Indholdsfortegnelse for 19 July 2024 i Farmer's Weekly

At the time of writing, the government of national unity (GNU) had just been announced. While bad policies cannot be overturned overnight, there seems to be hope among South Africans (at least from what I can glean on social media) that the GNU will result in better service delivery and governance. Of course, this may be unrealistic and we may suffer the same dismal governance we have experienced in the past. However, there is a real chance that this could be the turnaround that South Africa needs. I have a wish list for what I hope to see in the agriculture sector. Most of it would require collaboration between various ministries, and is not strictly under the domain of the Department of Agriculture. For starters, I would like to see…

Did you know that a giraffe's neck can measure up to 1,8m in length and is made up of just seven elongated vertebrae? And did you know that this tall, graceful animal didn't always have a long neck? Dr Willem Daffue, a veterinary surgeon, conservationist and researcher from Kroonstad, works alongside wildlife habitat expert Prof Francois Deacon of the University of the Free State. Together, they are investigating the evolution of the giraffe, an animal with the remarkable ability to regulate its blood pressure and body temperature in its long neck. Part of this study included Daffue wanting a rather unusual set of imaging done of a giraffe skull. The best people for the job? The radiology team at the Louis Leipoldt branch of SCP Radiology in Cape Town. So,…

ARCHIVE A 'no-bull' approach and the importation of semen from overseas were used to raise milk production on this farm in the Eastern Cape. The importation of American Holstein semen and semen from Friesland sires in the Netherlands has been the policy on Cavers, the 2 295ha property belonging to the Ross family in the Bedford area of the Eastern Cape. The aim of Colin and his son Kenneth, current owners of the farm, is to increase production in their Friesland stud by breeding the most functional type of female possible – an animal with the required udders, legs, easy calving ability and rump formation. To place themselves among the top Friesland stud breeders in the country, they have introduced a varying percentage of American Holstein semen into their breeding…

Tractor and combine harvester sales continued their downward trend in May, according to the South African Agricultural Machinery Association's (SAAMA) recently released sales statistics. Tractor sales declined by approximately 14% from 655 to 566 units compared to May last year, and by about 22% from 3 125 units to 2 449 for the year to date compared with the same period in 2023. Combine harvester sales fell by about 62% from 65 units to 25 compared to May 2023, while year-to-date sales decreased by roughly 61% from 263 units to 103. Dr Jim Rankin, CEO of AGFACTS, which supplies the data for SAAMA, told Farmer's Weekly that comparing sales with previous months would be irrelevant because farmers bought machinery at certain times of the year in preparation for the harvest.…

The High Court recently ruled against government's decision to refuse to compensate a farmer in George, Western Cape, for losses suffered during the 2021 outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The farmer lost all 195 648 chickens, poultry products that included over three million eggs, manure and feed on one farm in May 2021, and 181 704 hens, 10 000 free-range chickens, more than two million eggs, manure and feed on another a month later. The farmer claimed losses of close to R32 million from government, based on the market value of the destroyed chicken and products, but the latter rejected the claim, arguing that the birds were worthless because the birds had either come into contact or were infected with HPAI. Subsequently, the court ordered government to reconsider…

Pome fruit production has become increasingly complex due to the use of new technologies, higher-density plantings and the search for higher packouts. This was according to Craig Hornblow, horticultural consultant and director of AgFirst in New Zealand, who spoke at the Hortgro Technical Symposium 2024 in June. He explained that producers these days knew just how many buds and flowers were needed to reach a specific picking and packout target. The challenge is to translate this type of information into practical and executable instructions for workers. “Saying things like 'prune to 300 buds and thin 500 apples to pick 200' is too vague and leaves too much room for errors,” Hornblow said. To create consistency and improve execution, his advice is to segment tasks, section trees, and narrow the focus.…

NETHERLANDS Bayer and the Netherlands-based biotechnology company Solynta plan to develop new varieties of potato seeds for Kenyan and Indian markets. The joint effort will enable producers to sow potatoes from true seeds instead of the traditional planting of tubers, which are prone to disease, expense and storage challenges. Utilising Solynta's expertise in potatoes, Bayer will distribute the seed varieties to farmers in isolated regions of Kenya and India with the aim of improving food security. UNITED KINGDOM UK fruit and vegetable production has declined as farms have been hit by extreme weather. The country experienced its wettest 18 months on record during the 2023/24 season, leaving soil waterlogged and leading to disastrous harvests for the 2023/24 season. Data from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs shows vegetable…

