Indholdsfortegnelse for 9 August 2024 i Farmer's Weekly

I am often asked if I would ever consider leaving the media industry to pursue farming, and my answer is always the same: absolutely not! And there is only one reason for this: I am simply not brave or gutsy enough to embark on a career in farming. The uncertainty in the sector, mainly with regard to the weather and the unpredictability thereof, the dislike of farmers by society in general, and problems such as stock theft and livestock and crop diseases are just too significant, and I would be entirely unable to cope. While some are better able to cope and manage these challenges, more should be done on a broader scale to diminish these problems, if not outright eliminate them. Stock theft, for example, is something that can…

While we are still at the start of the 2024/25 global grain and oilseed production season, with the Southern Hemisphere yet to plant in about two months, the International Grains Council (IGC) forecasts a decent harvest. For example, in its latest update, the IGC placed the 2024/25 global grain and oilseed production forecast at 2,3 billion tons, up slightly from the previous season. The stocks are expected to be healthy – around 582 million tons – although slightly lower than the 2023/24 season because of the expected increase in the industrial use of grains. A closer look at the figures shows that the IGC forecasts a 1% year-on-year (y/y) increase in the 2024/25 global rice production to 528 million tons. This is based on anticipated large crops in all the…

This year, the Overberg in the Western Cape will be celebrating the fifth instalment of Nampo Cape (NPC) and the 30th anniversary of Mechanisation Day. This year's NPC, taking place from 11 to 14 September in Bredasdorp, promises to be bigger and better than ever. Henk Aggenbach, chairperson of Bredasdorp Park NPC, said at the recent media launch of the event that this year's theme, ‘Agriculture: The Backbone of Economic Growth’, was chosen to highlight the importance of agriculture in the global economy and as a contributor to food security. “The agriculture sector is a critical engine of economic growth. It not only feeds millions but provides livelihoods for a significant part of the population. With advancements in agricultural technology, from precision farming to sustainable practices, the sector is experiencing…

African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks are escalating in Vietnam, posing risks to food supplies and potentially driving up inflation, according to a government statement released in mid-July. ASF has long troubled the global pork market, with the devastating 2018/19 outbreak in China, the biggest pork producer in the world, wiping out about half of its pig population and causing losses estimated at over US$100 billion (around R1,85 trillion). Vietnam has already culled 42 400 infected pigs so far this year – nearly five times more than last year – and reported 660 ASF outbreaks nationwide, compared with the 208 reported in the same period last year. The Vietnamese government instructed provinces to take action, including prioritising funds for pig vaccinations. The country has recently approved two domestic ASF vaccines, marking…

Genomics has the potential to markedly improve the profitability and sustainability of beef production in South Africa, especially among small-scale and emerging farmers. This is according to Prof Linky Makgahlela, research manager for animal production and genetics at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). Speaking at the ARC's Beef Cattle School held in conjunction with the Bosveld Afrikaner Breeders Group in Thabazimbi, she explained that the council's Beef Genomics Programme would increase the competitive edge of both commercial and emerging farmers’ beef cattle herds. The objective of the programme was to determine the genetic composition of beef cattle on farms and increase the rate of genetic gain for producers. Makgahlela said many farmers did not know the genetic base of their herds. Genomic evaluation would enable a producer to select bulls…

The Competition Commission recently released a provisional report following its Fresh Produce Market Inquiry. The commission initiated the inquiry because it had reasons to believe that there existed market features that impeded, distorted, or restricted competition in the markets for fresh produce in South Africa. The inquiry focused on three broad areas within the fresh produce industry: a) the efficiency of the value chains with an emphasis on national fresh produce markets (NFPMs); b) the barrier to entry, expansion, and participation of black farmers; and c) market dynamics and access to inputs and factors of production. The provisional report contains 29 recommendations on various aspects of the fresh produce industry across the three broad areas. Most recommendations are sound and aim to address the shortfall in regulations, efficiency, fairness, and…

