Indholdsfortegnelse for 4 October 2024 i Farmer's Weekly

A recent summit was held in Brazil, where the agriculture ministers from G20 countries met to discuss global food security. (The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the UK and the US, as well as two regional bodies, namely the EU and African Union.) Qu Dongyu, director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), said the G20 could have a significant impact on global food security through the promotion of ‘market transparency’, refraining from ‘adopting trade restrictions’, and ‘revitalising agricultural negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO)’. According to an article released by G20 India, the FAO has “long championed the benefits of open, rules-based trade for…

The formation of a new association called Organic Wines South Africa was announced on 4 September. The body represents South Africa’s leading certified-organic wine estates. Its main objective is to promote the benefits of sustainable agricultural practices and the non-chemical production methods used to make organic wines. Organic Wines South Africa aims to promote the development of sustainable production throughout the industry, including information sharing and the pooling of technical experience and expertise, while collaborating on collective marketing locally and internationally. While the association was founded by 11 members, it aims to extend membership to all South African producers of certified organic wine, both current and future. This includes those undergoing official conversion to organic practices as well as those certified in organic regenerative farming. To ensure optimal compliance for…

In my column a few weeks ago, I highlighted the need for South Africa to make the most of its membership in various international ‘clubs’. South Africa is very well placed as we are direct members of BRICS, the African Union, the G20 and beneficiaries of preferential trade terms with the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). South Africa may be a relatively small player on the global stage but our membership of these associations can be beneficial if we manage to secure tangible trade benefits from them. We took advantage of hosting the AGOA and BRICS summits in 2023 as we pushed the point of intraBRICS trade and greater AGOA utilisation. Some progress, albeit slow, is being made to remove nontariff trade barriers as a result.…

South Africa has extended its ban on imports of unprocessed poultry products from Rio Grande do Sul due to the ongoing outbreak of Newcastle disease in the Brazilian state. The temporary ban, which was initially enforced as a precautionary measure, has been upheld as the Department of Agriculture continues to assess the risk posed by the outbreak. According to Izaak Breitenbach, CEO of the South African Poultry Association, the ban was unlikely to have a significant impact on the availability of poultry products in South Africa. “Rio Grande do Sul is only the thirdlargest chicken-exporting province in Brazil, and all the other provinces can still export, so we do not expect a material impact,” he told Farmer’s Weekly. He added that while most of South Africa’s poultry imports came from…

As South Africa’s summer planting season approaches, local crop farmers are preparing for the potential impact of a La Niña weather pattern, with experts cautioning about uncertain rainfall forecasts. While La Niña is typically linked to above-normal rainfall in Southern Africa’s summer rainfall regions, experts have warned that the upcoming season may deviate from traditional expectations. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Peter Johnston, a research officer at the University of Cape Town’s Climate System Analysis Group, said: “La Niña is generally associated with above-normal rainfall in Southern Africa. However, this season, it is fair to say the chances of below-normal rainfall are much smaller than normal, but it does not guarantee a well-distributed rainfall pattern.” La Niña is expected to remain weak, with limited influence on early rainfall, but farmers should…

Macadamia farmers have been warned to adhere to crop-protection product labels lest they bring harm to bee populations and damage the crop’s reputation. Speaking at the Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC) conference held in White River, Mpumalanga, from 10 to 11 September, Alex Whyte, director of Green Farms Nut Company, said that one negative story about pesticide use on macadamias could erode the market. “The legislation around maximum residue levels [MRLs] from cropprotection chemicals is getting tighter, in part because many organisations are seeking to educate consumers on pesticide residues on their food, and they are not looking for good stories to tell. “We need to be very sensible in our crop protection. Macadamias have a reputation for being a healthy, sustainable product, but this can be eroded very quickly by…

AUSTRALIA In mid-September, Australia announced a trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that would remove tariffs on 99% of Australian products, saving the country A$135 million (around R1,6 billion) in the first year. Australian Minister of Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said the deal was expected to boost exports by A$678 million (over R8 billion) annually, with broader benefits beyond just economic gains. SOUTH KOREA In late August, over 600 peasant women protested at the National Assembly in Seoul against agricultural policies linked to climate disasters. They criticised the government’s focus on corporate farming and imported products, which they said worsened their plight. From late 2023 to early 2024, higher winter temperatures, frequent rainfall and a lack of sunlight have led to crop diseases and pests. The heavy…