Emerging economies will continue to be the main driving force in agricultural markets, while significant regional shifts linked to changing demographics and new economic affluence are expected in the coming decade. This is according to the recently released Agricultural Outlook 2024-2033 compiled by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The report analyses demographic and economic drivers of agricultural commodity supply and demand, projects the shifts in production and consumption locations, and assesses the resulting changes in international agricultural trade patterns. A notable shift expected over the coming decade is the growing influence of India, southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, and the declining role played by China. While China accounted for 28% of growth in the global consumption…

Vegetable trends were more consistent in the week ending 21 June 2024, with most commodities seeing month-on-month (m/m) price increases. This was mainly supported by reductions in volumes, which followed the traditional supply-and-demand phenomena. This week, Absa analyses historical volume trends, looking at how supplies to markets are likely to drive price trends in the short to medium term. This piece covers monthly and annual pricing and volume trends for the third week of June. CABBAGES Average monthly prices decreased by 17,1% (see Graph 1), moving between R2 500/t and R2 800/t due to a 6,2% increase in volumes supplied. Year-on-year (y/y) movements, however, showed that cabbage prices and volumes increased by 14,3% and 22,7%, respectively. Cabbage prices remain below the R3 000/t mark, similar to what was noted in…

What is the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry's role in business, and how does it incorporate agriculture? We increase stakeholder awareness and mobilise co-operation to improve the competitiveness of enterprises, business precincts, value chains and the Western Cape business environment. This makes it easier for businesses to succeed. Our key stakeholders in the agriculture sector include Agri Western Cape, fruit and wine exporters, and the relevant public-sector departments. Our key focus at present is reducing impediments to growth – including transport/logistics/port, electricity, safety and security, and skills issues – and red tape. Can you give a few examples of how the chamber assists with agriculture-specific issues? The chamber has established an industry network system that mobilises the relevant role players to address key issues. One industry in our network…

Research published in the scientific journal mSphere in late June has found that Stomoxys flies, also known as stable flies, are carriers of harmful bacteria responsible for causing bovine mastitis. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, US, sequenced microbial communities from biting flies at two linked dairy farms and compared the results with manure samples from the same farms. In both sets of samples, they discovered bacterial taxa linked to bovine mastitis. The researchers noted that harmful bacteria, including Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Staphylococcus, were not prevalent in the manure samples but were instead scattered throughout it. In contrast, these bacteria were much more abundant in the fly samples. This suggests that these pathogens can readily establish and thrive in the guts of flies. According to Kerri Coon, PhD, microbiologist and…

Space, silence, and absolute privacy – the luxuries of an era in which the frenetic pace of life never eases – are rarely available to those of us not able to afford holidaying on private islands. Never mind the lengthy travel time necessary to achieve such seclusion. But Tussenklip Honeymoon Suite on the outskirts of Nelspruit offers a chance to unplug that is rarely so complete, and seldom so nearby. Perched between two gigantic granite boulders on a nature conservancy and citrus and macadamia nut farm, the three-storey honeymoon suite offers views from multiple angles of a valley of untouched Lowveld bush and mountains of stacked boulders. The interior itself offers up plenty of visual stimulation, as the sheer size of the boulders, making up the entire north and south…

Dear Prof McCrindle, Is it okay to use Dettol liquid to treat lumpy skin disease? Kind regards, Pieter Dear Pieter, The short answer is no, definitely not. Dettol is a useful and affordable disinfectant for premises and staff, but it is not an effective treatment for cattle infected with lumpy skin disease. According to the manufacturer's website: “Dettol Antiseptic Liquid is a medicinal product that is used for wounds, cuts, abrasions, and insect bites and is suitable for surface disinfection. This product has been tested on and kills E. hirae, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus [bacteria] on surfaces.” So it is not licensed for lumpy skin disease treatment. This disease in cattle is an infectious virus, transmitted by ticks and biting flies, and occurs seasonally in many areas…

The collaboration between Transnet, organised business and agriculture sector stakeholders to improve efficiency at South African ports must continue. Efficient logistics are the lifeblood of agriculture and other exporting sectors, and thus essential to the country's economy. Admittedly, at the start of 2024, the deciduous fruit industry faced many challenges at the Port of Cape Town related to delays that proved costly to farming businesses. Still, continuous collaboration to ensure improvements is the only viable path forward. We are already seeing the benefits of the improvements in the agriculture sector through the rise in the value of exports. In the first quarter (Q1) of the year, agricultural exports increased 6% year-on-year (y/y), reaching US$3,1 billion (around R56 billion), according to Trade Map data. This was a result of both higher…