Hippos, a Mongoose and Me by Karen Paolillo (Penguin, R300) Paolillo's sequel to her hit first book, A Hippo Love Story, continues the story of life at the Turgwe Hippo Trust, which she founded in south-eastern Zimbabwe 30 years ago. It's a personal journal, recollecting episodes out in the bush, from beautifully observed encounters with wild animals to often more disturbing encounters with human beings, whether fixated trophy hunters or poachers. She mentions the impact of land invasion without diatribe and, perhaps surprisingly, finds some positives among the negatives. Most of all, there's a new generation of animal heroes like Steve, a young male hippo cast out of his family pod; Squiggle, a mongoose rescued in the bush as a newborn; and a surprisingly accepting troop of baboons. Paolillo's ability to…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer's Weekly. Email Dr Lukeshni Chetty at lukeshni@sansor.co.za. “The central importance of the agriculture sector to the South African economy is undeniable. Apart from the nearly one million people employed in primary agriculture, and being a significant contributor to gross domestic product (GDP), the sector also ensures food security, the bedrock of any functioning economy and society. The fact that South Africa can supply itself with quality food that is still readily available is something that should be celebrated. Agriculture's injection of foreign revenue into the economy through the export of high-quality produce is also important to note. In most current public discussions about a food-secure and economically healthy agriculture sector, focus is placed on headline-grabbing…

South Africa is a small, open economy. From a gross domestic product (GDP) point of view, we are the fortieth-largest economy in the world and the 32nd-biggest agriculture sector. We can hardly be called an economic powerhouse but South Africa is still very well positioned in the international arena to punch above its weight. From an economic point of view, South Africa supplies the rest of the world with the scarce and critical minerals needed for the just transition to a low-carbon economy. Our agriculture sector is counter-seasonal, meaning that we can provide the Northern Hemisphere with agricultural products outside of its season. A STRATEGIC POSITION Finally, we occupy a strategic position at the southern tip of Africa. With increased political instability hampering the Middle East and Red Sea region,…

Stakeholders in the potato industry have been asked to increase collaboration and not hoard insights that could benefit the industry as a whole. Speaking at the Potatoes South Africa congress held in Cape Town in July, the organisation's CEO, Willie Jacobs, said the industry needed a combined effort to improve efficiencies that would translate into higher margins for farmers and less waste at market level. He noted that more transparency was needed to determine the best time to send potatoes to market and which markets to send them to. This would also help to reduce waste at fresh produce markets where potatoes did not sell in time, he added. CT van der Merwe, CEO of AL 3 Boerdery in Limpopo, said potatoes that remained at markets for five days resulted…

National Treasury recently activated a wheat import tariff of R17,63/kg. Dr Tobias Doyer, CEO of Grain SA, welcomed this move but said the tariff should have already been activated in March and increased to over R40/kg by July. He added that the slow adjustment of the import tariff was negatively affecting farmers’ profitability: “We need the tariff to be more responsive to market fluctuations by, for instance, kicking in automatically like diesel and petrol prices. Convincing everybody of the benefits of this would, however, take time and be difficult.” Andries Theron, chairperson of the Protein Research Foundation and a farmer from the Swartland, said the Western Cape, the main wheat-producing region in South Africa, produced an average to above-average crop last year. But it suffered a “price drought” because prices…

UNITED STATES Monarch Tractor, a start-up in California that specialises in autonomous electric tractors, has secured a US$133 million (about R2,5 billion) investment, boosting its value to $518 million (R9,6 billion). Founded by car enthusiasts and a wine producer to aid US farmers, the company aims to replace diesel machinery with eco-friendly electric tractors. CEO Praveen Penmetsa highlighted plans for global expansion, particularly in Europe, as well as nationwide distribution, partnering with CNH Industrial to increase production and develop larger models. CANADA Farming in the Yukon, the smallest and western-most of Canada's three territories, is evolving with increasing opportunities despite its challenges, according to John Streicker, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Farm capital in the territory had surged by 30% over the past six years, driven by local food production…

