Indholdsfortegnelse for 16 August 2024 i Farmer's Weekly

In December 2021, Botswana banned the importation of vegetables from South Africa. It was originally only supposed to be a short two-year ban but was extended in December 2023. According to President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana, the import ban on South African-produced vegetables, including carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, garlic, onions, ginger and fresh herbs, was empowering Batswana farmers and promoting selfsufficiency while improving livelihoods. As Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, explains in an opinion piece published by Daily Maverick, Botswana and Namibia have often in the past banned imports of South African vegetables in an effort to encourage domestic production. These types of protectionist policies fly in the face of the purpose of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which encourages free trade between Southern African countries. By…

Regenerative agriculture promotes holistic farming systems that, among other benefits, improve water and air quality. It improves animals’ quality of life, enhances biodiverse ecosystems, produces nutrient-dense food, and stores carbon to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Regenerative agriculture works to mimic nature, returning the land to its untouched state by moving away from the fossil-fuelled practices of modern industrial agriculture. This encourages species to return to their native habitats and rebalance the planet’s delicate ecosystems. KroonLek has identified the advantages of using diatomaceous earth (DE) to improve the health of animals and contribute to agriculture as a whole. WHAT IS DIATOMACEOUS EARTH? DE is a type of algae mineral that is rich in silica. It consists of single-cell, honeycomb-structured, algea organisms with silicon exoskeletons called diatoms. This aquatic…

A farmer in the Vryburg area, Gilbert Speedy, was able to finish his cattle for the market from the veld, which had been pastured by the establishment of large areas of indigenous climax grasses. Having farmed in the area since 1920 on 4 000ha, Speedy has had unsurpassed experience in all facets of cattle farming. His ultra-modern feeding kraals with their concrete feed troughs, mechanical grinders and feed mixers are today in total disuse - testimony to the failure of the red meat prices keeping up with production costs. “Today, the profitable production of beef can only be undertaken if the animal can be marketed off the veld,” says Speedy. By adapting to the altered circumstances and changing his management to suit the prevailing conditions, he is able to do…

‘WE NEED [… TO] FIND WAYS TO REWARD FARMERS FOR THEIR CONSERVATION FARMING EFFORTS’ - Dr Theodore Friederich, conservation agriculture expert, speaking at the 9th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture in Cape Town about encouraging more producers to employ these farming practices (p18). ‘Without co-operation, it became impossible to continue our work’ - Dr Japie Buckle, a trustee of conservation group Friends of the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area (Fobwa), on the deterioration of the group’s relationship with the Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency, which is cited as one of the reasons for the former’s recent closure (p22). ‘Standing here today, we are reminded of the resilience required to overcome adversity’ - Peter Cloete, president of Agri Eastern Cape, speaking at the organisation’s recently convened congress on the resilience of the…

Using artificial intelligence and digital technologies in combination with integrated weed management may help to improve weed control on farms, says Dr Ken Flower, director of the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative. Speaking at the 9th Congress of Conservation Agriculture, he said herbicide resistance was a growing challenge across the world. In Western Australia, specifically, surveys conducted every five years revealed that almost 100% of annual ryegrass samples were resistant or developing resistance to diclofop, whereas glyphosate resistance had jumped from 1% in 2015 to over 20% in 2020. The surveys also indicated that more than 95% of the resistant populations were resistant to more than one mode of action. According to Flower, research had also uncovered that current weed management practices were resulting in life cycle adaptions in some weed…

NORTH KOREA A rare visit by the head of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to North Korea has sparked criticism from former US officials and humanitarian experts, with some suggesting that the Chinese official is using his position to serve China’s political interests. The FAO said in a statement that Director-General Qu Dongyu had paid a visit to the city of Pyongyang between 13 and 16 July, praising North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for his country’s “great achievement” in food security and agricultural development. MOROCCO Morocco’s grain farmers are facing a severe crisis due to a six-year drought exacerbated by climate change. The country’s agriculture ministry reported that this year’s wheat harvest was expected to be only 3,1 million tons, down from last year’s…