Gauteng poultry farmer Nombuso Ntshingila is grappling with significant operational challenges at her Umdali Wamaqanda project, situated on a 372ha farm within the Indali Property Association in Emfuleni Local Municipality. The farm, part of a communal property association, hosts Ntshingila’s poultry business, which primarily focuses on egg production. Despite the farm having a chicken house with a capacity for 5 050 chickens, Ntshingila cannot run it at full potential due to ongoing electricity issues. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Ntshingila said the lack of electricity had disrupted essential systems that were supposed to keep her chickens healthy, particularly the solar and water filtration systems necessary for clean water. Ntshingila inherited these problems when she entered into a business agreement with the farm. Before her agreement with the Indali Property Association, the…

As the 2024/25 winter wheat production season begins in Zimbabwe, producers are aiming for a total harvest of 600 000t, with an expected yield of 6t/ha to 7t/ha. According to Bulawayo24 News, the Zimbabwe government made available 310 combine harvesters, expected to process 3 900ha daily. This year, 121 982ha was planted to wheat, surpassing the target of 120 000ha. In 2023, 86 000ha were planted. To maximise the efficient use of the harvesters, the government introduced winter wheat clusters to streamline logistics and ensure the machinery was allocated to regions based on farmers’ needs. Leonard Munamati, acting chief director of Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services, explained that the government had identified functional combine harvesters and linked them with farmers to ensure a timely harvest. He also mentioned that…

I have written a lot in the past about the effects of nutrient deficiency on livestock species and particularly about how this can weaken an animal’s immune system and in so doing result in opportunistic livestock diseases and parasites to wreak havoc within the biological system. There can also be other knock-on effects, such as reduced milk production in females and infertility in males. Many farmers globally don’t always consider the fact that farms or farming areas are very sensitive ecological areas where numerous, often unseen micro-organisms such as those found in water and soil are inextricably linked to the ongoing functionality of the wildlife, birdlife, and livestock that need to survive from such land. In this complex web of stakeholders found on the land, which form important segments of…

SERVES FOUR 100g soft butter, for spreading 8 slices of white bread 200g mozzarella, grated 2 avocados, sliced Salt and pepper 60ml (¼ cup) caramelised onions 60ml (¼ cup) black pepper or plain feta cheese, crumbled Leaves of 2 thyme sprigs • Butter the bread slices. Top four of the slices with mozzarella, avocado (seasoned with salt and pepper), caramelised onion, feta and thyme. • Close with the remaining four bread slices, buttered side in. • Place the prepared braaibroodjies inside a hinged grid, close it and and braai over medium-hot coals, turning often, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.…

5 WORDS THAT DEFINE STARTUPS If you’re looking to refresh your business or side hustle, or launch a new one, the entrepreneur learning platform Heavy Chef has just launched its second book, Side Hustles and Startups (Heavy Chef/ Pan Macmillan, R299). Its aim is to inspire and empower entrepreneurs by sharing advice from business owners who are authorities in their fields. To refresh your startup juices, here are the Heavy Chef’s five words for startups to live by: 1. Learn. Startup entrepreneurs are learning machines – and any failure can be a learning opportunity for a stronger offering. As one particularly famous entrepreneur said over a century ago, “I have not failed. I have found 1 000 ways that won’t work.” 2. Do. A startup is real, not a theoretical exercise.…

FREE STATE 2 OCTOBER Karoo Kalahari Meatmaster Production Sale, Bloemfontein Showgrounds. On offer: 64 rams and 100 ewes. Phone Mario Kruger on 060 522 3906. 3 OCTOBER Modderpoort Beefmaster Production Sale, Rouxville Auction Complex. On offer: 20 registered bulls and 50 female animals in various production stages. Phone Ras van Pletzen on 082 301 9061. 10 OCTOBER Kruger Bonsmaras and LHB Bonsmaras Production Sale, Waterpaslaagte, Boshof. On offer: 60 SP bulls and 250 commercial female animals. Phone Frikkie Kruger on 083 702 2771. EASTERN CAPE 3 OCTOBER George Stegmann Afrino Ram Sale, Willowmore Showgrounds. On offer: 70 rams. Phone George Stegmann on 082 850 2277. 10 OCTOBER Arwin Farms Bonsmaras Production Sale, Arrarat, Dordrecht. On offer: 80 bulls and 40 heifers. Phone Johan Greyling on 082 388 0597. LIMPOPO 5…