The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently hosted a significant meeting with aspiring farmers, marking the launch of the Nguni Project, an initiative designed to inspire South Africans to explore Nguni cattle farming. Attendees received assistance in filling out application forms, ensuring the process was accessible to all interested parties. The programme is structured to support emerging black farmers by loaning them 30 pregnant Nguni heifers and one bull, with the understanding that they will repay the same number of heifers or an equivalent rand value after five years. To qualify, applicants need 500ha of land and must commit to the programme's terms, including the five-year repayment plan. This initiative is aimed at empowering new farmers, enhancing livestock diversity and preserving the unique characteristics of the Nguni breed.…

In the aftermath of black frost followed swiftly by destructive fires, Limpopo's agricultural community finds itself in dire straits. The impact has been severe, with initial estimates exceeding R1,3 billion in damage, as reported by Henk van de Graaf, chairperson of TLU SA North. In an important meeting held recently between TLU SA representatives and Dr Takie Makananisa, newly appointed head of Limpopo's Provincial Disaster Management Centre, the situation was addressed. Reflecting on the discussions, Van de Graaf noted that the meeting was fruitful, as it laid the groundwork for a sustainable partnership between the organisation and the provincial government. “We must realise that we have not yet received all the reports and that [the R1,3 billion] could rise drastically as the final losses due to the black frost and…

Not only has the El Niño weather phenomenon ravaged crops in Zimbabwe this year, but it has also resulted in widespread livestock deaths in the country. Thirty percent of households in Matabeleland South have reported livestock deaths, making it the hardest-hit province in Zimbabwe. Over 9 000 drought-related cattle deaths were reported, and over 1,4 million cattle were reported as being at high risk due to lack of pasture and water, according to the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee's (ZimLAC) 2024 Rural Livelihoods Assessment Report. The assessment revealed that 20% of rural households nationwide had reported livestock deaths. Other affected provinces included Masvingo (28%), Midlands (27%) and Manicaland (18%). Mashonaland West recorded the lowest level of livestock deaths at 12%. “In terms of livestock condition, 49% of households in Matabeleland South…

Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grain and oilseed prices remain subdued due to ample global supplies, stiff export competition, and uncertainties over Chinese demand. The lower global prices continue to put pressure on SAFEX wheat and soya bean prices. However, local forecasted production cuts, coupled with strong regional demand, have supported SAFEX maize prices, which are following an opposite trend to global maize prices. MAIZE Pressured by expectations of large US supplies, CBOT maize prices continued to lose momentum in mid-July (see Graph 1), decreasing by 12,1% month-on-month (m/m). According to the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report in July, maize production in the US is projected to increase by 1,6% year-on-year (y/y) on the back of increased area planted. Additionally, favourable weather conditions during the 2024/25 US…

In 2022, Ashia Cheetah Conservation, Cheetah Outreach Trust, Stellenbosch University and Groningen University in the Netherlands joined forces to provide a landscape-wide census of free-roaming cheetahs to allow for better communication about these animals between landowners and conservationists. There is very little scientific data available about the status and population of free-roaming cheetahs in South Africa. Previous conservation efforts were mainly focused on cheetah within fenced-off protected areas. Is the cheetah endangered? The cheetah is not classified as endangered, but these cats are being increasingly threatened by human activities while also being dominated by and thus highly vulnerable to attacks from hyaenas, leopards and lions. They are classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. The current population is thought to be close to 7…

Frugal Feasts LIFESTYLE SERVES 4 • Cook the rice according to the packet instructions and then drain it. • Heat a splash of the oil in a large frying pan or wok on high and fry the onion for about five minutes or until browned. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Add the mixed vegetables and cook for about five minutes or until tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 310ml (1¼ cups) rice Sunflower oil, for frying 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 750ml (3 cups) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed Salt and pepper 4 eggs, lightly beaten 80ml (⅓ cup) soya sauce 80ml (⅓ cup) sweet chilli sauce Handful parsley, chopped (optional) • Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and add the…

