweni area, where the farmers are based, in late January and his follow-up visit…

Silos are essential for grain storage, but they also present risks that farmers must address through insurance and careful management. Silo owners should have comprehensive insurance to protect against damage from weather, accidents, and other unforeseen events. To maintain insurance coverage, silos must be properly built, regularly inspected, and well-maintained. This includes walls, liners, vents, probes, and all mechanical components. Farmers must work with their insurance intermediaries to thoroughly assess their unique risks and ensure they have the right coverage and risk management practices in place. Silo owners need to understand the main risk factors, particularly fire and explosion hazards, and work with insurers to implement the right protective measures. Grain dryer fires are a major threat. Proper dryer operation, cleaning, and maintenance are crucial to minimize fire risk. Dust…

On 27 February 2024, South Africa's National Council of Provinces passed the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill, sending it to the president's desk for final approval. The new law would significantly change the country's approach to cannabis, allowing adults to grow, possess and use it privately. Background This legislation follows a landmark 2018 Constitutional Court ruling that decriminalised private cannabis use. The bill, introduced in 2020, aims to set clear rules around private cultivation, possession and use, while expunging previous criminal records related to cannabis possession. Key provisions Cultivation and possession: Adults may grow up to four flowering cannabis plants at home and possess up to 100g of dried cannabis in public or 600g at home. Sharing: Adults can gift limited cannabis quantities (seeds, plants, or dried cannabis) to other…

Research on using cosmetic products for growing fruit and vegetables could be the answer farmers have been searching for in terms of protecting their produce. Dr Mustafa Akbulut, professor of chemical engineering from the Texas A&M University, has worked with horticultural science professor Luis Cisneros-Zevallos to literally engineer bacteria-free fruits that will last longer. In the research paper published on ScienceDaily, Akbulut said the global fruit and vegetable market lost over 50% of fruit production during various stages of produce handling and post-harvest treatments, which made this research imperative. According to the paper, fruit and vegetables already have a layer of food-grade wax that is applied for cosmetic reasons and to prevent water loss. This university research combines the wax with nano-encapsulated cinnamonbark essential oil in protein carriers to enhance…

HIGHEST: (RAM) R23 500 Burgersdorp – The Kesieberg Merino Stud Production Sale was held on the farm Leeuwfontein on 7 February on behalf of Willie and Herman Henning. The highest price of the day was paid for a ram, which was sold to Werner Pieterse of Doringkloof in Venterstad for R23 500. Rams achieved an average price of R7 116,67. Ewes were sold for an average price of R2 800. The sale was held by BKB, with JP Marais as the auctioneer. – Gavin Isted…

Zambia wants to import more wheat from available stocks to plug the deficit as demand for the commodity on the local market rises. Zambia's annual wheat production averages 450 000t, but only 350 000t were produced during the 2022/23 season. The country planned to import more stocks to make up for the deficit. Andrew Chintala, president of the Millers’ Association of Zambia, said the importation had been sanctioned by the government to meet the rising demand of bakeries and other users of wheat products after farmers failed to replicate their usual output because of climate change. Zambia projected a higher wheat deficit in the 2023/24 season, due to the El Niño weather phenomenon in the Southern African region, which has led to below-average rainfall. It was also expected that most…

The recent outbreak of avian influenza that crippled the South African poultry industry has compelled the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) to seek structures to avert and shield the industry from the disease in the future. As a result, an agreement to collaborate on research between Cuba and South Africa to form development strategies to support plant and animal health came before DALRRD's Portfolio Committee recently. Department deputy director general Kwena Komape said Minister Thoko Didiza of the DALRRD and the ambassador of Cuba to South Africa, Enrique Orta González, signed the agreement in July 2022. The objective of the agreement was to co-ordinate, promote and develop co-operation programmes between South Africa and Cuba. The agreed-upon programmes would advance bilateral relations in matters of animal and…