Dear Prof McCrindle, My cat is about eight months old and has started urinating all over the house. It stinks. I sprayed a disinfectant on the walls but it didn’t help. I always let him go outside to do his business, and he has a litter tray. What can I do? Albert Dear Albert, Male cats tend to mark their territory when they get old enough to mate with female cats. The problem is that the smell of the urine is very potent, and if sprayed on furnishings or curtains, it can bleach the colour or leave stains. Pet shops sell cat repellents, but it is almost impossible to apply them throughout your house often enough to stop your cat from ‘spraying’ indoors. This behaviour is mainly related to levels…

The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly. This article was originally published by The Conversation. To read the original, visit bit.ly/3XqzouM. Saul Ngarava is a research fellow in geosciences at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Email him at sngarava@ufh.ac.za. "South Africa is a water-scarce country, the 30th driest in the world. Using water wisely will become more and more important as the population grows and droughts related to climate change increase. A lack of clean, fresh water has a negative impact on people’s health and on the amount of food that can be grown. I studied 1 184 homes in South Africa’s North West, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape provinces to see which types…

Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) has introduced mobile processing units (MPUs) in an initiative aimed at transforming livestock management for emerging and communal farmers across South Africa. The MPUs will bring crucial services like tagging, branding, dehorning and vaccinations directly to the farmers, providing on-site support to improve livestock health and welfare. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Dr Phillip Oosthuizen, COO of RMIS said: “These MPUs address one of the biggest challenges facing emerging farmers, which is access to services. By bringing our MPUs directly to them, we’re eliminating the time and cost of transporting animals to remote facilities. This not only improves animal welfare, but also boosts farmers’ productivity.” With R9 million already committed, RMIS plans to roll out nine MPUs across South Africa’s provinces by 2025. Each MPU will…

South African citrus producers are increasingly feeling the financial strain of mitigating extreme weather events, with costly measures like netting, renewable energy, and advanced irrigation systems becoming necessary to protect crops. The growing challenges of extreme weather conditions are forcing farmers to rethink their production methods. Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Albert Coetzee, industry affairs manager at the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, said that while netting was a valuable tool for protecting citrus orchards from hail and wind damage, usage was far from widespread due to its high cost. “Netting is currently used on only about 5% of citrus farms. At a cost of around R270 000/ha, it’s a substantial financial commitment that not all growers can afford. While it makes sense for large-scale operations, smaller farms struggle with…

Macadamias are uniquely positioned to tap into a number of global health trends, which could boost demand for the nuts. Speakers at the Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC) conference held in White River, Mpumalanga in September, pointed to new thinking around fat consumption and the benefits of superfoods as trends that could ensure ever greater consumption of macadamia nuts. In his virtual presentation at the conference, Julian Mellentin, director of New Nutrition Business in France, said young consumers are losing their fear of fat. “For health-conscious consumers, fat is a virtue. Consumers above 55 years are also turning to low-carb, high-fat diets to [help] prevent Alzheimer’s. Macadamias are one of the best sources of good fats, so this trend is to our benefit, especially since these consumers are willing to pay…

The North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association (NWUFPA) has issued a Red Fire Danger Index (FDI) warning, along with an immediate fire ban, for the entire North West. This urgent alert, prompted by prevailing local conditions, will remain in effect until further notice due to the heightened fire risk. According to the NWUFPA, a dangerous combination of factors has increased the likelihood of wildfires throughout the province. High-speed winds are currently sweeping across the region and, combined with the exceptionally dry vegetation, have created a tinderbox scenario where even the smallest spark could lead to a catastrophic fire. Certain areas of the province are experiencing high humidity and relatively low temperatures, and while this may provide temporary relief from the fire threat, the NWUFPA has warned that local conditions could…

As one of the leading market research tools, the Absa AgriTrends report delivers vital insights for agribusiness stakeholders. The Spring 2024 edition covers essential topics like commodity price trends, production forecasts, market risks, and emerging opportunities in the agriculture sector. This piece provides a summarised overview of what the publication covers. In recent quarters, analysts observed growing negative sentiment within South Africa’s agribusiness sector. This is anticipated during dry periods, particularly when summer grain and oilseed production is impacted. However, these negative sentiments have not solely been driven by unfavourable weather conditions. Over the past few seasons, the industry has faced a combination of challenges, including animal diseases, logistical disruptions, infrastructural decay, and high production costs. Despite these obstacles, analysts have observed some improvements, with several positive developments emerging across…