ARCHIVE New ways of reducing tariffs on farm livestock and products were under consideration. Losses amounting to R250 million a year that at present are being incurred by the Railway Administration on passenger traffic, but which are recovered from the agriculture sector, should be borne by the central government. This is one of the important representations made by the South African Agricultural Union (SAAU) in ongoing negotiations with the administration that began last year, and which are expected to continue for the greater part of this year. The deep concern of organised agriculture about the strangling effect of high railway tariffs on the efforts of farmers to remain viable is underlined by the high-power SAAU delegation chose to conduct the negotiations. The delegation consists of SAAU president Albert Basson; the…

One potato extra per person, per week: this is Potatoes SA's goal to achieve greater levels of food security, stability in rural economies and the best use of resources for food production. Speaking at the Potatoes SA Congress, held in Cape Town in July, Dirk Uys, the organisation's head of research and innovation, said per capita consumption of potatoes in South Africa was low. “At 35kg/person/year, South African consumption is up from 25kg/person/year over the last two decades, but still has a long way to go to reach global figures.” Eastern Europe and Russia, where per capita consumption per year was around 100kg, were followed by the US with 70kg and Malawi with 60kg. Potatoes were not included in school feeding schemes in South Africa, something the organisation wanted to…

Recent storms in the Western Cape have negatively impacted winter cereal and citrus production in certain parts of the province. In Citrusdal, which exports roughly 20 million 15kg cartons of citrus per year, citrus farmers had suffered on-farm losses, but road access was also cut off from the rest of the province, leaving the community stranded and producers without market access during peak season. Gerrit van der Merwe, chairperson of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa and a citrus producer in Citrusdal, said growers in the region lost more than R430 million because of damage suffered during last year's floods, and that early estimates suggested the value of the current damage was much higher. At the time of writing, farmers and the public had started using a private bridge…

In celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July, Nonceba Kontsiwe, Eastern Cape MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, handed over essential agricultural inputs to Lingomso Lethu Special School in the town of Butterworth. The initiative forms part of a broader effort to empower the school to produce its own food and enhance the nutrition of its learners. Kontsiwe delivered vegetable seedlings, JoJo tanks for water harvesting and storage, and various gardening tools to support the production of vegetables for the school's nutrition programme. The event aligned with the theme for this year's Nelson Mandela International Day. “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity. Extension and advisory service officials from the department will conduct food production demonstrations, sharing valuable tips on cultivating different vegetables,”…

The market for gourmet mushrooms in South Africa is seeing notable growth. Despite the high costs and specific challenges involved in their production, the appeal of these mushrooms for their culinary and medicinal benefits is undeniable. However, mushroom production, particularly of gourmet varieties, presents significant barriers to entry. According to Peter Nyathi, managing director of Tropical Mushrooms in Johannesburg, the cost of growing mushrooms at home is more expensive than purchasing them from a store. He emphasised the importance of professional expertise in urban farming, including mushroom cultivation. “Urban farming is an excellent concept, especially when run by professional industry personnel, as it brings production efficiency and commercial benefits to all involved.” Roy Singh, production manager at Vaal Exotic Mushrooms, highlighted the specialised conditions needed for growing medicinal mushrooms, such…

South Africa's Agricultural Business Innovation Survey 2019-2021, commissioned by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), has unveiled pivotal insights into the innovation dynamics within the agribusiness sector. Despite the tumultuous disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey revealed that 67,1% of agribusinesses continued to actively pursue innovation. Dr Yasser Buchana, senior research specialist at the Human Sciences Research Council, said the survey highlighted that agribusinesses employed various strategies to innovate, such as training (60,1%), acquisition of machinery and equipment (50,1%), and acquisition of computer software (49,5%). “The resilience of the sector is evident in the substantial proportion of businesses that continued to invest in innovation despite the pandemic. This demonstrates the sector's commitment to overcoming challenges such as climate change, rising input costs, and global competition,” he said.…