The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently released its 'Top 10 Emerging Technologies in 2024' report, identifying the technologies poised to significantly influence societies and economies within the next three to five years. The list was compiled from a survey across the WEF's various networks, which attracted over 300 valid technology nominations from 29 countries. An artificial intelligence-assisted tool was used to screen, classify and cluster the responses, leaving the steering group with 70 technologies from which the final 10 were selected based on novelty, depth, applicability and power. Six of these technologies are highly relevant to the agriculture sector. Firstly, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), such as deep learning and generative AI, are enabling and accelerating scientific discoveries. According to the report, AI has already led to the discovery of…

The Eastern Cape state veterinarian is permitting farmers to vaccinate their livestock against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) amid the continuing spread of the disease in the province. At the beginning of July, the number of confirmed cases across the Kouga and Koukamma municipal areas stood at 16. Another four suspected cases were awaiting test results. There have been no new developments within the East London area, with animals on two farms in the Berlin area testing positive. Agri Eastern Cape CEO Brent McNamara said they were awaiting feedback on the second round of testing for these two farms and an indication of how movement in this area would be allowed. At the end of June, Dr Mpho Maja, director of animal health at the Department of Agriculture, confirmed that the state…

Policy alignment between the ANC and DA bodes well for the implementation of the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) under the new government of national unity (GNU). Commenting on the policies with the department, DA leader John Steenhuisen, newly appointed as minister of agriculture, referred to the AAMP and said there was “no need to reinvent the wheel”. The adoption of the AAMP, developed by government and industry stakeholders and signed in May 2022, has been minimal. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, said the AAMP's foundation was set on growing an inclusive and competitive agricultural economy, which was also the policy position of the DA and ANC. Sihlobo said that the missing element in the implementation of the AAMP has been the proper socialisation of various government officials…

Rainbow Chicken (Rainbow) recently unbundled from parent company RCL Foods and started trading under the Johannesburg Stock Exchange's 'Food Products' classification. Rainbow's unbundling was implemented through the distribution of 890 294 405 ordinary shares, in the ratio of one Rainbow Chicken Limited share for every one RCL Foods Limited share held. Marthinus Stander, CEO of Rainbow Chicken, told Farmer's Weekly that the unbundling would benefit both businesses by allowing them to pursue their individual growth ambitions and investment cases in a focused manner and with improved alignment on capital allocation priorities. “Stepping out as a stand-alone entity marks a significant milestone for Rainbow and heralds a wave of exciting opportunities for growth in both our business and our people. We aim to re-establish and rebuild our chicken and feed businesses…

The Zimbabwean government has failed to provide support to sugar cane farmers since declaring sugar cane a strategic crop in 2021. This was according to a recent report by The Zimbabwe Mail, which stated that Darlington Chiwa, Chiredzi West Zanu PF MP, expressed his concerns over the lack of government intervention in the industry, during a Tongaat Hulett media tour at the end of last month. “Unlike tobacco and wheat farmers, who receive substantial government support, sugar cane farmers are left without the necessary inputs and assistance. I call for managed load-shedding for sugar cane farmers, similar to the provisions for tobacco and wheat growers, to help stabilise and grow the industry. “Sugar cane, as a strategic crop, should receive designated interventions. As farmers, as an industry, and as an…

The production skills of our farmers are legendary. Yield levels achieved by South African producers in this water-stressed region of the world say it all. But while high levels of production are vital, a business, like a table, stands on four legs, and the weakness of any one results in a wobble or even a collapse. In addition to production, there are finance, people, and marketing to be managed, and bitter experience has shown that the marketing leg is the one that most often is the cause of failure. The crucial starting point of any skilled marketing effort is the correct choice of target market. It needs research, creativity and deep understanding of the entire value chain (see Managing for Profit in the 5 July issue of Farmer's Weekly). Once…

Sizzlers: The Hate Crime that Tore Sea Point Apart by Nicole Engelbrecht (Melinda Ferguson Books, R320) If the number of recent books on crime in Cape Town is anything to go by, maybe retirement to the peninsula isn't a great idea after all. Written in a strong staccato style, this book describes a horrific incident that took place in January 2003 at massage parlour Sizzlers. Nine men were brutally murdered while a tenth, shot twice and his throat slit, managed to escape. The book tells the saga of the manhunt and arrest of the thugs responsible, both of whom were convicted. It also contains details of the victims' families and the impact the crime had, especially when parole loomed for the perpetrators. In passing, there is some material on Sea Point's…