South Africa’s food price inflation is showing signs of moderation, reflecting a broader global trend of easing prices, according to recent reports. Statistics South Africa’s statisticiangeneral, Risenga Maluleke, said the annual change in the consumer price index (CPI) in May was 5,2%, dropping to 5,1% in June, keeping the inflation percentage between the 5% and 6% range over the past 10 months. “Having remained at 4,7% in April and May, the annual rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) dropped to 4,6% in June. Food and NAB inflation then fell from its peak of 14% in March last year. June saw its lowest readings since September 2020, 45 months later, when the rate was 3,8%,” He added that several food and NAB categories recorded lower annual rates in June. These…

Some vegetable categories displayed declining price trends for the week ending 19 July due to increased volumes, while others were impacted by adverse climatic weather events that led to lower-than-average volumes supplied to South Africa’ fresh produce markets. CABBAGES Price pressures have been noted due to supply flows, and this is reflected mostly in the monthly trend. For the week ending 19 July, month-on-month (m/m) prices followed a declining trend, falling slightly from R2 880/t to R2 691/t and amounting to a 6,6% decrease (see Graph 1). Average monthly volumes supplied supported the decline in prices with a 20,3% increase. Annual trends, however, showed increases in both average prices and volumes supplied, up by 12,6% and 20,3%, respectively. Cabbage demand remains subdued for July; analysts note that this trend is…

Killer Stories by Brin Hodgskiss & Nicole Engelbrecht (Jonathan Ball, R310) Former police psychologist Hodgskiss goes far beyond another anthology of interviews with South African serial killers. Instead, his approach is “the idea that listening to one another’s stories can make life better”. He explains how this evolved from working with the South African Police Service, what he found that interviews and narrative could reveal (and conceal), and how he needed to tell his own story to keep himself sane. He recalls how the 12 serial murderers he interviewed struggled to make sense of their own stories. In a chilling passage, he comments on what strength it takes to make sense of our world without “being undermined by our inner stories”. In Part 1, podcaster Engelbrecht recounts the crimes committed by…

As climate change escalates, cotton farmers face greater challenges from drought and heat. However, ScienceDaily reports that new research published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal provides hope for developing more resilient cotton varieties. Researchers investigated how different cotton plants respond to drought at the genetic level. They grew 22 varieties of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in Arizona, US, exposing half of them to drought conditions. By studying the plants’ genetic and physical traits, they discovered key insights into cotton’s drought resilience. They determined that two regulatory genes, GhHSFA6B-D and GhDREB2A-A, were crucial for the plants’ ability to manage water stress while sustaining fibre production. These genes co-ordinate the activity of hundreds of other genes involved in drought response and fibre development. “We were excited to discover this direct link between…

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 original article at shorturl.at/Bqouc. “The sight of a swarm of wasps, or even just a single wasp, strikes fear into many people’s hearts. Most wasp species aren’t dangerous to humans (unless you’re allergic to them), but their stings are painful. Some wasp species can wreak havoc in other ways, though. Take the family Vespidae, which includes more than 5 000 species. Of those, about 700 are social wasps, meaning they live in groups, with nests containing anywhere between 25 and 7 000 wasps. Sometimes social wasps are able to reach countries beyond their natural range and establish populations there. This usually happens when hibernating…

Farmer’s Weekly held a colouring-in competition for the children of attendees at the Nampo Harvest Day in Bothaville, Free State. The prize of a colouring-in book was created and sponsored by Selinah Khutso, who farms goats in Limpopo. The winner of the competition was five-year-old Lwanddo Simondile from Mmabatho, North West. GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your letters to: farmersweekly@caxton.co.za, or Farmer’s Weekly, PO Box 1797, Pinegowrie 2123, SA. The views and opinions expressed on the letters page do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly or Caxton. Readers’ letters will be published and edited at the sole discretion of Farmer’s Weekly.…

The agribusiness sector has always been central to the South African economy given its ability to attract foreign direct investment, ensure food security, create jobs and provide maximum benefits across the entire value chain, from input suppliers and farmers to logistical activities, processors and consumers. This capacity justifies the need for substantial support and resources from the seventh administration under the Government of National Unity (GNU). CONTINUITY MAINTAINED Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen’s Budget Vote Speech in July sparked optimism about the sector’s future, indicating a promising continuation of key policy initiatives from the sixth administration, with a renewed focus on relentless implementation. Among other critical points, he emphasised that “the Agriculture and Agroprocessing Master Plan [AAMP], adopted in 2022, is the framework upon which the inclusive growth of the agricultural…