Africans and especially South Africa's commercial farmers are resilient and don't need much to become optimistic. Recently we had the good news that DA leader John Steenhuisen had become agriculture minister, and then the Boks won against the Irish after a memorable rendering of the national anthem by singer KB Motsilanyane. Optimism nearly reached the levels it did when Nelson Mandela walked onto the pitch in his rugby jersey. The appointment of Steenhuisen is particularly good news for South Africa's farmers. Minister Ivan Meyer has illustrated in the Western Cape that agriculture can flourish with good governance. Steenhuisen can do the same nationally. ADVICE FOR THE NEW MINISTER It may be presumptuous for a retired agricultural economist to give advice to a seasoned politician, but I have spent my whole…

Despite huge awareness campaigns, many South African grape farmers are still not taking grapevine leafroll disease, caused by a virus, seriously enough. Vinpro consultant François Viljoen said during a leafroll information session held at Vergelegen wine estate near Somerset West, Western Cape, that he simply could not understand why: “By now it is general knowledge that leafroll virus negatively affects farm income, as it results in lower production volumes and grape quality. “It also significantly reduces the longevity of the vineyards, meaning vineyards should be replaced over shorter periods. You will be lucky if a leafroll-infected vine lasts longer than 15 years.” Prof Gerhard Pietersen, a plant virologist at Patho Solutions, said the virus is severely underestimated in the table grape industry: “We tested 145 vines from 25 vineyards in…

SERVES 8 TO 10 200g packet Tennis biscuits, crushed 80g baking margarine, melted 385g tin condensed milk 750ml (3 cups) milk 125ml (½ cup) corn flour 80ml (⅓ cup) water 5ml (½ tbsp) vanilla essence 2 eggs Pinch salt Ground cinnamon, for dusting • Blitz the biscuits in a blender until fine. Mix in the margarine and press into a 25cm microwave-safe tart dish. Place in the fridge. Combine the condensed milk and milk and then microwave for three minutes. Combine the corn flour, water, vanilla essence, eggs and salt. Stir this mixture into the condensed milk mixture until smooth. • Microwave the condensed milk mixture for about six minutes, stirring after every minute until it starts to thicken. Pour over the biscuit base. Keep aside until set. • Dust…

Researchers from Northwestern University in Illinois, US, have uncovered a new mechanism in Earth's phosphorus cycle, shedding light on a previously unknown natural process, according to a report by ScienceDaily. IRON OXIDE The study, published in July in the journal Nature Communications, reveals that iron oxide, a common mineral in soil, can convert organic phosphorus into inorganic phosphorus, a form that is crucial for plant and microbial growth. This discovery challenges the current understanding that only enzymes from plants and microbes facilitate this transformation. Phosphorus is essential for plant health and good crop yields, thus making it a critical component of fertilisers. The phosphorus cycle involves organic forms of the mineral in soils, where phosphorus is bound to carbon atoms via oxygen. Plants and microbes release enzymes to break these…

Dear Prof McCrindle, What are antimicrobial residues in cow's milk? Are they dangerous to humans? Dairy Farmer, Eastern Cape Dear Dairy Farmer, Antimicrobials are another name for antibiotics, but the term also includes other chemicals that kill microbes (another name for ‘germs’). There are two ways that antimicrobial substances enter milk products. The most important is when dairy cattle are injected with antibiotics to prevent or cure a disease, specifically mastitis in their udders. However, the term antimicrobial can also include chemicals used for hygiene and cleaning of milking machines and containers in the dairy. Milk samples are routinely tested by adding them to plates or tubes that have been inoculated with pathogenic bacteria. These are incubated, and bacterial growth is measured to calculate antimicrobial resistance levels in milk. If…