Discipline is essential for maintaining a harmonious and productive work environment. It is the employer’s responsibility to enforce discipline by establishing and adhering to a set of workplace rules, also known as a disciplinary code. This code sets a guideline on what is considered unacceptable conduct in the workplace and ensures that disciplinary actions are carried out reasonably, consistently and fairly. FIVE CORE PRINCIPLES • Employer responsibility: discipline is primarily the employer’s responsibility, executed through supervisors and management. • Severity-based actions: disciplinary actions should correspond to the seriousness of the misconduct. This ensures proportionality and fairness. • Awareness and standards: employees should be well informed about the employer’s performance standards, rules and procedures to avoid unintentional breaches. • Reasonable cause: disciplinary action should only be taken when there is reasonable…

Although Nuwerust has a few ground dams that hold rainwater, most of the farm’s water is extracted by pumps from boreholes and is used for the irrigation of 10ha of lucerne and 10ha of barley. Ewes kid on winter pastures that are fenced with netting wire to offer protection from predators. Sheds have been constructed in all camps on Nuwerust to protect the goats from cold snaps, especially after shearing As for animal health, veterinarians Roland Larson and Mackie Hobson from GraaffReinet are actively involved in formulating inoculation, dosing, and dipping regimes. The technical teams from The House of Fibre and OVK have proved essential with the selection of replacements and the management and marketing of the mohair clip. Ensuring enough feed for goats begins with effective veld management, including…

New research on plant stem cells is helping scientists understand how plants grow stronger and more resilient. Just like animals and humans, plants have stem cells that play a crucial role in their growth and survival. Prof Huanzhong Wang, a plant molecular biologist in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut, US, explains that plant stem cells are found in the roots, shoots, and vascular systems of plants. These cells allow plants to grow upwards and downwards. Different types of stem cells also help plants develop thicker stems and trunks, making them stronger. Wang’s lab recently discovered a gene called HVA that controls the division of vascular stem cells, which are responsible for creating the structures that carry water and nutrients throughout the plant.…

Investing some time delving into The 5 Resets by Aditi Nerurkar (Thorsons, R390) could set you up well for the rest of this year and the next phase of your life. Nerurkar never forgot how she suffered severe stress as a medical student and how the early version of a mind-body continuum course that she stumbled on helped her cope. Here, she outlines some of her programme with her own patients. She advocates a Rule of Two: introduce only two changes at a time, giving yourself some weeks or a couple of months to become adjusted to them before moving on to the next ones. Use pragmatic prompts to implement five-second breathing tips during a busy day. Choose signals to mark the beginning and end of your work day. It’s important…

ARCHIVE This article looked at vaginal biopsy, a technique developed in Britain and Germany. Sows that fail to conceive cost a pig breeder R2 [about R200 today] in feed, labour and overheads for every week they remain empty. It is therefore important to keep a vigilant eye open for individuals showing signs of coming on heat at three-weekly intervals after mating. Unfortunately, some sows scarcely show any change at all in their behaviour and appearance during oestrus, while others only manifest the symptoms for six to 12 hours. When sows are allowed to run outside it is not always easy to inspect them closely -and they may have been lying in a wallow for relief from the heat, with the result that their bodies are coated with mud and the…

Meat prices are expected to follow a modest increasing trend over the medium term, according to Absa’s recently released AgriTrends 2024 Spring Edition. Speaking at the recent Nampo Cape in Bredasdorp, Marlene Louw, senior agricultural economist at Absa AgriBusiness, ascribed this to a relief on consumer pressures due to the strengthening of the rand, the 15% reduction in fuel prices since May and expected interest rate cuts over the next year. Having more than 100 days without load-shedding is also likely to reduce cost pressures within the meat value chain, while exports can further support prices. Absa expects average Class A beef prices to increase from the R53,80/kg seen in 2023 to R56/kg in 2024, R59,80/kg in 2025, R61,62/kg in 2026 and R63,78/kg in 2027. Average Class C prices are…

Absa expects maize prices to return to export parity levels in the medium term, primarily because of the forecast return of the La Niña weather phenomenon, which in Southern Africa is typically associated with above-average rainfall. In its AgriTrends 2024 Spring Edition report, launched recently at Nampo Cape in Bredasdorp, the bank noted that La Niña conditions were expected to start in September 2024, but that any delay increased production risks, potentially driving maize prices upward. It added that weather-related food security issues were expected to reignite discussions about genetically modified (GM) maize in Southern Africa and could result in countries like Kenya adopting GM maize production. This, in combination with current higher maize prices, could trigger a supply response within the region, which would ultimately lead to production and…