AfriForum’s recently released annual landfill audit report has revealed that municipal waste management in South Africa continues to deteriorate. According to the report, only 14,3% of municipalities complied with the audit requirements, marking a decline of 3,3% compared with the 17,5% of municipalities that met 80% or more of the audit requirements in 2023. Marais de Vaal, environmental affairs adviser at AfriForum, said the decline in the number of landfill sites that passed the audit in 2024 was a serious cause for concern. AfriForum shared the results of the 2023 audit with the relevant municipalities as well as the relevant state organs, but to no avail. “t therefore appears that no significant steps have been taken during the past year to address these shortcomings,"”he added. The audit shows that municipalities…

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema recently called for an increase in winter maize production in that country in a bid to grow food security and improve farmers’ livelihoods. This followed the marked drop in maize production in the 2023/24 season following the effects of the El Niño-induced drought. It had resulted in the declaration of a national state of disaster after annual maize production in Zambia fell to 1,5 million tons from the average of three million tons in previous years. Winter maize, also known as off-season maize, is grown during the dry season, typically from May to September in Zambia. “Winter maize production is key to enhancing food availability, reducing the reliance on imports, improving farmer income, promoting economic growth as well as ensuring food self-sufficiency,” Hichilema said. Planting maize…

James, a farmer friend I bumped into in town, told me: “I enjoy your column, Peter, but your most recent one telling farmers to ‘differentiate’ their products is pie in the sky. It’s simply not possible to differentiate everything.” Over a cup of coffee at the local Mugg & Bean he pointed out that most farmers are too small to produce specially packaged and branded products. In any case, very few farmers actually sell their produce directly to the final consumer. They sell it on the fresh produce market, to a processor, or deliver it to an agent who handles the direct marketing and any possible differentiation. LESSONS FROM A COFFEE SHOP James, I knew, produced coffee himself, and I took some delight in pointing out how Mugg & Bean…

Johann Pistorius was never that interested in crops. Growing up on a diversified farm in the Nigel region of Gauteng, his first love was cattle. “I had no interest in gambling, placing a seed in the soil and hoping it will give you a return on investment,” he quips. But debilitating stock theft left him with little choice. After completing his studies in animal science in 2004, he returned to the family farm where he first farmed with his father and later bought his own land. Cattle and sheep were farmed and at the peak, the feedlot had capacity for 4 000 lambs. Theft had already plagued the farm before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, but by 2020 Pistorius was losing up to 100 lambs a week. “I hardly slept at…

Sometimes it is the old-word charm of yesteryear that really makes one feel warmly at home. Located in a Stellenbosch Cape Vernacular double-storey house with a corrugated steel roof and classic broekie-lace iron filigreed balcony, Evergreen Manor & Spa is a high-quality place to stay. As a Cape Country Routes property, this refined, owner-managed five-star boutique hotel speaks to its location in the heart of beautiful Stellenbosch. Historic Stellenbosch University buildings are directly opposite, and it is very close to the Botanical Garden. Expect photos of Stellenbosch in the past, quality antiques and other period furnishings in the guest and public rooms. Heritage pieces have been updated to hold a bar fridge and a filter coffee- and teamaking tray as well as a flat-screen TV. An elegant round table offers…

Dear Prof McCrindle, I breed horses and purchased a registered stallion that had been tested for CEM last year. The seller said it must be done every year. What is CEM, and how do you test for it? Kind regards, Gary Dear Gary, The disease you mentioned (CEM) is an abbreviation for contagious equine metritis. It is caused by the pathogen Taylorella equigenitalis. Mares that are positive for this disease show a severe purulent discharge from the vulva and become infertile. The pathogenic organism is usually transmitted during breeding, but because of the severe purulent discharge, it can also be transmitted by direct contact. Although stallions seldom show signs of disease, they remain carriers. Stallions used by any registered Thoroughbred stud farm must be tested and certified negative before being…