Fruitless and wasteful expenditure has increased almost a thousandfold, from R33 000 in 2021/22 to over R30 million during the 2022/23 fiscal year, according to the recently released budget review and recommendations report of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. According to the report, the R33 000 from the prior year was for interest charged by a service provider on invoices that the department failed to pay within time, whereas the majority of the R30 million was due to the payment of invoices for services not rendered. Only R56,6 million of fruitless and wasteful expenditure that were due to non-compliance to policies could be recovered during the 2021/22 fiscal year, whereas as a historical R41 million and R4,9 million could not be recovered and were written…

The customer is always right is a well-known saying, attributed to Harry Selfridge, the founder of the Selfridges department store in London. It has become a universal truth in retail because the customer votes with their money: if they are not satisfied with a product or service, they'll go elsewhere. This is even true for monopolistic suppliers like Eskom, where consumers are voting against it by installing alternative systems. Farmers need to know and understand the factors that influence consumers’ decisions. THE MARKETING ENVIRONMENT Traditionally, farmers were far removed from the final consumers of their products. They produced food and fibre, and delivered the products to co-operatives who were the agents for the marketing boards. The price the farmers got was decided by the different boards. In most cases the…

The two predominant silo types are a flat-bottom silo and a conical silo. Flat-bottom silos tend to last longer than conical silos, with above-ground foundations staying dry and in better condition than below-ground conical floors, which can leak over time. They are also cheaper and easier to build than conical silos, while full floor aeration is easier to install in flat-bottom silos. Movement inside the silo and grain removal is simpler without a conical bottom, and there is no need for sump pumps or water traps. Conical silos, on the other hand, are preferable for temporary storage where aeration is not needed. They may offer slightly greater capacity and require fewer unloading augers.…

• White maize is primarily grown for human consumption and yellow maize for industrial use and animal feed. • South Africa is the biggest maize producer on the African continent. • Excessive climate anomalies (heatwaves, drought, excessive precipitation, and hail) put pressure on the projected yields of the season. • Maize stalk borer (Busseola fusca), fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and the common cutworm (Agrotis segetum) caused significant damage during the season. • Grey leaf spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis), northern corn leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum) and Diplodia ear rot (Stenocarpella maydis) were prevalent leaf and ear diseases during the season. • Despite the various setbacks, the third-largest harvest to date was recorded at a total of 16,4 million tons, 5% more than the crop for the 2024/22 season. • An additional 51…

Misbelief: What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things by Dan Ariely (Heligo, R425) When people behave irrationally are they actually being irrational? People are not always what they seem – but you can be sure of one thing, there is at some level a very good reason why they behave as they do. This book tracks how people are affected by stress; why they believe in what they want to believe; how they may be affected by their own personality; how they may be following the herd; and how (and why) they may just not trust other people. If you ever ploughed your way through the Psych 101 class at varsity, you should remember some of this stuff. Here it and more is presented in a more readable and (dare…

HIGHEST: (RAM) R27 500 Jamestown – The Kranskop Merino Stud Production Sale was held on the farm Vaalbank on 6 February on behalf of Diederik, Janco and DJ van Pletzen. The highest price of the day was paid for a ram, which was sold to Bruce and Leroy Philips of Leroy Philips Farming in Molteno for R27 500. Rams were sold for an average price of R12 383,33, while ewes achieved an average price of R2 181,05. The sale was held by BKB, with JP Marais as auctioneer. – Gavin Isted…

Dear Prof McCrindle, I want to start a small dairy herd with my stud Jersey cows, but my neighbour said they have to be TB tested. How do I do that? Kind regards, Terrence Dear Terrence, Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a notifiable disease, and all criteria for testing and accrediting a farm are available in the online manual at nahf.co.za/updated-tuberculosis-manual/. Workers infected with human TB can transmit it to cows, so should be examined routinely by a physician. Cows infected with human TB will test positive to the BTB intradermal test. It's not just the dairy cows and workers that need to be tested, but the farm itself must be brought in line with the tuberculosis-free programme. The handbook prescribes: “When an owner applies to enter the programme, the state…