Despite concerns over high dairy supply levels and cost pressures, Ben van Greunen, chairperson of the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) in the Western Cape, expressed optimism for the year ahead at the MPO Western Cape’s recent annual general meeting held at Nampo Cape in Bredasdorp. Van Greunen noted that dairy producers had consistently demonstrated resilience by embracing innovation and seeking ways to enhance efficiencies to navigate challenging periods. According to him, there may be easier times ahead for producers, thanks to lower fuel costs, deflationary pressures on various products and anticipated interest rate cuts that are expected to leave consumers with more disposable income for food and luxury items. However, he warned that the industry needed to work on its public image, as there was a disconnect between consumers’ perceptions…

At a G20 meeting of agriculture ministers in Cuiabá, Brazil, the UK played a pivotal role in securing a declaration to support sustainable farming and enhance food security. Minister of Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner signed the G20 Agricultural Declaration, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to sustainable agrifood systems. Led by the Brazilian Presidency, the declaration places agriculture at the forefront of addressing poverty, hunger and malnutrition, while tackling the issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The declaration also advocates for more sustainable farming practices around the world, including putting an end to and reversing deforestation. Speaking at the meeting, Zeichner urged countries to strengthen international co-operation, including trade, to foster sustainable agrifood systems. He also reiterated the UK’s pledge to join the Global Alliance Against Hunger…

The macadamia industry is at risk of repeating past mistakes by once again becoming overly reliant on the Chinese market, which could lead to further disruptions. In 2015, market disruptions in China caused a sudden shutdown, resulting in a backlog of macadamia nut shipments from South Africa at Chinese ports and significant delays in payments, if they came at all. Speakers at the Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC) conference held in White River, Mpumalanga in September, advocated for a diversified marketing strategy. Prof Ferdi Meyer, director of the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy, pointed to the ‘big unknown’ in Chinese production, which was the area planted to macadamias in that country. According to him, the Chinese government pegged it at 300 000ha (compared with South Africa’s 72 000ha), but this…

Namibia’s Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, has warned that the country has recorded over 1 100 fires since January 2024 and called for a more coordinated approach to fire management. He said the alerts came at a time when farmers were preparing for wildfires as the country’s drought was increasing, and he expressed concern about the absence of comprehensive emergency response plans that left some communities ill prepared. Thinus Pretorius, president of the Namibia Agricultural Union, said the danger of large-scale veld fires in commercial farming was relatively low this year. He pointed out that the veld fires that had occurred so far this year originated mainly from communal areas where the veld was traditionally put alight in preparation for the coming growth season. “Because of the…

There seems to be no limit to humankind’s ability to go further, faster and higher. Seventeen world records were broken at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and over 60 at the Paralympic Games. The athletes, their trainers and supporting teams are truly an inspiration, but lest we forget that farmers and their teams, providing the nourishment that helps athletes achieve these incredible feats, are also breaking records. Farm yields set records in a big way during the 1960s, in a period that became known as the Green Revolution. From 1960 to 1980, rice yields per hectare in Asia increased by between 300% and 400%. In Pakistan, from less than 1t/ha in the 1960s, wheat yields climbed to between 2t/ha and 3t/ha by 1980 and were at 6t/ha to 7t/ha by…

That climate change is increasingly affecting the sustainability and profitability of farmers across South Africa was again affirmed by the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa, which recently held its annual conference under the theme ‘Agricultural Economics Research for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change in Southern Africa’. One of the papers presented focused on assessing the loss and damage (L&D) due to floods in KwaZuluNatal (KZN), and was authored by myself and Prof Godwell Nhamo. L&D is defined as the avoidable and unavoidable costs associated with climate change and weather viability. The methodology was developed by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which helps countries measure the economic effects of weather-related events on agriculture. WHY WAS KZN SELECTED? KZN is the wettest region in South Africa, with high…

Farming is often perceived as an inherited craft, passed down from generation to generation. However, for Valeska van Schoor and her husband, Stephan, founders of Gro4Africa, their agricultural journey began from the ground up. With a shared dream and a passion for nature, the couple ventured into farming, transforming a vacant plot in Pretoria East into a flourishing business growing celery, spinach, green beans, cauliflower, and lettuce. “My husband was inspired by agriculture from a young age,” says Van Schoor. “He used to read magazines like Farmer’s Weekly to learn about the industry and dreamt of owning a farm one day.” For Van Schoor, her love of nature was always present. “I’ve always had a love for growing and watering plants. It was natural for us to combine our dreams…