'NO WATER EQUALS NO MILK': BIG DRY, COLD SNAP HITS FARMERS Dairy farmer Craig Dwyer from Victoria, Australia, says he only has about six weeks of water left as the state's southwest has been rocked by drought. – afr.com FARMERS LIGHT BONFIRES TO SEND ELECTION MESSAGE The farmers' pressure group Enough is Enough lit bonfires on farms around Wales on Monday evening to highlight the importance of agriculture before the general election. – bbc.com 4TH HUMAN CASE OF BIRD FLU LINKED TO DAIRY COW OUTBREAK: CDC The fourth human case of bird flu linked to the current dairy cow outbreak was confirmed in a dairy worker in Colorado, US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. – abcnews.go.com…

An open letter addressed to the Norwegian government is calling for the country’s salmon industry to be prohibited from sourcing fish oil from West Africa. The letter’s close to 40 signatories include groups from West Africa representing the region’s small-scale fishing sector. These groups are experiencing the negative effects of overfishing, partly due to the production of fishmeal and fish oil for the global aquaculture industry. The letter follows a report from Feedback, an environmental campaign group based in the UK and the Netherlands, which claims that the Norwegian salmon farming industry contributes to food insecurity in West Africa. In a press release, Dr Aliou Ba, the senior campaign manager at Greenpeace Africa, said the fishmeal industry posed a significant threat to food security and the sustainability of fisheries in…

The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) fell by two points to 38 in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024, indicating that agribusinesses remain downbeat about business conditions in South Africa. Quarter-on-quarter, the turnover subindex fell by 22 points to 31, net operating income by 13 points to 35, employment by 12 points to 38, capital investments by four points to 46, and volume of export by 14 points to 21. Improvements were seen in the market share of the agribusiness subindex, which increased by six points to 65, the general economic conditions subindex, which recovered by nine points to reach 38, and the general agricultural conditions subindex, which recovered by 28 points to hit 46 points. The debtor provision for bad debt subindex was up by three points to 31,…

The South African cannabis sector is developing rapidly, and the country has made substantial strides towards integrating cannabis into its economy, particularly in the medical sphere, according to Thapelo Machaba, agricultural economist at Agbiz. This was underscored by the Eastern Cape government's earlier announcement that it had signed a R246 million agreement with cannabis consulting firm Medigrow, which had thus far established 14 medicinal cannabis farms across the country. This pledge provided for the company's inclusion in the government's Coega Special Economic Zone near Gqeberha. The funds would be used to finalise an extraction and manufacturing facility for growing indoor cannabis, extracting CBD, producing hemp cigarettes and packaging the products. In a statement, the Eastern Cape provincial government said its goal was to cultivate 10 000ha of cannabis over the…

I have written extensively about the required management protocols when it comes to controlling diseases and internal and external parasites in livestock. I still, however, receive quite a few calls for assistance when farmers have used certain remedies and they don't seem to work, or parasites return only a few weeks after treatment. To reiterate previous advice, controlling parasites requires a holistic management approach, such as ensuring good nutrition and clean drinking water. Particularly in communal farming settings, it is crucial to work together when attempting to get parasites under control. One of the biggest recurring mistakes that I have noticed is that not all farmers are willing to become involved in parasite control programmes. The problem here is that conscientious farmers treat livestock while the livestock of noncompliant farmers…

SERVES 8 For the pork belly 2kg (3 to 4cm thickness) boneless pork belly with the skin 2 heads garlic, broken into cloves and peeled 30ml (2 Tbsp) avocado or olive oil 60ml (¼ cup) sea salt flakes 30ml (2 Tbsp) cumin seeds 2 handfuls sage For the avocado sauce ½ × 385g tin condensed milk 30ml (2 Tbsp) white wine vinegar 15ml (1 Tbsp) wholegrain mustard 30ml (2 Tbsp) milk ½ avocado, mashed Salt and pepper For the spiced avocado slices 15ml (1 Tbsp) smoked or plain paprika 30ml (2 Tbsp) Cajun spice 15ml (1 Tbsp) dried chilli flakes 2 avocados, halved, stoned and peeled • To make the pork belly, score the pork skin at 1cm intervals with a sharp knife or minora blade. Leave the pork uncovered…