In his recent Opening of Parliament Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that government would “increase funding to land reform, prioritise the transfer of state land and improve post-settlement support by strengthening the institutional capacity of responsible structures”. This profound statement is at the heart of South Africa’s agenda for inclusive growth in the agriculture sector. Over time, the South African government has amassed over two million hectares of land that have never been released to beneficiaries with title deeds. These now mostly underutilised government-owned farms were acquired through the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy and sit in the Agricultural Land Holding Account. LACK OF SECURE TENURE Many black farmers we interact with tell stories of frustration about their inability to expand and commercialise their farming operations because of their lack of…

At the 9th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, conservation agriculture emerged as a valuable tool to improve the financial sustainability of farmers, fight climate change and improve food insecurity. Beth Bechdol, deputy directorgeneral of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), said at the event that nearly one out of every four people in Africa was suffering from hunger or malnutrition, with about 50% more food needed to be produced to feed the growing global population by 2050 than was produced in 2012. She identified conservation farming as a means to not only produce “more food with less inputs and a smaller environmental impact” but also as a way to enhance the climate resilience of farmers. She emphasised the…

Greece has banned the movement of sheep and goats from its farms in an attempt to contain the spread of a viral infection known as ‘goat plague’ after new cases were detected in late July, according to a statement by the country’s agriculture ministry. The virus, also known as peste des petits ruminants (PPR), does not affect humans but is highly contagious among sheep and goats, killing as many as 70% of those infected. Speaking to Reuters, Georgios Stratakos, a senior agriculture ministry official, said about 8 000 animals had been culled and over 200 000 tested for the virus, mainly in the central Thessaly region where authorities first detected the outbreak on 11 July. By the end of July, two more cases had been detected on farms in the…

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has announced plans to bolster agricultural activities as a key strategy to combat poverty in response to a recent South African Human Rights Commission report highlighting urgent poverty issues in the province. This initiative was announced by MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Nonceba Kontsiwe at the handover of a tractor and implements to the Gobothi Residents’ Association. Kontsiwe emphasised government’s mission to ensure every piece of arable land in communities, schools, and church lands was cultivated. She urged communities to produce their own food for consumption and sale. “We are here to hand over a tractor to Gobothi Residents’ Association, and we want to encourage them because they are doing great work in planting so many hectares that they are working on. We…

The Agri Eastern Cape Congress convened in late July with 250 delegates, spotlighting the unique agricultural challenges and opportunities in the provincce. With the theme ‘Positivity through tough times’, the event brought together key stakeholders to discuss the region’s agricultural landscape amid ongoing economic and environmental pressures. Peter Cloete, president of Agri Eastern Cape, said: “Standing here today, we are reminded of the resilience required to overcome adversity. “While we now have the conveniences of modern technology, we must recognise that hardships persist across different regions. “No-one is immune to hardship. Every region faces its own set of challenges. For instance, while the Sundays River Valley may seem idyllic, it still presents unique difficulties,” he explained. Economic challenges are particularly pressing for Eastern Cape farmers. Cloete highlighted significant cost increases…

As climate change and associated detrimental weather patterns, such as droughts, become more commonplace in South Africa, farmers need to become increasingly vigilant in respect of plant poisoning in livestock. Essentially, poisonous plant species are usually very drought resistant and as they remain green and succulent, livestock, particularly those animals seeking greenery, may be inclined to graze or browse on these toxic plants. Some animals may identify poisonous plants as being toxic, but those coming from other areas or biomes may not understand the dangers. Many vastly different livestock diseases manifest in similar ways and it thus becomes tricky to ascertain what the problem may be when you have ailing or sick livestock. It is therefore important that, as farmers, we get to know the symptoms of various diseases and…

SERVES 4 15ml (1 Tbsp) olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, crushed 15ml (1 Tbsp) fresh ginger, finely grated 30ml (2 Tbsp) curry powder 375ml (1½ cups) dried red lentils 410g tin chopped tomatoes 500ml (2 cups) milk 500ml (2 cups) vegetable stock Juice of 1/2 lemon 2 handfuls baby spinach Salt and pepper 2 eggs, separated, plus 2 yolks Rice, to serve • Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and sauté the onion for five minutes. Stir in the garlic, ginger and curry powder and cook for one minute until fragrant. • Stir in the lentils, tomatoes, milk and stock. Bring to the boil over a high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or…